View of Mt. Yotei from Rusutsu - Photo: Japan National Tourist Organisation

朝日の土地はスキーをする

Japan - ski the land of the rising sun & powder!

Hi, I'm Phil Smith, Snoworks director and instructor. In 2009 and 2010, I hosted and taught on Snoworks Japan Adventure. We've taken the best of our previous trips, amended the itinerary and added to it creating an even better Adventure for 2012. In true Snoworks Adventure style we've created a bespoke itinerary combining the best of the skiing in Japan along with local culture. We've included stop overs in Tokyo, 4 resorts in the South island, 2 resorts in the North island, amazing hotels and cuisine, transport on the world famous bullet train, your own ski instructors and hosts for the duration of the trip, local guide, private transportation between resorts, domestic flights connecting the north and south islands, all ski passes and much more. We've search out the best off-piste skiing in both the North and South islands whilst retaining the true tast of Japanese skiing.

Most skiing trips to Japan are fly in, ski, fly out. Whilst being much cheaper they do not compare to what is included in this itinerary. Like all our Adventures this will be an experience that will last a lifetime.

This year we've organised the trip through our partner Natalie's Travel and her local contacts in Japan. Natalie's Travel is a fully bonded travel agent so you can rest assured all monies paid for in advance are fully protected.

The trip is open to 8 skiers, so please get your booking in quickly. Our Snoworks host/instructor will be available to ski with you all day every day we're on the snow, on and off-piste operating in a 'coaching role' to make the most of this truly fantastic itinerary. That's the equivalent of more then 3 full 'All-Terrain' courses included in the price!

Lee Townend, Snoworks coach enjoying the Japanese powder, Snoworks Adventure 2010

Niseko has 15 metres of annual snowfall! That's three times the annual snowfall of top French ski resorts. It's a shorter season then Europe so on average your looking at 1.5 metres of snow per week, 20-30cm of new snow every single day!

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The top reasons why skiing in Japan is a must!

Snow

Literally masses of it! In the North island of Hokkaido there is an average yearly snowfall of up to 15 metres! The cold air blows in from Siberia across the Sea of Japan and that brings powder and plenty of it! In Niseko last year we skied the lightest powder I have ever skied!

So you want to ski powder? Above skiing the powder in Niseko. Pete, Snoworks 2010

Resorts

80% of Japan's landmass is mountainous. Choice is in abundance with over 700 ski resorts. That's more ski resorts then any other country in the world. We've combined both the South and North islands covering some of the best ski resorts in Japan.


Niseko ski resort with Mt Yotei in the background
Photo: Japan National Tourist Organisation

Culture

Experience something completely different to western culture. Stay in a Ryokan, sleep on a 'futon', take in some Sushi, ride the high tech 'bullet train' from Tokyo to Nagano, relax in an onsen and soak up the atmosphere in Tokyo.


Photos: Japan National Tourist Organisation

Tokyo

How can you go to Japan without a visit to Tokyo? In true Snoworks Adventure style we've included a stop over in Tokyo. Be prepared to be mesmerized by this city of 12 million people.

Bullet Train

No visit to Japan is complete without a ride on the world famous bullet train. Bullet trains whisk you across Japan at speeds up to 300km/h. The fastest recorded was 581km/h. Now that's fast.

Night Skiing

Niseko has to be the best night skiing in the world. In 2009 we headed to the top and then proceeded to ski off-piste in powder at night. The floodlights literally go almost to the top of the mountain and are powerful enough to illuminate the off-piste. It's worth heading to Japan just to experience this.

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The 2012 itinerary

DAY 01
DEPART FROM LONDON HEATHROW
Fly London Heathrow to Tokyo Narita. International flights are NOT included in the price to allow for flexibility. Recommended flights are listed below the itinerary.

