Niseko Zen

Overall Rating

Niseko Zen

Niseko Zen5.0/516
Niseko Zen5.0 out of 5 based on 16 reviews
Backcountry Books Ski & Snowboard Guide Books & Maps

Niseko Zen

Overall Rating

Niseko Zen5.0/516
Niseko Zen5.0 out of 5 based on 16 reviews

Niseko Zen Terms & Conditions

Niseko Zen Powder Oath

Niseko Zen can guarantee that if for any reason we don’t think we can find good snow anywhere on the day of your trip with us, we will give you the option to reschedule to a different date or cancel with no charge.*

The final decision will be made by Niseko Zen staff.

*We ask you to cover any fees associated with transfer of money for refunding.

Payment Terms and Conditions:

If a booking is made more than 30 days ahead of your tour we require a deposit of 20% of total price to be submitted in order to secure the booking.

Niseko Zen requires all fees to be paid 30 days prior to your trip. If you make the booking within 30 days of your tour we ask for payment at the time of booking.

All payments are in Japanese Yen.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation 30 days or more prior to booking = Full refund
Cancellation 15- 30 days prior to booking = Refund of deposit less 50%
Cancellation 0-15 days prior to booking = No refund given.

Payment Methods:

At the time of booking we will send you an invoice with a link to complete payment quickly and easily online via credit card or PayPal. We will send you a link to pay deposit first, or full price depending on how far in advance you book.

Credit card - all credit card transactions are subject to a 5% surcharge.
PayPal - all PayPal transactions are subject to a 5% surcharge.
Bank transfer - We will also send you details to make a bank transfer at the time of booking. There are receiving costs attached with most bank transfers, so we ask that you add ¥3000 to booking total when making a bank transfer.

Any discrepancy between paid amount and invoiced amount can be resolved when you arrive in Hokkaido.

Insurance

We recommend the purchase of travel insurance, however if you are not covered in the backcountry, we have a backcountry insurance available for ¥800/person per day.

Amazingly personalized guiding experience

Kia
24/02/2024
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    36-50
  • Ability
    Intermediate
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    February
  • Admin Rating
    3

Amazingly personalized guiding experience

Kia
24/02/2024
Honestly the two days with Juli with Niseko Zen made our trip. it was the equivalent of skiing with a great friend who is an extremely patient and fun ski instructor, sidecountry guide, Backcountry guide. As a person who Backcountry skies at home, I learned a lot and had amazing days with Juli. My friend, who is an intermediate skier, learned a tremendous amount about skiing fundamentals and also had his eyes opened to the side country and backcountry world. Do not think I could have felt safer and a more curated trip to our goals and experience as Niseko Zen and with Julian. We relayed our idea of what we wanted and Niseko Zen delivered way beyond expectations. Honestly, without those two days....don't think the trip would have been worth it. After those two days ..definitely want to come back to Hokkaido.
See our video here

Father Daughter trip of a lifetime to Japan

Mike Kloser
15/02/2024
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    51-70
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    4

Father Daughter trip of a lifetime to Japan

Mike Kloser
15/02/2024
As the title of this states, this was a trip of a lifetime for me and my daughter Heidi! Both of us had been to Japan before, but for competitive reasons. My two previous trips we in the summer for bike races and the opportunity to experience some of Japan's amazing beauty, culture and hospitality. Heidi's two previous trips there were for World Cup Mogul skiing events.
This time our trip was planned to around Resort, Sidecountry and Backcountry skiing. We'd heard about the famous JaPow experiences others have had their and our trip lived up to our expectations and more. We couldn't have been happier with how it all worked out. Josh and his crew were amazing, we wanted to get a taste of as much as we could for the week or so we spent skiing there, this included skiing at Niseko, Rusutsu, Yotei, and Asahi-Dake. Josh made sure that all of our details, skiing, transport, lodging, meals (Josh took us to some of his local mom and pop eateries - Yummy), etc. were dialed in. We skied lots of untracked (Josh is pretty spoiled when it comes to the snow conditions he skis) some high mountain snow, great on resort skiing including some fluffy lift service night skiing runs. All in, Heidi and I had an incredible trip and we hope to be back with my wife in the near future....
See our video here

Niseko area guide service

Steve
14/02/2024
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    51-70
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    February
  • Admin Rating
    3

Niseko area guide service

Steve
14/02/2024
Josh at Niseko Zen did a good job of communicating with us months ahead of our visit and dialing in the specifics as our travel dates approached. Thomas was our guide and he did a great job of collaborating with other Niseko Zen guides to choose the best backcountry and sidecountry spots for each day. Not inexpensive but on par with other guide services in the area and great service and flexibility.
See our video here

Great tour group if you want to find the good stuff!

