THE RIDING EXPERIENCE

The Furano area lies between the Yubari Mountain Range and the Daisetsuzan National Park and has been the host of many world cup ski races over the years. Open powder bowls, deep tree runs and a wide variety of terrain surround the resort. Within a short drive, our guides will take you to resorts such as Furano, Asahidake, Kamui, Tomamu, and select backcountry zones our team has been skiing for years. When the winds from the mainland of Asia pick up out of the North-Northwest, air rises from the Sea of Japan to form clouds which unleash massive amounts of moisture on the mountains. This, in turn, creates some of the lightest and driest powder in the world. The areas around Furano are known for picking up these large snowfalls every year.

Our snowcat day will take place at an old ski area off the coast of Japan. This area boasts some of the longest vertical in Hokkaido with consistent pitch and is steeper than other resorts. Enjoy a minimum of 6 runs over 1,000 acres of untouched powder. With an average snowfall of 15+ meters or 50+ feet per season, it’s no wonder that the Furano and Iwanai areas are the perfect snow destination. Our guides have some secret spots that rarely ever see tracks and have been skiing these areas for over a decade.

This is an advanced guided tour where we spend the majority of our time off-piste in the lift accessed side/backcountry of each resort, skiing the birch trees of Japan and the open bowls. After skiing a full day of powder and a relaxing soak in the onsen, you’ll get to enjoy some of Hokkaido’s delicious food and lively bars. What makes our trips different- we ski powder every day and if it means we have a road trip to ski the best snow, we go! There is nothing like skiing or snowboarding in Japan and our team is ready to take you there!

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THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Enjoy daily breakfasts at the hotel with a wide variety of food and traditional Japanese Breakfast items. Our welcome and farewell group dinners are one of our guests favorite times on the trip as we get to experience a couple of our favorite restaurants in the area. Enjoy 1 lunch provided on your snowcat day! The last night is always a fun time to celebrate and enjoy one last cheer’s before the trip ends. The hotels have easy access to all of the nearby restaurants and bars during the week so you can taste the incredible cuisine the area offers. The growth of the area over the last couple of years provides ample selection of small independent coffee shops, restaurants, breweries and sake bars. Visitors have every chance to dive into the local cuisine like never before.

Japan, home of amazing fresh sushi, seafood, and delicacies from the sea as well as its traditional dishes of soba, udon, yakitori, curry and more. The seafood quality is known around the world but we bet after trying some of their local specialties you will leave with a whole new respect for Japanese cuisine. Sample a wide variety of local and regional cuisine, from Wagyu beef, Yakitori BBQ cooked on the table, Shabu-Shabu, Bakeries & Coffee Shops, incredible curries, and of course no trip to the Japanese isles is complete without a warm and hearty fresh made soba noodle bowl.

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THE LODGING EXPERIENCE

Our hotel partners welcome you with friendly service and an unmatched experience that you will never forget. Our location is ideal to access several ski areas in the region with our private 4×4 vans so our groups are always skiing the best conditions that day.

La Vista Furano Hills
In the heart of Furano, within a 10-minute drive of Furano ski area you will find the brand new La Vista Furano Hills 3.5-star hotel being built in 2019. Guests will stay in comfortable twin rooms and access to free WiFi, daily breakfasts. Enjoy easy access to soak in a rooftop hot Japanese Onsen. It’s a great way to relax after a day of skiing powder. The hot onsen water rises from deep underground and contains a blend of many different minerals that are nutrient rich. Enjoy buffet breakfasts of Japanese and western dishes daily.

Iwanai Hotel
Info coming soon…

SAMPLE ITINERARY

ARRIVAL DAY

Fly into New Chitose Airport (CTS) – You should arrive the day prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Chitose.
Arriving the day before the trip allows room for any flight or luggage delays as well as gives you time to relax and adjust to the local time before the trip starts.