DAY 02
ARRIVE TOKYO
We'll take a private minibus to the Hilton Tokyo Hotel. Situated just 10 minutes walk from Shinjuku's bustling shops it's perfectly positioned for immediate immersion into Tokyo's vivid life. We'll be arriving at the hotel midday so you have a few choices. We can organise a guided tour or you can head out and explore yourself along with your hosts, or relax in the hotel. In the evening our Snoworks hosts will find a classic local restaurant where you can savour the Tokyo atmosphere.

DAY 03
BULLET TRAIN TO NOSAWA ONSEN
Breakfast at the Hilton Tokyo followed by private taxi to Tokyo train station and onto the world famous Bullet Train to Nagano. It's fast! We arrive at Nagano where we pick up the local bus to Nozawa Onsen.

SNOW MONKEYS
On route to Nozawa Onsen we've opted for a quick visit to see the Snow Monkeys. There are an estimated 150,000 snow monkeys living in Japan. Their ancestors are believed to have arrived from the Korean peninsula 500,000 to 300,000 years ago, long before the first humans arrived. They arrived mostly from the south and west and adapted to the climate.Hopefully we will find them coming down from the mountains and warming up in the hot onsens.

RYOKAN

We've opted to stay in some of the local Ryokans for 2 nights in Nozawa. You can't go to Japan without staying in a Ryokan. This year we'll be using Sakaya, with Jon Nobi and Tokiwaya as numbers dictate, all in close proximity. Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns dating from the Edo period (1603–1868), when they served travellers along Japan's highways, so you get the 'real taste' of Japan. Get ready for futons, sushi, hot springs and kimonos! Accommodation is on a half-board basis and we'll be able to experience a real taste of Japanese cuisine. The whole group will dine together in the evening in Ryokan Sakaya - this is a true taste of Japanese culture and cuisine at its finest. Last year this was one of the highlights of the whole trip.

DAY 04, 05
SKI NOZAWA ONSEN
We've included two days skiing at Nozawa Onsen, one of the largest and most famous ski resorts in Japan. Nozawa combines the traditional Japanese way of life with a modern skiing infrastructure. The village was one of the first ski resorts to operate in Japan and has a famous history. Hannes Schneider from Austria came to Nozawa Onsen in 1930 and taught the techniques of Arlberg skiing. This boosted the popularity of the sport in Japan and established Nozawa as one of Japan's top ski resorts. Nozawa Onsen was host to the 1995 Interski Congress. This will be your first taste of Japanese skiing and you will be impressed. First class service, fantastic restaurants, perfectly kept slopes and amazing Ryokans. Off-piste skiing is relatively new to the Japanese and Nozawa is one of the few resorts that is beginning to turn a blind eye to it. With the increase in western visitors, off-piste skiing is on the up. So hopefully get ready for your first taste of Japanese powder.


Norman off-piste in Nozawa 2009.


Phil Smith, Snoworks Director in Nozawa Onsen with the British Demonstration Ski Team at the 1995 'Interski Congress'

After skiing on day 5 we head across to another of Japan's biggest ski areas, Hakuba. We'll check into the fabulous Hotel Tokyu for the next 2 nights HB.

 

DAY 06, 07
SKI HAKUBA

New for last year was Hakuba and we're going back. The Hakuba Valley has an average snowfall of 11 metres and was host to the Winter Olympics. Last year we had some immense powder skiing through the trees in Happo One combined with a day's skiing in another nearby resort where the lure of untracked powder was just too much to resist! We've adjusted the itinerary this year to include two days in Happo One where they are more accustomed to off-piste skiing. The Hotel Tokyu is exceptional offering first class service and excellent cuisine.

 

After skiing on Day 7 we'll be heading across to a new destination added last year. To get the best out of Japan you need to know where the locals ski. Lee and I did a lot of research as a result of which we’ve added Akakura Kanko and Seki Onsen into the itinerary. We’ll be staying in the amazing Akakura Hotel (half board) for the next three nights.

