The snowiest place in Japan
Aomori is as far north as you can ride on Honshu. Remote, cold, and stormy, and that’s exactly why we’re here. Our base is Aomori Spring Resort, set on the flanks of Mt. Iwaki, a stratovolcano looking straight out toward the Sea of Japan, just 8 miles away. Storms roll in off the water and hit this coastline first, bringing long stretches of deep, cold snow. This is a place where you’ll spend more time riding in the storm than waiting for it to clear.
Most days are spent riding Aomori Spring. The snowfall, the north-facing aspect, the terrain. Our guide knows this place inside out and runs the day accordingly. You’ll ride in a small group, covering a mix of inbounds terrain and lift-accessed sidecountry, open zones, old-growth beech forest, and lines that don’t see many tracks. Short hikes are part of how you access the best of it, so expect to earn your turns and come with a decent level of fitness. Most weeks we’ll also head out for a day at Hakkoda or another local zone. Different terrain, and the return trip always includes an onsen stop and sushi train. Non-negotiable.
You’ll stay on-mountain, just steps from the gondola. One hotel on the mountain, no town, no distractions. That’s not a limitation, it’s the point. You’re straight on snow each morning and riding back to the door at the end of the day. When the day’s done, everyone ends up in the same place. It’s a social trip, and with everyone under the same roof, the group comes together fast. Onsen, long dinners, a massage if you need it, then hang at the bar with the crew.
This trip is all about the riding. There’s no city to explore at night. If that’s what you’re after, our other freeride tours deliver it. But if you want the most reliable snow in Japan, Aomori wins every time.
Dates
Off Peak Dates:
Jan 3–9 / Jan 10–16
Peak Dates:
Jan 17–23 / Jan 24–30 / Jan 31–Feb 6 / Feb 7–13 / Feb 14–20 / Feb 21–27
Price
Off Peak - $3,790 – Single Room
Peak - $3,990 – Single Room
Ability and Fitness
Advanced in powder and trees, good fitness
Group size
Max 6 people
Why Travel With Mint Tours
With more than 20 years operating in Japan, Mint Tours is a fully licensed Japanese company delivering professionally guided, small-group snow tours across the country’s quietest, snowiest regions. Our highly qualified guides hold recognized certifications and legal work rights in Japan, ensuring every tour meets the highest local safety and compliance standards. As an accredited AFTA, ATAS, and IATA travel provider, we offer the security and reliability of a globally recognized operator. With Mint, you travel with a team deeply embedded in Japan, fully compliant, professionally trained, and committed to providing a safe, well-managed, and genuinely local experience.
AOMORI FREERIDE TOUR DETAILS
THE SNOW
Aomori Spring sits on the Sea of Japan side of northern Honshu, just 8 miles from the coast with nothing between the mountain and the water. That exposure shapes everything. Through January and February, it snows more days than not, with systems rolling through one after the other and very few clear breaks. This is storm riding. Visibility can be limited, and it’s not unusual to go days without seeing the sun. It’s a pattern that defines the place, not a one-off. The area sits within a government-designated heavy snowfall zone, based on the volume of snow it receives each year. For reliable deep snow, there aren’t many places in Japan like it.
THE TERRAIN
On this tour, you’ll ride a mix of in-bounds resort terrain and lift-accessed backcountry. Terrain choices change throughout the day based on snow, weather, and traffic. At times we’ll focus on quality in-bounds laps, and at others we’ll prioritize lift-accessed backcountry to find better snow. Short hikes with Verts open up more of the mountain, taking you into areas that see far less traffic. This is terrain that rewards experience. Riders who are comfortable in deep snow, confident in tight trees, and able to keep moving will get the most out of it.
YOUR GUIDE
Our guides have spent winters operating in Aomori and know the mountains in a way that takes time to build. They understand how different zones respond to wind and snowfall, and how to move through the mountain as conditions shift through the day. That knowledge shapes how each day runs. Beyond the resort, they know when it’s worth heading to Hakkoda or another zone, and when staying put leads to a better result. The plan is always built around conditions and the group, not a fixed schedule.
