Itinerary

DAY 1 - Arrival in Japan

DAY 2 - Furano

• Furano is the favourite resort in Central Hokkaido, and the guides will make sure to show you the best steep tree lines on offer.
• After skiing, you will learn how to navigate safely through backcountry terrain so you can go ski touring in the upcoming days.
  
  

DAY 3 - Asahidake

• Today you'll be heading into the backcountry. You’ll catch the Asahidake ropeway and head straight to Japan’s highest volcano. Steam vents puffing around you, you’ll skin up through surreal terrain that looks like something out of another planet. If the weather plays nice, the group will push for the summit — and then it’s game on: over 1200 vertical meters of freeride in the famous Japanese pow.
• Evening onsen.
  
  

DAY 4 - Yubari, Kamui or Tomamu

• The guides will pick one of these gems for the day.
  
  

DAY 5 - Backcountry Touring Daisetsuzan National Park

• Central Hokkaido is a ski touring gem, packed with hidden zones and unreal terrain. You’ll hit some of the favorite off-the-radar spots around Furano-dake — think steep tree lines, deep powder, and the chance to summit for a big descent if the weather’s right. The snow here is consistently epic, and the lines just keep coming.
• After a full day out, you’ll soak your tired legs in a natural onsen tucked in the forest below Tokachi-dake. Hot water, cold beer, and that unbeatable post-tour glow.
  
  

DAY 6 - Transfer to Rishiri Island

• Start the day in Furano, load up the van, and head to Sapporo for a short flight bound for Rishiri island that looks like it was ripped straight out of a Bond movie.
• If the skies are clear and the pilot’s feeling generous, you might even get a scenic fly-by lap around the volcano before landing.
• After landing, you’ll settle into a cozy local pension and get your first taste of island life with a proper Japanese dinner, before the first big day in the volcano backcountry.
  
  

DAY 7 - Rishiri

• You’ll start the day with a proper Japanese breakfast, then cruise to the trailhead, where a snowmobile is waiting for us. You will save energy by getting towed through the first 200 verticals in the flat terrain.
• Once the rope drops, you switch to touring mode and start making your way up the flanks of Rishiri. The views are unreal — ocean in every direction, and that wild feeling of being way out there.
• The guides will top it off with a big, steep line straight down the face.
  
  

DAY 8 - Rishiri

• The second day on Rishiri will most probably be similar to the previous day, however with a different face and again enjoy a big open line with the view of the sea.

DAY 9 - Rishiri Summit Attempt

• If the weather lines up, this is a big finale. You’ll skin most of the way to the top of Rishiri, passing through exposed alpine terrain until you reach the little refuge tucked just under the summit ridge.
• Then it’s game time with crampons on and ice axes in hand, and a final bootpack to the peak.
• The summit views are epic – full-on 360° with Japan on one side, Russia on the other, and the Sea of Japan stretching out in every direction.
• Then the descent with steep couloirs and open faces almost back to sea level.
  
  

DAY 10 - Rishiri

• After the last day of skiing on the volcano, the group will head back with a flight to Sapporo, where you have a goodbye dinner together.
• For those interested, you can check out the nightlife in the city.
  
  

DAY 11

Accommodation

Furano

Rishiri

Rate, Inclusions & Add-Ons

2026 Rates

€3490

• rate is per person for group tour
• for private custom trips the rate is 19,740 euros for a maximum of 6 people - get in touch for details on customisation
• base/invoice currency is in EURO. Convert to your currency here>>

• Accommodation (10 nights) - Rishiri & Furano
• Mountain guiding (UIAGM qualified)
• Ski Passes (Hokkaido resorts)
• Breakfasts
• Transport by van, transport in Japan
• Use of avalanche equipment (shovel, probe, beacon, backpack)
• Avalanche Training Session
• Ski technique coaching (optional)

• Flights in/out of Sapporo & flights Rishiri/Sapporo - search for cheapest flights here & book online
• Travel insurance - buy online here
• Lunches and dinners

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.