Aomori Spring Backcountry Ski Guiding

Sidecountry and backcountry ski and snowboard tours are offered by the resort - either full day or multiple days. The tours are run by Kenji-san, a JMGA qualified guide that is a highly experienced backcountry skier and knows the Mt Iwaki terrain intimately. Kenji-san speaks perfect English, and you'll feel confident that he'll show you the great powder stashes whilst maintaining safety as a high priority. Sometimes if there's a large group, Kenji-san will obtain the assistance of another qualified guide from the Shirakami Guide Association who may not necessarily speak a lot of English.

For a very reasonable rate you can join a group (minimum 2 people required) or get private guiding, but Kenji-san is in hot demand so you'll want to pre-book a backcountry ski tour with plenty of notice.

If you're on a group tour, the degree of challenge and the amount of skinning/snowshoeing will depend on the group's desires (and largely on the first person to book and whether they want sidecountry or backcountry). Or you can organise your own private tour if you have something specific in mind. Of course, the weather will also dictate how high above the gondola you can go, and when a storm is howling, you might just do very short skins to access some great terrain. Summiting Mt Iwaki is probably something best left for early March, or a very fine day in winter (if you have crampons and an ice axe). A beacon, shovel and probe are available for rent.

Backcountry guiding with Kenji-san is also available at Hakkoda, with transport from Aomori Spring included. The minimum numbers required for a group tour is 5, but of course you can pay extra if you have smaller numbers and/or want a private trip. And naturally these trips to Hakkoda are subject to weather conditions, which in the height of winter can be brutal at times.

In-Bounds Guiding and Photography

The Aomori Spring Resort also offers a range of options for in-bounds guiding where instructors can provide a few tips along the way, as well as videography with the option of video analysis of your technique.

Snowshoeing

You can go on a 2.5 hour guided snowshoe tour of trails around the beech forest, or just rent snowshoes and undertake some self-exploration.

Family Activities

The Snowland Fun Park is aptly named, as it offers fun packed activities for the kids. The park includes air trampoline, zipfy (mini luge tobogganing), tubing and mini snowmobiles. You can pay for just one activity, or get a ticket set to do all activities. The park is open during peak holiday times and weekends.

Onsen

The Rockwood Hotel has a very lovely onsen which is the perfect remedy for fatigued muscles. The gender segregated baths include indoor and outdoor hot spring baths. The men's outdoor onsen provides views across to the sea, whilst the adjacent female onsen overlooks snow covered trees; a rather serene and peaceful outlook. The onsen is free for hotel guests, whilst non-guests can use the onsen in the afternoon for a fee.

If you've got wheels, you could also head into the town of Ajigasawa where there are various onsen to explore. A highlight is the onsen at Hotel Grand Mer Sankaiso which sits on the beach, so the outdoor baths provide immediate views of the sea.

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Relaxation

Having an onsen is great if your body is battered from too much fun on the slopes, and to supplement the hot springs, Hotel Rockwood provides massage services in the evenings. The rates for massages are quite reasonably priced (especially for a ski resort!).