Japan Ski Touring Road Trip
TOHOKU TO YUZAWA BACKCOUNTRY ROAD TRIP
ADVANCED SKI TOURING + SPLITBOARDING ADVENTURE
Imagine road-tripping through Japan’s legendary powder zones, journeying from the remote northern wilderness of Aomori and Iwate all the way down to the deep snowpack of Niigata. This backcountry ski touring focused road trip is designed for experienced skiers and splitboarders seeking the road less travelled, big days days of smashing pow and an unforgettable geographical progression through Honshu’s finest mountain ranges.
An ACMG-certified ski guide will guide you on this 10-day adventure. You will skin through the ghost trees of Hakkoda, ascend the volcanic alpine terrain of Mt. Iwate, and cap off the trip navigating the steep, heavy-snow spines and maritime snowpack of Niigata's Tanigawa range. This trip is all about untracked snow, exploration and discovery.
After demanding days on the skin track, evenings are spent—soaking in traditional, mineral-rich onsen hot springs and enjoying regional Japanese dinners that change with every prefecture you cross.
Road Trip
Backcountry Centric
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- ACMG certified ski guide
-4wd Van: For your private transport while we travel across three distinct prefectures.
-The Objectives: Earning lines well beyond the lift lines. We are skinning into the frozen rime forests of Hakkoda (Aomori), ascending the alpine volcanic flanks of Mt. Iwate, and hitting the steep, high-accumulation maritime spines of Tanigawa (Niigata).
-Human-Powered Output: This is a pure ski touring itinerary built ski tourers who are comfortable with steady skin track pacing and significant vertical gain.
-The Down-Time: Daily recovery means traditional ryokans and mineral-dense onsen hot springs to reset after big days. As we travel south, the regional food, local beers, and sakes shift drastically from prefecture to prefecture.
TOHOKU TO YUZAWA BACKCOUNTRY ROAD TRIP
Small Group
6 Clients ; One Guide
Japow
The Deepest Snow You'll Ever Ski
Epic Tree Skiing
Magical Forests
Ryokan Onsen Experience
Aprés Ski Soaks
Japan Ski Touring Road Trip
Cost: $6,700 CAD
Dates: Jan 12–22
Day 1 – Amori
You'll take the bullet train from Tokoyo to Amori where your guide will meet you at the train station. We’ll start at a traditional Japanese ryokan in Amori, about 80–90 minutes north of Tokyo by bullet train.
Days 2–4 – Amori Ski Touring
A few days skiing around Amori. Lots of great food options and easy access to some classic Amori Pow with steep trees, bigger terrain and lots of backcountry options.
Days 5–7 – Iwate
Next stop is Myoko National Park. We’ll be staying in a cool lodge in one of Japan’s best powder zones.
Days 8–10 – Yuzawa
We finish up in Yuzawa, based just north of town at a laid-back backcountry lodge. Tons of terrain to explore here.
Day 11 – Wrap-up
We’ll shuttle out to Yuzawa Station in the morning (around 9:00 am).
Included
- 10 nights accommodation
- Breakfast + dinner most days (not in Yuzawa)
- All transport during the trip (from Yuzawa to Nagano)
- Guiding
Not Included
- Flights
- Lift tickets
- Getting to the start (Amori) and home from the end (Yuzawa)
- Lunches + drinks
- Personal expenses
- Trip/evac insurance
Arctos Trip Inventory
The complete Arctos Trip Inventory
