Small Group
Storm-Chasing Tours
Hokkaido & Honshu
Small crews, dialed guides, and zero wasted days. We keep group sizes tight so you get more lines, less waiting, and a better flow. Our experienced guides track storms in real time and chase the best conditions with a flexible itinerary and private transport to get you there without the stress.
While most head to Niseko, we base ourselves in Hokkaido’s snowiest cities; Asahikawa and Otaru, zones known for deep snow, no crowds, and access to the untouched backcountry of Daisetsuzan National Park. On Honshu, we steer clear of the Hakuba lift lines and go deep into Aizu, Niigata, Aomori, and Morioka, regions stacked with snow and still flying under the radar.
If you're chasing untracked lines and proper turns, you're in the right place. This is just a glimpse of what’s waiting on our Japan tours.
$3,490 - $3,990 I SINGLE ROOM
ASAHIKAWA FREERIDE
Mint’s flagship Japan tour. A week chasing deep snow and riding wild terrain in one of the most snow-sure regions on Earth. Based in Central Hokkaido, you’ll hit everything from quirky local hills to the legendary volcano Asahidake, with its steaming vents, deep powder, and backcountry lines. With a flexible itinerary and pro guides, you’ll score the best conditions daily, plus hit a few closely guarded secret spots. Off the mountain, stay in Asahikawa city for a more authentic experience. Soak in onsen, feast on local food, hit karaoke with the crew, and ride under the lights at the local hill. It’s the perfect mix of culture, comfort, and full-send freeride.
$2,990 I SINGLE ROOM
MORIOKA EXPLORER
If you’re chasing dry, Hokkaido-quality powder on Japan’s main island, without the crowds, the Morioka Explorer Tour should be at the top of your list. This week-long road trip takes you deep into Iwate’s under-the-radar resorts, where the terrain is packed with playful lines, natural features, and fun, flowy tree runs. It’s the kind of riding that keeps you grinning all day. With insider knowledge from our local guides, you’ll score untouched stashes most never find. And we’ve taken care of all the details. Single rooms in a great hotel, daily breakfast, private transport, lift tickets, and your own dedicated powder guide, so you can focus on the fun.
$2,490 - $2,690
AIZU EXPLORER
The Aizu Explorer Tour drops you into one of Japan’s best-kept secrets. A zone loaded with deep, dry powder, perfectly spaced trees, and virtually no crowds. This is storm-chasing at its finest, with your guide picking the best resort each day based on the latest conditions. With over half a dozen under-the-radar resorts within 10–30 minutes, you’ll ride untracked lines from first chair to last, and only on weekdays, so you’ll have the mountains almost entirely to yourself. You’ll stay at a quiet lakeside onsen hotel, with everything included: lift tickets, transport, buffet breakfasts and dinners, and station transfers.
$2,990 I SINGLE ROOM
Camp Good Times Japan
Ride with Nitro Snowboards legends Torgeir Bergrem, Griffin Siebert, Mateo Massitti and Knut Eliassen as Camp Good Times heads to Japan for the first time. This iconic rider week is all about community, creativity, and pure snowboarding. Spend a week chasing deep snow, lapping the park, soaking in onsen, and hanging out with the Nitro crew both on and off the mountain. From storm days and late-night sessions to a post trip highlight reel that captures every moment, Camp Good Times Japan is where the best riders and good times come together.
$3,790 I SINGLE ROOM
OTARU FREERIDE
Otaru is Hokkaido’s storm-chaser headquarters. This isn’t your typical resort town. It’s a gritty seaside base where the storms don’t let up and the snow stacks deep, fast, and light. When it’s firing, expect all-day refills and untouched lines from first chair to last lap. Our Otaru Freeride Tour is built for riders who want options and aren’t afraid to move for the goods. We’ve got a flexible plan, local knowledge, and access to a zone packed with variety, from the big hitters like Kiroro and Kokusai to low-key gems. It’s all about chasing conditions and getting the most out of every storm cycle.
