Central Hokkaido Tour
BY FAR OUR MOST POPULAR GUIDED SKI & SNOWBOARD JAPAN TOUR
Central Hokkaido is what skiing and riding in Japan is really all about – no crowds, a true cultural experience and big days chasing untracked powder all over the mountain!
We’ll use the lifts at each resort to get into great inbound powder stashes, traverse out into the backcountry for hidden runs before following the creeks home, and hike to the ridgeline bowls when the weather is good. Make sure your legs are ready with some pre-trip prep!
NEW FOR 2024/25 – this year we will have you staying at the boutique Hotel Munin located in Kitanomine within walking distance from bars and restaurants
Hotel Munin boasts a delicious breakfast, bar, drying room, lounge area a lovely onsen where you can relax after each ski day.
We’ve been running this tour for 16 years now and each year it gets better with new terrain to explore. You’ll get to ski/snowboard the in-bounds powder and backcountry of Furano, Asahidake, Kamui, Tomamu, Sahoro and Pippu! All of these resorts have different qualities, terrain and weather patterns, and with a flexible itinerary you’ll experience the best conditions possible.
80% of the time we are off-piste in the lift accessed backcountry of each resort. the other 20% is to get to and from the lifts to the powder
Like all our tours you’ll ride in our comfy 4WD vans to whichever resort is best on any given day. Our guides work with you and the weather to make sure you have the best time possible.
As this tour is fully hosted we’ll take you to some of Furano’s great restaurants and bars where you can enjoy the delicious local cuisine and Japanese hospitality.
Don’t just book a run of the mill ski package, book a guided ski/snowboard tour with us and have the best experience possible.
Are you looking for a tour that includes lift-accessed touring, where you’ll use skins or split-boards to go deeper into the backcountry? If so, check out our popular Powder Belt Backcountry Tour.
10 NIGHTS | 11 DAYS
from ¥495,000
¥535,000
¥585,000 – SOLD OUT
¥585,000 – SOLD OUT
¥585,000 – SOLD OUT
¥585,000 – SOLD OUT
¥495,000 – 7 SPOTS LEFT
Secure your spot with a 20% deposit. See our Terms & Conditions for more information.
6 to 1 max client to guide ratio
6-10 people max per tour. 4 person minimum
Ability Level: Advanced in powder:
Confidence making consistent, controlled turns in trees and deep powder – and have experience doing so.
Based in Furano, explore the epic Powder Belt of Hokkaido - famous for it's light, dry and deep snowfall
Central Hokkaido Tour Details
- Fully guided & hosted
- Return airport transfers with Resort Liner
- 10 nights twin/triple share accommodation at Hotel Munin, Furano
- 8 days worth of lift passes and guiding in the Central Hokkaido region
- 1 rest day (option free ski or cultural experience day)
- Sushi dinner & drinks at Whiteroom Furano HQ on arrival day
- Welcome dinner
- Farewell dinner in Furano town
- Daily cooked breakfast
- Onsen (hotspring) tour
- Whiteroom merch
- Single share accommodation (price on request)
- Avalanche gear rental
- Avalanche Awareness Courses – click here for more info
- Ski or Snowboard rental
- 10% discount on our Weston and Moment Ski/Splitboard backcountry rentals=
- Add on a pre or post tour travel package – click here for more info
- Don’t want a rest day? Add on additional guided days in a resort or backcountry you love or get our advice.
NOTE: Avalanche safety gear is compulsory for all our tours. Please advise us upon booking if you have your own gear or will need to ren
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
Ability Level – Advanced in Powder
You must be able to ski the whole mountain with confidence and at a reasonable speed in powder, through trees and in variable conditions. You must have a good level of fitness.
Snowboarders in this level are able to keep speed in flat sections by planning ahead as well as hold a solid traverse line and be able to hop up and manoeuvre in a way as to not slow down the group.
Groups are split up into ski/board/ability levels and some groups we will be doing some hiking (traversing/boot packing) to get to the goods. Skins or split-boards are not required but if the group has touring gear or wants to hire we will happily take you deeper into the backcountry.
