G'day Pugs,
Hope all is well and the summer is going well. It's not too long to go till season 2019 (I know the hot weather in Denver has been kicking my butt.....) and we are planning another adventure down to Hokkaido this winter. We'd like to get as many Pugs on board as possible and turn this into a really great time.
It will be a 12 day trip (potential to shorten the trip for anyone that can't make the full time, but you'd have to start on the start date so you can go through the avi safety training at the start with everyone) and we'll have 5 nights in Otaru, 5 nights in Furano and then 1 night at the end in Chitose. We'll have our own private vans and the guides (myself and Dr. Grant Nakamura) will drive you to different resorts each day and guide you to the best powder stashes. In the evenings we head out and explore the many amazing eateries and enjoy the local food (which is awesome).
There are two dates to choose from: session 1 is the 5th January to the 16th January 2019 and session 2 is 18th January to the 29th January 2019. You can choose when you would like to go or we can all choose one set of dates and try and get everyone on the same trip. We can take 2 groups per session so a maximum of 12 people. We already have 2 people signed up for session 2 so that takes us down to 10 people.
There is an early bird discount in effect (- $260 USD off twin-share or - $380 USD off for a single room) but it expires tomorrow night. I have to submit all names by tomorrow evening (31st July) to secure the discount. I'll also give a further $100 off for Pugski followers (must be a registered Pugski follower with a username to qualify for the extra $100 off). You would then need to send in your $500 USD deposit (non-refundable) to confirm your place on the trip. Here is the rest of the trip information.......
2019 Japan Powder Sessions Program
Join us on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido for 12 days exploring some of the hidden gems of Japanese ski areas. We will base ourselves in 2 distinctive zones; Otaru on the central west coast of Japan and Furano, further north in the center of the Hokkaido powder belt. We will have 5 nights in each location (depending on the session), using our own private vans to chase the storms and visit as many resorts as possible. This will be our 4th season in Japan and we can’t wait to show you around the powder capital of the world. Come and experience what all the fuss is about. Japow is not one to be missed!
Suitability:
Skiers and snowboarders, advanced to expert level. Guests must already be comfortable skiing or riding in deep powder and are able to link fluid turns in black and double black diamond terrain. You will predominantly be riding in the trees or open gladed terrain. We will spend relatively little time on groomed runs. Whilst the terrain is generally not that steep, some of the trees can be tight at times. The snow is definitely deep and light though!
We are still riding in potential avalanche terrain so all guests must have full avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel and probe) and will be put through our avalanche safety training program at the start of the trip. There is only one guide per group and often they will be setting the line, so we ask that you be able to get up by yourself in the event of a fall as there is no tail gunner guide to help you up. You will also need uphill capability (fat skis and touring bindings/skins or splitboards or powder board/snowshoes/poles) in case we need to hike.
Dates:
Session 1: 5th - 16th January 2019
Session 2: 18th - 29th January 2019
Session 3: 31st January - 11th February 2019 (SOLD OUT)
Costs:
Session 1: Twin-share: $4,275 USD Single: $4,945 USD
Session 2: Twin-share: $4,275 USD Single: $4,945 USD
Session 1 (Max 4): Twin-share: $4,775 USD Single: $5,445 USD
Session 2 (Max 4): Twin-share: $4,775 USD Single: $5,445 USD
(Cost is in $USD per person, twin-share and is based on a minimum of 4 people in the group. If there are less than 4 people, then if we can run the session, then the price will be higher).
Additional Costs/Upgrades:
Double Room Supplement – Please add $100 USD per person to the above rates.
(The New Furano Prince Hotel charges a supplement for a double room, due to their double rooms being larger in size than the regular twin rooms; 33m2 as opposed to the 28m2 for a twin room).
