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Honshu Powder Trip

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Honshu Powder Trip Enquire
Price p/p From price is based on twin share for group trips for 2026
base/invoice currency is EURO
price includes all taxes
*displayed price may vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations
USD 3,560

NIIGATA & NAGANO
10 Nights | 9 Days Skiing/Riding

Location: Japan | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Off-Piste, Backcountry, Sidecountry
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Price p/p From price is based on twin share for group trips for 2026
base/invoice currency is EURO
price includes all taxes
*displayed price may vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations
USD 3,560
This Honshu tour offers a mix of freeride (approx 70%) and backcountry ski touring (30%) whilst exploring the best of the Nagano & Niigata ski areas on the island of Honshu.
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Fixed Date(s)
Days
Price
Availability
Fixed Date(s): Jan 19 - Jan 29, 2026
Days: 11
Price: USD 3,560
Availability: Available
Fixed Date(s): Jan 29 - Feb 08, 2026
Days: 11
Price: USD 3,560
Availability: Available
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
Custom Booking Period
Min Days
Price
Availability
Custom Booking Period: Jan 03 - Mar 09, 2026
Min Days: From 7
Price: Enquire
Availability: Available
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
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Honshu Powder Trip

The Honshu Powder Trip takes in many of the best ski areas of the Nagano and Niigata Prefectures of Honshu, including the very snowy Myoko Kogen, the large Hakuba, and the historic onsen town and ski area of Nozawa Onsen. About 70% of the skiing/riding will be lift-accessed terrain, whilst approximately 30% of the time you will be ski touring/splitboarding further into the backcountry zones.

Highlights

  • Your guide will show you plenty of stashes in varied terrain across an abundance of different ski areas and backcountry zones that can be accessed from your base in Myoko
  • Ride lift-accessed terrain and venture further afield into the backcountry when the conditions dictate
  • Enjoy the convenience of being driven to different ski areas/zones each day
  • Stay in a Myoko hotel with its own onsen, traditional Japanese rooms, and proximity to a variety of dining options of your choosing
  • Spend the last night exploring in Tokyo

From your base in Myoko Kogen, your guide will be able to choose the best option for each day. Freeride resort options include:

Ski touring can be in the Mt. Myoko area, the backcountry of Lotte Arai, Tenjin or Seki Onsen. Backcountry skiing options are limitless.

For most of the trip, you'll be staying in a Japanese hotel in Myoko, sleeping in a traditional tatami floor room on futons, and bathing in the onsite onsen.

If you have any questions or want to double check availability, you can make a booking request.

Group

The trip is for individuals, couples or small groups to join one of the fixed date mixed group tours. The group size is a maximum of 6 people.

Or if you have your own group of up to 6 people, you can request a private trip (between January 3rd and March 9th). 

Guiding

The Honshu Powder Trip is operated by Sherpas Ride's UIAGM qualified mountain guides at a maximum ratio of 6 guest to 1 guide. 

Equipment

Avalanche safety equipment and ski and snowboard equipment is available to rent, with the exception of ski boots, helmets, snowboard boots and snowboard bindings.

Skis: Kastle BMX and FX (115mm and 105mm underfoot), Scott Scrapper (120mm underfoot) and Punisher (105mm – 110mm underfoot), Armada JJ (117mm underfoot) in various lengths for men and women

Snowboards: Nitro Slash (powder specific), Gara Splitboards

Ski bindings: Fritschi Tecton (tech binding) and Tyrolia Adrenalin (frame binding, classic binding with hiking option)

Avalanche equipment: Shovel, probe, beacon from Pieps, non-Avalanche backpacks from Pieps plus telescopic poles and snowshoes for short hikes for snowboarders. Cartridges for avi backpacks are not provided so please bring your own.  

Ability & Fitness Level

Previous ski touring (or split boarding) and freeriding experience is necessary. You should have a reasonable level of fitness to be able to follow the itinerary (no activities are mandatory, you can always take more days off). .

This trip is for advanced skiers & snowboarders who should be able to ski /ride steep runs with confidence in variable conditions and should have some experience in skiing / riding powder.

Itinerary

Flexibility is the key and this is a sample itinerary for the Honshu Powder Trip. The itinerary will be adjusted according to weather and snow conditions and guest requirements. If conditions allow, it may be worth heading a little further afield to Naeba and Kagura or even the mighty Tenjindaira (Mt. T).

Day 1 - Arrival in Japan
  • Catch train from airport to Tokyo Station where your guide will meet you and transfer to the lodging in Myoko. Or if the majority of guests are flying into the same Tokyo Airport, your guide can pick you up from there, and others can be picked up from the bustling Tokyo Station.
  • Set up equipment
  • The group will head out to dinner

Day 2 - Madarao/Tangram

  • Madarao and Tangram are two interconnected resorts that offer easy access to freeride skiing and the potential of short hikes to access some longer backcountry lines.
  • In the evening there will be an avalanche awareness presentation. You will learn how to navigate safely through backcountry terrain so you can go ski touring in upcoming days.

Day 3 - Seki Onsen

  • Seki scores an abundance of snow a season and it's a powder skiing gem with just two lifts, one of which is a famous pizza box chair lift (single chair). Seki also offers great backcountry options.
  • Avalanche rescue and beacon practice after skiing
  • Onsen for recovery

Day 4 - Backcountry Day Mt Myoko Area

  • Fancy a ski inside the crater? Conditions pending, this is on the cards.