Please make an honest assessment of your abilities whilst keeping fitness in mind as to not slow the group down.
Furano Ski Area
Furano isn’t a ski town, it’s a country town that happens to have its own ski area. Things are changing as word gets out how good the ski area and it’s backcountry is but it’s still relatively quiet most days and when we take you down into town you’ll experience an authentic Japanese night scene with lots of restaurant and bar options. On the mountain you’ll enjoy some of the best tree skiing in Hokkaido, with various backcountry access points leading you to steep faces, glades, and gullies full of fresh pow. 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 and boarding. Furano is where Whiteroom began so you’ll experience it as a local while you stay here with us.
Tomamu
Tomamu strikes a cord with all who ride its mountains. With some of the best lift accessed powder skiing in Hokkaido you’ll want 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 various off-piste sections, as well as some great backcountry which makes it truly special and one of our favourites.
Kamui Ski Links
Kamui is a small ski resort set on its own, 1 hour north of Furano. With 7 lifts accessing a network of wide open cruisers 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 – unless school kids on the beginner lifts count. 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 volcano. Expect chutes, alpine bowls, massive pillows and epically deep powder. Once at the bottom, all roads lead to the Ropeway. A post ski onsen here is a must!
Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Sahoro is a resort full of surprises. From short fun shots between the lifts to a short book pack hike to Mt Sahoro where you can enjoy a long gladed run down to the road. With its newly expanded terrain it’ll sure put a smile on your dial! It’s well protected too and is a good option when the weather has come in.
Pippu
A quiet mountain and a good option when the storms are coming in. Plenty of trees to ski through, good pitch and no people off-piste. This is a great mountain when everywhere else is busy or clapped out due to low vis or high winds.
and more…
There are a few other resorts we visit on the Central Hokkaido Tour but we’ll keep them under wraps until you join us!
This itinerary is an example. The tour will be run largely by the weather and each day will fit around where the best conditions are. This is the beauty of such a tour.
DAY 1
(arrival and check-in day)
Upon landing at Sapporo’s Chitose Airport you’ll be transferred by Resort Liner coach service to Hotel Edel Warme where you’ll be greeted by Hotel Munin staff which is located nearby. That night we’ll host you in the Whiteroom Furano HQ for a sushi dinner and drinks, and you’ll meet our team who will run you through the tour, weather and answer any questions you have.
(NOTE: If you wish to organise rental ski/SB equipment it is advised that you try to arrive with enough time on the arrival day to be fitted – seek advice from your consultant)
DAY 2 – 4
(snow days)
After a hearty buffet breakfast, you’ll suit up and be issued any avalanche rental gear then we’ll take you through our safety briefing. We usually spend the first day guiding you around one of our favourite mountains – Furano. We’ll get our feet and hunt out some powder stashes. That night we’ll celebrate with a delicious Japanese Welcome Dinner Party.
Depending on conditions we may do a day tour to Kamui Ski Links. We will spend a day exploring the trees and backside of this fun resort. We may stop on the way back to soak in a famous volcanic onsen. Your guides will take you out in town to experience a delicious meal. Furano is known for its fresh local food.
Travel to Sahoro to enjoy an awesome day of secluded tree skiing and a sneaky road drop! Tonight we will take you out to another of Furano’s many delicious restaurants.
DAY 5
(optional cultural / rest day)
Rest those legs or get a day of free skiing and riding in at Furano if you can’t get enough pow! Ask our guides for their recommendations for dinner – there are some great local restaurants a short walk away or down in town.
DAY 6 – 10
(snow days)
Rise 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 powder-filled ridges and chutes from the lift. This can also be a great day to try out touring gear and experience getting deeper into the backcountry with us.
Head to Pippu and get the goods amongst the trees. No crowds here – just you and the powder.