“Max 4” (NEW option for 2019):
For small, private groups that don’t want to have any additional members added to them, there is the option of signing up for our Max 4 program. There is an extra $500 additional cost added to the regular group cost (either twin-share or single share) to have a maximum of 4 people in your group. You need to have exactly 4 people in your group to have access to this program. For smaller groups who want to ensure no one else is added to their group, this is a new option.
Here at The Adventure Project, we want to try and match people with the right people and make compatible groups as much as possible, but it is a challenge. We try and assemble groups based primarily on ability level, but we also factor in level of motivation, fitness, age, etc. We can never guarantee the complete compatibility of assigned group members, especially when working with new group members that we have never ridden with before.
We ask a lot of questions when ascertaining the potential group member’s level, but sometimes people overestimate their abilities and sometimes people underestimate their abilities. It happens unfortunately and is one of the major challenges we face when putting groups together. If you already have a small group of friends and don’t want to face the potential risk of having a person who isn’t the best fit for your group, then we urge you to consider our Max 4 option if you want your own group.
Deposit:
$500 USD per person, per trip and is NON-REFUNDABLE, unless The Adventure Project cancels your trip. Payment can be made by check, bank transfer or PayPal. Please see additional sheet for details.
Early Bird Discount:
If you book before July 31st with a $500 deposit down (payment details available on request) then there is an early bird discount on offer as follows:
Twin-share - $260.00 USD per person discount.
Single-share - $380.00 USD per person discount.
That means you can reduce the above prices by that amount. To book, we just need your full name and contact information (email, address, phone number) and the $500 USD deposit prior to July 31st.
$100 off for registered Pugski account holders.
Final Balance:
Final balance must be paid into our account before November 1st 2019.
Availability:
Availability will be on a first come first served basis. We have the capacity to run 3 groups per session, with a maximum of 6 guests per group with 1 guide, so 18 guests in total with 3 guides. Normally the minimum we need is 4 guests for a group to run, but sometimes we can run a smaller group at the discretion of the guides. If there are less than 4 people in this group, then expect that the price will be higher.
Inclusions:
- 12 days of hosting and guiding by The Adventure Project (TAP). There is a maximum of 6 guests per guide for our regular program. The trip starts and ends at the Sapporo International Airport in Chitose.
- Private van hire and driving from TAP.
- Comprehensive avalanche safety training.
- Opportunity to explore local restaurants and cultural sites after skiing.
- Pickup and drop off at the New Chitose Airport (must be at the scheduled time).
- 5 night’s twin-share accommodation at the Grand Park Hotel Otaru, including buffet breakfast.
- 5 night’s twin-share accommodation at the New Furano Prince Hotel, including buffet breakfast and free onsen.
- Up to 10 guided days on the mountain exploring as many under the radar resorts as you would like.
Exclusions:
- Airfare (meet at Sapporo Airport in New Chitose).
- Lift tickets (not included as we don't know where we will be skiing each day, budget $35 a day).
- Accommodation in Chitose at end of trip. We ask that guests stay at the ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose which is only 10 minutes from the Sapporo International Airport. Guests must make their own reservation for the last night of the trip.
- Lunches ($10).
- Dinners ($15).
- Gratuities.
Logistics:
Visas
Most guests should be able to receive a 90 day tourist visa on arrival, for free. It is your responsibility to check the current regulations for your passport.
Flights
Fly to Tokyo, either to Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) International Airports, and then take a domestic flight to Sapporo International Airport in New Chitose (CTS). It is strongly recommended that you arrive at the same airport that you are leaving for Sapporo from, especially if you have a tight connection. For example, it is not recommended to fly into Haneda and then depart for Sapporo from Narita, or vice versa. Haneda and Narita are on opposite sides of the city (it can take an hour or more to travel between the two), so make sure you do not have different arrival/departure airports when you arrive in Tokyo.
Airport Pickup
Guests will be expected to arrive at the Sapporo International Airport (CTS) for scheduled pickup. We will normally meet you at the arrival gate for your airline. Please note that there are multiple airline arrival gates in the domestic arrival hall at the Sapporo Airport so we will need to know your flight number and exact flight arrival time so we can meet you there.
