Hakuba Steep and Deep
4 - 6
Duration
8 Days
Occupancy
Difficulty
Advanced
Daily Vertical
1000m - 2000m
Price
CA$4,860.00
Hakuba Steep and Deep
4 - 6
Duration
8 Days
Occupancy
Difficulty
Advanced
Daily Vertical
1000m - 2000m
Price
CA$4,860.00
#NOTRACKSNOPEOPLE
If Japan is not on your “Bucket List”, it should be! Japan has the most consistent snowfall anywhere in the northern hemisphere. Imagine skiing waist deep powder, summiting large peaks in the Japanese alps, soaking in natural hot springs, and enjoying great authentic Japanese food. The amazing skiing and cultural experience will make this the trip of a lifetime.
Our trips focus on logistics and efficiency. In a place where the lifts will take you up the first 800 meters, it's important to beat the crowds or at least have a system in place where you're first at every single run.
This trip is focused on backcountry skiing and is designed for advanced skiers, so please ensure you are capable of skiing
Your Guides
Certified and Experienced
All our guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) or equivalent associations internationally recognized through the IFMGA. Their rigorous training in avalanche safety, navigation, and client care ensures your backcountry adventure is safe, personalized, and unforgettable.
We understand that venturing into the backcountry can feel daunting, especially for those new to this terrain. Our guides are not only experts in navigation and safety but also in fostering confidence and efficiency among our guests. If you are a fit, an intermediate skier or snowboarder, capable of handling deep powder, then you are an ideal candidate for this trip.
We schedule our Guides roughly 3-4 month before the trip start date. As soon as we have the Guide scheduled to your trip they will reach out and introduce themselves. Usually via Whatsapp. Please make sure you have Whatsapp.
Accommodation
Front Row Seats to Powder
Hakuba Alps Hotel
12851 Chikuniotsu, Kitaazumi-gun, Otari, Nagano
Nestled near Hakuba Valley Ski Area, Hakuba Alps Hotel offers a family-friendly retreat with an indoor Onsen and direct access to the mountain.
This location is central to the Hakuba Valley an offers fast access via our van or even train to the entire Hakuba valley.
Prices include double occupancy. We can upgrade you to single occupancy upon request for an additional upgrade fee.
Final Night & Tokyo Extension
The Hakuba leg of the journey wraps up in the mountains, but the adventure doesn’t have to end there. While our guides typically part ways at this point, we always recommend that guests add a night or two in Tokyo before flying home. It’s the perfect contrast—going from deep powder turns to neon-lit streets, world-class ramen, and a little late-night karaoke. Whether you’re chasing culture, cuisine, or just want to see what the buzz is about, Tokyo delivers every time. Easy train access makes the transition smooth, and the stories from the city are often just as memorable as the ones from the mountains.
The Food
What is better... the skiing or the food? We'll let you decide.
Meals
Japan is a culinary paradise, renowned for its fresh seafood, rich dairy products, and hearty comfort foods. Each evening, after a rejuvenating soak in a local onsen, we venture out to savor the region’s diverse cuisine. From the savory miso ramen to the interactive experience of grilling jingisukan (lamb barbecue), every meal offers a taste of Japan’s unique flavors.
To ensure comfort and convenience, we recommend bringing an onsen bag with a change of clothes. This allows you to freshen up after the hot springs before heading directly to dinner, making the most of each delightful evening.
It is imperative that we know about all serious food allergies well in advance of our trip so that we can let our accommodation know. It may not always be convenient for people who are allergic to seafood.
Sumo
A Cultural Wild Card on Rainy Days
When the weather doesn’t cooperate, swap tracks for tradition and head to the sumo arena—an experience every bit as powerful as fresh lines in the snow. Sumo isn’t just sport; it’s Japan’s national pastime, rooted in Shinto ritual and over 1,500 years of history—symbolized by salt tossing, ceremonial stomps, and an aura that’s equal parts sacred and electrifying .
Why it fits our trips:
It’s a full-day cultural immersion that replaces ski touring without skipping a beat in the itinerary.