$3,490 I SINGLE ROOM
AOMORI FREERIDE
Aomori is as far north as you can ride on Honshu. A remote, snow-covered paradise. Our dedicated guides monitor storm cycles and, with 4x4 vans on standby, we chase the best conditions daily, whether it’s hammering down on the coast or firing in Hakkōda. The terrain offers everything from inbounds powder laps to side country stashes, with night riding and a 22ft Super Pipe to keep the stoke high. Aomori Spring Resort serves as our basecamp, with a simple, no-distraction setup: a ski-in/ski-out hotel, north-facing slopes, and everything built around riding.
$3,490 I SINGLE ROOM
MYOKO EXPLORER
Ready for a week of non-stop powder laps? The Myoko Explorer Tour drops you into a legendary snow magnet. This little onsen town consistently gets hammered with some of Japan's heaviest snowfall. When we say waist-deep, we mean it. Surrounding our base in Myoko is a stacked lineup of resorts: Seki Onsen, Lotte Arai, Mt Kosha, Togakushi, Cupid Valley, Madarao, Tangram, Myoko Suginohara, Akakura Onsen and Kanko to name a few. Our mission for this tour is simple: ride powder, every single day. And our expert guides are on it.
$3,990 I SINGLE ROOM
ASAHIKAWA WOMEN'S FREERIDE
A week of deep snow and good times with the Mint Women crew. Based in Central Hokkaido, this tour is all about riding everything from quirky local hills to the legendary volcano Asahidake, famous for its steaming vents, deep powder, and big mountain terrain. With a flexible itinerary and expert female guides leading the charge, you’ll chase the best snow daily and tap into hidden zones and local secrets. Off the mountain, we stay in Asahikawa city for a true taste of Japan. Think post-ride onsen, incredible food, karaoke nights, and the chance to ride under the lights. The ultimate freeride trip for women who want to ride, explore, and have a blast.
$3,550 I SINGLE ROOM
Hana Beaman Aomori Freeride Tour
Ride with snowboard legend Hana Beaman in Japan’s snowiest zone, Aomori. Tucked away in the mountains with no distractions, this trip is all about snowboarding, good people, and deep turns. With Hana leading the charge and our Aomori-based Mint guides tracking every storm, you’ll chase powder from first chair to last light, with plenty of time to relax in the onsen, enjoy great food, and unwind at the ski in ski out hotel. With only six riders, the vibe stays tight, the days stay long, and with Hana around, the laughs keep coming.
$3,490 I SINGLE ROOM
YAMAGATA EXPLORER
The Yamagata Explorer Tour takes you deep into one of Japan’s most underrated snow zones. Yamagata is home to quiet, storm-loaded resorts, deep in-bounds powder, and perfectly spaced trees, with barely another rider in sight. Over the week, you’ll road trip between a curated mix of these hidden gems with your expert guide, chasing the best conditions each day. Off the mountain, soak in mountain onsen, feast on local specialties like handmade soba and yakitori, and stay in cozy hotels. With a small crew, private transport, and everything dialed, from lift tickets to dinners. This is the ultimate deep Japan experience, far from the crowds.
$3,490 I SINGLE ROOM
AOMORI PROGRESSION
For Intermediate Snowboarders. Based in Aomori, you’ll spend five full days riding powder, trees, and mellow off-piste zones with expert coaching to push your progression. Each day, your coach will select the best resort and terrain, giving you variety, challenge, and support in equal measure. If conditions allow, there’s even the chance to dip into lift-accessed backcountry for a low-effort, high-reward taste of what’s next. Off the mountain, relax in the onsen, refuel with hearty local food, and soak up the quiet rhythm of a tour focused on snow, progression, and good crew vibes.
