Central Hokkaido Japan Tour

IF YOU’RE ITCHING TO GET AWAY FROM THE CROWDS AND EXPERIENCE WHAT SKIING & RIDING IN JAPAN IS REALLY ALL ABOUT, THEN THESE POPULAR 10 NIGHT GUIDED TOURS ARE FOR YOU.

Our guides have been exploring this area of Hokkaido for 5 seasons and they still can’t get enough of it. With 4 resorts to explore, no crowds and the lightest and driest powder in all of Japan you can understand why.

From our base in Furano, we will head to Tomamu, Kamui and the backcountry paradise that is Asahidake, as well as guide you around the local Furano ski area where you can enjoy some of the best tree skiing in Hokkaido, with easy to access steep faces, mellow glades, and gullies full of hits for skiers and snowboarders.

When your not thigh deep in snow we’ll take you to some of Furano’s restaurants and bars, ranging from small cafes and après ski bars, to charcoal BBQ restaurants and hidden hole-in-the-wall style bars.

TOUR DETAILS

DATES: 27th Dec 2011 - 8th Jan 2012 8th - 20th Jan 2012 13th - 25th Jan 2012 COST: From $4229pp DATES: 5th - 17th Feb 2012 12th - 24th Feb 2012 19th Feb - 2nd Mar 2012 COST: From $3956pp DATES: 19th Feb - 2nd Mar 2012 COST: From $3820pp SPECIAL: $100 DISCOUNT PAY IN FULL BY 31OCT

Destination info: Furano Furano is a country town of about 20,000 people with an awesome ski hill. With over 100 bars and restau- rants you be able to experience true Japanese hospital- ity . On the mountain you’ll enjoy some of the best tree skiing in Hokkaido, with easy to access steep faces, mellow glades, and gullies full of hits for skiers and snowboarders. The cold temperatures in Furano keep the 9 metres of annual snow light and dry and when its on, it is quite simply the best. Add to this the distinct lack of crowds and express lifts that take you to the top of 3.5km runs in a little over ten minutes and you have a recipe for leg burning skiing. Tomamu Tomamu strikes a cord with all who ride its mountains. With arguably the best in-bounds powder skiing in Hokkaido you’ll be wanting to come back for more. Mt. Tomamu at 1239m, offers skiers and snowboarders a wide variety of runs catering to all abilities. With 11 lifts, Tomamu has some great options. It also offers skiers and boarders an awesome park and off-piste section which is roped off from the rest of the crowd. Kamui Kamui is a small ski resort set on its own, 1.5 hours north of Furano. With 7 lifts accessing a network of wide open cruises as well as powder filled trees and gullies, you’ll feel like your riding your own private mountain as crowds here a virtually non-existent. Combine that with one of Japan’s most open ski area policies, and there is enough here to suit every kind of skier and boarder. Asahidake Asahidake is one of the most popular touring locations in Hokkaido, due to the easy access to above tree line terrain given by the Ropeway at the bottom of the volcano (top height 1600m) and the fame of the mountain itself, which at 2290m is the highest in Hokkaido. Short hikes are often required along the ridges at the summit and there is the option of hiking around the active volcano. Once at the bottom, all roads lead to the Ropeway but if you do happen to veer off the well groomed runs a short hike may be needed to return to the lift.

Accommodation info In Furano we are staying at North Country Inn. It is conveniently located between the two sides of the ski hill giving you access by regular free shuttle to the Furano side before anyone else! It has both traditional Japanese and Western style rooms with ensuites. Shared onsen style bathing is also available. Facilities include 2 dining restaurants, winery, lounge/bar with satellite TV, rental cars, foreign exchange, wireless internet, souvenirs, common laundry, ski hire, and regular guest shuttle to the ski lifts.

INCLUSIONS

•Return economy airfares departing Sydney
•Transfers to/from Sapporo’s Chitose Airport
•10 nights twin/triple share accommodation at
North Country Inn Furano.
•6 day Furano lift pass
•Guided day tour to Asahidake including lift
ticket
•Guided day tour to Kamui including lift ticket
•Guided day tour to Tomamu including lift ticket
•Welcome dinner party
•4 course dinner
•Daily breakfast
•Tokachidake Onsen (hotspring) tour
From: $3690*

ITINERARY

Travel days
Afternoon departure from Sydney airport and arriving Tokyo in the morning where you'll go through customs, changed plans and continue flying. We'll meet you at Sapporo's Chitose Airport and transfer you to North Country Inn where you'll be met by your guides and a 4 course welcome meal.

Day 1 - 2
First days on the mountain. Your guides will show you around one of our favourite mountains - Furano. We'll get our feet and hunt out some powder stashes. Celebrate your awesome first day with the Welcome Dinner Party.

Day 3
Day tour to Kamui Ski Links. Departing in the morning, we will spend a day exploring the trees and backside of Kamui. We'll stop on the way back to soak in a secluded volcanic onsen.

Day 4 - 5
Ski two more days at Furano. We'll be out there with you to hike the peak and show you some of the more hidden areas of Furano. Finish one of the days with a amazing hotspring night tour

Day 6
Rising early for the drive to Asahidake. Your guides will show the goods of the highest mountain in Hokkaido, Asahidake 2290m. The ropeway does most of the hard work taking us to well above the tree line at 1600m. From there you’ll spend your day exploring the ridges from the lift.

Day 7
Ski another day at Furano. Maybe check out the town in the arvo.

Day 8
Tomamu day tour. Today, your guides will show you around the resort hill of Tomamu with its awesome powder and park. There is some great skiing and boarding to be had here. At the end of the day you can check out the awesome indoor wave pool.

Day 9
Ski your last day in Furano. End the tour with a Kareoke dinner party.

Day 10
After all that it's time to say good bye and transfer to Sapporo and your flight home.

Day 11
Arrive back in Australia with memories that will last a lifetime!

NOTE: This itinerary is an example. The tour will be run largely by the weather and each day will fit around where the best conditons are. This is the essence of such a tour.

IF THIS TOUR IS NOT SUITABLE CLICK HERE AND SEND US YOUR IDEAS AND WE WILL TAILOR MAKE THE PERFECT SKI OR SNOWBOARD HOLIDAY