Overall I think that this trip was excellent. Our guides Dawn and Juni were professional and did their best to satisfy everyone in terms of skiing/boarding, eating, travel, onsens etc. There was lots of snow and we managed to get great turns in every day. The group was good and everyone enjoyed each other.

Some comments for improvement: the terrain provided different skiing conditions for boarders vs. skiiers - e.g. boarders took longer to do the long traverses and this frustrated the fast skiers. However there were too few boarders to divide the group in half. Perhaps the fact that everyone needs to expect to ski together, should be more explicit. I know that some of the skiers complained and this made me feel badly throughout the trip (I was one of the 2 boarders). Although I am a strong snowboarder, maybe my ability was not as strong as the others. About 1/2 the group was truly expert and I would say I am advanced. I felt like it was a bit ambitious for me on about 1/2 of the days.

I also think it is a lot to ask the guides to do all that driving in addition to putting in long days of skiing. Some days we would come way after dark and all of us, guides included, were exhausted. This is potentially dangerous - I know that the guides were too tired to be driving.

I shouldn't have to write too much about Hokkaido...the myriad instagram photos and videos should give you a clear picture - it snows all the friggin' time. What makes this tour awesome is the guides experience and professionalism. You are NEVER going to see Hokkaido and local backcountry / resorts the same way as you would with the help of these guides. Don't kid yourself. These guys know every line on the island, and they can make sure you're up to your nips in nature's finest.

Recommendation: No brainer, Hokkaidyo Not? (get it?)

I booked at powder trip with Black Diamond tours via the powderhounds website this winter.

I didn't know this company, but I'm happy I got introduced to it. I simply had the best ski trip of my life! The crew of skiers were all very skilled, the organisation was just perfect, and we couldn't have asked for better guides!

I would definitely recommend the following guides: Mitch, Yuya and Hayden!

T

When I first saw the title of this trip I figured that Black Diamond Tours just couldn’t spell “Powder Trip”. But now that I have experienced this tour I now know why it is called the “Power Trip” and it is sooooo aptly named!!!

From day one you are riding some of the best powder you will find anywhere on the planet and if it is your thing, there are plenty of natural terrain features such as huge powder mushrooms and small cliffs to clock up your flying hours. Every day is a new adventure as the tour rarely visits the same resort twice.

This tour is definitely suited to hard-core powder junkies who don’t mind burning the candle at both ends. Early starts each day, big days on the mountain and late nights. If you are after a holiday with a bit of rest & relaxation, this is definitely not for you.

Professionalism – what can I say; BDTs are extremely laid back and yet manage a tight ship (or bus in this case!). Trying to hoard 12 blokes onto a bus every morning (after a big night out) is no easy task; yet we always managed to get away with relative ease. The guides have great personalities and manage to join in on the fun but also know where to draw the line to make sure they deliver a fun and safe service each day of the tour.

Lodging - I must admit I had anticipated staying in hostel style accommodation throughout the tour. The tour starts at Black Diamond Lodge in Niseko (or a nearby pension if there is no availability) which is quite a good level of accommodation. At other locations however, to my surprise; the accommodations at Asahikawa & Sapporo were in well located and very nice new hotels. Many of us even had our own rooms, however at most you would have to share with one other (unless you were travelling in a group and preferred to all stay together).

Safety – Black Diamond Tours is big on safety. As part of the tour you will receive some basic instruction on how to use a transponder, probe and shovel. It is mandatory that every person carry this equipment with them every day. Transponders are checked by the guides each day as lift tickets are being handed out.

Equipment – most people on the tour had their own skis / snowboards, avo safety gear, backpacks and skins. BDTs has a limited range of snowshoes, backpacks and skins for hire/use, however if you are a serious back country hiker you should probably bring your own gear. Quality skis and snowboards can be easily rented from a local Niseko store such at Rhythm Snowsports.

Meals - the trip includes all breakfasts which are more than adequate. Night time dining was mostly done in smaller groups with your guide or the entire tour group (although large seatings are hard to arrange in Japan, so smaller groups were easier to work with). Lunches are generally on mountain restaurants or cafeterias. Meals can be quite inexpensive and alcohol is reasonably priced. Sake (Japanese rice wine) is inexpensive and pure, so no hangover!

Fun Factor - this is a definite 6 out of of 5! This was one of the best times of my life! I don’t remember the last time I laughed so much and had so much fun with a group of people I had never met before the trip. Every part of the trip from the skiing, the eating out, and partying, and even the bus journeys was fabulous.

Value - considering the entire trip cost about the same as 2 days of heli skiing and the overall fun factor is far greater; the value is huge!

Other stuff
Personally, if I was heading to Japan I would extend my stay slightly at either end or both ends of the tour.

I started my trip 2 days before the tour commenced in Niseko where I had the chance to warm up on the slopes & in the bars! This is also a great chance to get to meet a few of your fellow travellers as there will generally be a few of them arriving a day or two early.

As an option you could also take a BDTs backcountry tour in Niseko, Rusutsu or Moiwa (as some of these ski areas you will not visit during the tour).

The trip finishes in Sapporo and you have the option to return to Niseko at the end of the tour for more in that area, or maybe take a trip to Tomamu (which is an easy train ride from Sapporo and passes New Chitose Airport, making it easy to get back to the airport for your flight out of Hokkaido) for a couple of days.

So if you are looking for an action-packed adventure crammed into a week, skiing powder every day, combined with a bit of hiking, add a touch of nightlife and traditional Japanese food, and you aren’t expecting any rest, this tour is the perfect choice!