Myoko Powder Hunter
The Myoko Powder Hunter Tour is an all-inclusive guided tour with a flexible itinerary and a small group of 6 people. Spend the week ripping pow from first to last chair in the off-piste zones at resorts like
Madarao,
Tangram,
Seki Onsen,
Togakushi,
Myoko Suginohara, the two
Akakura resorts. The aim of the game is to ride powder every day, which is the reason for the flexible itinerary and having private transport on hand to get you to the resorts quickly. Your guide will give you a locals perspective from day one, from the secret spots and stashes to the best onsen, izakaya and ramen eateries.
If you haven’t been to Myoko before, what you need to know is that this area is one of the snowiest in Japan. It’s one of those places where waist-deep means exactly that. Thanks to its location roughly 20 kilometres from the Sea of Japan, big snowfall is a regular occurrence during the months of January and February. Once you arrive and see the towering snowbanks lining the streets, you’ll know that you’re in for a deep powder adventure.
For an authentic Japanese experience, you’ll stay in a basic but comfortable onsen (hot spring) hotel in Myoko where you’ll experience true Japanese omotenashi (hospitality). Each guest will stay in their own private ensuited room (1 person per room) with breakfasts and dinners included. After a long day riding powder, there’s nothing better than relaxing back at the hotel onsen. There are also a few lively bars and restaurants surrounding the hotel for after dark.
Myoko is easy to reach from Tokyo which makes the Myoko Freeride Tour a great option if you’re travelling solo or it’s your first time to Japan. Get on the bullet train in Tokyo and in just under 2 hours you will arrive at the local Shinkansen station. Once you arrive, the guides will take you to the hotel and make sure you’re set up for the adventure ahead.
If you have any questions or want to check availability, you can
make a booking request.
Highlights
- Powder hunting - the tour itinerary is flexible so as to pick the best conditions each day at Myoko ski areas and other nearby resorts
- Amazing food - expertly prepared dinners & breakfasts with the freshest local ingredients
- Onsen accommodation - stay in an authentic Japanese hotel with the largest onsen complex in Myoko
- Local knowledge - your local guides have in-depth knowledge of the resorts, terrain & local businesses, so you'll go to places not easily accessible to other foreigners
- Private transport - the guides will drive you to the ski areas in a modern 4WD van and get you ahead of the pack so you'll arrive before first lifts
- Private room lodging - you will stay in a private single room (so no listening to a snoring room mate) with an ensuite bathroom in a great location, or if you want to share with someone you can
Ability Level
This tour is suitable for strong intermediate to advanced snowboarders and skiers. You should be comfortable on black diamond runs, be able to ride/ski off-piste at a resort, can confidently navigate alpine and treed terrain and maintain a continuous rhythm and pace, even through traverses and flat sections.
The more accurately you’re able to self-assess your on-snow abilities, the more you (and others in your group) will be able to relax and enjoy your tour. Or the other option is to book a private tour for your group so you can ride with like-minded friends and know the speed and ability level of your group. You can
make a booking request to find out more and to check availability.
Terrain and Snow
On this tour you will ride a mix of resorts. All the guiding is in-bounds. There’s a range of terrain to access from alpine, playful or challenging tree runs, some with features such as pillows and drops.
From mid January to mid February is the ideal time of year to ride powder in the Myoko region. Myoko scores some of the biggest storms in Japan during January and early February so you never need to worry about lack of snow. Whilst it's an area that is already on the radar for many skiers and riders, it’s remained relatively quiet. On a powder day the trees will stay untouched for long enough to tire you out.
Other Tours
All
Mint Tours in Japan are 6 nights and run from Sunday to Saturday. You’ll ride every resort mid-week to avoid the weekend day-trippers and maximise your time on-snow. If 6 nights isn’t enough, you can book another multi-day tour and start a new tour in a different destination the following day.