The Triple By Pass: Tour de 3 "Dake"
Asahidake, Kurodake and Tokachidake

January 28 - February 9, 2012

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Jan 28	Fly into Sapporo/Chitose airport, stay at airport hotel
Jan 29	Train and Shuttle to Asahidake via Asahikawa
Jan 30–Feb 1	Ski Asahidake, and shuttle to Kurodake 2/1
Feb 2-4	Ski Kurodake, shuttle to Tokachidake 2/4
Feb 5-7	Ski Tokachidake
Feb 8	Shuttle to Asahikawa/train to Chitose, visit the Sapporo snow festival
Feb 9	Fly out of the Chitose airport

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, although it is not a ski resort. This place gets tons of quality powder and is know 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, the best option is to put skins on skis and start hiking. There is always powder to be had and 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, which is great after a day of skiing.

Japanese hot springs themselves are fantastic, not just for the soaking experience, but for the integration into the Japanese onsen culture. Onsens are separated for men and women, which takes away all barriers associated with mixed bathing and turning it into more of a spiritual experience. Click here for more on onsens and onsen etiquette.

Sounyko is the hot spring capital of Hokkaido and this little town is tucked deep in the northern mountains of the Omote Daisetsu area. The town puts on an incredible ice festival, mixed with a little local food and culture. The real hit of the valley is the Kurodake Ropeway. This 50 person gondola is a sight seeing lift in which you can take your skis with you. It is not a ski resort either, but the terrain you can access from this gondola and a set of skins is outrageous. Come explore the huge potential that exists in the Kurodake area.

Finally, the highlight of backcountry skiing in Hokkaido is Tokachidake. Tokachidake has delivered some of the deepest days previous IMA groups have ever skied. See here for yourself. (view the video) Tokachidake gets plenty of good quality snow and is solely a “hike for turns” experience. There is everything from steep couloirs to open bowls and perfect birch tree skiing. The Barden Hotel is one of the friendliest around with great food and its own onsen.

We finish this amazing powder skiing trip in Sapporo with a visit to the Sapporo Snow Festival, a great winter event featuring spectacular snow and ice sculptures, a sight not to miss.

daily overview

Jan 28  Fly into the Sapporo/Chitose airport and stay at the airport hotel, which is right in the 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. 

Jan 29  There is a train station right in the Chitose airport and we catch a train to the second biggest city in Hokkaido, Asahikawa.  From the train station we take a mini bus to a small mountain town called Asahidake, staying at the Bearmonte Hotel.   Asahidake is a well-known powder destination with a gondola, yet it is not a ski resort.   Accommodation is at the Bearmonte Hotel, with an awesome onsen and great food.

Jan 30  Ski Asahidake staying at the Bearmonte Hotel
If the weather is bad I know some great places to skin to when the gondola is down.

Jan 31  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 1  Ski Asahidake in the morning, hitting the secret powder stashes one more time before catching a shuttle to Sounkyo.  Visit the local ice festival the town puts on, which is outstanding and well worth the visit.  The Hotel Taisetu is where we will stay and it has an excellent onsen and food.

Feb 2  Ski Kurodake staying at the Hotel Taisetu
Kurodake is served by an 80-passenger gondola, but is not a ski resort.  An untouched gem of Hokkaido and rarely skied we use the gondola to access some great terrain.  No patrol… just a lift where we skin for our turns.

Feb 3   Ski Kurodake staying at the Hotel Taisetu
We will explore more of the awesome backcountry potential this place has via the gondola.

Feb 4  Ski Kurodake in the morning,  shuttle in the afternoon to Tokachidake staying at the Barden Hotel.  The Barden is a modest little hotel with its own hot springs and excellent food. “The people that run this place are great and my favorite Japanese onsen is 2 KM away.  Tokachidake and the Barden Hotel are my favorite places to visit in Japan.  The skiing around Tokachidake is all done under your own steam and is highly regarded amongst Japanese backcountry skiers.”  --Ross 

Again, it gets tons of snow and previous IMA clients have had the deepest turns ever here.

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

Feb 6  Ski the Tokachidake backcountry, heading back to the Barden for a soak after a long day of skiing.

Feb 7  The final day of backcountry skiing at Tokachidake

Feb 8  Shuttle to the Asahikawa train station, then back to the Sapporo/Chitose airport.  Drop off luggage at the airport hotel, take a train to the world famous Sapporo Snow Festival.

Feb 9 Departure day.

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PRICE (per person)

2 people                      $6800
3 people                      $5500
4 people                      $4800
5 people                      $4400
6 people                      $4100

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

Does not include: Airfare to Japan Alcohol Meals in transit Meals in Sapporo

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!!!!