Tomamu day tour. Today, your guides will show you around the resort hill of Tomamu with its awesome powder, short hikes and deep north-facing backside. There is some great skiing and boarding to be had here. At the end of the day, you can check out the bizarre indoor wave pool and maybe have an onsen.
Ski your last day in Furano. We might hit our favourite lines or take you on a mission into the backcountry. Get those vocal cords warmed up for our all you can drink karaoke dinner party!
DAY 11
(check-out and departure day)
After all that it’s time to say goodbye to your new friends and transfer to Sapporo’s Chitose Airport with memories to last a lifetime!
SO AMAZING! John was extremely knowledgeable. So personable and went above and beyond to make our trip even more amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide!
– Alesha R 2024
If you want fresh lines all day then Whiteroom is the place to go. Greg and Taylor were highly professional and friendly guides with detailed knowledge of the area to get us the best value for our time. I wouldn’t have it any other way, highly recommend.
– Curtis Godlonton 2023
Honestly, Whiteroom knows the area and the deep details of where to duck into trees or head to open slopes. Book them for as many days as you can, and expand your terrain. And if you’re lucky enough to get Matt Maar as your guide you will be doubly blessed!
– William Harper 2023
The whole tour was great, we loved the opportunity to gain some experience with backcountry on split boards. Greg is an amazing guido! He had remarkable area knowledge and was able to read conditions perfectly. He took us on fantastic adventures and was always thinking 10 steps ahead! I felt very safe with him as a guide. The season was light on but Greg found us fresh pow every day! Amazing!
– Jess Odgers 2020
Powder! Jeff was excellent. He took us to the powder and was patient with all our demands!
– Colin Rehkugler 2020
Greg (Guide) was amazing. His love for snowboarding is bigger than mine and he went out of his way, again and again, to make sure our trip was as good as possible. The best guide I have ever seen – and I have met plenty.
– Soeren Brunsgaard 2020
Awesome trip all around! Ronan was so helpful answering questions before booking and coordinating details of the trip. Julian and Taneli were AWESOME! They went above and beyond to make sure we found fresh powder every day, which was no small feat considering there was a stretch of 2-3 days when it didn’t snow. Appreciated them coordinating group dinners, ‘onsending’, and ‘cultural’ 7-11 stops making sure we had fun off the slopes too. Overall an awesome experience and can’t say enough positive things about it!
– Lisa Wilson 2018
The tour was great fun and surpassed expectations. Special mention needs to go out to Zeno who was absolutely awesome and managed to be both professional and safety conscious while fun loving and with an infectious enthusiasm for showing us around these great mountains. He really made the difference between a good tour and a great tour.
– Paul Mollard 2018
It was good wholesome fun with Julian and Taneli, two very professional guides and good fun to hang out with!
– Simone Kaiser 2018
HOTEL MUNIN
In Furano, we are staying in a modern boutique hotel located in the middle of Kitanomine close to restaurants and bars. With well-appointed rooms, a sumptuous lounge and a lovely onsen, this hotel will make the Central Hokkaido Tour a special Japanese experience.
Getting to and from Furano is easy with the included Resort Liner coach transfers. You’ll be dropped at Hotel Edel Warme where you’ll be greeted by Hotel Munin staff which is located nearby. Please ensure you check with your consultant before you book your flights so that they line up with the available transfer times.
Once you’ve booked onto the tour you will receive our Trip Info Brochure packed with loads of useful information to help you plan your trip to Japan.
View our full Terms & Conditions / COVID Policy here.
" Julian and Taneli were AWESOME! They went above and beyond to make sure we found fresh powder every day "
Lisa Wilson
Backcountry Rental
Keen to try ski touring or splitboarding? We now offer our clients backcountry rental with a range of touring skis, splitboards and equipment from Weston, Moment, Tyrollia, Spark R&D, Black Diamond and Mammut.
Our Guides
We take two things very seriously – safety on the mountain, and getting the most from each day. With qualified and experienced guides from all corners of the globe, we’ll show you some amazing places and get you deep into that famous Japanese powder.
