Powder Progression Tour

7 NIGHTS | 5 DAYS INSTRUCTION & GUIDING | ¥260,000 ¥234,000 EARLY-BIRD*

FULLY GUIDED/COACHED & HOSTED POWDER INSTRUCTION TOUR
What does this mean? Click here to find out

DO YOU CHARGE THE PISTE BUT STRUGGLE IN POWDER? TAKE THE LEAP INTO JAPAN’S DEEP POWDER WITH OUR CERTIFIED COACHES.

Based in Niseko, the powder capital of Hokkaido, you will get to explore the mountains of Niseko United, as well as surrounding resorts such as Moiwa, Rusutsu and Kiroro. Our flexible itinerary will have you chasing the best conditions at each of these ski areas.

This is a guided instructional tour with a focus on powder coaching with certified instructors

We have designed this tour for those who are new to the techniques required to ski Japan’s deep snow and want to build confidence to enjoy Japans famous deep powder. You may have ridden some powder on piste or on top of compacted off-piste but you will have never ridden the bottomless powder we get regularly in Japan. Your coaches will structure your learning so that you gain confidence and progress away from the groomers to experience the deep fresh snow and terrain you have always wanted to conquer.

With years of powder coaching behind them, Whiteroom’s experienced coaches have found that often simple technique correction and confidence building will unlock the secret to powder skiing/riding. You and your powder coach will analyse and then improve your technique and build on what you have learnt through goal setting and skill development. By the end of the tour, you will have progressed from piste to powder and a whole new world will have opened up.

All dates: ¥260,000 ¥234,000 EARLY-BIRD*

28 Dec 2020 – 4 Jan 2021 – 5 SPOTS

9 – 16 Jan 2021 – 5 SPOTS

23 – 30 Jan 2021 – 5 SPOTS

6 – 13 Feb 2021 – 5 SPOTS

20 – 27 Feb 2021 – 5 SPOTS

Free cancellation up to 30th September, 2020. From 1st October onwards to 30 days prior to check in date, refund less ¥20,000 fee will apply if a COVID-19 travel ban or mandatory quarantine is in-force.**

5 to 1 Client to Coach ratio

5 people max per tour. 4 person minimum.

SKILL LEVEL: Advanced on piste new to powder

This tour is specifically designed for skiers and boarders who are confidently in control at all times of their speed and demonstrate rhythm on moderate black diamond piste trails, can make parallel and carving turns and can ski/board very well at speed on intermediate runs. You should be adept at adjusting to the size and length of your turns and are relatively new to the techniques required to ride deep powder. To get the most out of this tour we recommend you have a good level of fitness. Please make an honest assessment of your abilities whilst keeping fitness in mind as to not slow the group down.

Check your ability and fitness level here

NOTE: All tours are SKI only. If you are a group of 4 or more snowboarders you may request a snowboard guide/instructor on any of the tour dates. Please contact us for more details.

We are a IATA registered travel agent with wholesale fares and can organise discounted flights from anywhere in Australia. Ask for our ski and fly packages.

Prices are in Japanese Yen and include consumption tax. Correct as of 23rd April 2020. LAND ONLY.

*10% EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL – Applies to all tours booked and pay in full by 30th September, 2020.

**Free cancellation for any reason up to 30th September, 2020. From 1st October onwards to 30 days prior to check-in date a refund (less ¥20,000 fee) will apply if a COVID-19 travel ban is in-force which stops outbound travel from your home country or inbound travel to Japan or you have to quarantine upon entry, you may cancel and receive a refund. (See our terms and conditions for full details)

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Fully guided/instructed & hosted
Airport Transfers
7 nights twin/triple share accommodation at Pension Full Note in central Hirafu, Niseko
5 days worth of lift passes and coaching/guiding in the Niseko region
Welcome & farewell dinner party
Daily breakfast
Cultural day tour to Otaru
Onsen (hot spring) tour
Whiteroom T-shirt

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

– Accommodation Upgrade – price on request
– Discounted flights from Australia with Qantas
– Single share accommodation – price on request
– Avalanche gear rental – ¥11,500 for 6 days
– Stopovers in Kyoto and Tokyo
– Extend your stay in Niseko or Hokkaido

NOTE: Avalanche safety gear is compulsory for all our tours and is an optional extra. Please advise us upon booking if you have your own gear or will need to rent.

This itinerary is an example. The tour will be run largely by the weather and each day will fit around where the best conditions are. This is the beauty of such a tour.

