Need a guide on the side? We offer day guiding around Central Hokkaido. Perfect for people looking to get a taste of the backcountry or for experienced groups who want to see what’s out there.
We’ll meet you in the morning, head out to ski/board for the day, then drop you back at your accommodation at night.
SUITS:
Group size: Maximum 5 people.
Rider ability: We can tailor the skiing and boarding to suit groups from intermediate all the way through to expert.
Fitness level: We can run day trips suitable for groups with a low, moderate or high level of fitness (able to hike uphill on skins or a splitboard for 2 hours a day)
Backcountry experience: This trip is suitable for enthusiastic backcountry beginners and grizzled veterans alike.
These trips work best when the group has a similar level of fitness, ability and ambition.
Note that these trips are much less flexible than one of our multi-day trips (where we have more options about where we stay and how far we drive each day) so you’re less likely to be able to do really big days or to hit expert terrain in really good condition. If you don’t want to compromise on your lines, you’re better off with a multi-day trip.
LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATION:
We offer day guiding for people based in Central Hokkaido: Asahikawa, Asahidake, Furano or similar. Any further away than that we end up with tired guides driving too far on icy roads.
We’ll ski and board in the backcountry around Asahikawa, the Souknyo area, Asahidake, Tokachidake and the resorts in that region (Kurodake, Asahidake, Kamui Ski Links, Furano, etc.).
If you’re looking for consecutive days of day guiding out of Furano we might ask you cover the cost of accommodation for your guide to save them two hours of commuting each day.
THE RIDING:
We day guiding in the backcountry and at Asahidake and Kurodake. We don’t offer resort guiding for day trips.
Days typically involve some skinning or bootpacking. Expect backcountry days to cover up to about 1200m of vert (skinning tends to be slow in the deep snow) up and down mellow trees, steeps, chutes, alpine faces, you name it. Runs can be punchy 300m laps or 1000m faces. We tailor the terrain we use to the group’s ability and the weather and snow-safety for the day.
WHEN:
January through March subject to guide and accommodation availability.
We’re a small company with good guides in high demand and there is limited local accommodation. Book early so you don’t miss out.
We only accept bookings for day guiding from November onwards (so for the 2025 season, bookings open in November 2024). That gives us a chance to prioritise multi-day trips. You’re most welcome to contact us before then to discuss your trip and figure out the details, but we won’t be able to guarantee your dates until November. If you want to make sure you can ride with us, consider a multi-day trip (they’re just better).
PRICING:
$1190AUD per group per day for up to 5 people
THE TRIP INCLUDES:
Transport to and from trailheads/resorts to ski each day.
Guiding on snow. If we get a chance to stop by somewhere good to eat on the way home we’re usually able to do that.
Tips, tricks and local knowledge from genuine guides with a passion for backcountry skiing.
Daily avalanche safety briefing plus rescue training as required.
IT DOESN’T INCLUDE:
Rental gear (we don’t have any but we can help you find it - let us know).
Meals.
Flights.
Lift tickets (we never know if we’ll need them, so it’s easier to get them as we go).
Anything else.