Yamagata Snow Monster Tour
The Yamagata Powder Tour is a Japanese ski or snowboarding experience that is the complete antithesis to going on a well trodden path at one of the westernised destination ski resorts in Japan, where you wonder whether you're actually in Japan or not. In the
Yamagata Prefecture, the ski areas are not internationalised and this guided tour provides local ski-jo experiences, nice Japanese food, and lovely local guides and hosts that will ensure you get a great Japanese experience.
Zao Onsen is probably the most well known ski resort in Yamagata, in part for its snow monsters (aka Juhyo or snow ghosts) which are fir trees clumped with ice and snow as a result of the cold winds.
The Yamagata Snow Monster Tour from Gassan Ski is a private bespoke tour that can be customised to your small group of up to 4 people. You can't join a mixed group. Solos and couples are welcome to participate, although the per person rate will be higher than if you have 3 or 4 people in your group.
Trips are run from Wednesday to Saturday and from Saturday to Tuesday, although you can request a longer trip if you wish.
Highlights
- This tour is operated & guided by knowledgeable and qualified English-speaking Japanese guides
- Head off the beaten path to lesser known ski areas plus one day at Zao Onsen Ski Resort to ski amongst the snow monsters (weather pending)
- Stay at Japanese-run cottages near Gassan or you can stay in a ryokan at Zao Onsen or in the city of Yamagata
- Soak in an open air hot spring (onsen) at Zao Onsen
- Boutique trip for your small group so very personalised service
If you want to check availability or have other questions, please make contact.
The trip is customisable and is also dependent on the weather, yet these are ski areas that may be visited on this trip
- Zao Onsen is a medium sized ski area by Japanese standards. It has lots of intermediate terrain and there is a trail that winds amongst the snow monsters. Zao also has some tree skiing and backcountry.
- Tengendai is a high elevation ski area which is reasonably mellow at the top. When temperatures are cold there is some gnarly skiing under the cable car or in the backcountry.
- Zao Liza World is a small quiet ski area with a local ski-jo vibe
- Jungle Jangle is quiet on weekdays and is good for some untracked mellow off-piste skiing
- Yudonosan is small and good for mellow tree skiing on stormy days.
Extra activities might be on the cards. For example if it's dumping with snow, you might want to do some night powder skiing at the little local ski area. Or if the weather is really brutal you might want to visit Ginzan Onsen or Mt Haguro Shrine. Or an extra activity for a fine day would be to go to Zao Liza World and snowshoe up to Mt Zao to see the rime covered Kattamine Shrine, or those with backcountry touring gear could request an add-on of touring around Gassan.
Group Type
These tours are for private groups only i.e. you cannot join a group as a solo traveller. You can
make a booking request to get a quote for your desired trip duration, group size and other requirements.
Ability Level
As this is a private tour, it's up to you to determine who is in your group and whether the participants will be a good ability match. The terrain is mostly ideal for intermediates, strong intermediates who are learning to ski/ride in the off-piste, and advanced riders who are competent at off-piste skiing. Those with the appropriate gear can be guided in the backcountry zones.