The Hokkaido Powder Belt is a 10-day, 9-night guided experience through the heart of Central Hokkaido. Combining lift-accessed skiing, sidecountry exploration, and two full days of ski touring, the itinerary is designed to deliver both variety and consistency throughout the trip.

With accommodation split between Asahikawa and Furano, we access a wide range of terrain while enjoying quality lodging, local cuisine, and natural hot springs. A dedicated rest and tourism day ensures a balanced pace, creating a seamless blend of skiing and cultural experience.

1. Transceiver, Shovel and Probe are essential and included in this tour

2. Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour

3. Accomodation is dependent on availability at time of booking

4. Tour price is based on a minimum group size of 4 people. A supplement will be applied to all persons if minimum group size is not met. Supplement = AUD $500 P/person

Alpine Backcountry guides will arrange to have one day out of skis during this tour, due to its extended length.

During this day off clients will be offered the opportunity to go and indulge in some local activities based on the guides discretion. This may include sightseeing and onsen visits. If clients wish to have a personal ski day (unguided) they may do so at their own cost.

This tour operates at a 1:4 guide to client ratio. With a maximum number of 8 people in the group it allows for 2 guides to split days and the group depending on goals and ability

Guests will make their own way to Asahikawa, with optional midday pickup available from Furano for those travelling within the region.

After settling into accommodation, the group will come together in the evening for a welcome meet and greet, followed by dinner. This is an opportunity to connect with your guides and fellow guests, run through the plan for the week ahead, and complete a thorough gear check to ensure everyone is prepared for the days to come.

Travel Note: If arriving via New Chitose Airport (CTS), we recommend booking a flight that lands no later than 2:00pm, allowing enough time to transfer to Asahikawa. There are several train and bus options to get to Asahikawa from Chitose

Your first day on snow begins with an introduction to the local terrain and snow conditions, typically at one of the region’s nearby resorts.

Using lift access, the group will explore a mix of resort laps and sidecountry terrain, gradually moving beyond the boundaries to access deeper snow and quieter zones. This day is designed to ease into the trip while still prioritising quality skiing and building flow within the group.

After a full day on the mountain, return to Asahikawa to relax and recover ahead of the days to come.

Over the next two days, the group will continue exploring the Asahikawa region, with each day shaped by weather, snow conditions, and group preferences. This area offers an exceptional range of terrain, allowing us to move between zones in search of the best possible skiing.

Potential locations include Kamui, Mt. Pippu, Kurodake, Asahidake, Kitami Pass and Horrokonai. From lift-accessed sidecountry to short tours into more remote zones, the focus is on maximising snow quality while maintaining variety throughout the trip.

At the end of Day 4, the group will transfer south to Furano, settling into new accommodation in what is often referred to as the “bellybutton of Hokkaido,” ready to begin the next phase of the journey.

Based out of Furano, the group will spend the next phase of the trip exploring a wide range of resorts and sidecountry terrain across Central Hokkaido. Each day is planned around current weather and snow conditions, allowing us to move efficiently between zones in search of the best skiing.

Within a 90-minute radius, we have access to a number of excellent resorts including Furano, Tomamu, Sahoro, and Mt. Racey, each offering lift-accessed terrain that serves as a gateway to quieter sidecountry zones. These areas allow for high-quality skiing with minimal downtime, maximising vertical while still accessing deeper, less-tracked snow beyond the resort boundaries.

Where conditions allow, we may also incorporate short tours or venture into nearby backcountry zones such as Asahidake or the Tokachi Mountains, adding variety to the week.

During this period, the guide will select one day as a rest and tourism day, providing time to recover, explore Furano town, and enjoy the local food and culture.

At the end of the final skiing day, the group will come together for a celebratory dinner in downtown Furano, hosted by Alpine Backcountry Guides.

On the final day, there is the option to enjoy a morning ski before departure, depending on the group’s travel plans and preferences.

To allow for this, we ask that all guests advise Alpine Backcountry Guides of their onward travel details in advance, so we can coordinate the day accordingly.

Following skiing, we can arrange transfers to Furano or Asahikawa stations. For those staying on in the Furano region, there is also the option to continue skiing at one of the local resorts before being dropped at your accommodation later in the day.