THE RIDING EXPERIENCE

Niseko Annupuri is part of the Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park and is the most eastern set park of the Niseko Volcanic Group. Seasonal winds from the Eurasian continent pick up moisture over the warm currents of the Sea of Japan to from snow clouds and in turn some of the driest, lightest powder in the world.

The Otaru area is well known for having some of the deepest snow on average every year and our guides know the area very well. There is always powder to be skied! From perfect birch tree glades to deep powder fields to the long backcountry runs, the Otaru area has something for everyone. Untracked powder awaits you after short lift lines, easy hikes, and secret spots only our guides know. Otaru has great access to 5 ski areas within a 30/45 minute drive such as; Kokusai, Kirroro, Teine, Asari which all offer some incredible deep consistent snow.

With an average snowfall of 15+ meters or 50+ feet per season, it’s no wonder that the Niseko and Otaru area 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!

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. 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.

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. 

Green Leaf Niseko Village
Located in Niseko Village this slopeside ski-in/ski-out 4-star hotel includes 200 rooms with beautiful views of the Niseko Resort or Mt. Yotei.This hotel is known for its outdoor hot springs and its unique ski-in and ski-out access. Relax in a full-service spa, enjoy a drink at the lively Tomioka White Lounge features a signature fireplace, or have a meal at the Goshiki restaurant. Enjoy buffet breakfasts of Japanese and western dishes daily. All rooms offer free WiFi, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs. Refrigerators, hydromassage shower heads, and hair dryers are among the other amenities available to guests.

Dormy Inn Premium Otaru 
The Dormy Inn Premium is a 3-star hotel in the heart of Otaru, within a 10-minute walk of Sakaimachi Street and Otaru Canal. Stay in one of 247 guest rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming provides entertainment. Partially open bathrooms with showers feature bidets and bathrobes.The hotel offers fantastic facilities, including hot tub, sauna, hot spring bath, spa, massage, to help you unwind after an action-packed day in the city. Enjoy buffet breakfasts of Japanese and western dishes daily.

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 Niseko. Settle into your comfortable room and prepare for 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.

DAY 2 – 3: NISEKO

One of the most consistent and deepest snowpacks anywhere on earth lies in Niseko. We have stayed here for many years and the Niseko zone gives us quick access to a dozen resorts, snowcat skiing, amazing sidecountry and some of the best backcountry skiing in Japan. Our first day of skiing will be around Niseko United and exploring this vast ski resort that sits on an old dormant volcano. If the weather is clear (it snows a lot!) the views over to Mount Yotei are incredible. Over the course of the day we’ll be hunting out some powder stashes and warming up for the week ahead. Lots of sidecountry/ backcountry opportunities to ski powder. Celebrate an awesome first day on the mountain with the Welcome Dinner and a great après with the group.

During our next few days skiing in Niseko, our team of guides will take you to some of our favorite spots that have consistently delivered deep powder over the years. The surrounding resorts of Moiwa, Rusutsu, and others within a short drive allows us to pick the best snow everyday. Our guides like to ski powder and want to make sure you get the best you can while you are there. All of the resorts we visit during the week offer a variety of inbounds skiing terrain, quick sidecountry laps, hikes to the peak for extra freshies (Niseko has amazing views to the ocean), and backcountry laps into the deepest back bowls of Japan. We have a backcountry zone nearby that is one of the deepest if not the deepest spots in Niseko. When it snows and it gets deep, this zone has made many powder dreams come true. We hope we get to share it with you!

Finish your days soaking in an onsen and head into town to try some of the local favorites. A bowl of Ramen or Sushi at the end of the day is always a great way to celebrate and get ready for the next day. Dinners are open during the week for the groups to explore. Our guides are happy to show you around to the local hot spots in town so you get to experience the culture as well as the great food. There are dozens of great restaurants, bars, local eateries, coffee shops and areas to explore around Niseko.

DAY 4 – 7: OTARU

Pack your powder snorkel as we head to Otaru for the rest of the trip. Our guides will transfer the group from Niseko early in the morning for a day at Kokusai. This powder gem has some of the best side country and backcountry terrain in Hokkaido.  With its close proximity to the ocean, this area receives some of the most consistent and deepest snow in Japan. After skiing, we have a short drive into the city of Otaru where the group will be staying in the center of town.  The hotel is close to all the restaurants, shops and nightlife and has an entire floor dedicated for the onsens. A perfect spot for our base as the city is known for its whiskey and sake distilleries as well as access to the epic terrain this area has to offer.

Day tours to Tiene, Kokusai, Kiroro, and other resorts near Niseko are possible. Our guides use their extensive knowledge of the area, storm tracks, and network to pick the best spots every day. These areas get loads of snow and are known for the quality of powder they receive. The options to ski off the resorts and into the backcountry are endless and on a clear day, the views out to the Sea of Japan are all time. If the group has a down day due to weather or just being tired from skiing too much powder, our guides know some great drives around the coast to check out some of the lesser visited temples and villages. A great opportunity to experience the culture, try new food and learn the history of the Ainu people that originally inhabited the area.

On the groups last day we will ski one of the surrounding areas and show the group a secret spot if conditions permit. 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 party in Otaru where you get to eat at one of our favorite restaurants. Tonight is your night to celebrate your Hokkaido powder experience!

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.

NOTE: This itinerary is an example. 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

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.

ALL ABOUT JAPAN

WEATHER & MOUNTAINS

For the most accurate weather please check the Niseko and Otaru 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY?

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. 

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.

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