THE SETUP
The trip is designed so you can focus fully on riding. Stay your own private room (no sharing), guiding, lift passes, avalanche safety equipment, Verts, and breakfast and dinner are all taken care of, so there’s very little to organize once you’re here. Most days are based at Aomori Spring, with the flexibility to head out to another zone in the region when conditions line up. You’ll ride with the same guide for the week, with decisions made day by day based on snow and weather.
SLOPE-SIDE ACCOMMODATION
You’ll stay on-mountain at Aomori Spring Resort, right at the base of the gondola. There’s just one ski-in, ski-out hotel on the mountain, so the number of people staying here is limited. There’s no large village or rows of accommodation, which keeps things quieter on snow. You’re on snow within minutes each morning and riding back to the door at the end of the day. It also gives you more time to reset between days. After riding, you’re back at the hotel, onsen, a drink with the crew, and dinner all in the one place. With everyone staying under the same roof, the group comes together quickly.
GETTING HERE
Aomori feels remote once you’re on the mountain, but getting there is straightforward. Aomori Airport has regular flights from Tokyo and Sapporo, making it an easy connection from major hubs across Japan. We pick up and drop off all guests directly from the airport, so there’s no need to organize transfers or plan the final leg of the journey.
ESSENTIAL INFO
INCLUDED
✔ 6 nights accommodation, Single Room with ensuite, Rockwood Hotel (1 person per room)
✔ 5 days of guided riding across resort and lift-accessed backcountry terrain
✔ Small group guiding, 6 guests
✔ 5-day lift ticket
✔ Private transfers to and from other resorts when needed
✔ Scheduled transfers on arrival and departure day, Aomori Airport
✔ Complimentary use of avalanche safety equipment (pack, beacon, shovel, probe)
✔ Complimentary use of Verts (snowshoes)
✔ 6 buffet breakfasts
✔ 6 buffet dinners
✔ Pre-tour support from our Japan Tour Manager
NOT INCLUDED
✘ Flights and travel to Aomori
✘ Travel insurance
✘ All lunches (allow USD $6 to $15 per meal)
✘ Onsen fee outside the hotel (allow USD $5 to $7 per visit)
✘ Personal incidentals and hotel extras
✘ Guide gratuities (discretionary)
DATES AND PRICE
All tours run Sunday to Saturday with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday.
Week 1 – January 3 to 9 – USD $3,790 per person – Single Room (1 person per room)
Week 2 – January 10 to 16 – USD $3,790 per person – Single Room (1 person per room)
Week 3 – January 17 to 23 – USD $3,990 per person – Single Room (1 person per room)
Week 4 – January 24 to 30 – USD $3,990 per person – Single Room (1 person per room)
Week 5 – January 31 to February 6 – USD $3,990 per person – Single Room (1 person per room)
Week 6 – February 7 to 13 – USD $3,990 per person – Single Room (1 person per room)
Week 7 – February 14 to 20 – USD $3,990 per person – Single Room (1 person per room)
Week 8 – February 21 to 27 – USD $3,990 per person – Single Room (1 person per room)
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT
A 50% deposit is required to secure your spot.
The final balance is due 90 days before your tour start date.
AVAILABILITY
Each tour runs with a maximum of 6 guests. Spots are not held and are available on a first come, first served basis. Your place is only confirmed once your deposit has been received. Peak weeks fill quickly, so if you have a preferred date in mind it’s worth securing it early.
ABILITY, PACE AND FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Getting the ability match right is important to us, for your experience, for the group, and for your safety on the mountain.
Ability – This tour is for advanced snowboarders who can move through powder, trees, and ungroomed terrain with flow, commitment, and control, are comfortable in deep snow, on narrow traverses, and through tight trees without needing to stop and plan each turn. Good decision making and confidence in your riding are essential, and you won’t be fazed by the odd branch you’ll need to push through along the way.