Day 1 (Arrival and Check-in day)

Upon landing at Sapporo’s Chitose Airport you’ll be transferred by Resort Liner to the Hirafu Welcome Centre where you’ll be met by our team and then checked into Full Note. That night we’ll host you in the Half Note Bar where you’ll meet our lead guide and managers who will run you through the tour, weather and answer any questions you have.

(NOTE: If you wish to organise rental ski/SB equipment it is advised that you try to arrive with enough time on the arrival day to be fitted – seek advice from your consultant)

Day 2 (First ski day)

First day on skiing Niseko! Your instructors will take a look at your technique and run you through powder skiing/riding fundamentals, gear setup, stance, turn shape/size, technique and how this affects our speed in powder whilst exploring the Niseko area. At the end of the day, we will all enjoy a traditional Japanese meal and a few drinks around the fire.

Day 3

Today we’ll show you how big Niseko is and while we do that we’ll hunt out some powder stashes and explore how we move on the skis/board mainly vertically and rotationally and how this affects turn size and turn shape in various treed powder-filled terrain.

Day 4

Depending on how you feel we may either head to nearby Moiwa Ski Area or rest weary legs. Departing in the morning, we will spend the day guiding you through the trees and bowls of Moiwa. This is a great place to really work on those deep powder turns in a variety of pitches and in open and treed terrain.

Day 5 (Cultural day)

If we didn’t have a rest day before you will today as fatigue will have certainly set in. You can chill at the lodge, walk around the streets of Niseko, soak in an Onsen. We will also be running a cultural excursion to the seaside village of Otaru via the Nikka Whiskey Distillery or if the Snow Festival is on, we will head to Sapporo by train.

Day 6

Pack your onsen gear and a snorkel as we’ll be heading off to Kiroro today. By now you’ll really be getting the hang of the techniques you need to ski Japan’s deep pow. This powder gem has some awesome terrain and fresh lines all day.

Day 7

Day tour to Rusutsu Resort. Departing in the morning, we will spend the day guiding you through the trees of Rusustu. You should now have a new found confidence when skiing powder and maybe even look to start hitting some of many natural features in Rusutsu. Time to take it to the next level! Finish with an onsen and farewell dinner party to round off your Hokkaido powder experience.

Day 8 (Check out and departure day)

Time to check out and say goodbye to your new friends and transfer to Sapporo’s Chitose Airport for your flight home. If you have a later flight you can even sneak in another ski day!

Enjoying great powder in japan while getting tips to improve riding. The guides have a very strong knowledge of the terrain and able to read our skill levels quickly and find a suitable area for us to enjoy powder.

– Wei Chen 2020

I think the thing that stood out to me most was the incredible team that Whiteroom have. When we first arrived Yu met us with a huge smile, friendly nothing is a problem attitude and was incredibly welcoming and helpful throughout our whole stay. Kieron was great she always asked about our day, made us feel at home and provided great service.

Even when I went down to the office to sort out a bus transfer Kate phoned around for me, recommended a cheaper ski pass rate than we were going to get and sorted everything out effortlessly. I commented to a friend how nice it was that everyone at full note called us by our names, this again an example of what stood out and a reflection of Whiteroom service and brand. An impressive business and service example for others to follow.

Nate (Guide) was a fantastic guide he always went out of his way to ensure we were getting the most out of the tour. His willingness to help out by dropping us off places, recommendations and follow up were brilliant. The pics and videos he took will be treasured. He always followed up on requests, kept us up to date, read the group well and went the extra mile. Fantastic instruction and guiding.

– Wayne Goodman 2020

Excellent! Thoroughly enjoyed the powder progression tour. Nate was a great instructor, explained technique in a way that I could really understand & I think I will remember. He took good care of us, was kind and really went above and beyond to make sure we all had a fun time, including the restaurants, onsens etc. Nate was very patient and good fun to ski with, thank you

– Grace Bickmore 2020

Loved the guides, you were both fantastic and were great company.

Your knowledge of the mountains was amazing and you looked after us very well.

– Yuhan Wei 2019

The tour was amazing. The snow just got better and better each day. Mike (guide) was a total champion and all round top bloke. His mountain knowledge was exceptional and he was able to find us the best skill-appropriate conditions day in – day out. He was very clear in his communication on where and what to do and never strayed too far ahead where we were unable to find him. The only down side of him going first were that he got the first tracks, but someone needed to show us the way! The lodge team were fantastic, with yummy food and clean facilities. The lodge is looking a bit worn, and beds on the hard side, but is well suited to providing a great experience. Thanks again and I will be booking more tours in the future.

