Backcountry Skiing in Sapporo Suburbs with a unique mountain ski culture
5-DAY
DIFFICULTY
SNOW SEASON
5 days 4 nights
Min. 1, Max. 4
Ski/Snowboard
- HIGHTLIGHTS
-
- To experience Hokkaido's "mountain skiing" culture developed by the introduction of ski gear by Europeans and mountainous environment in Sapporo
- To experience winter mountains which are only accessible in snow season
- To enjoy nicely spaced-out tree runs in the forest with Hokkaido native trees
- To experience a unique form of mountain ski travelling by staying in historic and unmanned mountain huts
- To stay at Jozankei ONSEN famous for good quality of hot springs
- To visit the Ainu Museum after skiing in mountains where are sacred for the Ainu
- LOCATION
-
As the largest two million populated city, Sapporo is in Hokkaido, the northernmost main island of Japan. As the capital of Hokkaido, it plays a significant role as the cultural, economic, and political center the region. It is a unique metropolis with a great nature in its suburbs. 1hr by train or bus from New Chitose Airport.
OVERVIEW
At the very beginning, Ski was introduced as a tool for means of transportation on snow not for leisure purposes. Yet, due to great environment with mountains and snow quality in Sapporo, Back Country Skiing occurred and developed with its unique history. It is said that Hans Koller, a German language instructor who was assigned to Sapporo Agricultural College in 1908, introduced skiing to Sapporo for the first time. He used skies as a tool for communication with students. In 1912, Lieutenant Colonel Lerch, an Austrian soldier, introduced how to ski to Sapporo citizens.
Since then, the mountains near Sapporo, which boast good quality and rich in snowfall, have become popular as a field for winter mountaineering on skiing which now we call Back Country Skiing. Although the mountains are relatively gentle and around 1,000 meters high, the strong northwesterly winds blowing from the Sea of Japan provide abundant powder snow for months at a time. In the 1960s, many huts were built in mountains of Sapporo suburbs, and a unique style of Back Country skiing was established. Hikers began wearing skies with heel lifted bindings and traversing the mountains while staying at mountain huts.
Although the number of huts has been reduced by half since then, still this unique ski culture of Sapporo suburbs attracts many mountain skiing enthusiasts.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Traveling from Airport to Sapporo
You meet a guide at New Chitose Airport that connects to Tokyo Haneda airport or
other airports with considerable number of daily flights. About 1hr drive with a private
van will take you to Sapporo, the largest metropolis in Hokkaido. Enjoy dinner in downtown of Sapporo and relax at Hotel after.
- Activity – Traveling Time 1hour
- Accommodation – Sapporo | Hotel | Private room with ensuite
- Included meals – Dinner at a local restaurant in Sapporo
DAY 2
Guided Backcountry Ski Traversing from Mt. Teine to Mt. Oku-Teine Hut
After breakfast at HTL, we depart for Mt. Teine by driving 30-40min from Sapporo downtown. Taking a chair lift, we access from Teine Ski Resort where 1972 Sapporo Olympics were held and start from the summit of Mt. Teine to backcountry area. We ski on the steep slope of the rock wall zone around the ridge and reach to the open slope with few trees. We traverse to Mt. Oku-Teine Hut “Yama no Ie” and enjoy ski around the hut, a property of Hokkaido University yet open for mountain ski enthusiasts. Enjoy the time at this historic hut with the warmness & lights of coal stoves.
- Activity – BC Skiing (6hrs)
- Accommodation – Mt.Oku-Teine Hut “Yama no Ie” |No bedded | Shared Toilet
- Included meals – Breakfast at HTL | Dinner prepared by your Guide
DAY 3
Guided Backcountry Ski Traversing from Mt. Oku-Teine to Mt. Harukayama
After Breakfast prepared by your guide, we depart from the “Yama no Ie” hut to the peak of Mt. Oku-Teine (948m). On the way, we pass through the ruins of Mt. Haruka Hut “Ginreisou” closed in March 2022 due to deterioration of the building. “Ginreisou Hut” was also a lively amount ski enthusiasts. After the hut, We ski from the peak of Mt. Haruka (906m) on the south face and then head to Route 1through the trail for foresters.
We arrive at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and head to Jozankei Onsen to stay overnight.
- Activity – BC Skiing (6hrs)
- Accommodation –HTL in Jozankei Onsen | Hotel | Private room with ensuite
- Included meals – Breakfast prepared by your Guide | Dinner at HTL
DAY 4
Guided Backcountry Skiing at Senjaku Highland & Visiting Ainu Cultural Center
Starting from the Toyoha Mine, we follow a sparsely forested ridge to the Senjaku Highlands (1,150m) and enjoy skiing along several ridges derived from the main ridge to the north( approx. 5 hours). After skiing, we visit the Sapporo Ainu Culture Exchange Center (Sapporo “Pirikakotan”) in Koganeyu, the South District, Sapporo.
- Activity – BC Skiing (6hrs)
- Accommodation –HTL in Jozankei Onsen | Hotel | Private room with ensuite
- Included meals – Breakfast & Dinner at HTL
DAY 5
Traveling from Sapporo downtown to New Chitose Airport
After breakfast at HTL, We depart from Sapporo City to New Chitose Airport by a private van. 1hr driving.
- Activity –Traveling Time 1hr
- Included meals – Breakfast at HTL
ACCOMMODATIONS
| Area | Facility Type | Room Type | Onsen / Spa | WiFi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sapporo | Hotel | Private room ensuit | Onsen |  |
| 2 | Mt. Oku Teine | Mountain Hut | Sleeping Bag & Mat | |
|
| 3 | Jouzankei Onsen | Hotel | Private room ensuit | Onsen | |
| 4 | Jouzankei Onsen | Hotel | Private room ensuit | Onsen | |
Tour Operator / Contact
NOMAD Co., Ltd
Our company was established in 1987 as a pioneer in the field of mountaineering, trekking, hiking and other “walking” tours in Hokkaido. Since then, our company has built up achievements of successes in travel in the mountains and unexplored areas of all over Japan and the world. And in 2023, thanks to your support, we will celebrate our 36th anniversary.
We deliver a wide range of travel experiences, from leisurely day hikes to enjoy nature, traverses, and treks into the heart of the mountains, and visiting the unexplored regions to visit unknown natural and historical heritage sites, to provide you with inspiring journeys to experience the most spectacular scenery on earth.
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