Deep in the storm zone of northern Japan
Aomori is as far north as you can ride on Honshu. It’s remote, cold, and stormy—and that’s exactly why we’re here. Tucked into the far northern corner of the main island, Aomori is raw, quiet, and buried in snow. It’s the snowiest city on earth, hammered by relentless systems off the Sea of Japan.
Aomori Spring Resort is our freeride basecamp. You’ll stay on-mountain at a 3-star hotel, just steps from the gondola—literally sleeping where the snow stacks. The setup’s simple: a north-facing resort, one hotel, no shops, and zero distractions. Everything’s built around riding. There’s an indoor/outdoor onsen, massage, a rider-friendly bar, gym, pool table and movie room.
While Aomori Spring is right outside your hotel door, we’ve got the freedom to move when it counts. With a dedicated guide dialed into every storm and 4×4 vans on standby, we’ll chase storms and stay agile to make the most of every window. If it’s hammering down on the coast, we’re there. If the trees are firing in Hakkōda, we’re already strapping in. We’ve got the local resort locked in and when conditions line up, there’s always another zone to hit. You’ll be in a small group (max six riders), matched by ability and pace, meaning more lines and better energy all day. The vibe is simple: ride hard and have fun with a crew that’s just as fired up as you are.
Terrain-wise, this tour delivers exactly what freeriders are after. We mix inbounds powder laps with lift-accessed sidecountry—everything from open zones to old-growth beech forests, perfect for storm-day riding. Plus, night riding at our local hill extends the shred sessions and Aomori Spring is one of the few places in Japan with a 22ft Super Pipe and terrain park.
2026 Dates
11 - 17 January
25 - 31 January
1 - 7 February
8 - 14 February
15 - 21 February
22 - 28 February
Price
USD $3,490 Single Room
USD $3,250 Twin Room
Terrain
Resort off-piste & lift-accessed backcountry
Group size
Maximum 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.
TRIP INFO
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
This is snowboarding stripped back to what matters
Aomori doesn’t put on a show—and that’s the point. It’s raw, stormy, and low key in the best way. No mega resorts. No crowds. Just deep snow, quiet mountains, and a crew that’s here to ride. Mornings start early, storms roll in heavy, and the days blur into a rhythm of chasing lines, warming up in the onsen, and swapping stories over dinner. The focus is on riding—nothing else. If you’re into untouched zones, low-pressure vibes, and full immersion in Japan’s snowiest corner, this place delivers.
Small Groups & Good Vibes
Less stopping, more dropping – that's the small group promise. Get ready to ride with a small crew (max 6 guests) who ride like you do. Explore more of the mountain, reach those secret stashes quicker, and share the stoke with your new riding buddies. We pair you with similar abilities so you can keep the stoke high, nail more lines, and high-five your way through an epic day.
Deep, Dry, and Empty: Aomori's Conditions
Exact snowfall stats for this region are hard to come by, but estimates put it somewhere between 14 and 20 metres (46 to 66 feet). Thanks to its northerly location, the snow here is lighter and drier than what you’ll find at most Honshu resorts, with consistent storms delivering deep refills throughout winter. Bluebird days are rare—and that’s a good thing. It keeps the crowds away and the snow untracked. January and February are the sweet spot: cold, dry, and reliably deep. Expect temps between -2°C and -20°C (28°F to -4°F), and around 6 hours of daylight—plenty of time to stack laps. One thing’s certain: you won’t be short on snow.
No Sharing: Your Own Private Room Guaranteed!
Forget shared rooms—on this tour, every guest enjoys the comfort, privacy, and convenience of their own private single room with an ensuite bathroom in top-quality, ski-in/ski-out accommodation. Whether you need a moment of peace to reflect on the day or just want to rest, this private room gives you the freedom to relax completely on your own terms. Solo travelers especially appreciate the guaranteed privacy and the comfort. If you're traveling with a partner or friend, we’ve got you covered too—simply swap to a twin room, still ensuring maximum comfort and convenience.
Get Stoked: We've Got Your Back Before You Even Pack
After you're officially part of the crew, keep an eye out for our pre-trip emails hitting your screen with all the intel you need: the tour lowdown, arrival and departure day plans, where you're headed, what to cram in your bag, and other cool stuff to get you ready to roll. Got a question that's bugging you? Our tour managers are just a phone call away for a quick chat. And because we're travel experts, we can also handle the boring bits like insurance, stopovers, and any pre or post-tour escapades you're planning.
