Customised Itineraries for Private Groups

We really try to avoid sticking our guests into pre-determined 'courses'. Our private client service offers you the chance to tell us what you would like to experience in Hakuba's backcountry, rather than slotting you into a pre-determined itinerary. Tell us what you want. We are happy to talk with you regarding itinerary options that meet your desires, no obligation to book at all. This service is best suited to groups of friends ot families who would like personal attention and a day that meets all of their expectations. Feel free to contact us for a chat.

Prices
Our basic daily guiding fee is 35,000 yen for one person per day. For each additional client we charge 5,000 yen per day. Each person must buy 1,500 yen compulsory insurance. Maximum group size is 8 people.

Booking, Deposit and cancellation

All bookings must be completed at least 48 hours prior to the morning of the tour. We can not take bookings at the last moment.

One day bookings: no deposit required, this means you can cancel or request a change of date at any time (subject to availability). All cancellations within 24 hours of the booking are charged 1500 yen per person, even for one day tours.

Bookings of more than one day: 50% deposit required to secure your dates. Bookings of more than 3 days require a 75% deposit. You can still request date changes subject to availability.

If you cancel within 3 weeks of your tour then you will lose your deposit. If you cancel due to serious injury in Hakuba, we will refund your deposit.

At a minimum all cancellations within 24 hours of the tour date are charged 1500 yen per person, even for one day tours.

Included
If you book us for a custom tour, here is what you get:

• Personalised consultation and itinerary planning.
• Full consultation to arrange a customised itinerary to suit you.
• Professionial qualified Guides.
• Transportation.
• Lunch.
• As much help as we can manage getting your rentals arranged and delivered (if required).

Total cost to consider

• Guiding as detailed.
• Insurance - compulsory, more info.
• Any rental equipment - see our rentals page.
• Lift ticket as required - typically between 1,000 and 2,000 yen.

If you are alone or on a budget and can not affort to book us privately, perhaps our weekly mixed-group course would suit you.

Does any of the following sound good to you?

Please use the following example itineraries to help decide what you would like to experience in Hakuba's backcountry, although there is no requirement for you to fit yourself into one of them. Nothing is fixed. If something sounds appealing, we can tailor a tour to meet your exact requirements, subject to weather and snow conditions on the actual day (don’t worry, we will always have a near equivalent backup tour planned if required).

Easy access, simple terrain, beginner skill

If you are a beginner in the backcountry and simply want to experience what it is like to ski outside of the resorts without much physical effort during the asent then this is for you. Based in small terrain sidecountry there is usually the opportunity for multiple runs and to step it up a little as confidence grows.

Easy access tree skiing, multiple laps, intermediate skill

Best after a storm, there are a number of areas that allow for relatively little physical effort to gain altitude. Depending on the group, a number of short laps through the trees can be made in a day. It is not uncommon for people to feel uncomfortable when first confronted with tree skiing in variable snow, as such this type of itinerary is best suited to intermediates or confident beginners.

Introductory summit descents

If you have a little experience in the backcountry and are determined (and fit) then we can help you get 600m higher than the highest lift in Hakuba. The ascent takes some time – perhaps 4 hours. The descent is within reach of any intermediate. Some of the biggest smiles and feelings of accomplishment come from this type of tour. The high alpine in Hakuba is not out of your reach! Don’t just take photos home, take experiences.

Introductory backcountry touring

Do you really want to taste the art of backcountry touring? – Moving over terrain along a planned route to access a remote descent. It requires a few hours of ascent, some sweat and, at the introductory level, typically only one descent for the day. There is much more to the backcountry than the descent itself, some people say “it’s all about the tour, not just the turns” . We can help open the door to a very rewarding future backcountry lifestyle. This type of day is popular with groups of friends or families who want a private introduction to the basic skills of backcountry travel with some challenges and satisfaction along the way.

