Sky to Sea Powder Tour
FULLY GUIDED & HOSTED POWDER TOUR
10% OFF FIRST TOUR DATE!
Ski and ride from the mountains of Central Hokkaido down to the coast of Otaru in this popular powder tour. Your guide will help you refine your powder technique whilst showing you all of the best runs, forests and powder stashes at each resort.
The Sky to Sea Tour explores the mountains at a mellower pace and involves little or no bootpacking compared to our other powder tours. It sits squarely between our powder smashing Central Hokkaido Tour and our instructional Powder Progression Tour. This tour is a great option if you like to cruise at a more relaxed pace or in less challenging terrain whilst getting hints and tips on how to improve your powder skiing and riding.
Designed for those who wish to explore Japan’s beautiful mountains while refining your powder technique
For the first 6 nights, you’ll be staying at our base in Furano where we’ll spend our first day on snow before venturing further afield to Kamui, Asahidake, Tomamu or Sahoro – storm chasing the best conditions each day. From the wide-open trees in the bowls of Tomamu to the steeper more alpine slopes of Asahidake, the terrain your guides choose at each resort will help you to continually improve your powder skiing and boarding. Each ski area has its own weather zone so you’re always bound to find some powder to play in.
Central Hokkaido also offers a great Japanese cultural experience with beautiful volcanic onsens, amazing local food and local Japanese experiences.
From Furano we will head through Sapporo to Otaru, famed for being the snowiest place in Hokkaido where we’ll ski and ride Kokusai, Teine and Kiroro. Along the way we’ll have a cultural excursion in Sapporo, checking out Ramen alley, the Sapporo Beer Factory, crazy Japanese games arcades, shopping and wandering one of the snowiest cities in Japan.
This like many of our tours is a road trip style tour hunting out the best powder conditions possible across Hokkaido.
9 NIGHTS | 10 DAYS
from ¥530,000
¥530,000 – 10% OFF 2 SPOTS!
¥595,000 – 5 SPOTS LEFT
¥595,000 – SOLD OUT
¥595,000 – SOLD OUT
¥530,000 – 6 SPOTS LEFT
Secure your spot with a 20% deposit. See our Terms & Conditions for more information.
6 to 1 max client to guide ratio, mixed ski & snowboard
6-10 people max per tour. 4 person minimum
Ability Level: Advanced on-piste, high intermediate+ in powder
THIS TOUR HAS YOU ROAD TRIPPING THROUGH CENTRAL HOKKAIDO AND THE COASTAL POWDER ZONE OF OTARU WHILST PERFECTING YOUR POWDER SKILLS.
Sky to Sea Powder Tour Details
- Ski and Snowboard guiding
- Aprés ski hosting
- Airport transfers with Resort Liner to Furano
- 6 nights twin share accommodation in Furano at Hotel Munin
- 3 nights twin share accommodation at OMO5 Otaru
- 7 days worth of lift passes in the Central Hokkaido and Otaru regions
- 1 rest/cultural day
- Sushi dinner & drinks at Whiteroom Furano HQ on arrival day
- Welcome dinner in Furano
- Farewell dinner in Otaru
- Daily cooked breakfast
- Onsen (hot spring) experience
- Whiteroom merch
- * For the 26 Jan tour date we encourage you to stay on for a few additional nights to visit the Sapporo Snow festival. Speak to your travel consultant for details.
- Single share accommodation – availability and 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
- Extra nights accommodation & ski days
- Add on a pre or post tour travel package – click here for more info
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 rent
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
Ability Level – Advanced on piste – high intermediate in powder
This tour is specifically designed for skiers and boarders who are confidently in control at all times of their speed and demonstrate rhythm on moderate black diamond trails, can make parallel and carving turns and can ski/board very well at speed on blue (high-intermediate) runs.
You should be able to quickly adjust the size and length of your turns and are learning to master a variety of different types of terrain and snow including deep powder and trees. You must also have a good level of fitness. Snowboarders in this level are able to keep speed in most situations as well as hold a reasonable traverse line. Please make an honest assessment of your abilities whilst keeping fitness in mind as to not slow the group down.
