Hakkōda to Hakuba : Japan’s Ultimate Backcountry Skiing

9-Day Guided Ski Touring Experience in Japan’s Deepest Snow Zones.

Day 1 – Arrival in Hakkōda (Aomori Prefecture)
Welcome to northern Honshu! We’ll meet the group around 5pm at the Aomori train station, where a private shuttle will take you to Sukayu Onsen—a historic hot spring inn nestled in the Hakkōda Mountains. This serene base offers the perfect start to your Japanese ski journey.

In the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner, gear check, waiver delivery, and an avalanche safety briefing led by your guides. If time allows, enjoy a soak in the onsen’s famous Sen-nin Buro bath—an unforgettable cultural experience.

Days 2–4 – Hakkōda Backcountry Touring

Day 2: Snow Monsters & Forest Lines
Our first ski day begins with a ride up the Hakkōda Ropeway, giving us direct access to the area’s renowned backcountry terrain. We’ll tour through the mystical “juhyō” (snow monsters)—trees encased in snow and rime—and enjoy gentle to moderate descents through quiet glades. It’s the perfect warm-up for the days ahead.

Days 3 & 4: Peak Touring and Deep Powder
As we grow comfortable in the terrain, we’ll venture farther to explore lesser-traveled routes in the Hakkōda range. Depending on group interest and conditions, options may include summiting Odake or Akakura-dake, or skiing the Ashiyu Cirque. Expect long, flowing tree runs, playful powder pillows, and soulful solitude in these remote zones.

Each evening, relax in the onsen and refuel with traditional multi-course dinners featuring local Aomori specialties—think miso-grilled seafood, pickled vegetables, and wild mountain greens.

Day 5 – Travel from Aomori to Hakuba
Today we journey south, trading the northern beech forests for the dramatic alpine bowls of Hakuba. We’ll board the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Aomori to Tokyo (~3 hrs), then continue by scenic shuttle to Hakuba in the Japanese Alps (~4 hrs).

Upon arrival, we’ll settle into Shiroumaso Ryokan, a family-run traditional inn with tatami floors, onsen baths, and beautifully prepared meals. Enjoy a warm welcome dinner and prepare for the second half of your adventure.

Days 6–8 – Hakuba Backcountry Touring

We’ll spend the next three days skiing some of Hakuba’s most iconic terrain. Based on conditions and group objectives, we may tour from Tsugaike, Happo-One, or Cortina, using lifts when beneficial to maximize ski time. Expect light birch glades, moderate alpine bowls, and the opportunity to push higher into the Japan Alps if weather allows.

Each day ends with relaxing onsen soaks and evening meals at carefully selected restaurants—ranging from cozy izakayas to refined Japanese dining.

Day 9 – Departure from Hakuba

After breakfast, transfer back to Tokyo, or directly to Narita or Haneda Airport, depending on your travel plans.

Return home with legs tired, spirits full, and stories to tell—a fitting end to a journey through Japan’s most iconic backcountry ski regions.

Instructors & Group Size

Yamnuska has specialized in running mountain tours for Japanese guests in Canada for many years. Due to this, we have excellent Japanese connections.

There will be one of our ACMG guides on the program.

The minimum group size is 4 participants, the maximum is 8.

Meeting Time and Place

We’ll meet the group around 5pm at the Aomori train station, where a private shuttle will take you to Sukayu Onsen—a historic hot spring inn nestled in the Hakkōda Mountains.

Transportation

You will be responsible for your flight costs to arrive and depart to Tokyo as well as getting to the Aomori train station. During ski days in both Hakkōda and Hakuba, a dedicated van will be provided for the group. This private transportation allows us to access a variety of venues in each area, giving us the flexibility to chase the best snow conditions available. Guests are responsible for their own transportation between Hakkōda and Hakuba.

Accommodations

Accommodation is included in the tour price.

We will be staying at a modern Ryokan (Japanese Inn). The program is priced based on double occupancy. If you would prefer your own room, please let us know in advance and we will do our best to organize this.

Meals

All breakfasts are included in this trip. No lunches are included however these can be purchased locally.  Evening meals are not included, however different options will be available for guests to choose from and purchase on their own. Alcoholic beverages are also not included.

