Great tour from Adam of the backcountry in Shiga Kogen. We went on a really warm day after several warm days, so the snow quality wasn't great, but Adam still found us a good spot to do some avalanche safety training and we got some awesome views!

First time trying touring out and we had a blast, we will definitely be back (I will bring a splitboard this time!). 10/10 would recommend!
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Rafal from Shiga Guides is the man to explore the Shigakogen ski area. He has a vast knowlede about the area an pushes hard to find untracked terrain. We enjoyed his company and are thankful for his back country skiing tips.
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I was an absolute beginner! At the ripe old age of 51 I was very apprehensive on my first day of lessons. My instructor, Will put my mind at ease immediately. Over 4 days he taught me so much and I felt safe the whole time. I also had a lesson with Riccardo. I look forward to returning to lessons with both of these instructors next year! Claire was also brilliant sorting out all the logistics!
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We had a fabulous experience with Ride Shiga. Adam has built a great team - all friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and capable. Martin our guide was just great, working extra over through our 4 days together to meet all our wants, needs and whims - many in anticipation. He was great company all the while. His knowledge of the resort is terrific and he took us to many hidden stashes we would never have found for ourselves. Adam, Claire and Victor were terrific in the background making all the logistics work seamlessly. Highly recommended.
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Me and my family took a backcountry tour from the Ride Shiga company. And even though the conditions were not so good and there was no fresh snow and no powder, we enjoyed the tour because our guide Martin found the most comfortable and fun places for us to ski and also made us an avalanche training. Martin is a professional in his job. And I really recommend him as a guide and the whole company Ride Shiga for getting yourself an unforgettable experience and finding the best snow that is possible.
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We just came back from a week riding with Ride Shiga at Shiga Kogen. I strongly recommend this company for Backcountry tours at shiga. Rafal is capable to find good powder even some days after the last snowfall. Shiga Kogen is a gem but the terrain is not easy to read, so I really encourage getting a guide to really enjoy your time there.
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Ride Shiga is a very professional organisation. Great communications. Rafal was a very knowledgeable, very friendly guide with the right skills and expertise. Good value. Thank you!
Would highly recommend.
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We booked in advance, but unfortunately for us a few days of warm temps, conditions made our tour a bit of a battle.
The guide to his credit did his best to show us a few areas around the Shiga Kogen resorts.
We quickly realised our tour would be a recon tour rather than a powder tour, even with Shiga’s elevation, through melt-freeze, heavy-wet and some dry snow. But that is winter sports for you, especially during an El Niño season.
Conditions out of tours control should be considered before proceeding, with the option of postponing or possibly a discount would be my recommendation.
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Our powder tour with Adam was by far the best resort boarding experience of our lives. Shiga Kogen delivered a huge dump of snow which made the whole mountain amazing to ride but having a guide kept us getting the freshest lines all day. We were also shown some secret areas that we were able to enjoy our following days.