$3,990 I SINGLE ROOM
ASAHIKAWA PROGRESSION
For Intermediate Snowboarders. If you want to confidently ride in powder and trees, a week of focused coaching will get you there. 5 full days shredding the diverse terrain around Asahikawa and the potential for guided backcountry experiences, all with a top-tier coach who gets where you’re at. Personalized feedback will sharpen your skills. This is about pushing your limits, scoring epic lines, and experiencing snowboarding on a whole new level. Off the mountain, you’ll stay in a lively regional city with access to onsens, local eats, karaoke, and night riding, giving you the full Japanese experience, both on and off the hill.
$4,390 I TWIN ROOM
MINAKAMI FREERIDE
Ride with a small crew, chase storms, and explore one of Honshu’s most legendary zones with local knowledge on tap. The Minakami Freeride Tour puts you right in the action, starting with two high-paced days at Tenjin, then shifting to wherever the snow is best across the region. With no hiking and no down days, it’s all about fast laps, deep snow, and laid-back vibes. Your guides? Kei and Chad Otterstrom. Expect banter, powder, and proper omotenashi. Twin-share lodging includes a private onsen, indoor and outdoor baths, Finnish sauna, and top-tier Japanese meals daily. Come reset, ride, and soak it all in.
$4,490 I SINGLE ROOM
MONDAY M.A.S.S.
Spend a week riding ‘Leisure Powder™️’ in Japan with Chris Coté, host of The World’s Greatest Action Sports Podcast. This is a full-throttle week of deep turns and good times in Japan’s snowiest zone. Based in Asahikawa, right in the heart of Hokkaido, you’ll hit a different resort each day, chasing powder through old-growth forests, steaming volcano zones, mom-and-pop hills, and a few of our secret stashes. It’s all about riding hard, laughing harder, and experiencing the best of Japanese snowboarding culture.
$4,490 I SINGLE ROOM
ASAHIKAWA FREERIDE W/ JONI MALMI
Ride with one of snowboarding’s true originals. Joni Malmi brings his deep knowledge of style, speed, and line choice to Hokkaido for a special week of storm chasing, freeriding, and good times in Japan’s powder capital. This is your chance to tap into Joni’s decades of riding experience while exploring the lesser-known zones around Asahikawa, Japan’s gateway to the deepest, driest snow on earth. Expect high-paced days, good crew energy, and plenty of pow laps with a legend who helped shape modern snowboarding. Off the mountain, unwind with onsen sessions, izakaya dinners, and that unbeatable combo of Japanese hospitality and Mint crew vibes.
$3,990 I SINGLE ROOM
WOMEN'S POWDER PROGRESSION
For Intermediate Snowboarders. If you’ve dreamt of floating surfy turns through deep Japan powder, a week of focused coaching will get you there. Ride with a highly qualified coach who will be your biggest cheerleader and empower you to become the best snowboarder you can be. Build your snowboarding skills to confidently ride off-piste, in powder and even venture into the trees. You’ll also connect and progress alongside a supportive community of like-minded women, creating the perfect environment to learn and push your limits together!
BLACK OPS JAPAN
This isn’t your average snowboard trip, it’s a powder recon mission across Japan. Black Ops takes you deep into one of the country’s most iconic and under-the-radar zones, backed by expert intel from our local Japanese guide team. Every stop is handpicked, every route dialed, and every move calculated to put you in the best snow possible. While we meticulously plan and prep each mission, Black Ops is all about staying agile and ready to adapt. Weather shifts, storms roll in, and conditions change fast. This is a high-stakes, high-reward chase for Japan’s deepest lines, far from the crowds. Want in? Space is extremely limited.
Not Sure Which Tour’s Right? We’ve Got You.
With so many destinations, tour types, and riding levels to choose from, locking in the right trip can feel like a mission. But that’s where we come in. Whether you’re into chasing deep pow, or leveling up with a progression crew, our Tour Managers are here to help. We’ll chat through your riding style, ability, and travel goals, then match you with the trip that fits best, no pressure, no guesswork. Just honest advice. Call or email anytime and we’ll help get it sorted.
