Ride the whole mountain. With confidence and flow.
You can ride powder. You can make it through the trees. But you know there’s another level to it. The riders with flow make difficult terrain look effortless. They stay balanced when conditions get tracked out, move cleanly through tight trees, and keep speed and control without fighting the mountain. That’s the gap this program is built to close.
Throughout the week, you’ll ride with a dedicated coach and a small crew all working toward the same goal. The focus is on refining how you ride when the snow gets deeper, the trees get tighter, and the terrain gets more demanding. Better control in variable snow, smoother turns in technical terrain, stronger line choice, and improved awareness when conditions get challenging. The coaching is designed to help you ride faster, more fluidly, and with less hesitation across the whole mountain.
Most days are spent at Aomori Spring, one of Japan’s snowiest resorts, with long tree runs, natural terrain, and consistent snowfall that creates ideal conditions for progression. As the week unfolds, your coach will introduce more technical terrain, deeper snow, and tighter trees, before heading to another nearby resort midweek to apply your riding to unfamiliar terrain and different conditions. The ride home usually includes a 7-Eleven stop and sushi train session. Non-negotiable.
You’ll stay slopeside, just steps from the gondola, making it easy to roll straight onto the snow each morning and ride back to the door at the end of the day. Off the mountain, the week is all about onsen, good food, snowboard chat, and unwinding with a crew that’s there for the same reason.
Group size
Max 6 riders
Why Travel With Mint Tours
With over 20 years operating in Japan, Mint Tours is a fully licensed Japanese company delivering small-group snowboarding trips across the country’s quieter regions. Our team works legally in Japan and operates to local standards, ensuring every trip is professionally run and fully compliant. As an accredited travel provider, we offer the security and reliability of a globally recognized operator, backed by deep local knowledge and a team committed to delivering a well-managed experience from start to finish.
What You’ll Work On
BODY POSITIONING AND MOVEMENT
Most riders at this level are working harder than they need to. The week starts by looking at how you move: where your weight sits over the board, how you’re initiating turns, and how much tension you’re carrying that doesn’t need to be there. When your movement is efficient, the board does more of the work. You ride longer, with better control, and with less fatigue across a full day on snow.
TURN SHAPE AS A TOOL
At this level, the question isn’t whether you can make a turn. It’s whether you can choose the right turn for the terrain in front of you. You’ll develop the ability to open turns to carry momentum, tighten them to manage speed, and adapt mid-run to whatever the mountain throws at you. In trees that means adjusting your line on the fly. In variable snow it means controlling speed through turn shape rather than braking. This is the core skill that unlocks flow across all terrain.
READING AND RIDING VARIABLE SNOW
Japan’s snow changes constantly, sometimes within a single run. Untracked powder gives way to tracked-out sections, wind-affected crust, and deep afternoon snow. Learning to feel what’s under your board and respond without breaking your rhythm is one of the most transferable things you can develop as a rider. You’ll spend time in all of it across the week, with your coach helping you understand what each condition is asking of you and how to adjust without losing flow.
RIDING TREES WITH COMMITMENT
There’s a difference between surviving trees and riding them. You’ll work on looking further ahead, committing to your line before you reach it, and letting your lower body do the work while your upper body stays calm and faces downhill. As the week builds, the terrain gets tighter and the decisions come faster. For most riders, this is where the biggest shift in confidence happens, and where flow starts to feel like a real thing rather than a concept.
STAYING IN CONTROL ON STEEPER PITCHES
When the pitch increases, the gaps in your riding show up quickly. You’ll work on staying over your board as the terrain steepens, managing speed through the shape of your turns rather than fighting it, and staying composed when things get more demanding. The goal isn’t to charge everything. It’s to have the control and confidence that lets you choose how you ride it.
TECH SESSIONS
The evenings are where a lot of the week comes together. Your coach runs tech talks to go through equipment. Board shape and flex, bindings, setup for different snow and riding conditions, waxing and tuning for what Japan’s snow is doing that week. Your coach has ridden and coached in these conditions for years and can cut through a lot of the noise that comes from online forums, YouTube, and sponsored influencers. The session is led by what each rider in the group already knows and what they actually need to hear, not a lecture, just straight answers.
ESSENTIAL INFO
YOUR WEEK AT A GLANCE
Five days of coached riding, each day with its own theme, each building on the last. The order below reflects how the week typically develops, but your coach shapes every session around the group and the conditions. How quickly the terrain opens up depends on how the riding develops.
While each day has a coaching theme, the schedule will remain flexible to make the most of the conditions and the needs of the group. Powder days, variable snow, tree riding, and technical terrain all create different learning opportunities, and the coaching plan may adapt accordingly. Some days may focus on skill development in the morning before applying those skills across the mountain in the afternoon, while on other days the best conditions may lead us straight into powder riding, with coaching happening naturally throughout the day.
