Backcountry Snow Tours ask you to come and ski some of Japan’s best and biggest backcountry terrain in the heart of the Northern Alps. Hakuba Village in Nagano is home to terrain on a massive scale with 12 resorts spanning kilometers down the valley. Hakuba, literally means 'white horse', the name is derived from Mt. Shiroumadake, one of three main peaks of the Hakuba Range with a height of 2,932 meters. With lift and gondola assisted capability the choices for off-piste riding are truly breath-taking. This 12 day tour is the ultimate opportunity to access the best terrain with professional local guides who will lead you on multiple days of epic off-piste riding. Want open powder fields, glades, steep chutes and an average seasonal snowfall of over 14m? Come on up and drop into some epic backcountry lines that will have you smiling form ear to ear.

Backcountry Snow Tours are first and foremost focused on making your experience a safe and memorable one. The international staff we use are professional experienced guides who are certified by;  the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IMFGA/UIAGM), the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, the Canadian Avalanche Association and are all trained in First-Aid/CPR and rescue. They are passionate about their work and are committed to providing you with fun and satisfying tours.

Tour:
Getting into the high alpine in the Hakuba area is all about getting above the resorts, and that is where the real fun starts. The major part of the grunt work is done by the lifts and then we will be donning skins or snowshoes and earn our turns hiking up ridges, into open bowls and through native forests. Above the treeline we will be doing day tours and an overnight ski tour (staying in mountain huts/snowcave/tent). Expect plenty of scenic laughs, panoramic vistas and face-shots!

Duration: 12 days
Dates: 16th - 27th March 2008
Cost:
$2470 (Snowbeds)
$2845 (Morino Lodge)
Accommodation: Morino Lodge (private rooms available with breakfast) or Snowbeds (backpacker style)
Guide to client ratio: 6:1 (max)
Includes: 9 nights accom in Hakuba, 1 night in Tokyo, 1 night overnight in mountain huts/tents, 6 days guided skiing and all necessary lift passes, airport transfers to/from Tokyo, (Cultural tour - bus shuttles, entry to Temples, Traditional Soba lunch, local guide, entry to Monkey onsen,insurance), backcountry insurance, arrival party.
Equipment required: a minimum of a 29 Liter backpack. Touring bindings/telemark skis/split snowboard, skins, snowshoes, 457 Khz avalanche transceiver, avalanche snow shovel, probe (these can be hired on request).
Ski ability: Advanced to expert skier/rider
Fitness level: good

# Airfares are not included in the price but can be arranged through us at a cheaper price than you can get anywhere else.