You’ll witness wrestlers go head‑to‑head in the dohyō, the sacred ring, after salt purification and rhythmic ritual stomps—where each match is a high‑speed clash of force and tradition .
Fans cheer in waves, following centuries‑old etiquette—standing and applauding during ring entrances, keeping quiet during rituals, and enjoying the intensity without distraction .
Depending on timing, we may add a visit to a sumo stable (heya) or join a morning practice—moving behind the scenes to watch rikishi train, sweat, and treat sumo like a way of life .
What to expect:
Seating tiers range from floor “tamari” seats to box-style options—some even include table service . Don’t worry, we handle ticket logistics and seating details.
On rainy days, a bet on sumo is our way of saying “score”—immersing in history with intensity, spectacle, and a dash of surprise.
Matches last just seconds, but the build-up and rituals make each one unforgettable. Seeing a yokozuna stomp, salt toss, and seize victory—it’s magic
Day 1 – Arrival + Welcome
Pick-up from Hakuba Station in the afternoon.
Transfer to accommodation.
Settle in, relax.
Group dinner + trip briefing and introductions.
Day 2 – Safety + Shakeout
Begin with a detailed safety orientation and rescue training.
Easy ski tour from a local resort to gauge group ability.
Visit a local natural hot spring (onsen) to wind down.
Dinner at one of the many authentic Japanese restaurants nearby.
Days 3–7 – Powder & Peaks
Daily breakfast at the lodge.
Each day, your guide selects the best destination in the Hakuba Valley for optimal conditions.
Use lifts to access untouched terrain, then tour into the backcountry powder.
Afternoons include onsen time—either at the lodge or a public bath.
Every night: a new local restaurant experience with your crew.
Day 8 – Departure
Depart the lodge by 10:00 AM.
Train station ot Bus Station by 11:00 AM.
Example Itinerary
Your itinerary will be tailored to your group based on skill level, conditions, weather, and logistics, finalized 24-48 hours prior.
Arrival Day
Onsens and Shinkansens? Black Cat luggage services? Japan has it dialed!
All members of the team are responsible for arranging their own airfare to Japan and traveling to Hakuba Station in the Nagano Prefecture.
We recommend landing in Tokyo (either Narita or Haneda Airport) one day early, as most flights arrive in the late afternoon or evening. This gives you time to rest, recover from jet lag, and ensure you’re ready to travel the next day.
Getting to Hakuba
The easiest and most comfortable way to get to Hakuba is via shared shuttle, private taxi, or train:
Nagano Snow Shuttle offers a direct transfer from either Narita or Haneda Airport to Hakuba. It’s a convenient door-to-door ride, taking 5–6 hours with minimal hassle.
Chūō Taxi or Alpico operate shared and private shuttles from the airport and Tokyo hotels directly to Hakuba Station.
Train Option: From the airport, take the Narita Express or Haneda Tokyo Monorail into central Tokyo, transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Nagano, then catch the Alpico Express Bus or Ōito Line to Hakuba. This route is scenic and takes about 4–5 hours depending on transfers.
🕑 MEETING TIME & PLACE: 2PM SUNDAY AT HAKUBA STATION
Our team will meet you at Hakuba Station at 2:00 PM on Sunday. From there, you’ll be transferred to our accommodation to settle in, go through the trip briefing, and get ready for the week ahead.
There’s a convenience store at the station if you arrive early, and the area around the station is safe and easy to navigate while you wait.
Get Stoked!
Ski deep powder, summit high peaks, soak in onsens, and explore the best of Hakuba backcountry.
Above 2500m
When the conditions line up...
The High Alps of the Hakuba Valley
Ok, I'm Convinced, How do I Book?
What's The Offering...
Securing the trip requires a non-refundable deposit. Please visit our Cancellation Policy for more information. We HIGHLY recommend purchasing Trip Cancellation Insurance.
