Join @Mattadvproject and me on Pugski’s first international trip, 12 days of skiing the hidden gems on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. We hope this is the first in a series of Pugski-organized trips for those of you who want to get out and and ski in some of the less-explored parts of the world with Matt and The Adventure Project (TAP). Future zones include China, Chile, India, and more!
We will be based in two places: six nights in Otaru on the central west coast of Japan, and four nights in Furano, further north in the center of the Hokkaido Powder Belt. Using private vans to chase storms, we will visit as many resorts as possible. This will be TAP's third season in Japan, and they can’t wait to show you what all the fuss is about. Japow is not to be missed!
Otaru, a port city about 45 minutes from Sapporo, is famous for a canal district that runs through the center of the city, lined by shops, restaurants, and converted warehouses; it is the perfect location for experiencing traditional Japanese culture and exploring the ski areas nearby, which include Kokusai, Kiroro, Tengu, Teine, and Asari (all within 15 min to an hour away). Here, we will stay at the Grand Park Hotel Otaru, a large hotel overlooking the beautiful Ishikari Bay.
Considered to be the capital of the Hokkaido Powder Belt, Furano is the ideal base for exploring northern Hokkaido. The resort boasts more than 3,000 ft vertical and some great terrain: plenty of bowls and trees can be accessed by a quick 25-minute hike. Furano is a nice blend of traditional Japanese culture and a Western ski resort feel. Excellent skiing is also found nearby at the resorts of Kamui Ski Links and Tomamu, not to mention some other under-the-radar resorts that we know of …. We will stay at the New Furano Prince Hotel, which offers ski-in/ski-out access and its own onsite onsen (free admission for guests).
Don't delay! TAP is offering a special $250 Pugski discount until August 15, and there are no more than nine spots available at this time.
Please check out Matt’s 2017 trip report here.
Dates and Prices
Inclusions
Exclusions
Groups will consist of four to six guests, who must be comfortable skiing or riding in deep powder and able to link fluid turns in double black diamond terrain. We will predominantly be riding in trees and open glades, spending relatively little time on groomed runs. The terrain is generally not that steep, but some of the trees can be tight. The snow is definitely deep and light, though!
As we are riding in potential avalanche terrain, all guests must have full avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, probe) and will be put through an avalanche safety training program at the start of the program. There is only one guide per group and often they will be setting the line, so you must be able to get up by yourself in the event of a fall as there is no tail gunner to help you. You will also need uphill capability (fat skis and touring bindings and skins; splitboards or powder board/snowshoes/poles) in case we need to hike.
If these dates don’t work for you, contact [email protected] for more information.
We welcome questions and discussion in this thread. Roll call to be added soon!
We will be based in two places: six nights in Otaru on the central west coast of Japan, and four nights in Furano, further north in the center of the Hokkaido Powder Belt. Using private vans to chase storms, we will visit as many resorts as possible. This will be TAP's third season in Japan, and they can’t wait to show you what all the fuss is about. Japow is not to be missed!
Otaru, a port city about 45 minutes from Sapporo, is famous for a canal district that runs through the center of the city, lined by shops, restaurants, and converted warehouses; it is the perfect location for experiencing traditional Japanese culture and exploring the ski areas nearby, which include Kokusai, Kiroro, Tengu, Teine, and Asari (all within 15 min to an hour away). Here, we will stay at the Grand Park Hotel Otaru, a large hotel overlooking the beautiful Ishikari Bay.
Considered to be the capital of the Hokkaido Powder Belt, Furano is the ideal base for exploring northern Hokkaido. The resort boasts more than 3,000 ft vertical and some great terrain: plenty of bowls and trees can be accessed by a quick 25-minute hike. Furano is a nice blend of traditional Japanese culture and a Western ski resort feel. Excellent skiing is also found nearby at the resorts of Kamui Ski Links and Tomamu, not to mention some other under-the-radar resorts that we know of …. We will stay at the New Furano Prince Hotel, which offers ski-in/ski-out access and its own onsite onsen (free admission for guests).
Don't delay! TAP is offering a special $250 Pugski discount until August 15, and there are no more than nine spots available at this time.
Please check out Matt’s 2017 trip report here.
Dates and Prices
- January 13-24, 2018
- Price depends on group size: 6 = $3,785; 5 = $3,905; 4 = $4,095 (twin share; higher rates apply for doubles and/or single rooms)
- $500 deposit; final payment due by November 30, 2017
- Pugski discount! Take $250 off listed prices until August 15; $100 off after that
Inclusions
- Twelve days of hosting and guiding by TAP, with a maximum of six guests per guide
- Private van hire and driving from TAP
- Comprehensive avalanche safety training
- Opportunity to explore local restaurants and cultural sites after skiing
- Pickup and dropoff at the New Chitose Airport (must be at the scheduled time)
- Six nights' twin-share accommodation at the Grand Park Hotel Otaru, including buffet breakfast
- Four nights' twin-share accommodation at the New Furano Prince Hotel, including buffet breakfast and onsen
- Up to 10 guided days on the mountain exploring as many resorts as you would like
Exclusions
- Airfare (we will 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 daily)
- Accommodation in Chitose at end of trip (hotel tba; budget $50 per person twin-share)
- Lunches ($10)
- Dinners ($15)
- Gratuities
Groups will consist of four to six guests, who must be comfortable skiing or riding in deep powder and able to link fluid turns in double black diamond terrain. We will predominantly be riding in trees and open glades, spending relatively little time on groomed runs. The terrain is generally not that steep, but some of the trees can be tight. The snow is definitely deep and light, though!
As we are riding in potential avalanche terrain, all guests must have full avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, probe) and will be put through an avalanche safety training program at the start of the program. There is only one guide per group and often they will be setting the line, so you must be able to get up by yourself in the event of a fall as there is no tail gunner to help you. You will also need uphill capability (fat skis and touring bindings and skins; splitboards or powder board/snowshoes/poles) in case we need to hike.
If these dates don’t work for you, contact [email protected] for more information.
We welcome questions and discussion in this thread. Roll call to be added soon!