The goal is to develop real mountain awareness and confidence in a variety of terrain and snow conditions. By Friday, you’ll be riding terrain with more flow than on Monday.
DAY 1 — FOUNDATION RESET
Equipment check first: binding setup, stance, angles, so everything is dialed in before anything else. Then on snow. Your coach watches how you move through warm-up laps and runs through the theme for the day: how you’re carrying your weight over the board and where small adjustments can make a big difference across the whole week. Not starting from zero. Refining what’s already there.
DAY 2 — TURN SHAPE AS A TOOL
The mechanics of a good turn and how to use them deliberately. How to open a turn to carry speed through a mellow section. How to tighten one to manage speed in tighter trees, traverses or more variable terrain. How to read the pitch ahead and use the mountain rather than fight it. This is the skill that connects everything else across the week.
DAY 3 — READING THE MOUNTAIN & VARIABLE SNOW
Japan’s snow doesn’t stay the same and neither does the terrain. Today is about building awareness: reading changes in pitch, feeling different snow conditions under your board, and adapting your riding without losing rhythm. Time in tracked-out sections, wind-affected snow, and fresh lines. Your coach helps you understand what each condition is asking of you and how to respond.
DAY 4 — THE TREES, DEEPER
You’ve been in the trees. Today is about riding them with more intention. Where to look, how far ahead to plan, and how to commit to a line rather than react to it. Lower body doing the work, upper body calm. Terrain gets progressively tighter through the session and your coach adjusts the challenge to match what each rider is ready for. This is often the day where things click.
DAY 5 — PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
The final coaching day. No new themes, just riding. Everything from the week applied with intention across the best terrain the mountain has to offer. Your coach lets you ride and shapes the day around what each rider needs to consolidate.
THE DAY TRIP
One day during the week your coach takes the group to a nearby resort for a full day on a different mountain. The goal isn’t more difficult terrain. It’s unfamiliar terrain. A different layout, different snow character, a mountain you don’t know. Taking what you’ve built at Aomori Spring and applying it somewhere new is one of the most honest tests of how far your riding has come. Return always via 7-Eleven and sushi train.
BONUS SESSIONS
Depending on conditions and the group, we’ll weave in carving work, creative line-finding, powder slashes and side hits, and anything else that fits the moment. No two trips are exactly the same.
Welcome to a week of coached riding designed to help you find more flow on the mountain. Each day builds on the last, with morning coaching sessions, afternoon riding, and evenings to rest, review, and recharge. By Friday the mountain will feel different under your feet.
Every day is tailored to the group and the conditions – this is a guide, not a script.
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL DAY
Make your way to Aomori Airport, where your Mint coach 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 coach 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 – FOUNDATION RESET
Breakfast – Hotel buffet to start the day.
Morning – Equipment check before stepping onto snow, then warm up laps and into the day’s coaching session.
Lunch – A break at one of the mountain restaurants. A good chance to warm up, refuel, and talk through the morning.
Afternoon – Applying the morning’s skills on snow, with your coach alongside and feedback along the way – time to explore, experiment, and let the morning’s work sink in.
After Snow – The group regroups back at the hotel for an informal debrief and catch up.
Dinner – Buffet dinner at the hotel, with the option to upgrade to the a la carte Japanese restaurant. After dinner the onsen, pool table, and bar are all there.
DAY 3 – TURN SHAPE AS A TOOL
Breakfast – Hotel buffet to start the day.
Morning – Warm up laps, then into the day’s coaching session.
Lunch – A break at one of the mountain restaurants to refuel and regroup.
Afternoon – Applying the morning’s skills on snow, with your coach alongside and feedback along the way – time to explore different terrain and let the morning’s work sink in.
After Snow – The group regroups back at the hotel for an informal debrief and catch up.
Evening – Equipment session with your coach. Board setup, bindings, waxing and tuning for the conditions. Led by what the group needs.
Dinner – Buffet dinner at the hotel, with the option to upgrade to the a la carte Japanese restaurant. Onsen and the usual evening routine follow.
DAY 4 – READING THE MOUNTAIN & VARIABLE SNOW
Breakfast – Hotel buffet to start the day.
Morning – Warm up laps, then into the day’s coaching session.
Lunch – A break at one of the mountain restaurants to refuel and regroup.
Afternoon – Applying the morning’s skills off the groomed runs, with your coach alongside and feedback along the way – time to explore, experiment, and find your feel across whatever the mountain is offering.
After Snow – The group regroups back at the hotel for an informal debrief and catch up.
Evening – Video review.
Dinner – Buffet dinner at the hotel, with the option to upgrade to the a la carte Japanese restaurant. The onsen earns its keep after a day like this.
DAY 5 – THE TREES, DEEPER
Breakfast – Hotel buffet to start the day.
