Iwanai Cat Skiing
Iwanai Cat Skiing serves up a great experience to enjoy the abundant Niseko snowfall minus the Niseko crowds. And with a multi-day Iwanai cat skiing package you can immerse yourself in the Hokkaido powder and then immerse yourself in the onsen, and fully immerse in the Japanese culture by staying in a local Japanese hotel and feasting on the local cuisine. See the
Iwanai Resort Cat Skiing page for information on the terrain, snow and location.
Iwanai Cat Skiing Multi Day Packages
The multi-day Iwanai snowcat skiing packages include 2 days of guided cat skiing (or more if you like), 2 nights of lodging in a nearby ryokan style hotel, all meals (including an amazing dinner), the all important onsen soaking, and transport to/from Niseko.
The days of snowcat skiing with Iwanai Resort feature the guided snowcat skiing or snowboarding (7-10 runs of 325-640m vertical). Each snowcat can hold up to 13-14 guests with a maximum of 1:7 guide to guest ratio (a lead and tail guide are provided, and sometimes 2 tail guides). Avalanche beacons are provided along with a safety briefing.
Another inclusion of the Iwanai Resort Powder Cat Tour is a hot lunch, and a morning snack and coffee.
If you need equipment, Iwanai Resort has a full-service shop with the newest, highest-quality gear including a full line of Fisher ski, boots, boards and accessories.
Or the other option is an
Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Package which doesn't include accommodation (or breakfast, dinner, onsen).
Ability Level
Like most
Japan cat skiing, the terrain isn’t super gnarly but it’s not completely mellow either. The guides can cater the runs to the group’s ability, and terrain can include very spacious mellow tree skiing, slightly steeper glades, or open terrain on the former piste of Iwanai Resort.
As a minimum, you should be a strong intermediate to advanced skier or snowboarder, and have at least a little bit of experience at riding powder. It doesn’t matter if you have limited or no backcountry experience, as your guides will tell you know what you need to do.
You can check out our detailed
Iwanai Cat Skiing review for more information.