Highly recommended!
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Had a great ride with Rafal. I am moving into powder riding and he gave great instructions to improve my riding within the 3 hours I had. First time in the trees, and he enabled me to be comfortable to ride there and we had an amazing ride in free terrain after a small hike. Next time in shigakogen I will book several sessions with Ride Shiga
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Shout out to Adam at Ride Shiga, in Shiga Kogen Japan. Super friendly with our kids, scoped some nice japow 💥 in the trees, and also took my son for his first snowboard lesson got him turning nicely! Thanks Adam, hope to see you again, cheers Dave S, NZ
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Adam is amazing. Been riding for 2-3 season and had to pretty much re-learn from scratch to get rid of bad habits. The lessons were also fun and Adam is very knowledgeable with the mountain which makes him a very good tour guide to show you all the good runs if you're there for the first time. Was fun and will do it again if im there.
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I had the pleasure of a couple of days riding with Rafal across a couple of locations in the Shiga Kogan area.
Altho there had not been any new snow for a few days Raf still found the goods.
Also had a cool day around a nearby Volcano which was over the back of the highest lifted point in Japan.
His service was excellent picking you up and dropping you off at your hotel door.
I really hope to get back there during some fresh snow days and get Raf to show me more of his secret spots.
I highly recommend spending a day or two with the Ride Shiga guys.
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Rafal and Naru were both excellent guides. Patient as saints as this was my and my friends first real backcountry trip. Both are incredible skiers and although it was quite challenging for myself I felt safe for the whole trip.
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I had 2 days guiding with Rafal at beginning of March 2023
RAF was able to get me into some great snow among the side country of one of the Shiga areas as well as some awesome back country off the back of Japans highest lift point with great views and a really easy skin back out
Would definitely recommend hooking up with these guys which I will be doing on future trips to Shiga Kogan
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Booked 5 days and experienced some of the best JAPOW so far this season !
Rafal was a great guide, he knew the mountains well and where to find the best powder (we are sworn to secrecy over certain locations).
Had a 'white-out' day mid-week but Rafal & Adam drove around to find working lifts so we managed to keep skiing all day - very impressed with their dedication.
Very glad we chose Shiga Kogen as not so much of a bun-fight to hit fresh lines, the the extra height meant that snow kept better conditions.
Ride Shiga definitely went out of their way to make our week as memorable as possible and we would seriously recommend these guys as the best organised and knowledgeable guides in Shiga Kogen.
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It is a wonderful ski-school. Rafal and Adam are very responsive and helpful. All my questions and enquiries are handled and replied timely. They also provided many suggestions/recommendations to us before and after our lesson.
Rafal took care of each of us closely, especially it was the first time skiing for my wife. My wife enjoyed her first time ski with guidance by Rafal. She can basically ski after our private class. It is amazing. And she asked my to bring her skiing again next year. I will give a big credit to Rafal.
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Went with ride shiga for two days. Rafal is a super skilled and friendly guide who knows all the best powder spots. Would definitely book again when I come to Japan the next time!
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Some friends went to Shiga Kogen and we hire a guide company to look for powder snow. He showed us amazing places where each one made their own tracks. There were from forests to slopes with more or less steep. All with great security and with a very familiar treatment.
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I have had amazing skiing experience with Rafal - an excellent guide.
After pick-up in front of hotel, he has arranged my ski gear rental and provided with avalanche prep training.
He knows every corner and every tree in Shiga Kogen that made me feel 100% safe and comfy.
We tried the best off-piste parts of Shiga Kogen and that was an amazing day.
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Rafal made us feel at home.
Transfers to the ski lifts, perfect knowledge of the off-piste, and descents adjusted to the level of the group.
Detailed explanations about snow, skiing, weather and aspects of life in Nagano.
Guide and companion at the same time.
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Pick up from hotel with their own car, transport to the best ski conditions around near resorts, great professional about technique in sloops and powder, always find good food in the resorts, passion for the snow, transport to a public onsen to recover the legs after a long day skiing, helping to rent the ski gear for powder …. What else can you ask to your powder guides?

100% sure we will be back to shiga kogen and meet our friend Rafal again.

Thank you Rafal and Adam!!!
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Superb, friendly atmosphere, excellent instruction and infinite patience and encouragement from Rafal. I would highly recommend Ride Shiga. We were all novice level skiers but we all improved our skills. Tha level of service was excellent too. We were picked up from our hotel in Shibu Onsen and taken to the slopes that best suited our abilities, so not too busy or crowded.
I have been involved in training, coaching and instructing for over 30 years so I can safely say that you will get excellent coaching with Ride Shiga. Thank you Rafal and Adam.
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Thanks for Rafal for giving a wonderful private 4-hr lesson. We had a great fun as ski beginners. He is nice and kind in teaching, we picked up the basic going straight, stop, and control the speed of skiing. We also learned the turning. Although the weather on that day is kind of stormy and snowy, we really had fun on the Shiga Kogen.
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Thanks to Rafal from the Ride Shiga team for an excellent family lesson! We had a wonderful afternoon and learned a lot.
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I had Rafal as my ski instructor and he was so helpful and patient with me despite it being my first time skiing. I would definitely choose him again as my ski instructor.
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Rafal was a fantastic ski instructor. He was patient, knowledgeable, devoted and spoke excellent English. We were a family of 5, all beginners, and we learned a lot from him.
I would not hesitate to hire him! He even offered transport from our hotel for a very reasonable price!
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We had a fantastic ski experience with Rafal from ride-shiga.com today! Signed up for the kids first ski lesson and they really enjoyed themselves today! The ski instructor - Rafal is super patient, gave clear instructions and communicated very well with all the four kids (aged 10, 17 and 20). My twin girls (aged 10) initially wanted to give up (obviously not accustomed to the cold climate and new sport) but ultimately continued to spur on with the coaching and encouragement from Rafal. They ultimate gained confidence and managed to take the ski lift and ski down the slope without much falling! Obviously with the guidance from Rafal.

The entire process is a breeze - from enquiring about the ski lessons, to confirmation of dates, fees and place to meet etc. Very prompt response from Rafal. Thanks for the enjoyable and memorable experience for my family! Will definitely recommend to our friends !
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