Pace – You’ll need to ride at a moderate to fast pace and maintain flow through powder, trees, and variable conditions. Your guide will set the pace, with regular regroup points, and push laps when conditions allow.
Fitness – A strong level of cardio fitness is essential across five consecutive days on snow. Most days include short hikes (5 and up to 15 minutes) using provided Verts snowshoes.
NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT TOUR FOR YOU?
If you’re not sure if this tour is a fit for you, get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction. We have tour options at different levels and we’re always happy to help you find the right one.
We can also run this as a private trip for your group, tailoring the pace, terrain, and experience to exactly how you want to ride.
DAY 1 – SUNDAY ‘ARRIVAL DAY’
Make your way to Aomori Airport, where your Mint guide will meet you for the transfer to Aomori Spring Resort. After check-in, you’ll have time to settle in, unpack, and get your gear sorted for the week ahead. That evening, meet your guide and crew over dinner. We’ll run through the plan for the week, check the forecast, and go over equipment. It’s a relaxed way to kick things off and meet the group. Most guests are traveling solo, so the group comes together quickly.
Pro tip: Flying in from Europe or North America? Arrive in Tokyo a night or two before to shake off the jet lag. Extra nights can be added to your booking.
DAY 2 TO 6 – MONDAY TO FRIDAY ‘GUIDED DAYS’
Five full days on snow, with your guide shaping each day around the conditions.
Mornings – Start with the hotel buffet breakfast, then gear up. Your guide will outline the plan for the day before heading out. Most mornings you’re just steps from the gondola, which opens at 8:30am.
On-Mountain – The goal is a full day on snow, with a break for lunch at the resort. You’ll ride a mix of in-bounds terrain and lift-accessed backcountry, moving between zones as conditions change. Short hikes with Verts snowshoes are part of the plan. On your first day, your guide will run through a safety briefing covering avalanche equipment and how the week will run.
Afternoons – After riding, the crew usually catches up for a drink and a debrief at the bar. Then you’ve got some time to reset before dinner. The onsen is open all evening and is the go-to after a big day on snow.
Evenings – Buffet dinner is included each night at the hotel, with the option to upgrade to the à la carte Japanese restaurant or head to the Italian spot. After dinner, the bar, pool table, and movie room are all there. Some nights wrap up early, others don’t.
Day Trip – During the week, the group heads out to another zone in the region, most likely Hakkoda. Expect an earlier start and a drive out. The return usually includes a 7-Eleven stop and sushi train.
DAY 7 – SATURDAY ‘DEPARTURE DAY’
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then pack up and check out. We’ll drop you at Aomori Airport for the journey home.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT JOINING A GROUP TOUR?
Our tours are run as genuine group experiences. You’ll be joining other riders who are there for the same thing: great snow, great terrain, and a week that flows well for everyone. Your guide manages the day for the whole group. That means route selection, terrain choices, pace, and timing are all made with the group in mind, not the individual. The best weeks happen when everyone buys into that, and in our experience, they almost always do. A few things worth knowing before you arrive:
This isn’t a private tour. Requests for personal filming sessions, individual terrain choices, or one-on-one guiding or coaching aren’t part of the product. If that’s what you’re looking for, we offer private guiding and would love to talk you through those options.
The group dynamic matters. The riders who get the most out of a Mint tour are the ones who show up ready to ride with a group, not just alongside one. If you’re not sure whether a group tour is the right fit, reach out and we’ll help you figure it out.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes. All lift tickets are included for every resort we visit throughout the week. Your guide handles purchase and distribution each day. Some resorts may be covered by Ikon or Epic passes, but no refunds or discounts are available if you hold a valid pass. Resort selection is based on conditions, so specific locations are not guaranteed. If riding particular Ikon or Epic resorts is a priority, a private tour is a better fit.
WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE?
Every guest stays in a private Single Room with ensuite at the Rockwood Hotel & Spa at Aomori Spring Resort. All rooms are single occupancy i.e. one person per room. If you’re traveling with a partner, theroom can be booked for twin occupancy i.e. two people per room. Just ask when booking.