The 5* Akakura Kanko Hotel is nestled high on the slopes of Mt. Myoko, a favourite destination for the Japanese Royal Family. It combines Japanese tradition with modern amenities, in one of the most remarkable hotel settings anywhere. It's literally perched half way up the mountain on the pistes with incredible views all around. On a clear day you can see all the way to Sado Island across the Sea of Japan. When I first set eyes on this hotel I thought, “that is where we need to be” so we included it in the itinerary. You can check it out by going direct to the website, www.akr-hotel.com

DAY 08, 09
SKI AKAKURA KANKO  & SEKI ONSEN
After breakfast you can literally step out of the door and start skiing. We’ve included two days skiing in this area with a short bus trip across to Seki Onsen. Seki Onsen is perfect for those who desire a genuine backcountry skiing experience with some of the best free riding possibilities in Japan - without crowds! This was new to the itinerary last year and we anticipate it will be one of the highlights of the whole trip.

DAY 10
MYOKO KOGEN TO THE NORTH ISLAND OF HOKKAIDO
We leave Myoko Kogen and take a transfer back to Tokyo Haneda airport and fly to the North Island of Hokkaido. Here we transfer to Niseko.

NISEKO
The wind blows in from Siberia across the Sea of Japan, hits the Niseko mountain and explodes, dumping tons and tons of light dry powder, over 15 metres annually! We're here to ski powder! Niseko is made up of three interconnecting villages - Annupuri, Grand Hirafu and Higashiyama with a total of 38 ski lifts. This year we'll be staying at the Alpen Hotel. In recent years Niseko has become accustomed to 'powder hounds' coming across from Australia and Europe to experience the amazing snow. Consequently they are much more relaxed about off-piste skiing than many of the ski areas in Japan with many off-piste areas open to the public. For the past two years the snow at Niseko was literally amazing and I have only one word to describe it: WOW!


Andrew (above) enjoying the Niseko powder. Snoworks 2010. Deep enough?

Ching Yee in the Niseko powder 2009

Accommodation is on a room only basis (no meals included). This gives us plenty of choice for dining out. With numerous restaurants all around to choose from we'll be spoilt for choice. The Vale occupies one of the best locations in Niseko

Julia in the Niseko powder. Snoworks 2010

DAY 11
SKI RUSUTSU

We begin our skiing in Hokkaido by taking a trip across to nearby Rusutsu, another one of Japan's top ski destinations. With the skiing spread across three mountains there's plenty of skiing with 4 gondolas, 7 quads and 8 double chairlifts and hopefully our first experience of Hokkaido's powder for which Rusutsu is renowned with some amazing tree skiing. We’ll also be met by Pete our local ski guide. Pete spends his summers surfing in Australia and winters skiing in Niseko. He knows the terrain like the back of his hand and has been with us for the past two years for this part of the itinerary. He’ll be joining us for the day in Rusutsu and the following two days in Nioseko.  His contribution to this trip is immense as he know when and where the best and least tracked powder will be. So for the next three days you'll be skiing with the Snoworks host/instructor and local guide, Pete.

DAY 12 13
SKI NISEKO
We have the next two and a half days skiing in Japan's top powder destination combined with the world's best night skiing. If you don’t think this is enough, think again, you can start skiing at 9am and finish skiing at 10pm. You can literally get 4 days of skiing in the space of two. Niseko has the biggest and best night skiing in the world. Prepare to be mesmerized. The lights literally go to the top of the mountain so you can ski on and off-piste.

When conditions permit the ‘gates’ above the top lifts open and a short hike will take you to the top of the mountain. From here you can ski off-piste to Hanazono. This has been some of the best powder we have ever skied. You can also ski off-piste into the resort of Moiwa and back again. (Moiwa is not on the Niseko ski area so if we do this we can purchase a single lift ticket to ski back).

DAY 14
SKI NISEKO, TRANSFER TO TOKYO
Our last morning's skiing in Niseko, so an early start to get the most from the day. We'll take the bus around 1.30pm to the airport and fly to Tokyo where we'll stay the night at the nearby Hilton (B&B). This allows for any possible delays. We can relax in the Hilton for the evening relishing our experience of Japanese skiing.

