Itinerary

The itinerary may change to reflect the current situation in each destination. Changes may be necessary due to weather, local conditions, transport, public holidays or other factors. Your guide will keep you up to date with any changes once on tour.

Getting to Asahikawa

From Tokyo or other locations on Honshu

The easiest way to reach Asahikawa from Tokyo is to fly directly to Asahikawa Airport. There are multiple direct flights daily from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Asahikawa Airport. You can book flights directly with Japan Airlines or Air Do/ANA.

From Sapporo or other locations in Hokkaido

You can take the train to Asahikawa Station. The station is located a short 2 minute drive from the hotel. Once you arrive, head to the taxi rank out the front of the station and take a taxi to the hotel. The fare is typically JPY 700 / USD $5.

Arrival & Departure Times

The arrival and departure point for this tour is Asahikawa Airport and transfers from Asahikawa Airport are included in the tour. There are set arrival and departure times for this tour to meet these transfers. If you are unable to arrive and depart as per times below, you will need to make your own travel arrangements to/from the airport to your accommodation at your own cost. Please note that bus arrival and departure times are approximate and may be affected by weather and traffic conditions.

Arrival day - Sunday
Arrival Airport: Asahikawa Airport (AKJ)
Meeting Time: 1:30 PM
Meeting Point: Your guide will meet you at the Arrivals Terminal. You will be provided with a map of the meeting point 30 days prior to departure. If you wish to arrive at another time, you will be provided information for the scheduled public bus to the hotel.

Departure day - Saturday
Departure Airport: Asahikawa Airport (AKJ)
Departure Time: The transfer will depart the Asahikawa Hotel at 10:00 am and will drop-off at Asahikawa Airport by 10:45 am at the latest.

Day 1 - Arrival Day

Make your way to the meeting point at Asahikawa Airport where your guide will meet you. You will be transferred by bus to your hotel in Asahikawa. After check in, we encourage you to settle in to your room, unpack and set-up your equipment for the adventure ahead. At 5:00 PM, meet your guides in the hotel bar for an information session. Your guides will explain what’s in store for the week, the current weather, run through equipment and answer any questions you have. After the information session, join your guides for dinner. It’s a great opportunity to get to know the other guests and your guide.

Day 2 to 6 – Asahikawa Storm Chasing

You'll spend 5 days riding the surrounding Asahikawa Resorts. We keep the tour itinerary flexible so you can ride at the best resort on the day. Your guide will monitor storm cycles to ensure you’re scoring the best conditions at each resort as weather and snowfall affect each resort differently. We have over half a dozen resorts that we can access. Drive times can range from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Each day will follow a similar format:

Mornings

The breakfast buffet is open from 6:30am and you can enjoy breakfast at your leisure. Your guide will advise the departure time the evening before. Please be ready to depart on-time with all your riding equipment and don’t forget to bring cash for lunch. You can bring a small day pack to leave in the car. You may want to bring a towel or dry clothes to put on after an onsen visit. Each morning your guides will explain the weather and snow conditions for the day and advise the group where you’ll be riding. There are half a dozen resorts to choose from, so your guides will keep a sharp eye on the weather so they can find you the best snow daily.

Throughout the day

Once at the resort the aim is to spend a full day on-mountain. You can join your guide or you can explore the resort at your own pace. Each day the group will break for lunch on mountain. After riding, your guide will make plans according to time, the groups interest and energy levels. This could include a visit to an onsen, sushi train, 7-Eleven or another local attraction like a sake brewery before returning to the hotel.

Evenings

On return to the hotel, your guides will be on-hand to answer any questions and offer any assistance. You’ve got free time. Head to the hot spring to relax, grab a beer with the crew in the lobby bar, or explore the area surrounding the hotel. Your guides will plan a few group dinners throughout the week so you can share a few stories about the days’ turns. You are welcome to join or explore Asahikawa independently.

Day 7 - Departure

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check out at 10:00am. All good things must come to come to an end, and after a big week of riding deep, Japanese powder the guides will transfer you back to the airport and say goodbye.

