All Hokkaido > Programs > Backcountry Basics- Learn how to ride in Japan’s pow at Asahidake

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Off-Season Program

Backcountry Basics- Learn how to ride in Japan’s pow at Asahidake

Available Period:

2025-12-15～2026-03-22

Duration:

~4-5 hours

Location: Asahidake

Available Period: Late December~ March

Duration: ~4-5 hours

Fee: Group of 2 (per person): 30,000yen
Group of 3 (per person): 25,000yen
Group of 4 (per person): 20,000yen
Solo participant: 35,000yen

This program is currently unavailable as it is outside the offered period.

Overview
Requirements
Meeting Point/What to Bring
Review
Guide

Tour Highlights

Learn the foundation of Hokkaido’s backcountry skiing and snowboarding
Be introduced to important skills like risk-awareness, terrain recognition and route choice, among others!
Learn how to use your avalanche gear
Enjoy the snow of backcountry Hokkaido!

Backcountry Basics is a hands-on, small-group course offering an introduction to responsible winter backcountry skiing and snowboarding near the Asahidake Ropeway. Our focus is on building practical skills, confidence, and safe habits for skiing or snowboarding the Hokkaido backcountry terrain.

Clients will spend the day riding and learning about the backcountry with an experienced guide.

This is a non-certifying educational program emphasizing real-world application, conservative decision-making, and safe group travel- all essential preparation before pursuing formal avalanche certification or deeper backcountry exploration.

1~4 participants
Participants younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by a guardian and have guide approval before the start of the tour
Helmets are required for all participants

Meeting Location

Asahidake Ropeway

Meeting Address

Hokkaido, Kamikawa District, Higashikawa, Asahidake Onsen

What to Bring & Wear

Full set of ski or snowboard equipment
Ski wear (warm clothes)
Gloves, hat, and goggles
Lift ticket. Please discuss with the guide before purchasing.

Reviews（0）

Mick Hultz（Founder | Instructor | Guide | Educator）

Tour Company

Company Name: Asobi Master®

Program List

Overview

Available Period: Late December~ March

Duration: ~4-5 hours

Itinerary

[Example Itinerary]

Morning meet-up at Asahidake Ropeway, introductions, program goals, and challenge by choice briefing
Equipment check and beacon function check using provided avalanche safety kits
Warm-up runs on appropriate terrain while introducing basic observational skills
Short teaching stops focusing on terrain, snow, and human-factor awareness
Companion rescue practice (single-burial “beacon hunt”) in a safe, conservative location
Additional laps where participants apply simple decision frameworks with guide coaching
End-of-day debrief: “3 things I learned / will do differently,” plus suggestions for future training

Fee

Group of 2 (per person): 30,000yen
Group of 3 (per person): 25,000yen
Group of 4 (per person): 20,000yen
Solo participant: 35,000yen

What's Included

Experienced private guide
Avalanche safety kit for each participant, including avalanche backpack
Pre-ride safety briefing, equipment check, and introduction to basic backcountry concepts
On-snow coaching on backcountry basics
Consumption tax
Insurance

Not Included

Lift tickets
Meals, snacks, and drinks
Transportation
Personal travel/medical insurance
Ski, snowboard, or other gear rentals
- Available for rental- please inquire
Helmets

Payment: Prepayment by credit card

English Level: 1= can't speak English at all / 5= native speaker

Notes

All participants will be required to sign a consent form and liability waiver in advance of the tour. A parent’s signature is required for participation by those under 18 years of age.
If the tour cannot proceed due to heavy rain, lightning, wind, or blizzard, we will cancel the tour and inform you.
The tour dates may be changed or cancelled if there is not enough snow due to unseasonal weather or other reasons.
The tour may be cancelled midway for safety or other reasons at the discretion of the guide.
Please follow all of the instructions of the tour guide, as there are risks in outdoor tours. Please also understand that the guide cannot be held personally responsible for any accidents caused by the customer’s intentional or negligent acts.

Cancellation / Changes

A cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled 30 days or less before the event
A cancellation fee of 75% is charged if cancelled 120 days or less before the event
A cancellation fee of 50% is charged if tour is cancelled after booking confirmation