Ann Wilson
13/02/2024
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    N/A
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    N/A
  • Month:
    February
  • Admin Rating
    2

Great tour group if you want to find the good stuff!

Ann Wilson
13/02/2024
I booked a day tour with Niseko Zen for my husband's 65th birthday. While I prefer to not do a bunch of hiking-- the hikes we did are absolutely worth it! Asana (sp?) was awesome and knows the mountains very well. She was patient and let me rest when I needed. The skiing was amazing. We would love to do this again in the future.
See our video here

Amazing and friendly experience

Emma
12/02/2024
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    2

Amazing and friendly experience

Emma
12/02/2024
We had 4 amazing days with Facu from Argentina!
Two day on the slopes, finding the best powder. One day on Mt. Jotei reaching the top. And one day ski touring at Shiribetsu!
We also had fantastic recommendations of what to do around the area and about the culture.
We had the best moment in Niseko with him!
See our video here

Speedy response and great guide

Daniel Cerigo
16/01/2024
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    N/A
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    3

Speedy response and great guide

Daniel Cerigo
16/01/2024
We pinged a message to these peeps via the Powder Hounds form, at 7pm asking if they had a guide for next day... They got back to us within an hour, then an hour later we were sorted for the next day and in contact with the guide. Jon the guide was really helpful and organised, and absolutely shredded. He scored us an incredible 100% freshies run, and we didn't even have to wait in the queue for the lifts to open, we did some side country runs to warm up first thing and still got the goods after. And plenty more prime runs throughout the rest of the day.
Would highly highly recommend.
See our video here

Mt Yotei

Jake
10/02/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    February
  • Admin Rating
    2

Mt Yotei

Jake
10/02/2020
Had an incredible time hiking up Mt Yotei with our guide Torin. Everything was easily arranged through the website. Our group did not have much backcountry experience and Torin was able to show us all of the techniques we needed to successfully climb/skin up Mt Yotei. On the way down, he found us untouched powder. Overall, an incredible experience!
See our video here

Authentic and Amazing Experience

Justin Sky
03/02/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    3

Authentic and Amazing Experience

Justin Sky
03/02/2020
Wow,

I just got back from 7 days in Niseko and 3 days with Niseko Zen.
What an amazing experience. Saki and team brought our trip from memorable to life changing :)

My first experience truly touring some amazing mountains. I had done lots of off-piste and peak runs before, but this was an experience on another level.

I believe what makes these guys great is, they are deeply experienced in the area, not just a one season and done guide, you can tell they care about the region and area.

Just go ahead and book, you will not be disappointed
See our video here

Worth Every Dollar!!

Simon
02/02/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    3

Worth Every Dollar!!

Simon
02/02/2020
This was the first time I paid for a day tour, and I can say that Saki and team at Niseko Zen made it very worthwhile!!

After listening to what my group was looking for, Saki tailored a customized day plan. We ended up booking a second and third day because we all had such a good time and felt it was such good value.

Each day we did something different. He took us to ride fresh powder tracks on parts of the mountain people do not know of. We also snowshoed up a mountain and rode down. So much fun!

Saki made us feel safe in the mountains because he knows them off the back of his hand.

Thank you so much and see you soon!
See our video here

Great day with Niseko Zen!

Mike Ciafardini
31/01/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    4

Great day with Niseko Zen!