DAY 1 – WELCOME TO JAPAN! TRANSFER DAY

Le Grand Adventure Tours welcomes you to Japan! We can arrange to pick you up at the hotel you are staying at or you can meet us at the airport if you land the same day at 1pm. Once we pick-up everyone we will have a 2-2.5 hour drive in our private 4×4 vans and will arrive between 3-4pm in Furano. Settle into your comfortable room and prepare for the the ski week ahead. We will meet for a relaxing welcome reception to meet and get to know the new crew for the week. The evening offers your first chance to explore, dine or relax at the hotel with new friends.

If rentals are needed, we can arrange snow equipment for the week through our partnership with Scott Sports. We will have a selection of powder skis with touring bindings to choose from. There will also be the brand new Scott E-1 Patrol Backpack and avalanche kits available for rent for guests during the trips. Both items can be rented for the duration of your trip to save you time and money. If you wish to rent ski/snowboard equipment please let us know so that we can coordinate your rental.

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DAY 2 – 5: FURANO

On the first day, we will be exploring Furano ski area. We’ll be hunting out some powder stashes and warming up for the week ahead. Celebrate an awesome first day on the mountain enjoying a cold beverage, an onsen and trying one of the many restaurants in town with the group at our Welcome Dinner.

Over the course of the next 4 days in Furano, our guides will take you to some of the more hidden places as well as the classic resorts in the area. Ski Asahidake’s volcanic flanks, the open bowls of Tomamu, the secret stashes in Kamui, and the deep untouched areas around Tokachidake. Guests will be skiing some of the classic lines as well as open bowls and perfect birch trees these resorts are known for. Lots of easy side country lines to ski so we can maximize our vertical and number of runs. Incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges and on a clear day you can see the fumaroles from the volcanic peaks in the distance.

Every day is a new adventure, a new ski resort, a backcountry peak with untouched powder and experiencing what skiing in Japan is all about. Finish your days soaking in an onsen, exploring the town, trying something new to eat and meeting other people from all over the world. If conditions permit we have the option to ski tour into the Tokachidake mountains where our guides will spend the day taking guests for a ski tour through untracked powder, long open bowls and endless terrain options– one of the most scenic mountain ranges with loads of fresh skiing.

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DAY 6 – 7: IWANAI

Our guides will be transferring the group from Furano to Iwanai and we will ski nearby where conditions are looking best for the day. We will arrive in Iwanai that evening and rest well for a Snowcat day at Iwanai Resort. Iwanai is an old ski area off the coast with unparalleled ocean views. Iwanai has some of the longest vertical in Hokkaido, consistent pitch without any flat areas and is steeper than the other resorts. Enjoy a minimum of 6 runs over 1,000 acres of untouched powder! Lunch will be included and provided to us at their lodge during the day.

Finish off the day with an onsen and a toast of some local sake with your fellow powder skiers. Tonight the LGA Guides will take you to a Farewell Dinner to celebrate your Hokkaido powder experience!

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DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY

Enjoy the rich breakfast buffet at the hotel and one last soak in the onsen before we transfer to the airport. On the final day of the tour, our guides will transport you back to the airport where you can catch a flight home or enjoy a night in the next city. 

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NOTE: This itinerary is an example and can change daily. The tour may be altered to adjust for weather and conditions. Our guides will plan the tour around the conditions to make sure you have the best trip possible.

DETAILS

BOOKING YOUR TRAVEL

PLEASE RESERVE YOUR TOUR WITH LGA & GET TRIP CONFIRMATION BEFORE BOOKING FLIGHTS.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DETAILS

You should arrive the day prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Chitose. If you’re able to find a flight that lands the day of the Tour Start Date and will be able to meet by our 1pm pick-up time, that works as well. Flight time from the West Coast of the United States to Japan is approximately 10-16 hours depending on if you book a direct flight or a flight with stops. Your flight will cross over the international date line.

Departure is around 8am to New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Please do not schedule your departing flight before 1pm. On the final day of the tour, we will transport you back to the airport where you can catch a flight home or enjoy a night in the next city. If your departure flight differs from this, we would be happy to advise you with transfer and/or hotel options if needed. We can offer advice and suggestions if you need any assistance. Please give us a call or send us an email for more information.