Central Hokkaido
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 will be given a special locals welcome while you stay here.
Tomamu
Tomamu strikes a cord with all who ride its mountains. With arguably the best in-bounds powder skiing in Hokkaido you’ll be wanting 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 off-piste section which is roped off from the rest of the crowd. However it’s Tomamu’s backcountry which makes it special.
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 you’re riding your own private mountain as crowds here are 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.
Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Sahoro is a resort full of surprises. From short fun shots between the lifts to full vert tree runs down to the road, it’ll sure put a smile on your dial! It’s well protected 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.
Otaru Area
Kokusai
Like stepping back in time to how skiing and riding was in Japan 15 years ago Kokusai offers an off the beaten track experience that few visitors see. Easily accessible from both the Niseko or Otaru areas, this resort is full of perfectly groomed wide trails that are great for ripping fast turns and laps. Mellow tree islands allow for people wanting to get a feel for what tree skiing is all about.
Teine
One of the closest ski areas for anyone staying in Sapporo, it is a great option to ski a half day when moving between Niseko and Furano. Teine was home to the skiing events at the 72 Olympics and has plenty of open terrain to explore within the resort. From steep well groomed trails to low angle trees on the edge of the resort boundary, Teine allows for some great turns right above Sapporo city. A run past the old Olympic torch is also a great photo opportunity.
Kiroro
Home to some of the highest snowfall totals in Hokkaido, Kiroro is a vast ski area that has lots of variable terrain for anyone looking to get their Japan powder fix. On a resort guided day expect long runs down from the top of the gondola where you can take advantage of some expert grooming before ducking off the side of the trails into countless tree islands and plenty of powder.
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 Edelwarme where you will be met by our team and taken to Munin. You’ll be free for the rest of the day to go for a quick ski, get fitted your rental or just relax and settle in. That night we’ll have a few welcome drinks at Munin’s bar where you’ll meet your lead guide who will run you through the tour, current conditions 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
(first day on snow)
After a delicious breakfast, you’ll suit up and be issued your avalanche rental gear (unless you brought your own) then we’ll take you through our safety briefing. We usually spend the first days guiding you around one of our favourite mountains – Furano. We’ll get our feet and smash some JAPOW. After the first days skiing, we’ll celebrate with a delicious Japanese welcome dinner.
DAY 3 – 6
(3 days on snow and 1 rest/cultural day)
Each day your guide will be checking the forecast to see which resort has the best powder conditions. We will be able to choose from Asahidake, Kamui, Tomamu and Sahoro. Each resort brings something different to your experience with wide-open bowls, chutes, gladed trees, pillows and all-around fun-filled days. There are some great onsens on the way back to Furano which we may stop at to soak our muscles ready for the next days’ adventure. We will also incorporate a rest day (as needed) so you can keep your legs in top shape over the tour, and explore a bit of Japanese life.
DAY 7
(Furano – Otaru transfer)
It’s time to say goodbye to Central Hokkaido and make our way to the powder-filled zone of Otaru. If we haven’t already taken our rest/cultural day while in Furano, we will stop in Sapporo to wander the snowy streets, have Sapporo’s best Ramen in Ramen Alley, check out the beautiful building and delicious beer at Sapporo Beer Hall, shop and enjoy Hokkaido’s biggest city. In the afternoon we will check into OMO5, a 4-star hotel with a restaurant, bar and located in a great central location close to Otaru’s many attractions.
DAY 8 – 9
(2 days on snow)
Staying in Otaru gives us easy access to some of the most powder filled areas in Hokkaido. We’ll have 3 main resorts we can choose from close by being Kiroro, Kokusai and Teine. Each receives the first brunt on the NW systems coming in from Siberia meaning they get absolutely dumped on. Classic gladded trees, mushrooms, powder-filled bowls and face shots await! Each night we’ll come back to Otaru and enjoy the quaint bars, delicious seafood and unique culture of this seaside city.