JAPAN HOLIDAY PACKAGES
Let our team of Japan Specialists find you the best deals available for your next Japan holiday. We can create a package to suit your taste and budget. Mint Tours is a full-service travel agent, so we are able to take care of your flights, accommodation, transfers, rentals, lift tickets, insurance, stopovers and any other arrangements for your trip.
NISEKO PACKAGES
With its colossal amounts of snowfall and legendary freeriding, Niseko resort has something for everyone. Located on the western coast of the island of Hokkaido, is widely known as having one of the most consistent and biggest snowfalls in Japan. The ski resort is quickly becoming world renown boasting some of the best and most reliable powder conditions to be found. Niseko is the largest of Hokkaido ski areas with 4 interlinked first-class resorts, Annupuri, Hirafu, Hanazono and Niseko Village (Higashiyama). These 4 adjoining resorts make up Niseko and offer spectacular skiing and snowboarding opportunities to the novice, intermediate or expert, and offer the powder hound with unparalleled, pristine powder experiences 7 days a week. Niseko has one of the largest night skiing areas in Japan with the lifts open daily from 8.30am to 9.00pm. Niseko offers some great ski-in ski-out accommodation and a wide variety of self-contained apartments, private houses, western hotels and pensions catering to all budgets + READ MORE
EnquireRUSUTSU PACKAGES
Located on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, Rusutsu Resort is one of the best places to experience skiing and snowboarding Hokkaido’s famous light dry powder along with the luxe resort lifestyle. It is one of the most popular and upmarket resort hotels in Hokkaido, offering a variety of accommodation options and an endless array of quality facilities and services. Rusutsu’s slopes are spread over two distinct ski areas and spanning 3 peaks, the highest of which is Mt Isola, 994m high. From this peak on a clear day, you get a stunning panoramic view of Mt Yotei, Lake Toya and the Pacific Ocean. When it’s overcast and the views are not on offer, rest assured there will be powder to ride as it will typically be dumping in Rusutsu. The areas are connected by gondola and lifts, part of which make up the 18 lifts and 4 gondolas to enjoy alongside the terrain park, side country park, night skiing, and some of the best fall-line tree-skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido + READ MORE
EnquireFURANO PACKAGES
Furano is situated in Hokkaido’s beautiful Daisetsuzan National Park. The ski resort with over 950 vertical meters of skiing is one of Japan’s biggest and most famous resorts. Snowboarding and skiing Furano is spectacular, with virtually every run giving you great views of the peak of Mt. Furano and the summits of Hokkaido’s highest mountains. A wide expanse of lifts including two gondolas and seven lifts gives skiers and snowboarders access to a huge variety of terrain. Furano regularly holds World Cup events with the men’s downhill being the mountain’s specialty. On the slopes, Furano offers attractions for every level of skier, expert courses, long fast runs, fantastic tree skiing and long wide, easy cruising runs for beginners. Off the designated ski slopes, Furano offers an array of alpine alternatives, dog sled rides, snowmobiling, 4WD motor bikes, backcountry and alpine tours, parasailing behind a snowmobile and visiting the huge Buddha at Ashibetsu + READ MORE
EnquireKIRORO PACKAGES
Arguably the most snowfall in all of Japan, this is THE location for powder skiing and back country. Paired with top quality accommodation choices from world renowned Starwood Group’s Sheraton and Tribute-Portfolio brand hotels, and a number of off-slope activities, Kiroro makes a great holiday destination for friends, family and couples alike. Kiroro would have to be classed as one of the most modern and comfortable ski resorts in Japan. This recently refurbished and extremely well planned world class resort offers just about everything for a great ski vacation. The resort itself is situated about 40 kilometres west of Sapporo, close to the picturesque seaside town of Otaru. Skiing and snowboarding at Kiroro is extremely enjoyable, with a super fast lift system providing access to wide-open runs, and a variety of terrain well suited to beginners and intermediates. The resort has a well-designed lift network making it easy to get around the hill with a minimum of lift rides + READ MORE
