Double “Dake": Asahidake and Tokachidake

February 18 - 27, 2011

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Feb 18	Fly into Chitose airport and stay the night
Feb 19	Train and Shuttle to Asahidake via Asahikawa
Feb 20 - 23	Ski Asahidake
Feb 23	Shuttle to Tokachidake in the afternoon
Feb 24 - 26	Ski Tokachidake
Feb 27	Shuttle and train to Chitose airport via Asahikawa

"In my life as a skier I was introduced to Hokkaido several years ago and I have continued to go back year after year searching for the deepest snow I can find.  The Daisetsuzan National Park has provided me with just that and my deepest days ever have been recorded in this part of the world.  At last I can offer what I think is the jewel of the crown for powder skiers." -Ross Matlock

Asahidake is a unique area that offers the convenience of a 100-person gondola, yet it is not a ski resort.  This place gets tons of quality powder and is known throughout Japan as a powder heaven.  With a little extra work and some local knowledge there are incredible stashes of powder everywhere.  If the tram stops running due to weather you can put on your skins and hike to some awesome runs. The Bearmonte Hotel is an excellent Japanese hotel within 3 minutes walk of the tram.  It has its own hot springs onsite and soaking is a fitting end to a day of powder skiing.

The second destination, Tokachidake, is another favorite place in Hokkaido to ski. Tokachidake has delivered some of the deepest days of skiing (view the video).

This place gets plenty of good quality snow and you hike for all your turns. There is everything from steep couloirs to open bowls and perfect birch tree skiing.  The Barden Hotel is a modest little hotel and one of the friendliest around with excellent food and its own onsen. There is also another Japanese onsen to visit just 2 kilometers away.

The skiing around Tokachidake is all done under our own steam and is highly regarded amongst Japanese backcountry skiers for its amount of snowfall.

DAILY overview

Feb 18   Arrival day.  Fly into the Chitose airport and stay at the airport hotel, which is in the airport terminal building.   Fly in any time during the day but better off in the afternoon or evening.   After a long day of travelling most flights get into the Chitose airport at about 8:30 in the evening.

Feb 19   Shuttle to Asahidake and Bearmonte Hotel.  There is a train station right in the Chitose airport and we catch a train to Asahikawa, the second biggest city in Hokkaido.  From here we take a mini bus to a small mountain town called Asahidake, and stay at the Bearmonte Hotel.  Asahidake is a well known powder destination and has a sweet gondola but is not a ski resort.  I know this place well and it gets tons of snow. The Bearmonte Hotel has an awesome onsen and great food.

Feb 20   Day 1.  Ski Asahidake, staying at the Bearmonte Hotel.   Gondola accessed skiing or hiking/skinning, weather dependent.

Feb 21   Day 2.  Ski Asahidake, staying at the Bearmonte Hotel.  Mt Asahi is the largest mountain on the north island.   It sits just above the gondola and we will ski it weather permitting.

Feb 22   Day 3.  Ski Asahidake again, with the option to tour past steaming vents on the Volcano Mt Asahi.

Feb 23   Day 4.  Ski Asahidake in the morning and then take a shuttle in the afternoon to Tokachidake, staying at the Barden Hotel.

Feb 24   Day 5.  Ski Tokachidake backcountry, hiking and looking for the deepest lines.  Expect to be out all day.

Feb 25   Day 6.  Skiing more of the awesome backcountry this place has to offer.

Feb 26   Day 7.  Ski the Tokachidake backcountry for the final time heading back to the Barden for a soak after a long day of skiing.

Feb 27   Departure day.  Shuttle back to the Asahikawa train station and then back to the Chitose airport.  We will begin this day early.  Plan your return flight for the afternoon (after 1:00 PM).

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PRICE
(based on number of people in trip and number of guides required)

One guide:
$3900/each for 4 people
$3600/each for 5 people
$3400/each for 6 people
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Two guides:
$3900 each for 7 people
$3700 each for 8 people
$3600 each for 9 people
$3400 each for 10 people

Trip includes: All hotels Breakfast and dinners All shuttles Lift tickets Guiding

Does not include: Airfare to Japan Lunches Alcohol

IMPORTANT INFO -- PLEASE READ

It gets cold in Hokkaido, really cold.  Last year we hiked and skied in several days of 0 degrees Fahrenheit.  The correct equipment is essential and there were many times when we hiked with our down jackets on.  You must be prepared for the cold and have experience backcountry skiing before joining this trip.  It also snows a lot, so your gear will need to withstand a snowstorm and dry out over night.

A thermos of hot liquid is essential, so pack a thermos that you can fill each morning.  Camelbacks are not recommended as they often freeze.  Bring water bottles instead.

Fat skis are the key to skiing really deep powder and a minimum of 100mm under foot with skins to match is highly recommended. 

You must be a Level 8 - 9 skier and be able to ski continuous powder turns.

Also, your fitness level should be such that you are able to hike several laps during the course of the day.  The days can be physically demanding so plan ahead and train accordingly in order to get the most out of this trip.

...you will never ski lighter and dryer powder in your life!!!!