In the morning a relaxed breakfast, shuttle to the airport and our return to the UK.

DAY 15
Arrive UK

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Other info & prices

SKILL LEVEL
Experienced level 4 skiers upwards.
You need to be a minimum level 4 skier (see Levels) with some off-piste experience and an adventurous spirit. If unsure please call us.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Just your normal ski equipment. Also bring off-piste safety equipment if you have it. If not any off-piste safety equipment will be provided.

PRICE
2012 Price: £4,834
Based on 2 sharing per room.
2012 Price: £5,459
Based on single occupancy.
Note: If the value of the £ should drop against the Yen, the price will need to be adjusted accordingly.

DEPOSIT
A deposit of £500 which is non-refundable is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 10 weeks prior to departure.

PRICE INCLUDES:
• Private transfer from Tokyo Narita Airport to Hilton Tokyo Hotel
• 1 night B&B at Hotel Tokyo Hilton (evening meal not included)
• Private transfer to Tokyo Central Station, Bullet Train to Nagano, private transfer to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and on to Nosawa Onsen
• 2 nights HB in either Ryokans Sakaya, Jon Nobi or Tokiwaya. Evening meals all in Sakaya.
• 2 days ski passes for Nosawa Onsen
• Private transfer to Hakuba
• 2 nights in Hotel Tokyu Hakuba HB
• 2 days ski passes for Happo One
• Private transfer to Myoko Kogen
• 3 nights half board in Hotel Akakura Kanko 5*
• 2 days ski pass Akakura Kanko/Seki Onsen
• Private transfer from Myoko Kogen to Haneda Airport
• Internal flight from Haneda to Chitose, Hokkaido (North Island)
• Private transfer to Niseko
• 4 nights in Alpen Hotel Niseko B&B
• Private return transfer from Niseko to Rusutsu
• 1 day ski pass Rusutsu
• Night skiing (2 nights)
• 3 days ski pass Niseko
• Private transfer to Chitose Airport
• Internal flight to Tokyo Narita, public transfer to Hilton
• 1 night B&B at the Hilton near to Narita Airport (evening meal not included)
• Public transfer to Narita Airport
• Snoworks ski instructor and host for the whole duration of the trip
• Full ski programme on and off-piste, all day everyday with Snoworks instructor.
• All rooms based on 2 per room. Single rooms are available with supplement
• Private ski guide for 1 day in Rusutsu and 2 days in Niseko (Half days. Note: this is a voluntary service offered to Snoworks guests and may be liable to change or cancellation)

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• International flights - see details below
• Guided tour of Tokyo (can be organised at supplement)
• Evening meals: On arrival in Tokyo (x1), Niseko (x 4) and the Hilton on the last evening (x 1). We've opted for no meals in Niseko to allow us to experience the local cuisine.
• Insurance
• Drinks and beverages
• Lunches
• Tips
• Ski pass in Moiwa if we choose to ski across to this resort from Niseko

BOOKING YOUR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

Book your own international flight to and from Tokyo. For 2012 we advise everyone to take the flight with British Airways details below. Cost is approx £806
Note: Do not book your flight until you recieve confirmation from our booking office to do so.

OUTBOUND
Depart 11/02/12 Arrive 12/02/12
BA0005 DEP London Heathrow 12.35, ARR Tokyo 09.10 + 1 day

INBOUND
Depart 25/02/11 Arrive 25/02/11

BA0006 DEP Tokyo 11.10, ARR London Heathrow 14.25

 

BOOKING OTHER FLIGHTS

You can book any flights to coincide with the itinerary. If you outbound flight arrives after the BA flight shown you can take a taxi to the Hilton Tokyo Hotel and meet the rest of the group there. On the return there is a regular bus service from the Hilton to Narita so you return flight can be at any time.