EnquireASAHIKAWA PACKAGES
Known as the new ‘ski city’ of Japan, Asahikawa is Hokkaido’s second-largest city and boasts a reputation of having the most days with snowfall in all of Japan, as well as the record for the coldest temperature (-40°C) meaning conditions are consistently deep and cold all winter. Base yourself in one of our select Asahikawa hotels and make it your base to not only explore the Daisetsuzan National Park, home to the famous Mount Asahidake ropeway, but also the lesser known ski areas – Kamui, Canmore and Pippu ski resorts. If you still have the energy, there’s even options to go night-skiing at nearby Santa Present ski area which is only 15 mins from the city centre. Being a thriving city of 350,000 people, Asahikawa has a buzzing entertainment area with plenty of noodle shops and izakaya restaurants, where you can try the local speciality of Asahikawa ramen and the ‘Japanese’ famous Otokoyama sake + READ MORE
EnquireTOMAMU PACKAGES
Situated close to the Hidaka National Park and only a short way from Sahoro and Sapporo and sporting an expansive ski area as well as some luxury accommodation, Tomamu is a snowboarders paradise, with plenty of fantastic runs, great activities and situated in a convenient and close location. Not only are there a range of great family-friendly activities available, with sled parks and snowshoe tours, there’s also some fantastic advanced and legal off-piste runs, cross country skiing and backcountry tours to keep the adrenaline pumping. Most of the fun takes place between November and early April, with many of the facilities closed throughout the warmer months. The town itself is quite small with only a few hotels, all owned by the same company. This means that everything has been fantastically designed to be close together, easily accessible and with outstanding facilities. The two largest hotels are located within walking distance of one another + READ MORE
EnquireSAPPORO PACKAGES
Sapporo not only provides great sightseeing, dining and shopping spots but also full-scale ski resorts that are within easy reach of the city. With many areas receiving heavy snow, the snow quality is typically good right through till early Spring.
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is only one hour away from the city and attracts skiers locally and globally. Although there are total of seven courses, the resort offers lots of powder snow and a good amount of off-piste and trees to entertain you for a day trip. Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is open from November until May. You can enjoy the powder snow all season around due to the heavy snowfall in the area. The snow tends to stay intact till spring.
Sapporo Teine Ski Resort hosted Winter Olympic events in 1972. The resort + READ MORE
EnquireHAKUBA PACKAGES
The Hakuba Valley offers more terrain, vertical rise and advanced ski slopes than anywhere in Japan. Having hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games and numerous FIS World Cup events, the Hakuba Valley has a well-established international reputation as a world-class ski destination. From one end of the valley to the other and with 10 resorts accessing over 130 ski runs as well as providing access to incredible off-piste terrain of the Japan Alps, Hakuba’s reputation as a serious skiers and snowboarders’ destination is well balanced across all levels. This combination of world-class skiing, abundant snowfalls, sunny skies and over 9 ski resorts truly makes Hakuba Valley a precious gem among the rugged Japan Alps. From the complete novice to the expert skier, the Hakuba Valley provides some of the best skiing in Japan. Everything from gentle beginner slopes, to steeps, bumps and long groomers, and of course, plenty of fresh powder. Happo One Resort is +READ MORE
EnquireNOZAWA ONSEN PACKAGES
Nestled in an idyllic landscape, surrounded by imposing mountain ranges, lies the classic resort of Nozawa Onsen. With skiing first being introduced in 1912, history has shaped the present in this timeless mountain village. Well known as one of Japan’s premier classic resort destinations, this impressive area has cultivated its warm après-ski charm throughout its long history of winter sports. Even though Nozawa offers some of the best skiing in Japan and a host of other alpine adventures, this often takes a back seat to the magical feeling of the village when it is blanketed in the copious amounts of snow it receives every winter. The fairytale-like enchantment of this winter wonderland has long captivated the Japanese as they relax in the abundant natural hot springs that are seemingly around every turn. Nozawa offers travellers and alpine winter sports enthusiasts fantastic skiing & boarding opportunities. This combined with warm traditional experiences staying at authentic Japanese ryokan + READ MORE
