Join us for a powder-filled week to one of the snowiest resorts in Japan!
This is an all-inclusive tour that is tailor made for intermediate snowboarders. Get your first powder turns, learn to ride the trees or just simply enjoy a week snowboarding with a great group. You’ll spend your days learning from a fun and professional snowboard coach and your evenings enjoying great food and drinks in the company of new friends in all while staying in ski-in/ski-out luxury. Here’s what you can expect:
SNOWBOARD COACHING Our priority is to find you the best snow and terrain and give you the tools to become a better snowboarder in an incredibly positive and supportive way
LUXURY ACCOMMODATION Stay on-mountain at Rusutsu Resort in a ski-in/ski-out hotel complete with a luxe new onsen and breakfasts and dinners included.
GREAT COMPANY Our coaches are life-long snowboarders who create a fun, carefree, no-pressure environment where snowboarders can take their skills to the next level.
WHO IS THIS FOR Anyone who wants to snowboard, relax, get outdoors, laugh, try something new, enjoy a cocktail or two, eat great food and connect with other snowboarding women.
Dates
Register your interest for winter 2024
Group Size
6 guests : 1 coach
Price
Register your interest for winter 2024
Ability Level
Intermediate snowboarders
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. 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. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
Overview
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
RUSUTSU, OUR POWDER PARADISE
Rusutsu is just a 40 minute drive from Niseko and is our favourite place to snowboard in Hokkaido for a number of reasons. Rusutsu scores huge quantities of light, dry, fluffy powder, it has the best fall line tree riding in Japan that is accessed straight off the lifts, it’s perfectly manicured groomers are ideal for any level of rider, it gets minimal crowds in comparison to the nearby resorts and to top it all off, it has high quality gondola's and hooded chairlifts that will keep you toasty which is perfect for the frequent cold days.
COACHING & GUIDING
The focus of this tour is to improve your snowboarding in an incredibly fun and supportive way. Your coach is on-hand to build up your snowboarding toolkit with a combination of coaching and guiding. The coaching is fun (no lessons or drills) and you'll get loads of tips and feedback while riding the resort. While we have daily coaching sessions, many people choose to join this trip for an awesome week of snowboarding with a great group of women!
LUXE ACCOMMODATION
We want your holiday to be as comfortable as possible, so that’s why you’ll stay on-mountain at the Rusutsu Resort Hotel. Our twin rooms have high quality linen and duvets, plenty of room for your equipment, ensuite bathroom, free WIFI and thoughtful touches like bathroom toiletries, robes and slippers. Each room has amazing views to the surrounding snowy landscape. The hotel has restaurants, hotel bar, a small convenience store, onsen, sauna, wave pool, rental shop, snowboard stores and day spa.
AFTER HOURS
After riding there's plenty to do. Visit the luxe new indoor/outdoor onsen, hit après with the girls, head to the local izakaya for a drink with the locals, visit the 7-Eleven for snacks, go shopping in the kooky mall and amusement park or just relax in your room and enjoy the views over the snowy landscape. Each night we'll regroup for dinner where you can enjoy Japanese and Western food prepared with the freshest local Hokkaido ingredients and maybe a sake or two. Sound like the perfect snowboard trip? Then grab your friends or come solo, just make sure you don’t miss out!
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Your coaches know exactly where to go and find you the perfect terrain suited to your ability. Whether that's a dreamy powder meadow for your first time snowboarding off-piste or all the secret tree zones and powder stashes. You'll explore parts of the mountain you didn't know existed, avoid any lift lines, hit the best spots for a hot chocolate or a steaming bowl or ramen and of course show you all the epic photo spots for the 'gram. Our guides will give you a locals perspective from day one and keys to this incredible powder kingdom.
EASY AIRPORT TRANSFERS
What we love about Rusutsu is it’s so easy to get to. It’s a stress-free trip, especially if you’re travelling solo or it’s your first time to Japan. Fly into Sapporo, board the bus to Rusutsu and in just under 2 hours you will arrive at our powder paradise. Our guides will be on-hand to greet you and check you to our hotel and get you set up for the adventure ahead.
ESSENTIAL INFO
This tour is tailor made for intermediate snowboarders.
You are happy linking turns on most runs both consistently and confidently, although sometimes come into difficulty on steeper runs or in challenging snow conditions. You want to ride the whole mountain and find new challenges. We’ll give you the techniques to make your riding more dynamic, start carving your board, learn a few tricks and even take you off piste and into the powder.
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- Twin Share Accommodation
For 6 nights you will stay at the ski-in/ski-out, Rusutsu Resort Hotel. All guests will stay in a twin share room. Our rooms feature 2 comfortable single beds with high quality linen and duvets, plenty of room for your equipment, ensuite bathroom, free WIFI and thoughtful touches like bathroom toiletries, robes and slippers. Complimentary access to the onsen (hot spring) is included throughout your stay.
- Daily Snowboard Coaching Sessions
Every day you will ride with your qualified coach in our group coaching sessions. Our coaching sessions typically run from 9am – 12:30pm. The coaching is fun and you’ll get plenty of tips and individual feedback while riding the resort.
