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Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Package

Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Package4.5/512
Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Package4.5 out of 5 based on 12 reviews
  • Recommend
    83%
  • Would Revisit
    83%
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 768
See reviews (12)

MIXED GROUP DAY CAT SKIING
8 - 10 Runs (Approx 4,600m vertical/day)

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 768
Iwanai Cat Skiing serves up powder runs of 325-650m of vertical bliss, with 8 to 10 runs for the day. Located near Niseko, the Iwanai Resort snowcat skiing terrain scores masses of snowfall. Ideal for strong intermediate & advanced riders.
View inclusions & Add-ons
Inclusions
  • Full day of guided cat skiing
  • Transport to/from Niseko Hirafu accommodation
  • Sushi lunch
  • Use of avalanche beacon & safety briefing
Add-ons
  • Ski & snowboard rentals
  • Lodging & meals at nearby ryokan
Not Included
Click here for rates, dates & availability
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
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Iwanai Cat Skiing

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.

The town of Iwanai (pronounced “ee and I” with a quiet “w”) is unadulterated Japan, and as part of a multi-day package you may choose to stay in one of the nearby ryokan where you can feast on seafood and immerse yourself in the Japanese culture. Or alternatively you can stay in Niseko accommodation and enjoy the vibrancy of Hirafu restaurants and nightlife.

Iwanai Cat Skiing Day Packages

A day of cat skiing with Iwanai Resort features the guided snowcat skiing or snowboarding (7-10 runs of 325-640m vertical). The snowcat can hold up to 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, plus snacks at the end of the day.

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.

If one day just isn't enough, check out the great value multi-day packages.

Terrain & Ability Level

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.

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

Itinerary

For single day tours:

  • 7:30am: You will be picked up from your Niseko Hirafu accommodation
  • 8:30am: Arrive at Iwanai Resort for a safety briefing and provision of avalanche beacons
  • 9:30: Take the chairlift up and then board the snowcat for guided cat skiing
  • 10:30: Morning snack and coffee on the way up in the snowcat
  • Lunch: Depending on the conditions and the group, lunch will be in the snowcat, or the group can 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
  • 4-4:30pm: Transport back to Hirafu Niseko

Accommodation

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), but it provides greater value for money if you 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.

Okaerinasai (aka Bekkan Iwanai Onsen Okaerinasai) is a ryokan with traditional tatami rooms (with ensuite bathroom) and a lovely onsen (indoor and outdoor baths). Meals also have a predominance of seafood (unless you pre-request otherwise). The hotel is 900 metres (a 10 minute walk, 2 minute drive) from the Iwanai Resort.

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

2020/21 Rates, Inclusions & Add-Ons

Rates


¥80,000 per person per day
¥1,120,000 for the whole snowcat per day Inclusions
  • Full day of guided cat skiing
  • Transport to/from Niseko Hirafu accommodation
  • Sushi lunch
  • Use of avalanche beacon & safety briefing
Add-ons
  • Ski & snowboard rentals
  • Lodging & meals at nearby ryokan
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