6 NIGHTS I 5 DAYS BACKCOUNTRY TOURING & RIDING
JAPAN SNOWBOARD TOURS
Hosted backcountry tour with Finnish Pro Rider Antti Autti
Get off the beaten path and explore Hokkaido’s best backcountry zones, local onsens and culture with Finnish pro rider Antti Autti. He’ll be showing us why this region is one of his favourite places to ride and film and give us tips and insights along the way. Antti has been exploring this region for years and along with our local Japanese guides we’ll be showing you some of Hokkaido’s best kept secret spots. Our main base for this tour is Asahikawa, This city is the second largest in Hokkaido and is not on the usual tourist path. It’s a buzzing lively city with great restaurants, bars and shops and from here we can easily access the Daisetsuzan National Park, home to the tallest and wildest peaks on the island of Hokkaido. The terrain out here ranges from big mountain alpine lines to undulating tree riding, accessed by tramways or from roadside locations. We keep the itinerary flexible so we can find the best conditions and terrain on the day. We’ll have our local guide Shinya Nakagawa leading the way. Shinya is a not only a qualified backcountry guide, he’s also a pro snowboarder who grew up in this region and is one of the most experienced and qualified professionals working in Hokkaido. Shinya has a lifetime of experience riding in these areas as well as reading the conditions and terrain. Outside of the riding we will be visiting authentic onsens throughout the region to give you a local Japanese experience. Being off the beaten track you will also experience real Japanese cuisine and hospitality. Here’s what to expect on Antti’s Onsen Tour:
- See what Antti’s Onsen Tour is all about HERE
- Watch the highlights from our 2017 tour HERE
- You’ll get to ride with legendary Finnish Pro Rider Antti Autti WATCH HERE
- You’ll spend 5 days exploring Central Hokkaido’s secret backcountry zones
- You’ll get to experience snowboarding culture in Hokkaido while travelling with our local Japanese guides.
- You’ll sample many of the local onsen at the end of each day.
Snow & Conditions
January is the best time of year to experience snowboarding in Hokkaido. What you can expect is light dry, deep snow, perfect for riding powder. Temps will be cold, with temperatures ranging from -10 to -25 degrees Celsius. Days will be short, with an average of 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Daily Onsen Vists
At the end of each day we’ll be heading to one of the local onsen (hot springs) to soak in the mineral rich, geothermal waters. For millennia the culture of onsen (hot springs) has been rooted in the Japanese way of life. Hot springs have been cherished not only as a way to gain relief from fatigue, but also as a place to cleanse the body, treat illness, or just to interact with other people.
Small Group Sizes
Our guest to guide ratio is 1 guide to 2 guests. We keep our group size to a maximum of 8 people for a more personal experience between our guests and guides. This ensures you get the most out of your time with us.
We have limited spots available for this tour.