Aomori: Remote, but Easy to Reach
Aomori might feel like the edge of the map, but getting there is simple. Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo and you’ll be in the mountains in just over 4 hours—or fly direct to Aomori Airport. However you arrive, our guides will be waiting to collect you and get you straight to the snow. No stress, no transfers to figure out—just smooth travel into one of Japan’s most untouched zones.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Included
✔ 6 nights accommodation at Rockwood Hotel, Single Room with ensuite (1 person per room)
✔ 5 days of guiding
✔ 5 day lift ticket
✔ Complimentary use of avalanche safety equipment – pack, transceiver, shovel and probe
✔ 6 breakfasts at Rockwood Hall (buffet)
✔ 6 dinners at Rockwood Hall (buffet)
✔ Private 4WD transfers to and from resorts
✔ Fully-escorted tour, guide on hand throughout the tour
✔ Scheduled transfers from ShinAomori Station or Aomori Airport to hotel (arrival and departure day)
✔ Complimentary use of hotel onsen
✔ Pre tour support from Japan Tour Manager
Not Included
✘ Flights or train to/from Aomori
✘ Travel & trip cancellation insurance
✘ All lunches – expect to pay USD $6 – $15 per meal
✘ Onsen entry fee outside the hotel – expect to pay between USD $3 – $7 per visit
✘ Any meals, drinks, snacks not listed
Dates
All of tours run from Sunday to Saturday. You’ll ride every resort during the week (Monday – Friday) to avoid the weekend day-trippers and maximize your time on-snow.
Week 1 – 11 – 17 January, 2026 SOLD OUT
Week 2 – 25 – 31 January, 2026 SOLD OUT
Week 3 – 1 – 7 February, 2026 SOLD OUT
Week 4 – 8 – 14 February, 2026 SOLD OUT
Week 5 – 15 – 21 February, 2026 SOLD OUT
Week 6 – 22 – 28 February, 2026 AVAILABLE
Price
All rooms come standard as Single Rooms (1 person per room), offering you the comfort and privacy to relax and recharge. If you’re traveling with a friend or partner and are happy to share, you can book at the Twin Room rate. Twin rooms have 2 single beds.
Single Room: USD $3,490 per person
Twin Room: USD $3,250 per person
Multi-Tour Booking Discount
If 6 nights isn’t enough, book a multi-tour combo. Finish the Aomori Freeride Tour and start a new tour in a different destination the following day. Multi-tour booking discounts will be applied as follows at time of booking – Book 2 tours, get $100 off, book 3 tours, get $200 off.
Day 1 – Sunday ‘Arrival Day’
Welcome to Aomori—Japan’s northern frontier and home to some of the deepest, driest snow on Earth. Make your way to the meeting point at Shin-Aomori Station or Aomori Airport, where your Mint guide will be ready to greet you. From there, it’s a scenic drive through snowy countryside to our hotel at Aomori Spring Resort. Check in, get settled, and dial in your setup for the week ahead. Later that evening, meet your guide and crew for a casual welcome session over dinner. We’ll run through the plan, check the snow forecast, and answer any questions. Most guests are traveling solo, so it’s an easy, relaxed way to connect with your new riding crew.
Pro tip: Flying in from Europe or North America? Arrive in Tokyo on Saturday to shake off the travel fatigue—extra nights can be added to your booking.
Day 2 to 6 – Monday to Friday ‘On-Snow Guided Days’
These five days are all about riding the best terrain in Aomori. Each day is different, with a flexible itinerary designed to put you in the right place at the right time. Whether we’re lapping out the back of Aomori Spring Resort or chasing a storm to another local hill, your guide will track conditions in real time and make the call based on where the snow is falling and the crowds aren’t.
Mornings – The hotel’s buffet breakfast is served early, giving you plenty of time to fuel up. Each evening, your guide will fill you in on the next day’s plan. If it’s a home-base day, you’re just steps from the gondola and lifts that open at 8:30. If we’re hitting the road, expect an early rollout in our 4×4 van to score first tracks.
On-Mountain – We keep the daily mission simple: ride all day and make every lap count. Your guide knows the zones inside and out—from tree runs and natural gullies to lift-accessed sidecountry that holds deep snow for days. There’s no wasted time or second guessing—you’ll be straight into it with a small group that moves efficiently and has the same goal: find the best snow and ride until your legs tap out. Expect a mix of tree runs, sidecountry laps, and in-resort stashes that deliver quality turns all day long. With a small group size, the pace remains efficient and focused, giving you maximum time on snow and access to terrain that’s often missed by the average rider.
Afternoons & Après – After a full day riding, there’s time to relax and reset. If you’ve been at Aomori Spring, the onsen is just steps from the lifts—perfect for soaking sore legs. You can also book a massage, enjoy après at the bar, or simply unwind with the crew. On road trip days, we might drop into a local onsen, hit up a cozy ramen spot, or swing by 7-Eleven to fuel the next mission.