EnquireSHIGA KOGEN PACKAGES
Shiga Kogen is situated in the heart of the Johshinetsu Kogen National Park, and is by far the largest ski resort in Japan, with 21 interlinked resorts all on one lift ticket! Shiga covers a huge area and offers a great diversity of natural terrain. Shiga Kogen is an interesting ski resort in terms of its unique layout; a long winding road weaves through the ski resorts, with ski-in/ski-out hotels dotted along the way. Rather than an accumulation of buildings in the form of a village, the solitary hotels tend to cater to all guests needs – breakfast, dinner, hot springs and some form of entertainment. If one were to specify an area as the main village, it would be Ichinose area, a wide open area with a number of hotels, and a scattering of restaurants. Most hotels in Ichinose area cater to the budget travelers, with both Japanese and Western styles available. Snow conditions and quality are superb and Shiga has one of the longest seasons in Japan due to its high altitude + READ MORE
EnquireMYOKO PACKAGES
Seeing Myoko Kogen for the first time, the mind boggles as to how one place can simply get so much snow. Myoko Kogen receives endless snowfalls which literally blanket the entire area right throughout its long winter season. One of the pioneering ski resorts and one of the largest ski areas in Japan, Myoko Kogen was originally established in the early 19th century and soon developed a reputation as Japan’s first international ski resort by the 1930s. With four main ski areas; Akakura Kanko, Akakura Onsen, Suginohara and Ikenotaira along with a myriad of nearby ski resorts, Myoko Kogen offers an incredible variety of terrain, near perfect conditions with the deepest of deep powder, big vertical, long ike corduroy pitches, magnificent gladed tree runs all with an astonishing 13 plus meters of snow each winter. Mt. Myoko, once an active volcano is now Myoko Kogen’s rich source of thermal spring waters. With a plethora of natural onsen hot springs, Myoko boasts not only spectacular snow, but the Myoko Valley is literally teeming with relaxing + READ MORE
EnquireLOTTE ARAI PACKAGES
The legendary Lotte Arai Mountain & Spa is back on the winter lovers resort map; closed in 2006 and reopened in December 2017 under new management, Arai is renowned for the biggest snowfalls on the ski resorts on the mainland. Now with a whole new upgraded luxury resort, Arai will lead the way in offering prime resort-style ski experiences in Japan and throughout Asia. Situated in the Joshinetsu national park nearby Myoko Kogen, and with the towering peaks of Mt Myoko, Mt Huichi and Yakeyama in the background, Arai offers some of the most spectacular scenery you will find in Japan. Covering an area of 1,020 hectares and at the foot of Mount Ohgenashi, Arai’s close proximity to the Japan Sea ensures snowfall depths of over 500 centimeters over the winter months. Arai has a broad based appeal with both skiers and snowboarders(approximately 44:56 ratio). It is a small ski resort with just 5 ski lifts but it does boast a very impressive 951 metres (3120 feet) of vertical descent, and skiers at all levels have fun on the Resort’s eleven ski trails. Freeskiers and snowboarders rate + READ MORE
EnquireMADARAO AND TANGRAM PACKAGES
The interconnected resorts of Madarao and Tangram are becoming increasingly popular with their excellent quality snow, great tree powder skiing, side country and not to mention perfectly groomed slopes. Located in the Nagano prefecture, Madarao and Tangram are also extremely close to some of the nearby bigger and more popular resorts of Myoko, Nozawa and Arai, making it a great destination for day or overnight trip during your holiday too. The resort of Madarao offers a mix of accommodation, most popular choices are the slope-side larger hotels, with the remaining properties being more Japanese-oriented pension lodges. Madarao also has a small scattering of restaurants and western bars, offering all travelers to the area an authentic and fun experience. The Tokyu Resort Hotel Tangram is the dedicated ski-in ski-out accommodation at Tangram resort offering guests the full resort hotel experience with swimming pool and relaxing indoor & outdoor onsen + READ MORE