All Mint Tours in Japan are 6 nights and run from Sunday to Saturday. You’ll ride every resort mid-week to avoid the weekend day-trippers and maximise your time on-snow. If 6 nights isn’t enough, you can continue onto another tour such as the Otaru Freeride Tour.

Accommodation and Meals

Accommodation

Throughout the tour you will stay at OMO7 Asahikawa in downtown Asahikawa. This is a 4 star city hotel with modern amenities like restaurants, bar, wax tune station, sauna and hot spring. All guests stay in a single studio room with 1 single bed, 1 couch and ensuite bathroom (1 guest per room). All guests have their own room throughout the tour, whilst couples can stay in a twin room. 

Meals

6 buffet breakfasts are included during your stay. There are a variety of western and Japanese options. One buffet dinner is included at the hotel on arrival night.

Rates, Inclusions & Add-Ons

2024 Rates

USD2,750

About Rates:

• base/invoice currency is USD
• rates are per person in a private room
• taxes are included

Inclusions

• 6 nights in a single ensuite room, 4* hotel (1 person per room)
• 5 days of on-snow guiding
• 5 days lift tickets
• Use of avalanche safety equipment – pack, transceiver, shovel & probe
• 5 days of private transfers to and from resorts or backcountry areas
• 6 buffet breakfasts
• 1 group dinner (arrival night)
• Mint merch pack
• Airport transfers from Asahikawa Airport to hotel (1 departure time)
• Fully-escorted tour, guides on hand throughout the tour

Add-ons Not Included

• Flights
• Travel insurance
• All lunches – expect to pay USD $10 – $15 per meal
• 5 dinners – expect to pay USD $20 – $40 per meal
• Any meals, drinks, snacks not listed

Mint Tours Booking Terms & Conditions

DEPOSIT PAYMENTS

A deposit of 50% per person is payable within 3 days of confirmation of booking, unless otherwise stated. Deposit amounts may vary for selected trips and special campaigns that may be run by us from time to time and will be set out in special conditions upon booking.

BALANCE PAYMENTS

For FIT package bookings, the balance (or final payment) is due in full 60 days (Australia, New Zealand) or 90 days (USA, Canada, Europe, Japan) prior to departure. Bookings made within this period must be fully paid upon confirmation.

For tour bookings, the balance (or final payment) is due in full 60 days (Australia, New Zealand) or 90 days (rest of world) prior to departure. Bookings made within this period must be fully paid upon confirmation.

Mint Tours reserves the right to charge late booking fees for any booking made inside of 30 days of departure.

STANDARD CANCELLATION FEES

For FIT package bookings, a cancellation made outside of 90 days will incur a minimum fee of 10% (of total package) per person plus any charges levied by ground operators, hotels, airlines or lift companies. A cancellation made within 90 days before departure will incur a 100% cancellation fee of the total booking amount.

For Tour bookings, a cancellation made outside of 60 days (Australia, New Zealand) or 90 days (rest of world) will incur a minimum fee of 10% (or total tour price) per person plus any charges levied by ground operators, hotels, airlines or lift companies. A cancellation made within 60 days (Australia, New Zealand) or 90 days (rest of world) before departure will incur a 100% cancellation fee of the total booking amount.

Airfares are subject to up to 100% cancellation fee once tickets are issued. Any refunds due cannot be processed until the relevant funds have been returned by suppliers to Mint Tours and Mint Tours cannot be responsible for supplier delays in issuing refunds. Note that airlines can take up to 90 days to process refunds.

Insurance covering cancellation is strongly advised as some cancellation penalties are strict. Refunds will not be given for unused guiding, accommodation, car rental, transfers, ski passes, rentals, lessons and activities.

AMENDMENT FEE

A charge of $50 will apply for each and every amendment after booking instructions have been received. The charge is in addition to any cancellation fees that may apply.

CREDIT CARD CHARGES

All credit cards incur a 3% surcharge. If cancellations are made, the merchant fee will not be refunded.