Please also note that the airport is in Chitose, nearly an hour away from Sapporo. There will be one scheduled pickup and then we will be driving to the hotel (either in Otaru or Furano). If you cannot make the scheduled pickup, then you will need to make your own way to Otaru or Furano. We can give advice on how to travel to these locations. Any additional transportation fees are the responsibility of the guest.
Hotels
In Otaru, we choose to stay at the Grand Park Otaru, a large hotel overlooking the beautiful Ishikari Bay. Otaru is a port city on the central west coast of Hokkaido, about 45 minutes from Sapporo. It is famous for its canal district that runs through the center of the city, lined by many shops, restaurants and converted warehouses. It is the ideal location for exploring the ski areas closer to Sapporo and getting a really traditional Japanese experience. It is an easy drive to the ski areas that we will be visiting in the area (15 minutes to 1 hour). Kokusai, Kiroro, Tengu, Teine and Asari are some of our favorites. If you want a quick meal, then the hotel adjoins onto a large shopping mall with many decent (and inexpensive eateries) or we can jump in a taxi and head down to the canal district and eat at one of the many restaurants down there.
Furano is the ideal base for our exploration of northern Hokkaido and is considered to be the capital of the Hokkaido Powder Belt. Furano has amazing skiing and it’s worth spending several days exploring the resort. Furano boasts long runs with decent vertical (959m or 3,146ft) and has some great terrain. There are plenty of fun tree skiing options and secret stashes in the resort but our favorite area has to be the “Premium Zone”, an awesome area of open bowls and trees accessed by a quick 25 minute hike. The powder stays fresh in this zone for days and we’ve had some epic turns in this area in the past (see video above). Furano is a nice blend of traditional Japanese culture and a Western ski resort feel. We also have great skiing nearby at the resorts of Kamui Ski Links, Tomamu, not to mention some other under the radar resorts that we know of…… Our hotel of choice in Furano is the New Furano Prince Hotel and it offers ski in ski out access and its own onsite onsen (free admission for guests). We drive to restaurants in the main town of Furano or stay closer to the ski area at Kitanomine.
End of Trip
We will be staying at the ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose, close to the airport, on the last night of the trip (night 11). This hotel is not included in our program costs and you are responsible for making your own reservation to stay there. Please book your room for the last night of the program. On the last day of the program (day 12), we will drop off all guests at the domestic departures, unless guests have made alternate arrangements. There will be one scheduled departure time. Anyone needing an alternate time can use either the hotel’s airport shuttle bus service (free, but must be booked in advance, please book early as it does fill up) or a taxi (at their own cost).
Itineraries
There are 3 sessions on offer in 2019. Sessions 1 and 3 have the same itinerary but session 2 is a little different. Sessions 1 and 3 start in Otaru and then head to Furano, whilst session 2 starts in Furano and then travels to Otaru. All sessions end in Chitose. Here is a general overview of the trip. Depart your home city and fly to Tokyo (Haneda or Narita). You may need to overnight in Tokyo if arriving late. You will need to arrive at the Sapporo International Airport in New Chitose (CTS) by the early afternoon on your start date, for pickup by The Adventure Project. Then we will drive to the hotel for the start of the session. All trips this season start with 5 nights in Otaru and then have 5 nights in Furano, with the last night (not included) in Chitose.
When we start the trip, we will travel from Chitose to Otaru and the journey takes about 1.5 hours. Otaru is a small city on the Ishikari Bay and not a ski area as such, so each day we will drive to one of the local ski areas. There are 6 or 7 decent ski areas close by, anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour’s drive away by private van. These resorts have been selected for their lack of crowds, great snow record, good terrain and amenities. We can ski as many resorts as you like, or if there are favorite resorts, we can keep going back. It’s up to you what you would like to do. We are not on a set schedule so we can go where we like (within reason!). Then at night, we can hit the town and try out different restaurants and meet the local people.