You will need to bring adequate clothing and equipment for a backcountry ski trip. Yamnuska will supply group equipment and can provide certain pieces of technical equipment (harness, transceiver etc.) if required. Please see the list below.

Equipment List

You will need to bring your own clothing and gear for day ski tours.

The equipment and clothing you bring will have a big impact on the quality of your experience. Please be sure to bring all the items listed.  If unsure about anything, please don’t hesitate to call and ask us!

Skis

Alpine Touring skis are essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding that allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then ‘locks down’ to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background in downhill skiing.

Splitboards may also be appropriate if you are experienced with them in the backcountry.

Equipment List

You need to bring:

• Skis We recommend a short (160 – 185cm) wide ski designed for powder skiing and ski touring.  Please see the note under rental information if you are renting ski equipment.
• Climbing skins ‘Stick-on type’
• Ski Poles
• Ski boots
• Ski crampons
• Avalanche Transceiver – digital transceiver with triple antennae rentals available
• Avalanche shovel – collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue rentals available
• Collapsible probe rentals available
• Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment)
• Sunglasses and ski goggles
• Thermos flask and water bottle
• Sunblock & Lip Cream
• Headlamp with fresh batteries
• Small Blister & 1st-Aid Kit
• Small repair kit for bindings, skis, or splitboard (this may include straps, nuts, bolts, small leatherman)
• Camera 
• Personal Toilet Items including hand sanitizer
• Ear Plugs

Additional gear info:

• Skis/splitboard:  There are two viable backcountry systems, Alpine Touring and Splitboard.
• Alpine Touring:  Essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift when going uphill and then locks down to become an alpine binding for the downhill.
• Splitboard:  SIf you are a rider and proficient on a snowboard, the backcountry touring version is called a splitboard. This is a snowboard that can be split to make two ski-type platforms for touring on the uphill ascent. The bindings have two positions and can be switched depending on whether you are climbing or descending. Split boards also use climbing skins for the ascent. For the downhill, the board is reassembled or joined to be in snowboard (ride) mode. If you are new to this system, you will need to practice the transitions of switching the board from touring to riding and back again. Your enjoyment will be vastly greater if you are efficient and practiced with this transition. For splitboarders, regular snowboard boots will work. A splitboard specific boot will give you more comfort when in touring mode and offer extra support to make sidehilling and traversing terrain easier to manage.
• Boots:  Backcountry boots are different from regular alpine ski boots. In the backcountry, boots need to have an uphill mode that allows a free range of motion in the upper part of the boot. You should not use your regular ski boots for touring and walking uphill.
• Climbing skins:  The glue on the base of the skin should be in good condition and the skins need to be properly fitted. Try the skins on your skis/splitboard to make sure they are the right length and width before you arrive.
• Ski poles:  Backcountry poles need powder baskets on the tips.
• Avalanche Transceiver:  A three antennae transceiver is required.
• Probe:  A minimum of 240 cm in length.
• Shovel:  A metal blade shovel is required.

Clothing List

The climate on Rishiri is cold and moist so it is important to have a range of layers with you. An essential item is a ski mask as it’s easy to get facial frostnip in the prevailing strong moist winds found higher up. We suggest bringing light clothing of varying thicknesses that can be ‘layered’ to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest and from the ascent to the descent.

• Synthetic or wool long underwear (top & bottoms)
• Softshell or Gore-Tex pants
• Warm shirts (not cotton)
• Medium weight fleece sweater
• Softshell jacket (or equivalent)
• Lightly insulated jacket
• Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex)
• Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon, with side zippers)
• Socks – ski socks (wool or synthetic)
• Wool or fleece hat
• Ski Mask … strongly recommended!
• Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts (warm)
• Lightweight gloves
• Sunhat
• Casual clothing to wear for travel and after the ski day
• Snow boots
• Swimsuit 
• Toiletries

CASH

Japan is largely a cash society and ATMs are scarce in the smaller towns. You will need cash to pay for lunches, drinks, and other incidentals.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require a 35% deposit on booking with the balance due 8 weeks before departure.

It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary.

Detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here.  Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

There are two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We highly recommend you purchase it.