Global Adventure - Ski/Snowboard on Hokkaido, Powder Capitol of the World

Arrive no later than 9:30 PM  at the New Chitose Airport near Sapporo where we will be met by our private to transfer to the hotel in Sapporo.  At   the end of the trip we will again be met with our private transfer from Niseko to CTS (New Chitose Airport) for departure.

Itinerary Highlights:  

This Global Adventure goes to world re-knowned powder skiing on the northern Japanese Island of Hokkaido.  Here skiing is incredibly rewarding for powder hounds as it is ideally located in the path of consistent weather systems that bring the cold air across the Sea of Japan from Siberia. This results in the Hokkaido ski resorts being absolutely dumped with powder that is renowned for being incredibly dry. Some of the ski areas receive an amazing average of over 50 ft of snowfall annually!   These areas are on or near volcanoes with groomers or gladed-tree runs similar to US resorts but with no double black diamond runs.  

We will fly from Seattle to Sapporo where we will arrive in the evening.  We will have a chance to recover from jet lag and spend a day sightseeing before going to the ski areas. The month of February is the month of many ice festivals.    The festival also includes fantastic competition of snow and ice sculpturing.  Some of  them are 30 ft high with minute details.  In Sapporo every night there is the White Lovers Park, a modern light, snow, music show. The same park has Sweets Skate Fantasy where the rink does not have any ice.  Special Skates are free of charge.

After our short stay in Sapporo we will travel on a private bus to Furano, 2.5 hours northeast of Sapporo, for 4 days of skiing or riding.  Furano is a rural town which also has a ski resort that boasts unlimited powder runs all day.  It still retains the Japanese flavor and is not influenced by world travelers.    Here, after skiing, there are many local industries to visit at the Furano Marche, or at Ningle Terrace with a collection of nearby small buildings with local artisans and even tasting wine made locally. 

Then we will transfer to Niseko. southwest of Sapporo - the largest of the resorts on Hokkaido - for 8 nights.   Niseko has endless runs on three connecting areas. While here we will take day trips to the nearby resorts of Risutsu and Kiroro for skiing/riding.

Then finally we will return to Sapporo to start our journey home.  Some participants may wish to visit more of Japan, specifically Tokyo. All flights back to the US originate from Tokyo.

Time of Year:   We will visiting in the middle of the winter season.  We will expect very cold weather and winter storms with new dumps of powder snow.

Lodging:    We will be in 3* hotels in non-smoking rooms.

Food:   Breakfast is included at all hotels.  Lunch and dinner (not included in the trip price) will be at local restaurants featuring various international menus. Lunch will be at small restaurants on the hill or at the base of the lifts.  The hotel will make group reservations for dining each night.

Leader’s Experience: 

Patti Polinsky has led many Mountaineer hikes, snowshoe and ski trips in the US and in most of the major and minor ski areas of Europe. She is also the snow sports director at Meany Lodge and is a Level III downhill instructor and a level 2 telemark instructor in the United States Snow Sports Instructor Association.

Takeo Kuraishi who was born in Japan is a native speaker who has been a Mountaineers climb leader and instructor for many years and is also a snow-sports instructor.    This is his first Global Adventure.

Participant Requirements:   You must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file.   The participant must enjoy skiing in power snow and with intermediate to advanced level of skiing to enjoy this trip.  Wide skis are recommended (90 mm under foot) for this trip.  They can be rented  easily at the resorts.   The weather can change suddenly to high winds and heavy snow, so participants need the judgment to evaluate the situation and return to the base.

NOTE:  Your leader makes most of the arrangements and provides logistics support during the trip, but is NOT a tour guide!  As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe

Trip Price Detail:    $3350 including all lodging and transportation from Sapporo  to and from the ski resorts as well as all breakfasts.  Not included:  airfare, approx.: $1000, lunches and dinners, approx.: $600. Ski passes approx; $53/day,  and international medical and emergency evacuation insurance which are required by the Mountaineers for all Global Adventures (begins at $30).  Ski insurance information will be provided by the leader.

Registration Instructions:  Pre-approval by the leader is required!   First please submit the application form which will automatically be sent to the leader. After the leader’s personal interview and approval, submit the trip agreement, release, and click the REGISTER button in the registration portlet at the upper right to pay the 50% deposit ($1675) and hold your space on the roster. Registration will close on November 10, 2018 or whenever the roster fills. A place on the roster can only be held with payment of the deposit. The balance of the trip payment is due by Nov 16, 2018.

application    trip agreement    release

Cancellation Policy: {edit this as necessary} If you cancel because of an emergency, you may receive a refund less expenses incurred and a $100 administrative fee.