Morning – Warm up laps, then into the day’s coaching session.
Lunch – A break at one of the mountain restaurants to refuel and regroup.
Afternoon – Applying the morning’s skills in the trees, with your coach alongside and feedback along the way – time to explore, experiment, and find your rhythm. For many guests this is a highlight of the week.
After Snow – The group regroups back at the hotel for an informal debrief and catch up. Energy is usually high after a day like this.
Dinner – Buffet dinner at the hotel, with the option to upgrade to the a la carte Japanese restaurant. The week is finding its rhythm.
DAY 6 – PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Breakfast – Hotel buffet to start the day.
Morning – Warm up laps, then the final coaching session of the week.
Lunch – A break at one of the mountain restaurants. A good moment to reflect on the week and what’s clicked.
Afternoon – The final afternoon is about taking everything from the week and riding freely across the mountain. Your coach alongside as always, but today is about feeling the progress and enjoying the terrain that felt out of reach on Monday.
After Snow – The group regroups back at the hotel. The last debrief of the week – always a good one.
Dinner – The last dinner of the trip. Buffet at the hotel with the option to upgrade, or make a night of it at the a la carte restaurant. A good one to linger over. Then it’s across to the karaoke bar to send the week off in true Japanese style.
DAY 7 – DEPARTURE DAY
Breakfast – Last breakfast at the hotel, then pack up and check out. We’ll drop you at Aomori Airport for the journey home.
INCLUDED
✔ 6 nights accommodation, single room with ensuite (1 person per room)
✔ 5 full days of coaching in a small group (6 guests)
✔ Daily feedback
✔ A video review session
✔ Off-snow tech sessions
✔ 5-day lift ticket
✔ Complimentary use of avalanche safety equipment (pack, beacon, shovel, probe)
✔ Private transfers to and from other resort
✔ Scheduled transfers on arrival and departure day, Aomori Airport
✔ 6 buffet breakfasts
✔ 6 buffet dinners
✔ Pre-tour support from our Japan Tour Manager
WHAT’S 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
✘ Coach gratuities (discretionary)
DATES AND PRICE
All tours run Sunday to Saturday with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday.
Week 1 – January 24 to 30 – USD $3,990 per person – Single Room (1 person per room)
Week 2 – February 7 to 13 – 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.
WHO FLOW IS FOR
Flow is designed for snowboarders who already have experience riding powder, trees, and ungroomed terrain and want to ride it with more control, awareness, and flow.
This program is a great fit for riders who:
- have spent time in powder and trees and want to ride that terrain more fluidly and consistently
- can link turns confidently on groomed blue and red runs without relying on braking or heavy skidding to control speed
- feel comfortable in off-piste terrain but still find themselves reacting to conditions rather than riding with intention
- want to improve line choice, terrain awareness, and adaptability as conditions change
- are motivated by focused coaching and progression across five full days on snow
- have a solid level of fitness and can comfortably handle consecutive full riding days
WHO IT’S NOT FOR
Flow is not the right fit if you:
- are still learning to link turns consistently on groomed runs
- rely heavily on side-slipping or braking to control speed
- have little or no experience riding powder or trees
- are looking for a relaxed guided powder trip without a strong coaching focus
- want guided backcountry riding as the main focus of the trip
- struggle with full consecutive days on snow
NOT SURE WHICH PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Our Tour Managers know the programs inside out. If you’re deciding between Beyond Groomers, Flow, Explorer, or Freeride, get in touch and we’ll help point you toward the right fit for your current riding level and goals.
ALREADY RIDING AT A HIGH LEVEL?
If you’re already comfortable across most terrain and want to ride faster, steeper, and more technical lines with a stronger focus on advanced terrain and conditions, check out the Freeride Tours.
Flow is designed for riders who already have experience in powder, trees, and ungroomed terrain and want to refine how they ride it. The terrain, pace, and coaching are all built around that level.
Choosing the right program matters, not just for your own experience, but for the group as a whole. With small groups and progression-focused coaching, everyone benefits when riders are at a similar level and working toward the same goals.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is measuring themselves against where they want to be, rather than where they consistently ride right now. Powder in Japan is the goal for a lot of people, but Flow works best for riders who are already comfortable riding variable snow, trees, and steeper terrain before arriving.
It’s also important to understand that this is a coaching-focused program, not a guided tour. The week is structured around progression, feedback, and developing stronger riding habits on challenging terrain. If you’re looking for a more relaxed guided powder experience without the coaching focus, Explorer tours are likely a better fit.
Flow runs on alternating weeks with Beyond Groomers, so moving between groups during the week isn’t possible. Before booking, take an honest look at your current riding level and make sure the program matches where you are now, not where you hope to be by the end of the trip.
If you’re unsure, get in touch with our Tour Managers. We’ll give you a straight answer and help point you toward the right program.
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
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