When we transition from Otaru to Furano, there will be some driving to do (3 hours potentially). This is a great time to visit a small, under the radar resort called Yubari (also known as Mt. Racey). This is our go to resort when traveling from Otaru to Furano and vice versa. We will likely be the only Westerners there and there is plenty of powder to be had in the trees between the runs. For the second half of the trip, we will move north to Furano for 5 more nights. Furano is a large ski area in the north of Hokkaido. Our hotel features ski in ski out access to the resort so on a powder day, we are right there. Most groups will ski a few days in Furano, but there are plenty of other nearby resorts that we like to visit too. Tomamu, Kamui Ski Links, Sahoro and Asahidake are popular options for us. We can even do some touring up at the active volcanos in the Daisetsuzan National Park for those that would like to try something different.
All sessions will finish in Chitose. We will stay at the ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose Hotel close to the airport (we can ski on the way back to Chitose if you would like) and then on the last day, we will drop off the group at the airport for departure back to Tokyo and on to their home countries (unless staying on for a side trip). The resort we will ride each day will depend on the weather and the wishes of the group. The following resorts/dates are listed as examples and actual schedule may be different.
Itinerary for Sessions 1 and 3
Day 1 (Arrive on the start date of your trip) – Pickup Chitose Airport (CTS) around lunchtime, transfer to Otaru (about 1.5 hours by van). Hotel orientation, early dinner and then avalanche safety talk (indoors).
Day 2 – AM avalanche safety training (on-snow) and guiding in the afternoon at Mt. Tenguyama. Dinner and welcome drinks at the Otaru brewery.
Day 3 - Explore Kokusai.
Day 4 – Explore Kiroro.
Day 5 – Explore Sapporo Teine.
Day 6 – Depart Otaru for Furano. Ski Mt. Racey on the way to Furano, with late afternoon arrival in Furano. Orientation around New Furano Prine Hotel and late dinner and welcome drinks.
Day 7 – Explore Furano.
Day 8 – Explore Kamui Ski Links.
Day 9 – Explore Sahoro.
Day 10 – Explore Tomamu.
Day 11 – potential ½ day at Furano or Mt. Racey ski resort and then transfer to Chitose for last night. Stay at ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose (not included in price, please book your own room for the last night in Hokkaido).
Day 12 – Drop off in the morning at Chitose Airport for departure.
Itinerary for Session 2
Day 1 (Arrive on the start date of your trip) – Pickup Chitose Airport (CTS) around lunchtime, transfer to Furano (about 2 hours by van). Hotel orientation, early dinner and then avalanche safety talk (indoors).
Day 2 – AM avalanche safety training (on-snow) and guiding in the afternoon at Furano. Dinner and welcome drinks in Furano town.
Day 3 - Explore Furano.
Day 4 – Explore Kamui Ski Links.
Day 5 – Explore Sahoro or Tomamu.
Day 6 – Depart Furano for Otaru. Ski Mt. Racey on the way to Furano, with late afternoon arrival in Otaru. Orientation around Grand Park Otaru Hotel and late dinner and welcome drinks.
Day 7 – Explore Kokusai.
Day 8 – Explore Tenguyama.
Day 9 – Explore Sapporo Teine.
Day 10 – Explore Kokusai.
Day 11 – potential ½ day at one of the Otaru resorts and then transfer to Chitose for last night. Stay at ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose (not included in price, please book your own room for the last night in Hokkaido).
Day 12 – Drop off in the morning at Chitose Airport for departure.
We look forward to showing you around Hokkaido and taking you on amazing adventure! Japan has some of the best powder snow in the world and we can’t wait to show you some of the hidden gems of Japow! If you have any questions, then please don’t hesitate to contact Matt Appleford, owner of The Adventure Project and lead guide in Japan – [email protected].