- Daily Snowboard Guiding Sessions
Each afternoon we hold a guiding session which is led by your qualified coach. You’ll get to explore more of the mountain and cover more ground as you put your skills into play after your morning coaching session. Our guiding sessions run after lunchtime.
- All Breakfasts
For breakfast, join us at the restaurant which serves all your Japanese and Western favourites, including eggs cooked to order, home-baked bread, french toast, croissants and much more, all prepared with local produce.
- All Dinners
For dinner, join us at our hotel restaurant. You will be treated to the freshest local seafood, delicious meats and vegetable dishes, poke bowls, Japanese soups and noodles just to name a few. For those with a sweet tooth, the irresistible dessert buffet isn’t one to be missed.
- Airport Transfers
From Sapporo New Chitose Airport. Simply jump on the bus and in no time you’ll be transported to our powder paradise. Our door-to-door transfers make the trip a breeze. On departure day, we’ll drop you back at New Chitose Airport.
- Snowboarding Tech Sessions
Your coach will run a snowboarding tech session which will cover everything from board set-up, board selection, waxing and tuning, and of course answer any questions.
- Fully-Escorted Tour
Your coach stays with the group throughout the tour. They are not only with you all day on-snow, they are also on-hand each evening. They are always more than happy to share their experience with you on the mountain, and share a drink and some laughs at the end of the day.
All our Japan Tours are 6 nights and run from Sunday to Saturday. You’ll ride every resort mid-week to maximise your time on-snow and avoid the weekend day-trippers. If 6 nights isn’t enough, then book one of our multi-tour combo’s. Join us in Rusutsu, then start a new tour in a different destination the following day. Ask us about tour combo ideas.
DATES
Register your interest for winter 2024
PRO-TIP – GO PRIVATE!
If you have your own group of snowboarding friends, pick your own dates and book a private departure – with your own coach and all the benefits of a Mint group tour. Get in touch to discuss.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. 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. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT IS A PROGRESSION TOUR?
Our Progression Tours will improve your snowboarding through a combination of coaching and guiding. These tours are perfect for intermediate snowboarders. Our qualified coaches will offer you tips and feedback as you explore the resorts. Our experienced coaches have an in-depth knowledge of the resorts we visit, which gives you the ultimate advantage.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowsports and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer. If you are travelling solo, you will be paired with another guest to room with. The accommodation for this tour is twin share i.e. 2 beds per room.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THIS TOUR?
This is a small group tour with 6 snowboarders. Our groups are big enough to create a nice social vibe, but small enough so you can snowboard at your preferred pace, and ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. This ensures you get the most out of your time with us, and keeping the groups small means less time waiting and more time snowboarding!
IS THIS TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
Whether you’re looking to progress your snowboarding, or just want to ride in Japan with like-minded women, we’ve got you covered. Throughout the week we will have coaching and guiding sessions available for intermediate snowboarders:
You are happy linking turns on most runs both consistantly and confidently, although sometimes come into difficulty on steeps or challenging snow conditions. You want to ride the whole mountain and find new challenges. We’ll give you the techniques to make your riding more dynamic, start carving your board, learn a few tricks and even take you off-piste and into the powder.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
For most tours you can arrive earlier or stay later. 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.
WHO ARE THE COACHES?
You’ll be led by friendly, knowledgeable and qualified coaches who are passionate about sharing their knowledge.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can recommend the best flight options.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered by comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We offer all of our tour guests discounted snow specific travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure.
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 specialists. 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 RUSUTSU?
Airport transfers from Sapporo New Chitose Airport to Rusutsu are included. We’ll provide you with a guide with options to get to Rusutsu. If it’s your fist time to Japan or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. 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?
We can arrange rental equipment for most destinations, however we do recommend bringing your own equipment.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
We will send out a packing list for this tour. Japan can be a cold place in winter, with temperatures typically ranging from 0 to -20. We strongly recommend that guests dress in clothing specific for traveling in backcountry areas. We recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight insulated layer, merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light & high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. We recommend that all guests bring their own snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear). Powder boards are recommended.
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowboarding and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
You can book this tour with or without lift tickets.
Rusutsu is an Epic Pass destination. Guests who hold a valid EPIC Pass can get a complimentary 5 day lift consecutive lift ticket for Rusutsu Resort.
For guests who don’t have an EPIC Pass, we have a 5 day lift ticket available for purchase.
PRICE PER PERSON
Register your interest for winter 2024
RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT
To secure your spot on tour, a 50% deposit is payable. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
If you would like some more information or a quote for the tour you can contact us by:
1. ONLINE
Click on ‘Enquire’ below and send us your details. Once we receive your request one of our Japan Tour Specialists will be in touch with a with a quote, availability and further details about the tour.
2. OVER THE PHONE
Call us and follow the prompts to speak to one of our Japan Tour specialists.
Within Australia (03) 5296 0314