LEVEL UP WITH A WEEK OF COACHING AND GUIDING IN ASAHIKAWA
For Intermediate Snowboarders: You’ve put in the time, you know your way around the mountain, and now Japan’s legendary powder is calling. If you want to confidently ride in powder and trees, a week of focused coaching will get you there. The Asahikawa Progression Tour is your chance to seriously elevate your snowboarding in one of the world’s best destinations. Picture this: 5 full days shredding the diverse terrain around Asahikawa – think resorts like Kamui Ski Links 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 and let you confidently ride Japan’s legendary snow and trees. This is about pushing your limits, scoring epic lines, and experiencing snowboarding on a whole new level.
This tour is based in Asahikawa, which is Hokkaido’s second-largest city. You’re probably thinking why stay in the city? It’s all about the access, terrain and snow quality. Asahikawa is one of the most snow-sure parts of Japan with consistently cold temperatures. Throughout the week you’ll chase the snow and ride a variety of locations – from quirky, old-school ski hills to larger modern resorts. We leverage our deep local knowledge to guide you to the quieter ski areas and even some of our closely guarded secret stashes. There is no set itinerary, your coach will select the resort daily based on weather and snowfall.
You’ll also get to see the real Japan while staying in a lively regional city, rather than a ski resort. Each night offers a range of genuine local experiences: relax in a soothing onsen, savor incredible regional cuisine, enjoy the revolving delights of a sushi train, belt out your favorite tunes at karaoke and discover the surprisingly vast offerings of a Japanese 7-Eleven. Plus, for those who can’t get enough, our local ski hill offers night riding.
Dates & Price
All prices are per person and based in USD
4 - 10 JAN - $3990 single room
11 - 17 JAN - $3990 single room
15 - 21 FEB - $3990 single room
22 - 28 FEB - $3990 single room
Ability Level
Intermediate
Group Size
Maximum 6 people
Tour Type
Progression - coaching and guiding
Why Travel With Mint
It’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. Mint Tours is a registered travel agent and a member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
Japan Progression Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
Progress Your Powder Game: For Intermediate Riders
This Japan Progression Tour is for intermediate snowboarders who have the basics dialed and want to level up. You're eyeing those off-piste lines and the trees are starting to look like a damn good time. If that's you, then five solid days ripping around Asahikawa with a coach will get you riding that terrain with real confidence. Consider this your upgrade to the next level of shredding.
No Sharing: Your Own Private Room Guaranteed!
Forget shared rooms – every guest on this tour enjoys the comfort and convenience of their own private single room (with ensuite bathroom) in quality accommodation. This dedicated space ensures you can fully unwind, organize your gear, and get a restful night's sleep, completely on your own terms. Solo travelers especially love this guaranteed privacy.
Coached & Guided: Elevate Your Japan Riding
This trip's about getting better, fast, and doing it safely. Your coach will show you the ropes and guide you, helping you build your skills. You'll ride resort terrain and work towards hitting some backcountry spots you can access from the lifts. The coaching is all about freeriding, and you'll get tips as you ride the resorts. You'll have time to check out the mountains with your coach each day. A lot of people join this to ride with others who are keen to push themselves.
Small Groups & Good Vibes
Less stopping, more dropping – that's the small group promise. Ride with a tight crew (max 6), ensuring personalized coaching that keeps you moving and progressing. Our coaches integrate tips and feedback seamlessly as you explore the mountain. Discover more of the mountain, learn faster with on-the-go feedback, and share the energy with riders pushing their limits alongside you.
Experience the Real Japan: Basecamp Asahikawa
Say goodbye to crowded resorts and hello to authentic Japan in lively Asahikawa. Each night offers a range of genuine local experiences: relax in a soothing onsen, savor incredible regional cuisine, immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture, pick yourself up a Japanese powder shape from one of the local snowboard shops, belt out your favorite tunes at karoake, enjoy the revolving delights of a sushi train, and discover the surprisingly vast offerings of a Japanese 7-Eleven. Plus, for those who can't get enough, our local ski hill offers night riding!
Powder Paradise: Snow & Conditions in Asahikawa
January is the sweet spot for light, dry, and deep snow – the kind you dream about. While temperatures will be cold (-2 to -20°C / 28 to -4°F) and daylight around 6 hours, the one thing you won't have to worry about is snow. Asahikawa's consistent snowfall, fueled by reliable storms, guarantees incredible powder riding.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Included
✔ 6 nights accommodation at OMO7 Asahikawa, Studio Room with ensuite (1 person per room)
✔ 5 days of coaching and guiding with a highly qualified snowboard coach
✔ 5 day lift ticket
✔ Fully-escorted tour, coach on hand throughout the tour
✔ Scheduled airport transfers from Asahikawa Airport to hotel (arrival and departure day)
✔ Complimentary use of avalanche safety equipment – pack, transceiver, shovel and probe
✔ Complimentary access to fleet of demo boards
✔ 5 days of private transfers to and from resorts
✔ 6 buffet breakfasts
✔ 1 dinner (arrival night)
✔ Complimentary use of hotel onsen
✔ Complimentary use of fully stocked wax/tune station
✔ Pre tour support from Japan Tour Manager
Not Included
✘ Flights to Asahikawa
✘ Travel insurance
✘ All lunches – expect to pay USD $6 – $15 per meal
✘ 5 dinners – expect to pay USD $15 – $35 per meal
✘ Onsen entry fee outside the hotel – expect to pay between USD $3 – $7 per visit
✘ Any meals, drinks, snacks not listed
✘ Guide gratuities
Dates & Price
You’ll ride every resort during the week (Monday – Friday) to avoid the weekend day-trippers and maximize your time on-snow. Rates are based on accommodation seasonality.