Day 5 - Lotte Arai or Another Nearby Ski Area

  • Lotte Arai is the most modern out of Myoko resorts. Fast lifts take you up to the main bowl, only a short hike away from an epic powder line. Plus backcountry of Lotte is a whole different playground.

Day 6 - Day Off or Unguided Day

  • If you want to ski/ride on this day you'll need to cover your own lift pass. You can enjoy the Myoko Kogen area unguided, take the day off and chill, eat famous soba in town or visit a shrine in Nagano.

Day 7 - Nozawa Onsen

  • Nozawa Onsen offers some great lines straight from the lift-accessed ridge.  
  • After skiing, you can check out one of the countless onsens of Nozawa Onsen and sample onsen manju (hot buns) in the streets of this historical village.

Day 8 - Backcountry Day Mt Myoko Area

  • Undisclosed location

Day 9 - Akakura Onsen

  • Ski the powder-filled trees of Akakura (Akakura Kanko and Akakura Onsen).

Day 10 - Happo One, Hakuba

  • Hakuba Valley is famous, and you will ski some great lines with the longest vertical in the area in this zone which is still a little off the radar
  • You'll be driven to Tokyo and check-in to the hotel.
  • Spend the evening exploring. Your guide may show you a few fave bars or depending on the group's whims, you can improvise.

Day 11 - Depart

  • Transfer to the airport and depart Japan, or stay for more days of powder

Accommodation

Myoko

For 9 nights you will be staying in a traditional Japanese hotel in Myoko, which has its own amazing hot springs (onsen).

You will be staying in rooms with tatami to experience the real, authentic lodging. Guests sleep on comfortable futon bedding, and amenities include yukata robes, a washstand, and an attached toilet. Bathing facilities are shared.

The hotel is well located so you'll be able to head out to dinner when you feel like it.

Toyko

For 1 night you'll stay in a central city hotel in a twin share room with western beds, and ensuite bathroom.

Rates & Inclusions

2026 Rates

€3,390 for mixed group trips

Private groups
  • Do you want a private trip with a tailor-made itinerary, a private van and guide?  
  • Price is 19,140 EUR (max 6 people) (i.e. 200 EUR per person discount) or get in touch for a quote for your group size
Inclusions
  • 10 nights twin share accommodation
  • Mountain guiding (UIAGM qualified)
  • Lift passes
  • Breakfasts
  • Van transport
  • Avalanche training session
  • Ski technique coaching (optional)
Add-ons
  • Optional cat skiing
  • Use of avalanche equipment (backpack, beacon, probe, shovel) - 100 euro per trip
  • Rental of skis and boards – these can be shipped from the Hokkaido base for 200 EUR per trip)
Not Included

Sherpas Ride Terms & Conditions

Payments and Bookings

Any Member willing to participate at any Event has to make an obligatory booking, confirmed by agreeing to the Terms & Conditions and covering an advance payment for the respective Event. The advance payment of 50% from the total cost of any Event is due within 7 days after a booking is made. The balance of the total cost of the Event must be paid no later than 10 weeks before departure. In case the booking is made after the standard due date of the balance payment, the full cost must be paid within 7 days after the respective booking was made. If the balance is not paid in time the Association reserves the right to cancel the booking and forfeit the advance payment.

Costs

The costs of all Events facilitated by the Association, together with Events’ program are described at the Association websites. The costs do not cover additional fees and parts of the program that are not described at the Association websites, namely: individual insurance, flight tickets, compensations for not participating at the whole program of an Event and compensations for lifts or cable cars closure in the venue where the respective Event takes place. The cost of the sport Event is to be paid via a bank transfer to the Association bank account. The banking details will be sent to the Members after their booking is made.

Individual Cancellation

The Association advises the Members to arrange individual cancellation insurance. In case Members want to cancel their participation at any Event, such information must be sent to the Association’s management via an email. After a cancellation email is received, the Association will charge the respective Member with cancellation fees according to the date when the cancellation was made.

The Cancellation Fees

if the cancellation is made:

  • More than 10 weeks before the Event starts – the advanced payment is forfeited
  • 31 days – 10 weeks – 75% of the total cost
  • 0-30 days – 100% of the total cost
  • Not showing at the event – 100% of the total cost 

*that said, Association always tries to find a replacement for the Member to be able to refund him/her in full.

Event Cancellation

Every Event can only take place if there are enough Members participating. The Association is obliged to inform its Members via an email, shall there not be the minimum participation necessary for the respective Event to take place reached, no later than 10 days before the respective Event should start. In the above-described event, the Association will refund the whole payment to those Members whose Event was canceled. The Association permits its Members to buy any travel tickets or accommodation (in case of an Event where no accommodation is provided by the Association) connected to the Event only when the minimum participation is reached. The Association claims its right to cancel or terminate an Event in case of a force majeure that prevents the Event to take place or threatens the safety of the Members at any time prior to the Event or during the already started Event itself. In case an Event is canceled or terminated due to the above-described reasons, the Association will refund the Members with the cost of the Event reduced by the expenditures the Association already made prior to the cancellation/termination.

In case of Event cancellation or cancellation of part of the Event's program (e.g. Guide's injury), Association is obliged to deliver agreed features via third-party providers. If not possible, Association has to refund features of the program that it was not able to deliver.