HOTELS BEFORE & AFTER YOUR TRIP

Arriving the day before the trip allows room for any flight or luggage delays as well as gives you time to relax and adjust to the local time before the trip starts. You will need to reserve a night at a nearby hotel in Chitose, we have provided our favorite options for you to select from:

• ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose via free airport transfer
• Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Chitose via taxi
• JR Inn Chitose via train transit from airport
• Hotel Route Inn Chitose Ekimae via taxi

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GEAR

RECOMMENDATIONS

We suggest you bring your own ski and backcountry gear if you have it. A ski with roughly a 100mm to 110mm is the best option. If you want to bring a wider pair of skis please feel free or we can rent these if needed. We highly recommend bringing or renting a touring set up as this will allow the group to really ski a wide variety of areas. (not mandatory)  Having this as a daily set up allows us to find the best snow on the resort, quick laps in the sidecountry or going a little deeper into the backcountry. There are also options for ski touring days if the groups wants. If you have a new pair of touring bindings (Dynafit, Plum, Marker, Salomon, etc) and are comfortable skiing a wide variety of terrain on them, please feel free to bring them. Always bring extra layers, good gloves, 2 goggles if you have them or extra lenses, winter clothes for after skiing and a down jacket. If you want to experience the best snow in the world, you need to be prepared with good gear, as it can get cold. We will be in the mountains so bring clothes that will keep you warm in a wide variety of conditions.

SCOTT SPORTS DEMO SKIS

Through our partnership with Scott Sports we will have a selection of Scott Scrapper powder skis with Marker alpine touring bindings with skins to choose from. Skis can be rented for the duration of your trip to save you time and money.

BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY GEAR

Avalanche safety gear is required on all of our tours. If you have your own equipment please bring it. We have Scott E-1 Patrol Backpacks including a beacon, shovel and probe available to rent for the duration of your trip.

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ALL ABOUT JAPAN

WEATHER & MOUNTAINS

For the most accurate weather please check the Furano Weather Online a few days before your trip. It’s not unusual to receive 30cm to 50cm+ (12 to 20″+) of snow overnight! Many storms will drop upward of 100cm’s plus or basically 3 feet every couple of days. We will guarantee you get the most out of your ski holiday as we have a wide range of activities that we can add to the trip in case there are down days due to snow storms or weather.

The terrain in Japan varies somewhat between resorts and the different islands but generally the major Japanese resorts are not as high and steep as their counterparts in Europe and North America. The abundance of powder in Japan is a result of the Siberian snow stream, the largest example of lake-effect snow in the world. High pressure over Siberia and low pressure over the Western Pacific leads to a constant flow of cool air across Japan. As this chilled, dry air flows over the Japan Sea it attracts moisture and becomes overly-saturated. This air hits the mountain ranges of the Northern Alps and Japan is blanketed with powder snow. These cyclical weather patterns last for weeks, guaranteeing regular dumps of the lightest and fluffiest powder imaginable. Ultimately one must always understand the snowpack as it can change rapidly in the mountains and is safest to travel into the backcountry with a guide.

ONSENS

An onsen is a natural thermal hot spring. Onsens are usually dedicated as either male or female baths and are full nudity baths (there are small modesty towels you can use.) Make sure you wash and rinse off your body before you get into the water and follow all the rules. A word of warning – if you have tattoos you may not be allowed to enter. However, if you are a foreigner and the tattoos are not particularly obvious then you will generally be OK.

CURRENCY

Japan is mostly a cash based society. We will make regular stops at the 7-11 ATM’s as they are one of the few that accepts US cards, a lot of ATMs in Japan do not accept international cards. Some larger restaurants and bars will probably accept international credit cards (non-Japanese), a lot of smaller restaurants, bars and convenience stores will only accept cash.

LANGUAGE

Japanese is the native language of Japan. The amount of English that is spoken varies considerably in Japan.