4 – 10 JAN – $3990 single room
11 – 17 JAN – $3990 single room
15 – 21 FEB – $3990 single room
22 – 28 FEB – $3990 single room
Extra Nights
Extra nights at OMO7 Asahikawa Hotel can be added to your booking. For guests traveling from North America or Europe, we strongly recommend arriving on Saturday so you have some time to recover from the travel and jetlag before the tour starts. Saturday night indicative price is around USD $110 for a Single Studio Room, including breakfast. Price is subject to change and is based on availability at time of booking.
Multi-Tour Booking Discount
If 6 nights isn’t enough, book a multi-tour combo. Finish the Asahikawa 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.
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
Day 1 – Sunday ‘Arrival Day’
Welcome to Japan. Make your way to the meeting point at Asahikawa Airport where your coach will meet you and drive the group to the hotel. Check in opens at 3:00 pm. After check in, you’ve got some free time to settle in to your room, unpack and set-up your equipment for the adventure ahead. In the evening, meet your coach for an info and welcome session. They will explain what’s in store for the week, the current weather, run through equipment setup and answer any questions you have. Then head to dinner at a local restaurant. It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone on tour as most guests are traveling solo.
Pro-tip – for guests traveling from North America or Europe, we strongly recommend arriving on Saturday so you have some time to recover from the travel and jetlag before the tour starts. Extra nights at the hotel can be added to your booking.
Day 2 to 6 – Monday to Friday ‘Coaching & Guiding Days’
You’ll spend the next 5 days riding the surrounding Asahikawa Resorts. The tour itinerary is flexible so you can ride at the best resort on the day. Your coach will monitor storm cycles to ensure you’re scoring the best conditions as weather and snowfall affect each resort differently. Each day will follow a similar format:
Mornings – The breakfast buffet is open from 6:30 am and you can enjoy breakfast at your leisure. Your guide will advise the departure time the evening before which is typically around 7:45 am. Load up the van and drive to the resort.
Throughout the day – Once at the resort the aim is to spend a full day on-mountain riding with your coach. Expect a combination of coaching and guiding throughout the day. You’ll clock up the vertical while you up skill and explore the mountain. Your coach will take the guess-work out of it and give you a locals perspective from day one. Be the first into the trees, hit the secret powder stashes and safely explore beyond the resort boundaries. They also know the best places for a tasty lunch and have all the photo spots for the ‘gram on lock.
Afternoons – After riding, your guide will make plans according to time, the groups interest and energy levels. You could find yourself at one of the many local onsen (hot springs), stopping off at a sushi train, a quick visit to the 7-Eleven or another local attraction like the sake brewery or snowboard shop before returning to the hotel.
Evenings – On return to the hotel, you’ve got free time. Head to the hotel onsen and sauna to relax, grab a drink with the crew, or wax your board ready for the following day. Your guide will plan group dinners each night and most of the restaurants are just a short walk from the hotel. Join the crew to share a few stories about the days’ turns over a bowl or ramen, a stack of sushi or at one of the many traditional izakaya before turning in for the night.
Day 7 – Saturday ‘Departure Day’
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check out. All good things must come to come to an end, and after a big week of riding deep, Japanese powder, your guide will drop you back at the airport or train station and say goodbye.
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.
This tour is suitable for intermediate snowboarders who can ride most groomed trails on the mountain, although you sometimes slow down or come into difficulty in challenging conditions i.e. steeper runs, icy, tracked snow or low visibility, or you might have little or no experience riding off-piste, in powder or trees.
What Is a Progression Tour?
A snowboarding progression tour is a great way to build your skills so you can feel confident riding the whole mountain. Snowboarding with a highly qualified coach is one of the best and safest ways to fast-track your snowboarding progression. The Japan Progression Tours are designed for intermediate snowboarders who can confidently ride most groomed trails at a moderate pace and are beginning to explore off-piste zones. You’ll learn tactics to confidently ride off-piste, in powder and in treed terrain. Mint’s experienced and qualified coaches have an in-depth knowledge of the resorts you’ll visit and will find you the perfect terrain for progression. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride in all conditions.
Budgeting For The Tour
An estimate of spending money for the week is around USD $350 – $450 to cover lunches, dinners, snacks and incidentals. 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
- 5 x Dinners – expect to pay USD $20 – $40 per meal
- 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!
Who’ll Be Riding With You?
Get ready to connect with fellow snowboarders who are just as stoked about snowboarding in Japan as you are! A shared love for the culture and the mountains makes for great camaraderie.
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?
The accommodation for this tour is 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.
How Many People In My Group?
Your tour group will have a maximum of 6 guests, and 1 coach.
Which Resorts Will We Visit?
This tour has a flexible itinerary so you can ride at the best resort on the day. Each day your coach 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 Kamui and Pippu, 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. 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. For US citizens, we recommend Spot Insurance https://www.getspot.com/trip-affiliates/mint-tours.
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 coach 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 Asahikawa?
Once you’ve booked, you’ll be provided with a guide which contains all the info on how to get to Asahikawa, either by flight or train.
How Do I Check Availability?
Speak with one of our tour managers. As this is a small group tour with only 6 spots available, 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). Quality rental equipment is not available in Asahikawa. Please bring everything you need with you.
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
We’re committed to making your Mint Tours experience incredible! Gratuities for guides are not included in the tour cost and are never mandatory. However, if you’d like to recognize their exceptional service, a tip of 10-20% of the total trip cost is a typical and much-appreciated gesture. Gratuities can be given directly to your guide at the end of your tour.
How to book
To reserve your spot, email [email protected] with your preferred dates and one of our travel managers will send you a quote, availability and further information for the tour.
Deposits and Payments
A 50% deposit is payable to secure your booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
Terms and Conditions
View our terms and conditions HERE