DAY 10
(check out and departure day)
After an epic powder-filled adventure it’s time to say goodbye to your new friends and transfer by train to Sapporo’s Chitose Airport with memories to last a lifetime!
Great organization and very experienced guides. We had a great time!
– Andrea Terramagra 2024
Excellent experienced guides, opening up the best power stashes every run. Local knowledge to get you to the best hills with best possible snow.
– Simon Berry 2023
First & foremost , it snowed every day we were there (which is out of your control) I feel very blessed & lucky. To have Jaakko as a guide during this awesome snow fall, while in Japan 🙂 memory of a lifetime,…….no doubt……I will never forget this experience . Great people all around.
Loved the guides, you were both fantastic and were great company. Your knowledge of the mountains was amazing and you looked after us very well.
– Russell Sill 2020
Loved the guides, you were both fantastic and were great company. Your knowledge of the mountains was amazing and you looked after us very well.
– Yuhan Wei 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. It was well organised and the guides were fantastic. They gave us encouragement and we’re always keeping a watchful eye on us. They were also entertaining and funny, which allowed the group to get on well together. We were all challenged by the terrain and the deep powder; everyone had good days and bad days, but overall I think we all felt that we improved. I think I now understand how to ski powder, even if I don’t get it right on the day. It’s mostly what happens between the ears, but I need more experience, so I would love to do the tour again.
– Julie Togo 2018
We had the most amazing time, each day just kept giving more. The guides were very friendly and looked after us very well. The group was excellently balanced both in age and ability and we all got on very well. We would like to use Whiteroom tours for our next trip to Japan, and would seek advise from Adam as to his suggestion of tour for our ability.
– Suzi Pilling 2018
Guides were great super chill, understanding and informative in the clutch! I liked that I was roomed with other snowboarders it made it easier to chat up the day and plan ahead for food and such. The resorts we hit up were nice I had my Japow itch scratched a few time over! All in all I had a great time which is all that really matters. Met some chill people and made some good memories. I looked at a few other tour agencies before deciding with Y’all cause y’all jump around to different resorts and I like that, keep it up!!
– Robert Daniel 2018
Guides were all wonderful and very helpful, I couldn’t have asked for more!
– Patrick Collins 2018
I thought Lexi was a great guide and we had a great tour also I would like to thank Emily for doing all of the booking magic and getting me a room in the Air Terminal hotel so I didn’t have to commute to the airport for the flight out. Lexi did an excellent job of keeping everyone on the crew together and challenged across the different resort’s we visited. Also for taking us to the Furano cultural festival for the dancing and fireworks. Also Mike for the Otaru end of the tour.
– Campbel Hewston 2018
IN FURANO
HOTEL MUNIN
A brand new 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 boutique Hotel will make the Central Hokkaido Tour special Japanese experience.
IN OTARU
OMO5
OMO5 opened in January 2022 and is the perfect spot to base yourself for your stay in Otaru. Located in an area with many historical structures and buildings, this city-tourism hotel consists of two buildings: the south wing, a renovation of the former Otaru Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the north wing, designed for functionality and design. OMO5 Otaru offers two types of guest rooms, standard and superior.
The “Standard” rooms are new and functional with modern furnishings and are located in the new wing. The “Superior” rooms are slightly larger with higher ceilings and are located in the renovated Chamber of Commerce building. Walk out the hotel’s front door and you are right in the heart of the historical district of Otaru with the canals and warehouse district close by as well artisan’s studios, cafés, a sake brewery, and a variety of restaurants and bars.
Getting to and from Furano is easy with the included Resort Liner coach transfers, as you’ll be dropped close by to Hotel Munin. Please ensure you check with your consultant before you book your flights so that they line up with the available transfer times.
From Otaru your guide will drop you at Otaru train station where you will take the airport train to New Chitose Airport.
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 here.
" The team was always positive and helpful. They made the entire experience even better (and the skiing was pretty awesome to begin with). So many positives. "
Jim Haught 2020
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.
