Heli Skiing Japan
Heli Skiing Japan

Japan Heli Skiing and Cat Skiing

Skiing in Japan is pretty much like skiing in the clouds… at least that is what we were told the first time we visited the islands. Looking back at it now, we could not have described it any better ourselves.

Imagine floating through completely bottomless powder day after day and night after night (night skiing is a big thing in Japan). Not only does Japan serve up industrial quantities of powder but also incredible food and a rich cultural and culinary experience... So sit back in an onsen (natural hot spring) after a day neck-deep in Japanese powder and ponder whether it's going to be sushi, nabe (Japanese hot-pot) or okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) for dinner.

Away from Japan's lift served terrain, helicopters and snowcats can increase your chances of finding untracked powder. The terrain is not on the same scale as other mountain ranges so one-day programmes are more common than multi-day trips.

Ski Touring & Snowboarding in Japan

In recent years, Japan has become something of a victim of its own success with crowded slopes and hordes of powder-possessed skiers and snowboarders tearing up the snow within minutes of it falling. We don't like sharing our snow and we see little point in flying half way around the world to compete for fresh lines with the masses. While cat and heli-skiing can solve this problem to some extent, we find it hard to recommend skiing in Japan unless you are willing to spend some of your trip donning skins and walking uphill.

Our Japan trips

Our backcountry ski and snowboard trips to Japan focus on escaping the madness and finding the secret powder stashes left un-touched by the crowds. Every trip is tailormade based on your preferences but all our trips incorporate cat-skiing and ski touring (or split-boarding) as well as early access lift tickets. Top-quality guiding (which can be hard to find) is a must.

Please note that we only offer complete, tailormade trips of at least seven days that include accommodation, transfers, guiding and ski programmes. Contrary to what you might read or hear, doing Japan is not a cheap ski trip once done properly and qualified guides, cat-skiing days and getting around are factored in. As a result trips can be comparable in price to multi-day heli-skiing elsewhere. Because guiding and getting around are so important, coming as a group of at least four enables costs of guiding and transfers to be shared.

Gallery

Deep powder turn in Japan
Japan is famous for deep turns in the trees
Ocean with mountains in background
skiing the trees in deep powder in Japan

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Heliskiing is limited in Japan due to the fact that the weather is usually unfavorable for flying.
Tree skiing in Japan

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Most of the skiing in Japan takes place in the trees
Enjoy the sun while you can - it doesn't stick around long in Japan in the winter time.

The Lowdown

Local Knowledge & Experienced Certified Guides

Our lead guides are professionally qualified and a member of the IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Association) or equivalent. We include a local Japanese guide on most trips. This combination of local knowledge and guiding experience is the best way to get the most out of a trip to Japan safely, whilst allowing you to engage in the culture and enjoy skiing that is only accessible through inside-knowledge.

Awesome Tree Skiing

Perfectly spaced trees of Silver Birch allow you to effortlessly float through powder snow and continue skiing during major snowstorms. The tree skiing in Japan is rated as some of the best in the world.

Cat and Heli Days

Add cat-skiing or heli-skiing days to chalk up many more runs in untracked snow than resort skiing or ski touring can offer.

Rich Culture & Deep Powder

Skiing in Japan is a unique experience with its traditional and spiritual culture and outstanding DEEP powder snow. Visit the local sushi-ya (sushi bars) while watching the "sushi samurai" in action and enjoy slices of freshly cut tuna and octopus accompanied by a glass of local nihonshu (rice wine). After skiing you can relax in one of the many onsens scattered across the volcanically active islands.

A Ski Safari

Our focus is to escape the crowds and the busy commercial resorts and explore the hidden gems Japan has to offer. Finding the best snow and the deep untouched powder stashes means investing the time and effort in early starts, plenty of driving and getting away from lift-served terrain but is the way of experiencing all Japan has to offer.

Prices & Dates

The Elemental Adventure Guide to Skiing Powder in Japan
Related Reading

The Elemental Adventure Guide to Skiing Powder in Japan

Everything you need to know for a powder pilgrimage to Japan

Want to ski in the clouds?

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