Gunma Cat Ski & Backcountry Tour
The Gunma Prefecture is not too far from Tokyo, yet very few foreigners head there so the resorts are empty mid-week, there are no lift lines and lots of undiscovered terrain. The base for the Gunma Cat Ski and Backcountry Tour is Oze Iwakura Resort in Katashina Village. This resort scores the highest snowfall in the area, with light-dry powder, loads of backcountry and side-country options, and some nights there is the ‘nighta’ (ie night skiing) where you can keep lapping until 9pm.
Local Japanese guides will be leading this trip who are also local legends within the core Minakami snowboarding scene. The lead guide is a sponsored rider for the cult Japanese snowboard brand Gentemstick. You’ll have the opportunity to test-ride these boards throughout the tour. They are a perfect board for the type of snow and terrain you’ll ride.
For the first day on-snow, you’ll ride at the home resort
Oze Iwakura, which has the best snow and terrain of the local Katashina resorts. Then the highlight will be 2 days of private back-country cat-skiing just outside of the Oze Iwakura area, plus 2 lift-accessed back-country days where you’ll ride Nishiyama. All avalanche safety equipment is included for these backcountry days. Throughout the tour you’ll have a photographer/videographer on hand so you can get a couple of shots to take home from the tour.
You’ll stay on-mountain at the
Oze Iwakura Resort Hotel. It’s an old-school, but comfortable Japanese hotel that’s complete with onsen (hot-spring) and local dining. The tour includes all breakfasts and dinners.
Highlights
- 2 cat skiing days - the snowcat has been chartered for 2 days of backcountry skiing & riding just outside Katashina Village
- 2 backcountry days - riding Nishiyama with local Japanese BCV guides. Use the Oze lifts to reach the summit and descend through the forest to van pick-ups
- Ride Oze Iwakura - under the radar spot for powder hounds with its lack of lift lines and plenty of undiscovered terrain
- Local knowledge - your guides have plenty of experience in the local area
- Easy access from Tokyo - just a 2 hour train ride to Numata, then your guides pick you up in the van
Snow
Gunma powder aka GunPowder is renowned for its high quality. Snowfall isn't as abundant compared to regions right near the coast, so mid-February is a great time for backcountry snowboarding. The snowpack is deep and stable, the weather is mostly clear and the temperatures still sit below zero. Most days you can expect to ride snow that’s anywhere from boot to knee deep. Even if there isn't fresh snow overnight, the local guides will ensure you’ll ride the best snow conditions on that day.
Ability Level
This tour is suitable for advanced snowboarders and skiers. You should be comfortable on black diamond runs, be able to ride/ski off-piste in all conditions, can confidently navigate alpine and treed terrain, and maintain a continuous rhythm and pace, even through traverses and flat sections.