Hope all is well and the summer is going well. It's not too long to go till season 2019 (I know the hot weather in Denver has been kicking my butt.....) and we are planning another adventure down to Hokkaido this winter. We'd like to get as many Pugs on board as possible and turn this into a really great time.
It will be a 12 day trip (potential to shorten the trip for anyone that can't make the full time, but you'd have to start on the start date so you can go through the avi safety training at the start with everyone) and we'll have 5 nights in Otaru, 5 nights in Furano and then 1 night at the end in Chitose. We'll have our own private vans and the guides (myself and Dr. Grant Nakamura) will drive you to different resorts each day and guide you to the best powder stashes. In the evenings we head out and explore the many amazing eateries and enjoy the local food (which is awesome).
There are two dates to choose from: session 1 is the 5th January to the 16th January 2019 and session 2 is 18th January to the 29th January 2019. You can choose when you would like to go or we can all choose one set of dates and try and get everyone on the same trip. We can take 2 groups per session so a maximum of 12 people. We already have 2 people signed up for session 2 so that takes us down to 10 people.
There is an early bird discount in effect (- $260 USD off twin-share or - $380 USD off for a single room) but it expires tomorrow night. I have to submit all names by tomorrow evening (31st July) to secure the discount. I'll also give a further $100 off for Pugski followers (must be a registered Pugski follower with a username to qualify for the extra $100 off). You would then need to send in your $500 USD deposit (non-refundable) to confirm your place on the trip. Here is the rest of the trip information.......
2019 Japan Powder Sessions Program
Join us on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido for 12 days exploring some of the hidden gems of Japanese ski areas. We will base ourselves in 2 distinctive zones; Otaru on the central west coast of Japan and Furano, further north in the center of the Hokkaido powder belt. We will have 5 nights in each location (depending on the session), using our own private vans to chase the storms and visit as many resorts as possible. This will be our 4th season in Japan and we can’t wait to show you around the powder capital of the world. Come and experience what all the fuss is about. Japow is not one to be missed!
Suitability:
Skiers and snowboarders, advanced to expert level. Guests must already be comfortable skiing or riding in deep powder and are able to link fluid turns in black and double black diamond terrain. You will predominantly be riding in the trees or open gladed terrain. We will spend relatively little time on groomed runs. Whilst the terrain is generally not that steep, some of the trees can be tight at times. The snow is definitely deep and light though!
We are still riding in potential avalanche terrain so all guests must have full avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel and probe) and will be put through our avalanche safety training program at the start of the trip. There is only one guide per group and often they will be setting the line, so we ask that you be able to get up by yourself in the event of a fall as there is no tail gunner guide to help you up. You will also need uphill capability (fat skis and touring bindings/skins or splitboards or powder board/snowshoes/poles) in case we need to hike.
Dates:
Session 1: 5th - 16th January 2019
Session 2: 18th - 29th January 2019
Session 3: 31st January - 11th February 2019 (SOLD OUT)
Costs:
Session 1: Twin-share: $4,275 USD Single: $4,945 USD
Session 2: Twin-share: $4,275 USD Single: $4,945 USD
Session 1 (Max 4): Twin-share: $4,775 USD Single: $5,445 USD
Session 2 (Max 4): Twin-share: $4,775 USD Single: $5,445 USD
(Cost is in $USD per person, twin-share and is based on a minimum of 4 people in the group. If there are less than 4 people, then if we can run the session, then the price will be higher).
Additional Costs/Upgrades:
Double Room Supplement – Please add $100 USD per person to the above rates.
(The New Furano Prince Hotel charges a supplement for a double room, due to their double rooms being larger in size than the regular twin rooms; 33m2 as opposed to the 28m2 for a twin room).