PRICE INCLUDES
• Guiding and logistics while in Hakuba Valley
• All transportation and fuel
• All accommodation with breakfasts
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Dinner
• Lunch
• Alcohol
• Lift tickets
• Onsens
Term and Conditions of Booking
All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions of Booking, which include our cancelation policy and waiver requirements. Please review these carefully before booking CANCELLATION POLICY
Please follow this list carefully
EQUIPMENT
Touring skis and Poles (we actually recommend strong non-adjustable poles because light adjustable pole always break)
Skins
Boots
BACKPACK STUFF
Transceiver
Probe
Shovel
A proper day touring backpack.. 30-40 litres
Headlamp
Ski straps
TECHNICAL CLOTHES
Down jacket - for when you are cold
Gore Tex jacket - for going down
Soft Shell jacket - for going up
Gore Tex pants - because you need pants
Long underwear x2 (top and bottom)
Ski Socks x4 - stinky feet
Thin Gloves
Medium gloves
Thick cold temperature gloves
Face mask or Buff
Goggles with extra lens (its deep snow and goggles get foggy )
Sunglasses
Toque - Its a beanie, warm hat, something you put on your head when cold.
Helmet
AFTER SKI STUFF
Light Travel Towel
Small Onsen bag - for a change of clothes you bring daily
5 comfortable evening outfits.
Toiletries
SNOW BOOTS
City Shoes
We strongly encourage you to bring as little as possible. During travel days we have to be able to fit everything into our Vans so if you have too much stuff this can be difficult and very uncomfortable with 6 people.
Packing List
Don't bring everything in your closet!! Space is LIMITED.
Travel Tips For Japan
Please follow this list carefully
MONEY
Japan is still very much a cash country. Credit cards are becoming more popular but don’t be surprised if some places only take cash. We recommend having at least 50000 YEN available to you.
DRIVERS LICENSE
If you plan on driving in Japan before or after our trip you MUST HAVE an international drivers license ON YOUR PERSON.
THE LANGUAGE
Have Google Translate downloaded on your phones and download the offline function.. this is handy when you need it.
GETTING AROUND
If you are planning to travel Japan before or after the trip I also recommend purchasing the JR pass for all trains. It’s a one-time pass for tourists and it can only be purchases when you are outside the country. It gives you fee train passes to all JR trains. http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/.
Tattoos
We have mentioned this a few times now. Onsens are becoming more strict and traditional over the last few years. If you have any tattoos you may be denied entry to the onsen. Please just communicate this to your guide when you meet them, this will help them plan for onsens that are more tolerant to westerners.
Food Allergies and Food Neuroses
Japanese cuisine is deeply rooted in tradition, with a strong emphasis on seafood, meat, and ingredients like soy sauce and dashi (fish-based broth). While this culinary landscape offers rich and diverse flavors, it may present challenges for those with specific dietary restrictions or preferences.
In Japan, it’s uncommon for restaurants to accommodate individual dietary modifications, especially in rural areas. Ingredients such as fish stock are often integral to dishes, making them difficult to exclude. Therefore, guests with strict dietary needs—such as vegans, individuals with severe seafood allergies, or those with particular food aversions—may find limited options.
To ensure a comfortable dining experience, we recommend that guests with specific dietary requirements who are not able to adapt to Japanese culinary culture prepare accordingly. This might include purchasing supplemental snacks or meals from convenience stores, which offer a variety of options.
Being proactive and adaptable will help you enjoy the culinary aspects of your trip while respecting local customs and practices.
Black Cat Luggage Service
The Yamato “Hands-Free Travel” service is a convenient luggage forwarding option available at major airports and hotels across Japan. Perfect for travelers with bulky ski gear or multiple bags, this service allows you to ship your luggage ahead to your next destination, so you can travel freely and comfortably without the burden of carrying it yourself. Whether you’re heading from the airport to your hotel or between towns, it’s a reliable and efficient way to simplify your journey. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
WOW,
That's a lot of information
If you are still not convinced or have a few questions that were not answered here, please click the contact us button below to get redirected to our booking inquiry form page. You can also click the Chat Button at the bottom..... you never know, we may be at our computers 😎
If you have read enough and want to commit to the trip select the dates below and secure your spot with a deposit.
Thank you so much for your attention and time.