EnquireAPPI KOGEN PACKAGES
Be happy in Appi! There is no doubt the pristine powder snow, well-groomed slopes and ski-in-ski-out resort hotel, will help you achieve this. This well laid out ski resort was built in during Japan’s economic bubble period and features a glitzy hotel with many first-class facilities and services. Enjoy a variety of terrain; ski the deep and steep up high, or learn on the lower slopes, taking in the beautiful views of the adjacent national park. With over 20 runs, you will have plenty of slopes to keep you busy through to the late afternoon. After heading in from the slopes, spend your afternoons relaxing in the therapeutic onsen baths, in the swimming pool, or at the in-house bar. Night skiing is also available if you have the energy to push on throughout the evening. If you’re feeling energetic and adventurous, and looking to stretch the legs a little, why not take a bus into the closest town, 30 minutes drive away, to experience local traditional restaurants and drinking establishments + READ MORE
EnquireNAEBA AND KAGURA
Naeba is vibrant and expansive resort, offering a wide array of ski runs, easy access to nearby resorts and a huge variety of accommodation. It’s perfect for skiers of any level with a large range of slopes and is also perfect for families with a large range of facilities designed to make both parent’s and children’s visits an enjoyable one! The Naeba Prince Hotel is arguably a skier’s paradise, spread across the foot of the slopes and offering sleeping for 4,000 guests with over 23 restaurants and a range of spas, a childcare centre and bars to enjoy an après-ski drink, plus more. For families the convenience of close access to everything and a range of children’s activities makes it easy for all members to enjoy the holiday. The size and scale of Naeba will impress – it’s home to the country’s largest ropeway, the “Dragondola” that connects the nearby resorts of Tashiro, Kagura and Mitsumata ski areas. Backcountry tours are available as well as snowshoe tours and ski schools for all experience levels, and English + READ MORE
EnquireGETO KOGEN
Geto Kogen is a powder paradise. Located to the west of central Kitakami city in the south-western region of Iwate Prefecture. Uniquely positioned in a relatively narrow section of the Northern Japanese Alps, Geto enjoys heavy, and heavily concentrated falls. There are less ranges for the snow to be spread out over and Geto regularly tops the Japanese snow depth charts. Bowl-shaped, Geto Kogen also catches windblown snow from the nearby peaks, and creates a ‘powder pocket’ for our enjoyment. Geto Kogen is still a secret to many, but famous among those who know it for offering some of the best tree riding in Japan. The tree runs are all on the trail map, in-bounds and readily accessible. That combines with some of the most consistent and regular snow in all of Honshu. While there might not be many accommodation options, there is something to suit most budgets, from dorm beds on-mountain, through to great value Ryokans just just a short drive away + READ MORE
EnquireZAO ONSEN
Zao Onsen offers an authentic Japanese experience to travellers, with traditional ryokans, small hotels and beautiful onsen all making this a unique place to visit in Japan. The onsen are one of the reasons many people come, and the other is the large range of skiing and snowboarding options, with nine different ski areas, 42 lifts and 741 acres of snow to enjoy. Located in a spectacular mountainous area, visitors are also treated to stunning views and fantastic scenery. This also means that it’s worth visiting throughout the warmer months, too, with hiking tours and fantastic greenery to be enjoyed. The small size of Zao means that almost everything is within walking distance, including the slopes and public onsen. Although most of the hotels have private onsens for guests to use, the public onsen offer a traditional experience and a beautiful environment to relax in. All of the hotels and ryokans, while small, will offer services for skiers and snowboarders, such as complimentary shuttles + READ MORE
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