“Max 4” (NEW option for 2019):
For small, private groups that don’t want to have any additional members added to them, there is the option of signing up for our Max 4 program. There is an extra $500 additional cost added to the regular group cost (either twin-share or single share) to have a maximum of 4 people in your group. You need to have exactly 4 people in your group to have access to this program. For smaller groups who want to ensure no one else is added to their group, this is a new option.
Here at The Adventure Project, we want to try and match people with the right people and make compatible groups as much as possible, but it is a challenge. We try and assemble groups based primarily on ability level, but we also factor in level of motivation, fitness, age, etc. We can never guarantee the complete compatibility of assigned group members, especially when working with new group members that we have never ridden with before.
We ask a lot of questions when ascertaining the potential group member’s level, but sometimes people overestimate their abilities and sometimes people underestimate their abilities. It happens unfortunately and is one of the major challenges we face when putting groups together. If you already have a small group of friends and don’t want to face the potential risk of having a person who isn’t the best fit for your group, then we urge you to consider our Max 4 option if you want your own group.
Deposit:
$500 USD per person, per trip and is NON-REFUNDABLE, unless The Adventure Project cancels your trip. Payment can be made by check, bank transfer or PayPal. Please see additional sheet for details.
Early Bird Discount:
If you book before July 31st with a $500 deposit down (payment details available on request) then there is an early bird discount on offer as follows:
Twin-share - $260.00 USD per person discount.
Single-share - $380.00 USD per person discount.
That means you can reduce the above prices by that amount. To book, we just need your full name and contact information (email, address, phone number) and the $500 USD deposit prior to July 31st.
$100 off for registered Pugski account holders.
Final Balance:
Final balance must be paid into our account before November 1st 2019.
Availability:
Availability will be on a first come first served basis. We have the capacity to run 3 groups per session, with a maximum of 6 guests per group with 1 guide, so 18 guests in total with 3 guides. Normally the minimum we need is 4 guests for a group to run, but sometimes we can run a smaller group at the discretion of the guides. If there are less than 4 people in this group, then expect that the price will be higher.
Inclusions:
- 12 days of hosting and guiding by The Adventure Project (TAP). There is a maximum of 6 guests per guide for our regular program. The trip starts and ends at the Sapporo International Airport in Chitose.
- Private van hire and driving from TAP.
- Comprehensive avalanche safety training.
- Opportunity to explore local restaurants and cultural sites after skiing.
- Pickup and drop off at the New Chitose Airport (must be at the scheduled time).
- 5 night’s twin-share accommodation at the Grand Park Hotel Otaru, including buffet breakfast.
- 5 night’s twin-share accommodation at the New Furano Prince Hotel, including buffet breakfast and free onsen.
- Up to 10 guided days on the mountain exploring as many under the radar resorts as you would like.
Exclusions:
- Airfare (meet at Sapporo Airport in New Chitose).
- Lift tickets (not included as we don't know where we will be skiing each day, budget $35 a day).
- Accommodation in Chitose at end of trip. We ask that guests stay at the ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose which is only 10 minutes from the Sapporo International Airport. Guests must make their own reservation for the last night of the trip.
- Lunches ($10).
- Dinners ($15).
- Gratuities.
Logistics:
Visas
Most guests should be able to receive a 90 day tourist visa on arrival, for free. It is your responsibility to check the current regulations for your passport.
Flights
Fly to Tokyo, either to Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) International Airports, and then take a domestic flight to Sapporo International Airport in New Chitose (CTS). It is strongly recommended that you arrive at the same airport that you are leaving for Sapporo from, especially if you have a tight connection. For example, it is not recommended to fly into Haneda and then depart for Sapporo from Narita, or vice versa. Haneda and Narita are on opposite sides of the city (it can take an hour or more to travel between the two), so make sure you do not have different arrival/departure airports when you arrive in Tokyo.
Airport Pickup
Guests will be expected to arrive at the Sapporo International Airport (CTS) for scheduled pickup. We will normally meet you at the arrival gate for your airline. Please note that there are multiple airline arrival gates in the domestic arrival hall at the Sapporo Airport so we will need to know your flight number and exact flight arrival time so we can meet you there.