Long-range touring, multiple descents

The true essence of a committing day in the backcountry – traversing a wide area of linked itineraries and covering a lot of ground. Usually only for the experienced and very fit, although the riding itself need not be difficult. There are endless options for very big days. And just as many for full days of constant climbing and skiing that won’t quite leave you exhausted. This is what most Hakuba Alpine Guides staff do on their days off.

Easy access, big terrain, intermediate to advanced skill

This type of sidecountry terrain is a big draw card in Hakuba. Not strictly backcountry, and not for everyone. In other countries it is the type of terrain that a confident off-piste skier might be taken to by a heli ski company. No need for the helicopter in Hakuba. Very little muscle powered ascent. Challenging descents with up to 1000m vertical. It is available with or without trees and at angles of descent between 30 and 50 degrees. But please don’t automatically expect to be taken into the steep stuff.

Advanced summit descents

Seriously experienced people only. We can take you way up into the high alpine backcountry, possibly as high as you can go. The climb will usually be very tough and the descent will require plenty left in the bottle right up until the end. More terrain options open up in March through the end of May. Many people require more than 12 hours to complete such tours.

Alpine camping

If you want to book us for 2 consecutive days, and you want to stay in the alpine with us at 2000m or above, then we can set that up. In fact we'd love to. No matter the skill or experience level, camping way up there is for everyone to enjoy. All food is supplied and camping gear can be rented from us (subject to numbers). Please note that the night up there adds to the guiding cost. We usually use tents, but if you want to stay in an incredibly warm and comfortable igloo then we can arrange that as well (unfortunately also at extra cost as it takes two people considerable time to make a suitable igloo out of blocks).

Early season touring

In Hakuba we can usually get you into the backcountry as early and November. Even earlier of you are very fit and experienced. Early season turns, usually in powder, are possible for enthusiastic skiers and boarders of all backcountry skill levels. While the valley is full of autumn colours you can enjoy stunning remote snow and terrain that is perfectly ok for first timers (who are fit and familiar with a bit of backpacking). Early season touirng makes a great combination with an overnight camp at snowline.

A note on backcountry skill levels

Once you leave the ski resort, everything changes. Many people find it much harder than they expected. Please consider the following guidelines when considering a customised day in Hakuba's backcountry:

BC Beginner: Has almost no experience with backcountry travel and riding. Intermediate level skier/boarder confident at controlling speed and direction on almost any ski resort run and snow condition. Minimum level of fitness allowing 1-2 hours of gentle angle hiking with a weighted backpack.

BC Intermediate: A confident and adventurous skier/snowboarder in resorts with some backcountry experience. A minimum level of fitness allowing 2-4 hours of hiking with a weighted backpack up moderate gradients. Able to handle any snow conditions safely.

BC Advanced: Expert skier/snowboarder in resorts with extensive backcountry experience but wanting to use the services of a guide to tap the local steep and isolated terrain. Able to meet any fitness demands for extended periods.

A quick note on terminology and a reality check: backcountry means terrain well away from ski resort areas. You have to walk to get there using special backcountry touring equipment. This means sustained physical effort – if you do not enjoy summer backpacking, you probably wont enjoy this either. Sidecountry still requires some physical effort to gain altitude, but far less than backcountry touring. You are also much closer to resort terrain. The downside is that sidecountry does not offer the sense of exploration, discovery and learning that comes with backcountry travel. Sidecountry terrain is still dangerous and still physically demanding to ski. All ungroomed snow is variable and can be difficult and tiring to negotiate for the first timer, and sometimes even the more experienced. Also note that sometimes the snow conditions require you to do more backcounytry travel than you might like. You don't always get the best on offer with no work.

Weather and Snow Stability

At all times we operate with a wide risk buffer, and this is fixed. Avalanche hazard and weather conditions dictate everything we do in the backcountry, and they are constantly changing. These variables may lead to changed itinerary plans or cancellation of a tour. In the event of cancellation we will try our hardest to re-schedule as soon as conditions permit, otherwise a full refund is available on request.