Evenings – Evenings are all about winding down and enjoying good times with a solid crew. Soak in the indoor or outdoor onsen, grab a cold beer at the bar, or spark up a casual game of pool. Dinner’s included each night—fresh, hearty, and served with zero fuss. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the day: hanging with like-minded riders, swapping stories, and recharging for another big day on snow.
Day 7 – Saturday ‘Departure Day’
After one last breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the crew. Your guide will drop you at Shin Aomori Station or the airport for the journey home—legs sore, memory card full, and grinning from a week of riding Japan’s wild north.
When it comes to your travel experience, choosing a knowledgeable and reliable partner matters. At Mint Tours, we bring over 20 years of dedicated expertise in Japan to the table, ensuring you’re in capable hands. Here are a few reasons why you can confidently entrust your journey to us:
Travel Worry-Free: Choose a Japan Tour Operator That plays by the rules
When you book with Mint, know that you are booking with a Japan tour operator that strictly adheres to all local rules and laws. Our registered Japanese company ensures full compliance, providing a secure and protected travel experience. You’ll be led by our qualified local and international guides, authorized to work in Japan, with your safety proactively managed through constant conditions assessment and guides expertly trained in all aspects of backcountry safety and emergency response. Rest assured, you’re booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise, a registered travel agent, and a member of AFTA and IATA, operating under the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
Our Team: Your key to an unforgettable Japan trip
We leverage our deep local knowledge to guide you to the quieter ski areas and even some of our closely guarded secret stashes. This means fewer people vying for the goods and a much higher probability of you scoring those coveted, untouched powder runs, guaranteed.
Safety is Our Priority: Expertly guided for a secure Japan journey
Guest safety is our top priority. Our daily operations are guided by continuous weather and snowpack monitoring, informing all decisions. A specific safety plan is also in place for each guiding area. Your guide is rigorously trained in avalanche hazard mitigation, backcountry travel, and emergency medical response, and holds qualifications along with ongoing professional development and active certifications.
Book with Confidence: Your qualified & registered travel partner for Japan
Your Japan journey, simplified and tailored by experts. Mint Tours is a full-service travel agent ready to handle not only your tour, but all the extras – from insurance and stopovers to pre- and post-tour plans. Backed by years of focused expertise in Japan, our credentials speak for themselves: we have partnerships with Japanese resorts and destinations, we’re AFTA and ATAS accredited, and members of IATA and ATTA, allowing us to craft truly expert arrangements for your trip.
When you are ready to book, you’ll be asked to self-evaluate if this tour is a match for your ability. We want you to have an unforgettable experience, and your ability plays a central role in your enjoyment and safety. When self-evaluating, please be realistic about your current ability, experience, pace and fitness. If you can’t decide if this is the right tour for you, call our team for a chat. They are always happy to provide further insights or recommend other tours.
Ability Requirements
This tour is designed for advanced riders. To join, you should confidently say yes to the following:
✔ You regularly ride off-piste or in the backcountry
✔ You maintain a fast, consistent pace through trees
✔ You’re comfortable in all snow conditions—powder, hardpack, crust, tracked
✔ You can safely navigate around hazards like trees, creeks, tree wells, and holes
Pace
We ride at a strong and steady pace with minimal breaks. You might ease off a bit in tighter terrain or tougher snow, but you can generally keep things flowing. Need to sit out a lap or catch your breath? No problem—it’s about staying solid, not sprinting.
Fitness
No need to be elite, but you’ll want good stamina. Expect five consecutive full days on snow, often with limited downtime. You should be comfortable staying active all day, and ready for the occasional short hike (typically 10 minutes) to access better lines.
What Is a Freeride Tour?
Mint’s Freeride Tours offer you the best chance to ride deep, Japan powder. Our experienced guides have an in-depth knowledge of the resorts we visit, which gives you the ultimate advantage when you’re chasing deep, un-tracked snow. On this tour you will ride a mix of in-bounds resort terrain as well as lift accessed backcountry zones. There are times when a short boot pack is necessary (typically 10 minutes). During the tour you will ride a lot of powder and trees so please be prepared to ride in the trees for 5 days straight. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride in all conditions.
Are Lift Tickets Included?
Yes, all lift tickets are included for this tour. Please note that none of the resorts that we visit on this tour are on the Ikon or Epic Pass.
Who are the guides?
Your guide is rigorously trained in avalanche hazard mitigation, backcountry travel, and emergency medical response, and holds qualifications along with ongoing professional development and active certifications. They are also genuinely stoked to make your trip legendary – think shredding secret stashes with a new best friend who also happens to have the expert skills to keep you safe and the good times rolling.
