Japan Powder Plus Telemark Adventure |
| TelemarkSki.com is pleased to promote the following telemark vacation in search of primo pow and the perfect tele turn, led by our colleague, friend and tele guru Ross Matlock (click for bio). Offered in conjunction with Ultimate Groove Women's Telemark Ski Camps. |
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Where |
Japan has long been regarded as one of the world’s premier powder destinations. With 11 to 15 meters of snow its easy to understand. Cold Siberian air sweeps across the Sea of Japan picking up moisture and dumping it on Hokkaido the north island of Japan. Having lived at 8000 ft in Colorado for the last 15 years I thought Id seen the lightest snow nature could make until I skied in Hokkaido. It truly is the world’s lightest and driest snow and the storms roll across the island on a regular basis.
Aside from the abundance of snow the Japanese culture, food and hot springs make this a destination not to be missed. If sushi, powder and a soak in a natural hot springs is appealing then this trip is a must for you. |
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What |
| I am offering a ‘powder plus’ Telemark ski adventure for intermediate to advanced skiers both male and female in the north island of Japan. The adventure is a 7 day powder skiing extravaganza that takes advantage of Hokkaido’s incredible snow and terrain. This will be a small group, 10 people with 2 instructors/guides, in order to give the highest possible quality skiing experience. Two small groups allow for fast travel in the backcountry and the 1 to 5 ratio gives great potential for personal interaction with your instructor/guide. |
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Why |
Japan is one of the few places in the world that gets constant and reliable snow. At most resorts in the United States if you don’t live at a resort chances are you don’t get to ski soft snow very often. Even if you do live at a ski resort the frenzy that surrounds a powder day often means that if you’re not on one of the first 50 chairs your off the back. Because it snows so much in Japan you are more likely to be able to ski soft fresh snow.
We will spend 2 days at the Hirafu ski resort honing our skills before our resort based out of bounds experience. After Niseko we travel to the central north island for the complete backcountry experience. Untracked powder and the chance to ski some of the worlds best powder. |
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When |
The powder plus camp start on the 22nd of Feb. The shuttle will pick you up from the Chitose air port around mid day on the 21st. Due to the nature of the flights I would suggest leaving the United States on the 19th of Feb. If you leave on the 18th you will arrive on the afternoon / evening of the 20th. (Time travel thing) From experience you are ready for travel to be over at this point so again I would suggest staying at the Mitsui Urban Hotel which is in the airport itself on the night of the 20th. (Price included). The shuttle will pick you up from the air port around noon on the 21st and drive you directly to the Kanronomori Hotel.
An early departure from the Ryounkaku Lodge on the 29th of Feb allows plenty of time to catch flights back to the United States. |
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Itinerary |
The trip starts with a shuttle from the Sapporo airport to the resort town of Niseko. Niseko has 6 resorts to choose from with Hirafu being the most popular. We will spend 3 days skiing Hirafu with one of those days being a guided out of bounds powder experience. There is an open gate policy at the top of the resort that allows you to access vast open fields of untouched powder and with our Japanese guides we are sure to ski un tracked slopes. After three days in Niseko we catch another shuttle driving inland to the . This magnificent range offers incredible backcountry skiing without lifts and crowds. We will be skinning for the next 3 days earning every turn and skiing amongst old birch and pine trees. Again this area offers regular quality snow fall with some of the lightest snow I’ve ever skied. Mt Tokachi, an active volcano, is a short distance from our accommodation and is seen steaming from almost every high point in the valley. A magic backdrop for a days backcountry skiing.
After three days of skiing in the Daisetsuzan National Park we take another shuttle back to the international airport in Sapporo for you flight home. |
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Includes |
One night stay at the Mitsui Urban Hotel in the Chitose Airport, 20th of Feb.
Pick up from the Chitose airport and drop off at the Kanronomori Hotel.
4 nights stay in the Kanronomori Hotel which includes breakfast and dinner.
Daily shuttle pick up to and from the Hirafu ski resort.
One day of resort access backcountry out of Hirafu ski resort.
Shuttle to the Ryounkaku Lodge.
4 nights stay at the Ryounkaku lodge which includes breakfast and dinner.
6 days instruction and guiding in Niseko and Daisetsuzan National Park.
Shuttle from the Ryounkaku Lodge to the Chitose airport.
TOTAL $3200.
Does not include airfare to Japan.
Lunches
Drinks with dinner. |
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Accommodations |
From the air port in Sapporo we take a direct shuttle to the Kanronomori Hotel in Niseko. This is one of the finest hotels in the Niseko area and with its own natural hot spring provides an incredible experience. The Kanronomori is very Japanese with traditional sleeping arrangements and food. The breakfast and dinner that’s included is prepared and served Japanese style. Kimonos and wooden flip flops complete the Japanese experience and don’t be surprised if we are the only English speaking guests staying in the hotel.
From Niseko we take a shuttle to the Ryounkaku Lodge in the Daisetsuzan National Park. The Ryounkaku Lodge is the highest lodge and drivable point on the north island. Magnificent views and an incredible natural hot spring with views of the surrounding mountains make this the perfect accommodations for our backcountry experience. The breakfast and dinner are included again with traditional Japanese cuisine being served. |
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Skill, Stamina, Weather, Avalanche |
You must be a high intermediate to advanced Telemark skier able to make 10 to 15 continuous turns in soft powdery conditions. Days of constant powder skiing require a good level of general fitness and the backcountry days will require a sound aerobic level. While not a must some experience with skinning and backcountry travel would be helpful.
The weather can be cold windy and snowy so come prepared for full winter conditions.
In general the avalanche conditions are low to moderate. Due to the constant snow fall and slope angle the avalanche danger relatively small. |
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Gear List |
Gear list coming soon....
Skiers registered for Japan trip will receive 10% on all non-sale items! |
Contact |
| For more information about the Japan Powder Plus Trip, or to sign up, contact Ross Matlock by email or call 970-349-0230. |
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