Do I need to bring my own equipment?
For our guided tours to Gulmarg you must bring all your own equipment (see required equipment in brochure). For individual, non-guided tour bookings, we can arranged limited equipment hire, such as snow shoes, avalanche transceiver, alpine touring bindings and skins. However, there is a very limited supply of this equipment so it is strongly recommended to bring your own.

Where do most of your participants come from?
As Backcountry Snow Tours are based and promoted in Australia, nearly all of our participants are from Australia or New Zealand. However, we always welcome international participants.

What happens if everyone is better than I am?
As long as you have chosen a tour to suit your ability level, there isn't any need to worry about the rest of the riders and skiers. For the Gulmarg guided tours you must have a decent level of fitness and advanced level of riding/skiing as these tours are in big mountains, covering large amounts of vertical and skiing in many different snow conditions on a single run.

How cold is it?
In Gulmarg temperatures are mild considering the altitude, although in can get quite cold. Ranges of 0°C to -15°C during the day are normal on the mountain, although in the sun it can often feel very warm. By March temperatures can be well above freezing even high up. Similar for South America.

In Japan temperatures vary greatly over the season. In the Dec - Jan in can get as low as -30ºC and in Niseko it can reach +degrees at that time. In late Feb - March it can be great blue-bird day t-shirt touring. As in all places it all depends on the season and the weather patterns. Generally though it depends on how you deal with the cold but as a guide pack clothes for your typical winter.

What do I need to take?
While you may be going away for a long time you do not need to pack EVERYTHING you own. Make sure you pack all your normal snow gear i.e. gloves, thermals, goggles, helmet etc and plenty of warm clothes and your usual waterproof snow gear. For walking around the village, it might be a good idea to pack waterproof shoes, or hiking boots if you have them. Also a good pair of sunnies and sun cream are essential, and it’s a good idea to bring basic repair equipment as the ski shop in Gulmarg is not of an Australian standard.

What do I do for insurance?
Our partners at Global Snow Travel can arrange comprehensive travel insurance at highly competitive prices.
We recommend that you read the product disclosure statement for this product before making the decision to purchase this insurance, and to ensure that it is suitable to your needs. We also recommend that you take out your insurance policy as soon as you have made any payments, to cover you in the event of any unforeseen cancellations.

Alternatively, if you are looking to seek insurance independently, it is a requirement by Backcountry Powder Tours that your insurance includes coverage for all snow related activities - including backcountry travel and terrain park usage - Note that most standard insurance policies do not cover these circumstances. Please read our conditions page for more information regarding insurance.

What happens if there is an accident?
All Japanese resorts have professional ski patrol. If you are in the backcountry, we are never far from a hospital and you should expect the same quality of medical care afforded to you in Australia including heli-rescue. There is no professional ski patrol at Gulmarg, nor much avalanche control. There are basic first aid facilities on the mountain, but in the event of a serious accident you will be flown to Srinigar or New Delhi. Hence it is critical that you always play safe and have the appropriate medical insurance. The situation is similar in South America. In the event of an emergency, your emergency contact will be contacted immediately by a member of Backcountry Snow Tours staff.

How much money should I take?
There are ATMs in many places in Japan, however only some in the small towns are in English. It is better to get a good amount of money out of an ATM in Sapporo before the trip, otherwise you may find yourself with a cold walk to the nearest 'yubinkyoku' (post office). Japan is very safe so there is no real problem with carrying cash around everyone does it, in fact it is still very much a cash society with only some restaurants and bars having creditcard facitlities - most hotels are ok though.

There is an ATM in Gulmarg, although it does not always work. It is advisable to change money upon arrival in New Delhi airport – US dollars are best but Australian currency is ok in New Delhi, but not in Kashmir. You will need little money, depending on how many gifts you choose to bring home. $30 a day for lunches and drinks is plenty. Remember that to change rupees back to dollars you need to keep the exchange receipt.

What if I don't know anyone on the tour? Will I be uncomfortable?
Approximately 75% of tour participants will not know each other prior to the tours, so if you don't know anyone who's going, there is no need to worry. You will quickly make friends, and you will find that most participants are of similar age and have the same interests. 

When is the best time to ski in South America?
The season runs from mid-June to mid-October. Although every year is different, and it comes down to Mother Nature, the best time for dry powder is June, July, August, and up to the 2nd week in September. After that, you should consider good Spring conditions. Ski Touring the Volcanoes in Chile is good into November.
The last two weeks in July are student holidays, so resorts get crowded, but nothing like North American or European resorts over the holidays.

How do I choose the best Backcountry Snow Tour for me?
Please see the 'about the tours' page.

Are your tours more for snowboarders or skiers?
These trips are open for skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers.

Do I need a Visa or medical shots/vacinations?
Please see smarttraveller.gov.au for all information

I am an expert skier, but my girlfriend is a intermediate snowboarder. Can we both go on the same trip?
Sorry, no. All our tours are only open to Advanced and Experts. Ski Mountaineering Focus Tours are for experts with touring experience only. PLease see the 'ability' page for more info.

Is airfare included with the tour price?
No, you are responsible for the cost of your flight to all destinations. However we are a licensed travel agent and we are able to secure very good rates out of Australia. Should you need any assistance booking your flight, please let us know.

How can I obtain a registration pack?
Registration packs will be sent to you after payment of your program deposit. The pack contains information about the Japan Powder Tours, including liability waiver and medical forms. Also enclosed are details regarding transfer details, what to expect, accommodation details, etc.

What if I get injured before I leave?
Please refer to the cancellation policy located on the conditions page for more information.

When do I need to register?
For full details on registration for each program, visit the conditions page.

What if I still want to know more?
Contact the Backcountry Powder Tours office on info@backcountrysnowtours.com or ph: +61-3-9095-6137