Budgeting For The Tour
Here’s an indication of what you can expect to pay for meals and activities:
- 6 x Lunches – expect to pay USD $10 – $15 per meal
- Sushi train visit – expect to pay USD $15 – $20
- 1 – 2 times Onsen entry fee when using an onsen outside the hotel – expect to pay between USD $3 – $7 per visit
How Far In Advance Do I Need To Book?
While we can’t guarantee how quickly it will fill, we advise booking early to secure your desired travel dates. Historically, tours tend to reach full capacity by the end of June, significantly before our final booking cut-off of 90 days prior to departure. Book now to avoid missing your chance.
What Is The Terrain Like?
On this tour you will ride a mix of terrain, from resort off-piste to lift-accessed backcountry. There’s a range of terrain to access from alpine, playful or challenging tree runs. Expect deep snow, soft landings and fun features. Generally speaking, Japan doesn’t have steep terrain, but be prepared for riding in tight trees and deep snow. The backcountry zones are lift-accessed, however there are times when a short boot pack is necessary (typically 10 minutes).
What Happens On Arrival and Departure Day?
Arrival and departure days are your travel days to and from the tour – no snowboarding is planned for these days. Upon booking, you’ll receive our comprehensive tour guide. This essential resource provides a step-by-step breakdown of the arrival and departure process, along with crucial information on flights, meeting points, your gear list, recommended travel times, visa requirements, and transportation logistics.
What If I’m Traveling Solo?
All guests stay in Single Rooms i.e. you have your own private room for the tour. About 99% of our guests are traveling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowboarding and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer.
I’m traveling with my partner, can we share a room?
Yes, we can arrange a Twin or King Room if you’re traveling with your partner. These rooms are limited and subject to availability at time of booking.
How Many People In My Group?
Your tour group will have a maximum of 6 guests, and 1 guide.
Which Resorts Will We Visit?
The Aomori Freeride Tour has a flexible itinerary so you can ride at the best resort on the day. Each day your guide will make the decision on which resort to ride based on a number of factors including weather, snowfall, group ability and interest. The better known locations are Aomori Spring Resort and Hakkoda, then there’s the local secret spots that you’ll get to discover when you join us on tour.
Can I Arrive Early or Stay On After The Tour?
Yes, pre or post tour accommodation can be arranged. For guests flying from the US or Europe, we recommend arriving on the Saturday before your tour starts to help with jetlag. Staying in Tokyo or nearby Aomori is the best option. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
Are Flights Included?
No, flights are not included, but Mint can provide you with a list of the best flights to book to match up with your tour and arrival or departure times.
Do I Need Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is mandatory. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, snowsports and emergency repatriation. We also strongly recommend it covers trip cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects.
What Happens Once I’ve Booked?
Once you sign up for a tour, you’ve got a dedicated tour manager as your point of contact. They can assist with any pre-trip questions about flights, transfers, insurance or what gear to bring. Your tour manager can also arrange pre or post tour travel to other resorts or cities.
90 days before the tour starts – you will receive a Pre Departure Guide which contains important information to help you prepare for your trip. You will need to complete a digital waiver, participant information form, ability questionnaire and advise your arrival and departure flight details.
On arrival day – your guide will add you to a WhatsApp group which will be used for tour communication throughout the week.
How Do I Check My Ability Level?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour managers. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
How Do I Get To Aomori?
Once you’ve booked, you’ll be provided with a guide which contains all the info on how to get to Aomori, either by flight or train.
How Do I Check Availability?
Speak with one of our tour managers for the most up to date availability. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
Can I Rent Equipment?
Complimentary use of avalanche safety equipment is included as part of the tour (pack, beacon, shovel and probe). There is a small range of rental equipment available at Aomori Spring Resort, but we recommend bringing everything you need with you. There are no snowboard/ski shops.
What Equipment Should I Bring?
Guests will need to bring their own equipment for the tour. Powder specific equipment is recommended. When you book, you’ll be provided with a gear list of what to pack.
Gratuities
While tipping is never expected, many guests ask about it — and often choose to leave a gratuity as a way to say thanks. If you feel your guide made your experience extra special, a tip at the end of the tour is always appreciated. Gratuities can be given directly to your guide. Cash is preferred, as many of our local guides typically don’t have access to Venmo, Zelle, or other digital payment apps.
Questions & Bookings
Still have questions? Our team’s here to help—just reach out and we’ll walk you through it.
Ready to lock it in? Call or Email to reserve your spot.
[email protected]
+1 503 994 1919
Deposits & Payments
To secure your spot, a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 90 days before your tour kicks off.
Book Your Group
If you have a group, large or small, get in touch to discuss your travel plans – [email protected] or +1 503 994 1919
Terms & Conditions
Click HERE to view our full terms and conditions.