Your first day on the mountain is focused on introducing the terrain and establishing the group’s pace, ability, and fitness for the week ahead.

We will also run a comprehensive avalanche rescue refresher, ensuring everyone is confident and up to speed with safety systems before moving into more committing terrain later in the trip.

From there, the day’s objectives will be shaped by conditions. In good weather, we may begin to venture into the alpine, taking advantage of Rishiri’s unique volcanic terrain. If weather is more typical, snowing and windy, we’ll utilise one of the island’s abandoned ski areas, providing excellent tree skiing and sheltered options while still finding quality snow.

Over the next four days, we explore the full scope of Rishiri Island, working toward summit objectives while adapting daily to weather and snow conditions.

Each aspect of the mountain offers a distinctly different experience. The west side delivers long, sustained descents and steeper terrain, while the north opens into expansive powder bowls. To the south, broad volcanic slopes provide unmatched open skiing, gradually leading into some of the mountain’s most impressive terrain. The east side offers a more dramatic alpine feel, with views and features reminiscent of larger mountain ranges in Alaska and Europe.

Throughout this period, we will utilise a combination of touring and snowmobile-assisted access to explore multiple approaches to the mountain, maximising both terrain variety and time spent skiing.

We have also built in flexible weather days to account for Rishiri’s often changeable and unpredictable conditions, allowing us to take full advantage of the best possible windows for skiing.

The goal across these days is to move efficiently, take advantage of the best available conditions, and experience the full character of one of Japan’s most unique backcountry environments.

Note: Summit attempts can only be made if conditions align fully, and we do not guarantee a summit success.

On the final morning, the group will pack up and depart the accommodation by 8:00am to board the 9:00am ferry back to Wakkanai.

From Wakkanai, guests can continue their onward travel via airport or train. To allow for a smooth connection, we recommend booking departures no earlier than 12:00pm, and for flights, no earlier than 1:00pm.