Mike Ciafardini
31/01/2020
Owner and lead guide Saki had helped create a great experience for myself and 4 of my closest friends during our stay in Niseko. He not only took us out into the backcountry for a great day of boarding/skiing he extended his knowledge of the area and helped us in more ways then we could’ve imagined. I consider Saki a lifetime friend now. Myself and the boys would return the favor if he or anyone part of the niseko zen family decided to ski in the states. I am definitely looking forward to ride with Niseko zen the next time I’m in Japan.
See our video here

Three guided days with Niseko Zen

JV
27/01/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    2

Three guided days with Niseko Zen

JV
27/01/2020
We booked Niseko Zen for three days of backcountry snowboarding. Day 1 was lift accessed backcountry in Niseko, day 2 was a full backcountry day in the back of the Niseko range, and day 3 was a side country trip to Rusutsu. Saki knew all the areas very well and he was very good at accessing our fitness and technical levels. i would highly recommend booking Niseko Zen.
See our video here

Mt Yotei Summit

Sergio Pascual Garrido
21/01/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    1

Mt Yotei Summit

Sergio Pascual Garrido
21/01/2020
Great day with Saki to the summit of Mt Yotei. Perfect guiding, great skier, caring for all details, solving all problems that came up (including spare skins i forgot at home...) and amazing route back to the car. Unforgettable sunny day with the best company. Hope to see you again in the Pirinees Saki!!!
See our video here

Niseko Zen

Craig
20/01/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    2

Niseko Zen

Craig
20/01/2020
Niseko Zen was an easy fun way to get into the backcountry in Niseko. I came from the United States and they were very accommodating and easy to work with. The guide understood our abilities and was able to cater to what we wanted to ski. It could not have been handled any smoother to get us into waist deep powder when the snow was less then ideal everywhere else.
See our video here

Hokkaido backcountry

Hunter G
20/01/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    2

Hokkaido backcountry

Hunter G
20/01/2020
On an off season in northern Japan, Saki and his crew at Niseko Zen took us to some more remote areas of the region in order to find the goods. We were connected with guides local to areas that were empty and untouched. Throughout our time together, the mood of the guides were fun and uplifting and full of knowledge. We got some great turns in and I am looking forward to going back. What a trip and what great vibes !
See our video here

Best line of my life

David Stone
19/01/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    36-50
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    3

Best line of my life

David Stone
19/01/2020
Josh was a great guide. Fun, funny, knowledgable, great skiier/boarder. He helped us with technique on our first day split-boarding. Most importantly, we trecked just a little bit further than other groups to find the gnarly 50 deg drop-in to 3 feet of fresh, dry, untracked powder in the was preserved by the shade and extra deep due to wind depositing. He seemed very knowledgable about how the wind and sun affected snow conditions and it paired off with the best run of our life.
See our video here

Pow’radise

Silvain
11/12/2019
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Month:
    December
  • Admin Rating
    3

Pow’radise

Silvain
11/12/2019
After an average early season day in the ski resort I was worried for backcountry conditions, but these guys definitely knows where to find the best powder!! Thanks to them I could smashed my deepest pow day ever !
The crew is friendly and always checked all parameters to enjoy the session safely in the best conditions.
I will totally recommend Niseko Zen to my friends.

Après une journée moyenne de pré saison dans la station de ski j’étais inquiet pour les conditions en backcountry, mais ils savent clairement ou trouver la meilleure poudreuse !!
Grâce à eux j’ai eu ma plus profonde session poudreuse !
L’équipe est très sympa et vérifie toujours tous les paramètres afin d’apprécier la session en toute sécurité et dans les meilleures conditions.
Je recommande Niseko Zen sans hésitation !
See our video here
select
Niseko Zen Guided Day Tours DETAILS
Price p/p From price based on private group of 4 people on a full-day "Lift-Accessed" backcountry tour of Niseko in 23/24 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 176

GUIDED DAY TOURS IN / AROUND NISEKO AREA
For PRIVATE GROUPS only

Location: Japan | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Off-Piste, Backcountry, Sidecountry
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Price p/p From price based on private group of 4 people on a full-day "Lift-Accessed" backcountry tour of Niseko in 23/24 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 176
Niseko Zen offers a variety of PRIVATE GROUP (max 4 per group for touring or 5 per group for lift access backcountry) tours in and around the Niseko area and Rusutsu. The tours range from in-bounds resort powder hunting to full blown backcountry touring. More
View inclusions & Add-ons
Click here for rates, dates & availability
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
Custom Booking Period
Min Days
Price
Availability
Custom Booking Period: Dec 01 - Apr 15, 2024
Min Days: From 1
Price: Enquire
Availability: Enquire
DETAILS
1Total Results: 1Total Pages: 1