Overall Rating

Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Package

Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Package4.5/521
Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Package4.5 out of 5 based on 21 reviews
  • Recommend
    86%
  • Would Revisit
    86%
Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Package Enquire
Price p/p Price is per person per day
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese Yen
Displayed price may vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations. Price includes 8% sales tax
USD 871

MIXED GROUP DAY CAT SKIING
7 - 9 Runs

Location: Japan | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Backcountry
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Price p/p Price is per person per day
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese Yen
Displayed price may vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations. Price includes 8% sales tax
USD 871
Iwanai Cat Skiing serves up powder runs of 450-680m of vertical bliss, with 6 to 9 runs for the day. Located near Niseko, the Iwanai Resort snowcat skiing terrain scores masses of snowfall. Ideal for advanced riders with powder experience for group tours or strong intermediates for private snowcat.
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Cat Skiing Iwanai

Iwanai Cat Skiing serves up a great experience to enjoy the abundant Niseko snowfall, without any of the Niseko crowds that rip up the powder in what feels like an instant. It’s not surprising that Niseko cat skiing at Iwanai Resort is fast becoming a popular activity for powder hounds to score virgin powder.

With Iwanai Resort Powder Cat Tours, your chariot to access the powder runs is a modern snowcat with a beautiful cabin with windows galore so you can appreciate the glorious views of the nearby ocean, or watch it dumping with snow.

Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Packages

You can book a day of cat skiing as a solo, couple or small group, or book out the whole snowcat for a day of private cat skiing for your group of up to 12 people.

A day of cat skiing at Iwanai Resort features the guided snowcat skiing or snowboarding (7-9 runs of 450 to 680 metres of vertical powder) with a maximum of 1:6 guide to guest ratio (a lead and tail guide are provided). Avalanche beacons are provided along with a safety briefing.

Another inclusion of the Iwanai Resort Powder Cat Tour is a hot lunch from the Three Birds Restaurant that offers both Japanese and western cuisine, and a morning snack and coffee, and apres ski snacks. If you need equipment, Iwanai Resort has a full-service shop with the newest, highest-quality gear including skis, boots, boards and accessories.

If one day just isn't enough and you want to stay in Iwanai, check out the multi-day packages.

If you want to check availability or have any questions you can make a booking request.

Terrain & Ability Level

The terrain includes very spacious mellow tree skiing, slightly steeper glades, and open terrain on the former piste of Iwanai Resort.

Strong intermediates who book a private snowcat can just ride the open runs.

For participation in one of the mixed group snowcats, as a minimum, you should be an advanced skier or snowboarder, and have experience at riding powder and different off-piste snow conditions. You should feel comfortable skiing or riding in amongst trees and be able to hold a traverse through trees. Cat skiing Iwanai is not suitable for those who are new to powder skiing or snowboarding. If you consistently struggle to keep pace with the group you may be asked to return to the day lodge.

It doesn’t matter if you have limited or no backcountry experience, as your guides will tell you know what you need to do.

More information on the snow and terrain can be found on the snow/terrain overview and the detailed Iwanai Cat Skiing review or the videos should give you a pretty good idea.

Children

All participants under the age of 15 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the release of liability. All minors must be at least 13 years of age and be accompanied by a guardian or parent. Children under the age of 13 can participate if your party has booked a private cat.

Itinerary

For single day tours:

  • 7:00-7:30am: You will be picked up from your Niseko Hirafu accommodation
  • 8:15am: Arrive at Iwanai Resort and provision of avalanche beacons
  • 8:30am: Safety briefing
  • 9:00am: Take the chairlift up and then board the snowcat for guided cat skiing
  • 10:30am: Morning snack and coffee on the way up in the snowcat
  • 12:30pm: Return to the day lodge for lunch
  • 3:30: Return to the day lodge and relax at the après ski bar, sipping a cold Sapporo draft or a warm Nikka Whiskey, and perhaps a game of billiards
  • 5:30-6:30pm: Return to Niseko

Lodging for Cat Skiing Iwanai

If you would like to stay for a night or more, there are a few authentic Japanese ryokan-style inns to choose from. All come with fantastic Japanese cuisine, onsen baths, and an experience that will cement your love of Japan. You could book your own Iwanai accommodation (see below) or book an Iwanai Cat Skiing Multi-Day Package inclusive of lodging and meals.

Lodging Options

The Iwanai Kogen Hotel is 450 metres from Iwanai Resort. This 3-star Japanese hotel offers western/Japanese combo and Japanese tatami rooms, all with ensuite bathroom. Or you can soak in the onsen, with indoor and outdoor baths that look out to the sea. Multi-course dinners showcase the local Iwanai seafood, whilst breakfast also provides an opportunity to sample the interesting Japanese cuisine.

Or alternatively you can stay in Niseko accommodation, and enjoy the vibrancy of Hirafu restaurants and nightlife, as transfers from your accommodation are included.

2023/24 Rates, Inclusions & Add-Ons

Rates

¥130,000 per person per day   Inclusions
  • Full day of guided cat skiing
  • Transport to/from Niseko Hirafu accommodation
  • A fabulous lunch, morning snacks, apres ski snacks
  • Use of avalanche beacon & safety briefing
Add-ons
  • Powder skis & snowboard rentals
  • Lodging & meals at nearby ryokan
  • Apres ski drinks, merch
Not Included

Iwanai Cat Skiing Terms & Conditions

Deposit, Full Payment & Cancellation

  • Deposit is 25% of the tour cost unless departure date is less than 60 days where full payment is required
  • Full payment due by Oct 31st
  • Cancellation 30 days prior to the event is 100% refund, 29 to 14 days prior is 50% and less than 14 days receives no refund, however you can replace your booking with another client should you find one.
  • Iwanai accepts credit card payments or cash bank transfer
  • Payments are in Japanese Yen

Cancellation by Iwanai Cat Skiing
Iwanai Cat Skiing reserves the right to cancel any program due to weather or route conditions. If a tour is canceled before commencing, due to weather or route conditions, then a full refund will be given (or a voucher to use on a future day if a suitable future day is available); however, Iwanai Cat Skiing is not responsible for any additional expenses incurred in preparing for the tour (i.e., airline tickets, equipment purchase or rental, hotel reservations).

Participants must be:

  • a minimum of 13 years of age
  • accompanied by an adult if 18 or under
  • in good physical shape
  • minimum strong intermediate skier or boarder