Otaru & Niseko Powder Chaser

Sample Itinerary

The following is a sample itinerary only because the daily activities will largely be determined by the weather & snow conditions each day.

Day 1 (Arrival Day)

You will take a scheduled bus from Chitose International Airport to the Niseko Welcome centre where you will be picked up by your host & transported to Soul Lodge where you will spend the next 7 nights.

Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the Japanese culture with an onsen located near the lodge and then dinner somewhere in downtown Kutchan or Niseko.

During/after dinner, your host will plan with you & the group where your first day on snow will be.

In the evening, an avalanche safety briefing will be conducted to explain how to use the avalanche safety gear provided to you as part of the package.

Don't party too hard on the first night as there will be a big day of powder to be had tomorrow!!

Day 2 - 6 (Chase the Powder)

Up for an early start, make yourself some breakfast (or pick up some at the 7-Eleven along the way to the chosen resort).

After checking the weather and snow reports your host will brief you on the best options for the day and a decision will be made regarding which ski resort to hit up.

Each day the aim will be to leave early enough to arrive at chosen resort by 8 a.m. for first lifts, as this tour is all about getting the powder.

You will ski/ride until weather and fitness permits; and then grab a couple of beers from the vending machine at the resort for the shuttle back to the lodge.

Take an onsen then head out for dinner/drinks (reservations will be made prior to group arriving). The aim will be to be back by around 10 pm each night to get a good rest before hitting the powder again the following day.

Day 7 (Last Ski/Ride Day & Transfer Back to Airport or Onwards)

On the last day you will pack your bags before leaving to ski.

Depending on what time you have to catch the bus back to Chitose will determine how long you can ski/ride.

Down Day Options

In the event that there is adverse weather / snow conditions or if the group simply wants to take a day off, options could include: a pow surf tour (snow surfing) - drive and then a short walk to the zone where you will be introduced on how to use pow surf boards; or depending on the group, a visit to the Nikka Wiskey factory could be arranged.

Other Services

Prior to guests arriving dinner reservations will be organised based on how many nights a guest wants to eat out. Also a list of groceries will be supplied which is included in the price.

Accommodation

Lodging is in a 5-bedroom house located 10 mins drive from Kutchan and a few minutes walk to restaurants & bars.

The location is ideal for chasing the powder in the area because it is pretty central (about 20 mins drive) to all ski areas.

There is an onsen located just a short walk from the house and there is an in-house indoor bouldering wall.

The house has 1 bathroom, but the nearby onsen is a daily ritual.

The house has a communal lounge/TV area and a communal kitchen where you can prepare meals if you are on a budget.

Soul Lodge

Western twin rooms

Communal kitchen

2024 Rates, Inclusions & Add-Ons

2 - 5 guests in group - 300,000 yen per person

Solo (private) - 415,000 yen

• base currency is in Japanese yen
• invoice currency is in AUD
• rates are based on PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 5 guests
• each person gets a private room
• price is per person
• no minimum required so if you book you go

Inclusions

• 7 nights accommodation
• Daily breakfast - make yourself
• Daily transport to/from ski areas in 8-seater van
• On-mountain hosting - in-resort & sidecountry through gates (not backcounty)
• Scheduled transfer to/from Chitose international airport
• Off-mountain hosting - book / recommend restaurants, onsen etc
• Transport to/from restaurants in evenings
• Use of avalanche safety gear

Add-ons

• Backcountry guiding services - usually around 70,000 yen/day for groups of 4 - 6
• Photographer/videographer
• Airport pickup - JPY 20000

Not Included

• Flights - find cheapest flights here
• Travel insurance - buy online here
• Lunches, dinners & drinks
• Ski & snowboard equipment rentals
• Lift tickets

Soul Tours Terms & Conditions

Deposit and Full Payment

• Deposit is 50% of the trip cost
• The remaining balance is due one month before trip departure
• Payments can be made by direct deposit into and Australian bank account or via PayPal.

Cancellation Policy

• 30% cancellation fee for cancellations made more then 3 months before the start of your trip
• 50% cancellation fee for cancellations made between 1-3 months before trip departure
• No refund for any cancellations made less than one month before trip departure 
• No refund for trip duration cut short due to injuries

Cancellation by Soul Tours
Soul Tours reserves the right to cancel any program due to weather or route conditions. If a tour is canceled before commencing, due to weather or route conditions, then a full refund will be given; however, Soul Tours is not responsible for any additional expenses incurred in preparing for the program (i.e., airline tickets, equipment purchase or rental, hotel reservations).