Please also note that the airport is in Chitose, nearly an hour away from Sapporo. There will be one scheduled pickup and then we will be driving to the hotel (either in Otaru or Furano). If you cannot make the scheduled pickup, then you will need to make your own way to Otaru or Furano. We can give advice on how to travel to these locations. Any additional transportation fees are the responsibility of the guest.
Hotels
In Otaru, we choose to stay at the Grand Park Otaru, a large hotel overlooking the beautiful Ishikari Bay. Otaru is a port city on the central west coast of Hokkaido, about 45 minutes from Sapporo. It is famous for its canal district that runs through the center of the city, lined by many shops, restaurants and converted warehouses. It is the ideal location for exploring the ski areas closer to Sapporo and getting a really traditional Japanese experience. It is an easy drive to the ski areas that we will be visiting in the area (15 minutes to 1 hour). Kokusai, Kiroro, Tengu, Teine and Asari are some of our favorites. If you want a quick meal, then the hotel adjoins onto a large shopping mall with many decent (and inexpensive eateries) or we can jump in a taxi and head down to the canal district and eat at one of the many restaurants down there.
Furano is the ideal base for our exploration of northern Hokkaido and is considered to be the capital of the Hokkaido Powder Belt. Furano has amazing skiing and it’s worth spending several days exploring the resort. Furano boasts long runs with decent vertical (959m or 3,146ft) and has some great terrain. There are plenty of fun tree skiing options and secret stashes in the resort but our favorite area has to be the “Premium Zone”, an awesome area of open bowls and trees accessed by a quick 25 minute hike. The powder stays fresh in this zone for days and we’ve had some epic turns in this area in the past (see video above). Furano is a nice blend of traditional Japanese culture and a Western ski resort feel. We also have great skiing nearby at the resorts of Kamui Ski Links, Tomamu, not to mention some other under the radar resorts that we know of…… Our hotel of choice in Furano is the New Furano Prince Hotel and it offers ski in ski out access and its own onsite onsen (free admission for guests). We drive to restaurants in the main town of Furano or stay closer to the ski area at Kitanomine.
End of Trip
We will be staying at the ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose, close to the airport, on the last night of the trip (night 11). This hotel is not included in our program costs and you are responsible for making your own reservation to stay there. Please book your room for the last night of the program. On the last day of the program (day 12), we will drop off all guests at the domestic departures, unless guests have made alternate arrangements. There will be one scheduled departure time. Anyone needing an alternate time can use either the hotel’s airport shuttle bus service (free, but must be booked in advance, please book early as it does fill up) or a taxi (at their own cost).
Itineraries
There are 3 sessions on offer in 2019. Sessions 1 and 3 have the same itinerary but session 2 is a little different. Sessions 1 and 3 start in Otaru and then head to Furano, whilst session 2 starts in Furano and then travels to Otaru. All sessions end in Chitose. Here is a general overview of the trip. Depart your home city and fly to Tokyo (Haneda or Narita). You may need to overnight in Tokyo if arriving late. You will need to arrive at the Sapporo International Airport in New Chitose (CTS) by the early afternoon on your start date, for pickup by The Adventure Project. Then we will drive to the hotel for the start of the session. All trips this season start with 5 nights in Otaru and then have 5 nights in Furano, with the last night (not included) in Chitose.
When we start the trip, we will travel from Chitose to Otaru and the journey takes about 1.5 hours. Otaru is a small city on the Ishikari Bay and not a ski area as such, so each day we will drive to one of the local ski areas. There are 6 or 7 decent ski areas close by, anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour’s drive away by private van. These resorts have been selected for their lack of crowds, great snow record, good terrain and amenities. We can ski as many resorts as you like, or if there are favorite resorts, we can keep going back. It’s up to you what you would like to do. We are not on a set schedule so we can go where we like (within reason!). Then at night, we can hit the town and try out different restaurants and meet the local people.