SAFETY

In general Japan is one of the safest countries in the world to travel around. This is due largely to one of the lowest crime rates in the world and the incredible hospitality of the Japanese people.

FAQ

Check out our General FAQs section. Here you will find answers to your general questions.

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DO I NEED TRIP INSURANCE?

Trip Insurance is Not Included – We require trip insurance for all trips abroad. Protecting your trip & safety is our priority. We recommend World Nomads as they are the ultimate in travel protection and global emergencies and evacuations. They provide rescue and coverage designed for ski trips where other travel insurance options may not cover or rescue with skiing involved. This policy will cover you in case of any medical and personal accidents that could occur prior to or during your trip. This will also cover you if you have to cancel your trip for any reason or if your baggage gets delayed or lost.

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DO I NEED TO TIP OUR GUIDES?

Gratuities for your guides are not included in your trip price. We recommend tipping 7-10% of your trip price for the guide team. US Currency is preferred, however, local currency is also greatly appreciated. Unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips amongst themselves. Please tip your guides at your discretion, based on the overall trip experience provided by our team.

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WHAT IS THE BOOKING PROCESS?

Contact LGA Tours via our website or telephone and an LGA representative will be in touch with you. After we confirm availability and confirm trip details, you will be provided a booking link to reserve your trip. Once you book the trip, a guest confirmation letter is immediately sent out. In the confirmation letter you will find a link to complete your guest profile form online as well as a link to your liability release that you will need to complete. If you make a reservation more than 90 days prior to the trip, a deposit is due at the time of booking. If you reserve your trip less than 90 days prior to the departure, the full balance is due at the time of booking. One week prior to the trip start, you’ll receive an email containing your trip start meeting location reminder and any last-minute information that you’ll need to know before you go.

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CAN I RESERVE MY TRIP WITH A DEPOSIT?

Yes, you can reserve your trip with a Deposit for all Multi-Day Tours lasting 24 hours or longer. If you seek to reserve a spot on a Tour more than 90 days prior to the Date of Departure, the deposit amount is $1000. For Private Group Tours the Deposit amount is fifty percent (50%) of the Tour Price. Within 89 days or less prior to the date of departure, the full amount is due at time of booking.

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WHEN IS THE FINAL PAYMENT FOR THIS TOUR DUE?

Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure, or 7 days from booking confirmation if booking is within 90 days.

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WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY?

Days to Departure	Refund	Adventure Deposit
More than 90 days	100% of Trip Price, LGA will retain the adventure deposit	100% Applied to future trip
61-90 days	50% of Trip Price	100% Applied to future trip
60 days or less	No Refund	100% Applied to future trip

Le Grand Adventure Tours cannot be held responsible for snow and/or weather conditions. Trips cannot be canceled or amended on the basis of snow and weather conditions. No refunds, reimbursements or discounts will be granted if, for any reason, client misses the tour, fails to join the tour, leaves the tour, is dismissed from the tour, or cannot fully participate in the tour. Any refunds will be at the discretion of Le Grand Adventure Tours if you are involuntarily forced to leave a tour for any reason. Travel Insurance is required on our trips to avoid the financial risks related to cancellations, involuntary early departures, medical reasons or any other travel related problems.

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WHAT IS THE GROUP SIZE?

We like to guide small group tours to ensure you have a great experience. Groups are typically between four to eight people. Private groups range anywhere from 6-16 people.

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WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?

Ski/Snowboard Gear:
Skis/Snowboard, boots, poles
Goggles
Helmet

Misc/Recommended:
Backpack
Avalanche Transceiver
Shovel/Probe
Touring Gear and Skins
Packable Puff
(We can assist with some gear, please feel free to contact us)

Après Clothing:
You will be in the mountains for a week so please bring warm clothing for when you’re not on the slopes.

Travel Requirements:
Current Passport
Credit card, cash and/or traveler’s checks
ID or driver’s license
Medical insurance cards
Prescriptions or other medications
Important phone numbers
Proof of Travelers Insurance