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Central Hokkaido
Drift Tour

Chase snow, eat well, onsen, and repeat. A five-day powder experience exploring lift-accessed backcountry and resort terrain across Central Hokkaido.

Reserve a Spot

2026/27 season bookings are open to returning guests from April, with general bookings opening in May. Early enquiries are welcome.

Tour Dates

  • Five-day tours run Monday to Friday throughout the season.

  • 2026/27 season dates run from early January through to early March.

  • Specific dates are limited and allocated on a first-confirmed basis.

Tour Overview

  • The Central Hokkaido Drift Tour is a five-day, small-group powder experience based in Asahikawa, designed to chase the best snow across the region.

  • Each tour includes 4 guided days with 1 flexible day, allowing us to adapt to weather and conditions. We focus on lift-accessed powder, sidecountry, and optional touring, selecting resorts daily based on where conditions are best.

  • Group size is kept small (3–5 guests) to ensure a high-quality experience, good group flow, and access to the best terrain.

Pricing

  • ¥200,000 per person

  • Small group (3–5 guests)

Private Tour Option

  • If you would prefer a private five-day tour, a full group buyout is available. Remaining spaces can be secured to keep the group exclusive.

Desired start date

What You Get

Locations

Primarily lift-accessed backcountry across Central Hokkaido, including Furano, Kamui, and Asahidake, with the flexibility to explore other resorts depending on conditions.

Typical Day

  • Accommodation pick-up around 7:00am (depending on the day’s destination)

  • Early arrival to maximise time on snow and aim for first lifts

  • Flexible lunch timing (early or late depending on conditions)

  • Resort departure around 3:00pm (2:30pm on onsen days)

  • Return to accommodation approximately 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Included

  • 4 guided day

  • 1 flexible weather / rest day

  • Hosted experience throughout the tour

  • Selected dinners and onsen visits

  • Daily transport between accommodation and resorts

Where conditions require travel outside Central Hokkaido, a small surcharge may apply.

Not Included

  • Lift passes

  • Lunches, drinks, and snacks

  • Ski/snowboard equipment

  • Travel / sports insurance

  • Accommodation

  • Airport transfers

Optional Add-Ons

  • Touring equipment (drift boards & poles) available if required — ¥10,000 per person for the duration of the tour.

  • Lift passes can be arranged for convenience (charged at face value)

  • Assistance with accommodation recommendations in Asahikawa

  • Snowboard rental (premium powder boards & bindings) available if required — ¥7,000 per day or ¥25,000 for the duration of the tour

Powder-specific boards are recommended to maximise performance in Hokkaido conditions.

Additional Info

Is This Tour Right For You?

This tour is built for adventurous skiers and snowboarders who are confident, capable, and excited to explore beyond the resort boundaries.

 

Skill requirements:

  • Be a strong intermediate, advanced, or expert-level skier or rider

  • Have solid experience in powder and off-piste terrain

  • Feel comfortable weaving through tight trees and keeping momentum on flat mellow sections

  • Be confident tackling advanced or expert runs in any conditions

  • Frequently ride off-piste at resorts or venture into the backcountry

  • Handle steep, deep, icy, or technical terrain with consistent control and flow

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What to expect:

  • Depending on conditions, you’ll spend roughly 80% of the time skiing or riding out of bounds, exploring backcountry and side-country terrain.

  • If off-piste adventure isn’t your thing, this tour may not be the right fit. In that case, we recommend booking a Private Day Tour for a more tailored in-resort experience.

Mountain Experience

Our days are focused on off-piste exploration, diving into the sidecountry terrain of Furano, Kamui, Tomamu, Sahoro, and Asahidake.

 

Locations offers a mix of:

  • Open powder fields

  • Tight tree lines

  • Steep faces and mellow rollers

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Some runs may start or end with short hikes or traverses to the good stuff or back to the lifts—worth it for the fresh lines.

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Snow and weather conditions:

  • Expect dry, deep powder—the kind Hokkaido is known for

  • Temperatures range from -5°C to -20°C (23°F to -4°F)

  • Days are short, snowy, and often overcast

  • Low visibility is common—bring high-vis goggle lenses

  • Conditions vary with elevation and location—layer up and be ready for anything

Back Country Touring Gear

To make the most of the experience and access the best terrain, we highly recommend bringing backcountry touring skis or arranging rentals in advance. While we don’t currently stock touring skis, we’re happy to help you find the right rental options. For snowboarders, approach skis or snowshoes are available to rent.

Touring gear allows the group to travel beyond the lift-accessed zones and explore deeper into the backcountry—where the snow is lighter, fresher, and far less tracked.

Although not mandatory, having the right equipment greatly expands the terrain we can access as a group and ensures you get the most out of each day. If you're unsure what to bring or where to rent, just reach out—we’re here to help.

Avalanche Safety Equipment

Avalanche safety equipment is mandatory for all guided tours. Each participant must have a touring backpack (capable of carrying skis or a snowboard), an avalanche beacon, a probe, and a shovel. If you don’t have your own gear, just let us know in advance—rental equipment is available and can be arranged for you.

Weather

Weather conditions are a crucial factor in determining which ski resort or location we visit each day. We carefully monitor conditions to ensure you experience the best snow possible, while always prioritizing your safety. This means that our chosen terrain may vary based on weather patterns, visibility, and snow quality to provide you with the most enjoyable and secure experience on the mountain.

More Info

For further details, kindly refer to the FAQ page.

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