When we transition from Otaru to Furano, there will be some driving to do (3 hours potentially). This is a great time to visit a small, under the radar resort called Yubari (also known as Mt. Racey). This is our go to resort when traveling from Otaru to Furano and vice versa. We will likely be the only Westerners there and there is plenty of powder to be had in the trees between the runs. For the second half of the trip, we will move north to Furano for 5 more nights. Furano is a large ski area in the north of Hokkaido. Our hotel features ski in ski out access to the resort so on a powder day, we are right there. Most groups will ski a few days in Furano, but there are plenty of other nearby resorts that we like to visit too. Tomamu, Kamui Ski Links, Sahoro and Asahidake are popular options for us. We can even do some touring up at the active volcanos in the Daisetsuzan National Park for those that would like to try something different.
All sessions will finish in Chitose. We will stay at the ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose Hotel close to the airport (we can ski on the way back to Chitose if you would like) and then on the last day, we will drop off the group at the airport for departure back to Tokyo and on to their home countries (unless staying on for a side trip). The resort we will ride each day will depend on the weather and the wishes of the group. The following resorts/dates are listed as examples and actual schedule may be different.
Itinerary for Sessions 1 and 3
Day 1 (Arrive on the start date of your trip) – Pickup Chitose Airport (CTS) around lunchtime, transfer to Otaru (about 1.5 hours by van). Hotel orientation, early dinner and then avalanche safety talk (indoors).
Day 2 – AM avalanche safety training (on-snow) and guiding in the afternoon at Mt. Tenguyama. Dinner and welcome drinks at the Otaru brewery.
Day 3 - Explore Kokusai.
Day 4 – Explore Kiroro.
Day 5 – Explore Sapporo Teine.
Day 6 – Depart Otaru for Furano. Ski Mt. Racey on the way to Furano, with late afternoon arrival in Furano. Orientation around New Furano Prine Hotel and late dinner and welcome drinks.
Day 7 – Explore Furano.
Day 8 – Explore Kamui Ski Links.
Day 9 – Explore Sahoro.
Day 10 – Explore Tomamu.
Day 11 – potential ½ day at Furano or Mt. Racey ski resort and then transfer to Chitose for last night. Stay at ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose (not included in price, please book your own room for the last night in Hokkaido).
Day 12 – Drop off in the morning at Chitose Airport for departure.
Itinerary for Session 2
Day 1 (Arrive on the start date of your trip) – Pickup Chitose Airport (CTS) around lunchtime, transfer to Furano (about 2 hours by van). Hotel orientation, early dinner and then avalanche safety talk (indoors).
Day 2 – AM avalanche safety training (on-snow) and guiding in the afternoon at Furano. Dinner and welcome drinks in Furano town.
Day 3 - Explore Furano.
Day 4 – Explore Kamui Ski Links.
Day 5 – Explore Sahoro or Tomamu.
Day 6 – Depart Furano for Otaru. Ski Mt. Racey on the way to Furano, with late afternoon arrival in Otaru. Orientation around Grand Park Otaru Hotel and late dinner and welcome drinks.
Day 7 – Explore Kokusai.
Day 8 – Explore Tenguyama.
Day 9 – Explore Sapporo Teine.
Day 10 – Explore Kokusai.
Day 11 – potential ½ day at one of the Otaru resorts and then transfer to Chitose for last night. Stay at ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose (not included in price, please book your own room for the last night in Hokkaido).
Day 12 – Drop off in the morning at Chitose Airport for departure.
We look forward to showing you around Hokkaido and taking you on amazing adventure! Japan has some of the best powder snow in the world and we can’t wait to show you some of the hidden gems of Japow! If you have any questions, then please don’t hesitate to contact Matt Appleford, owner of The Adventure Project and lead guide in Japan – [email protected].