WHAT SKI AREAS DO WE VISIT?
This tour is based at Aomori Spring Resort, where most of the week is spent. The best known area you may visit during the tour is Hakkoda, a backcountry zone accessed by a single tram with a serious reputation among powder hunters across Japan. Beyond that, the other spots in the region are smaller and lower profile, but don’t let that put you off — they offer great riding and are often where some of the best snow is found.
IS THIS A BACKCOUNTRY TOUR AND HOW MUCH BACKCOUNTRY RIDING IS THERE?
No. This is a resort-based tour that includes lift-accessed backcountry riding when conditions call for it. Each day starts from the resort, riding a mix of in-bounds terrain and areas outside the resort boundary. How much backcountry riding depends on conditions. Some days the best snow is inside the resort, other days we shift focus outside the boundary. If you’re looking to spend most of your time in the backcountry or doing extended hiking, a private tour or splitboard-specific trip would be a better fit.
WHAT TERRAIN WILL WE RIDE?
Riding is centered around trees, ungroomed terrain, and natural features, with a mix of in-bounds resort terrain and lift-accessed backcountry. Terrain choices change throughout the day depending on snow, weather, and conditions.
HOW MUCH HIKING IS INVOLVED?
Hikes are short, but necessary and are throughout the day. They are typically 5 to 15 minutes, and used to access better terrain or move between zones. Verts snowshoes are provided. If you have boot size 13 or larger, we recommend bringing your own as fit can be limited.
WHAT DAYS DO WE RIDE?
Five consecutive days, Monday to Friday. We ride weekdays to avoid crowds and to optimize your time on snow. This structure also makes back-to-back tours easy. You can finish one tour on Saturday and start another on Sunday with time to travel between destinations.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THE GROUP?
A maximum of 6 guests and 1 guide. Small groups keep things moving and allow better access to terrain throughout the day.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELING SOLO?
Most guests travel solo. You’ll have your own private room for the full duration of the trip.
HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?
A good level of cardio fitness is essential. Five full consecutive days of riding trees, powder, variable snow and short hikes builds fatigue quickly. You’ll need to be comfortable riding full days and recovering overnight to go again the next day.
ARE DINNERS INCLUDED?
Yes. Six buffet dinners are included at the Rockwood Hotel.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAYS?
No riding is scheduled on arrival or departure days. Your guide will meet you at Aomori Airport on arrival and arrange your return transfer at the end of the trip.
IS THIS TOUR OPEN TO SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS?
This tour is open to snowboarders. Our guides are snowboarders, and terrain choices are built around snowboard-specific riding. Experience has shown us that mixed groups don’t serve either discipline well. If you’re a skier, we offer private guiding options. Get in touch and we’ll help you find the right fit.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
Flights are not included. Our tour managers can recommend flight options to help with your planning.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. We recommend a comprehensive snow-specific policy that covers trip cancellation. This should be arranged once your booking is confirmed.
HOW DO I BOOK AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Get in touch via the website, email, or phone and we’ll send you a quote. When you’re ready, accept the quote online and pay your deposit to secure your spot. You’ll then complete a Guest Registration Form and Waiver, after which you’ll receive your Pre Departure Guide covering everything you need to prepare for the trip. Thirty days before departure we’ll collect your arrival details for transfer planning.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
No. Quality rental equipment is not available. You’ll need to bring your own gear. Powder-specific equipment is recommended and a full gear list is included in your Pre Departure Guide.
HOW DO I GET TO AOMORI?
Full transport and logistics guidance is included in your Pre Departure Guide, sent after booking.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Get in touch with our team. With only 6 spots per tour, weeks fill quickly. It’s worth reaching out early if you have preferred dates in mind.
QUESTIONS OR READY TO BOOK
If you’ve got questions or want to check availability, get in touch with our team and we’ll walk you through the details.
Ready to book? Reach out and we’ll get your spot secured.
🌐 Send a request HERE
📧 Email [email protected]
📞 Call +1 503 994 1919
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
View our terms and conditions here