Asahidake Freeride Day Guiding

Asahidake is Hokkaidō’s highest lift-served terrain and some of its most storied powder which is beyond the Hokkaido ropeway piste in the unpatrolled backcountry. Asobi Master is based at its doorstep and is the Asahidake specialist, providing day guiding for private groups of 1 to 4 participants. The guiding at Asahidake is for lift-accessed freeriding, and you don't need to go skinning or need ski touring gear or a splitboard. You can choose one day of guiding, or multiple days if you've got a penchant for deep Hokkaido powder.

Your group will meet the guide at the Asahidake Ropeway and each day is planned on that morning’s conditions, weather, and your group’s objectives. The guiding is ideal for proven resort riders who want to take their first real step into uncontrolled terrain, and also for experienced skiers and riders who want guiding at Asahidake from people who live below it.

If the Asahidake ropeway closes or conditions rule the day out, your group can choose for an alternative program shaped with your input, a reschedule, or credit carried to the following season (also see Terms & Conditions tab).

If you want to check availability or have any other questions, please make contact.

Private Groups

Guiding is for your private group of 1 to 4 participants. Private guiding means you get the most out of the day because your group will have the same objectives for the day, so decision making can stay tight. A 5th guest can join by group competence self-report at an extra cost, whilst groups of 6 run with a second guide at a custom rate (please get in touch for a quote).

Solo travellers are welcome as a private buyout at the fixed day rate, or alternatively solos may be interested in the Backcountry Basics session which is open for solos to join.

Terrain, Ability Level & Equipment

In terms of definitions for terrain. Inside the resort boundary is either "on-piste" or "off-piste". Beyond the boundaries it's "backcountry" because it's uncontrolled terrain and your guide will ensure that your safety in the backcountry is planned, equipped and skied appropriately. As a minimum, skiers and snowboarders should be a strong intermediate to advanced in off-piste conditions and variable snow, and be a confident resort skier or rider. Previous backcountry experience is not required. Whilst there is no skinning, moderate fitness is required to get the most out of each day.

The Asahidake Freeride Day Guiding is lift-accessed backcountry. The ropeway does the climbing, short hikes and traverses do the positioning, and no ski touring/splitboarding equipment is required.

Avalanche safety gear is required at Asahidake, and a transceiver, probe, and shovel are mandatory beyond the resort boundary. Transceivers must be modern 3-antenna digital units which will be checked at the morning briefing, and a non-compliant unit will result in the need to rent one or sitting out.

Helmets are mandatory for everyone, so please bring your own.

There is no minimum age. Minors can take part with a parent present and guardian-signed waiver.

Transport

Transport is not included as part of the day guiding. If you don't have a rental car, you can get a bus to Asahidake. The Ideyu-go bus (route 66) runs from JR Asahikawa Station via Asahikawa Airport to the Asahidake Ropeway. The trip takes about 90 minutes from the station, with a stop in Higashikawa. There are a few departures daily.

Or if you have wheels, it's roughly 70 minutes from central Asahikawa, with free ropeway parking through winter.

Lodging

Lodging is not included in the guiding package. You can stay in Asahidake Onsen accommodation and walk to the ropeway. Alternatively you can stay in Higashikawa accommodation, or in an Asahikawa hotel.

Each Day

Each day of guiding is a full day within ropeway operating hours, with a lunch break. Skiing and riding winds down through late afternoon as decision making turn conservative, and Hokkaidō sunsets come earlier than most visitors expect.

Insurance

Insurance is required and as a second layer of protection, Asobi Master enrol every guest in Japanese domestic accident insurance covering skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing beyond ski-area management boundaries, with rescue and rescuer expenses to ¥3,000,000 and personal liability cover to ¥100,000,000, open to non-resident visitors and minors. This is a local backstop behind your own insurance cover.

Season

Typically the Asahidake guiding season runs from 20 December to early May. Deepest, driest conditions are typically in January and February, whilst spring riding keeps on giving. The Asahidake Ropeway operates into early May, well after most Hokkaido lift seasons close.