– Chris Johnston 2019

Great guide. Mike (guide) was really in tune with what we (the snowboarders) were looking for. Keido (consultant) was really responsive with booking and general questions. Everything worked really well – made the trip very easy.

– Matthew Crompton

Loved – Good group of people and down to earth guides. Flexibility of tour to move to the better powders locations. Learning to ski in powder = want to do more. The more the guides spend with the group showing them the local area, cuisine and attractions, outside of skiing, adds to the experience. Highlights – Snow conditions in Moiwa and Rusutsu . Our group and JAPOW! (and being able to ski it eventually/sort of). Improve – Not much to say, maybe, leave earlier in morning for first runs of the fresh stuff 🙂

– Kristian Dunn 2018

This is one of the best holidays I have every had. Guides so friendly & their knowledge & tips of instruction on the snow was great to progress my snowboarding. Mic was so good! Crew I meet & travelled with I had a blast. I would go back to Japan tomorrow, was so much fun! The cultural experiences were a buzz too and gave the tired body a break from all the powder.

– Joan Burns 2018

I was travelling by myself on this trip and had never been to Japan before. Greg from Whiteroom tours and the staff at Full Note Pension really put the stoke into every day.

Greg took our group to mountains where the conditions were mint for each day. I don’t think we did a groomed run at any time during our stay. It was always backcountry and trees and somehow we’d pop out at the bottom of each lift (which never had lines). Epic.

My powder technique definitely improved from being challenged in more difficult terrain and from Greg’s instruction. He was super approachable and I felt safe everywhere we went.

Full Note Pension totally catered for my vegetarian diet. Tomoko even made a separate welcoming and farewell dinner for me. She even drove me to the supermarket so I could buy broccoli. Haha what a legend! Yu Kondo did not allow me to lift a finger haha. He carried all my luggage and made sure I had everything I needed. Excellent manager.

If I could afford this trip each year, I would do it…and bring a mass of my buddies. It’s definitely worth it. The pension is in a great spot and is beautiful, the guides are super friendly and challenge you, you visit various onsens with a cold beer and the guides drive you everywhere. All you have to think about is waking up to freshies and having an epic day riding.

– Meg Hamilton 2016

Everything was amazing! I have never enjoyed snowboarding as much as being on this tour. Greg was an awesome guide – very encouraging and helpful. Full note was great – clean and spacious. I will definitely be making a whiteroom guided tour an annual thing. Thankyou so much!

– Ashley

Guides were really great, so helpful with my skiing technique, a wonderful experience overall, so glad i booked the otaru extension, the extra couple of days on different mountains was a perfect way to finish my trip. Thank you

– Amanda

Best couple of weeks of snowboarding I’ve had! Greg was awesome! The staff at the fullnote were excellent, but sharing bathrooms etc is not my thing, I will look to stay in separate accommodation next time. Consider expanding your options on that front. I’ll be back for the Explorer next year!

– Brendon Wilson

Greg shared lots of great hint’s and tip’s to aid my boarding during the first few days when condition weren’t great. As soon as there was some fresh snow Greg took to the best resorts and best conditions. Also felt safe within his supervision in the back country. Showed us spot’s we’d never find on our own. The best part had to be the 3 day add on to Otaru, lovely city, great meals and most of all we got some all time conditions at Kiroro, Kokusai then Sapporo-Teine. Everyday better than the last, giving us a great end to the trip. Cheers for a great tour and looking forward to an explorer tour in the future!!!

Cheers,

Neil

Hi Paul, Hope you’re well. Just thought id drop you an email with regards to the Progression Tour 28/1-4/02. Wow, what an awesome time I had. Not sure how to draft such a response but here goes: 👍🏼 – Greg Overall is a true asset to your organisation. His instruction, advice, inspiration and patience was unbelievable and his mountain knowledge had us in the goods every time. And not to mention he is a stand out guy, great banter, plenty of laughs and good value. Considering id only had 5 days on snow in the past 25 years, by the trips end i was riding lines i never thought i would. – The two days we had at The Zoo were definite highlights of the trip, fresh tracks all day both days to the point where we couldn’t be assed to do another lap on the second day, our hearts were keen but our bodies weren’t. – Moiwa stashes ran a very close second (or third) to The Zoo – Staff at Full Note were great, friendly, great breakfasts to get the day started and cold beers to round out the day – Happy not to have spent more than the 1 day at Niseko. Maybe conditions help dictate this but even on my additional 9 days i only rode there 1 other day. – Tim, Viv and Ronan in the office were great, assisted in getting my Niseko-Asahikawa journey sorted and most valuable to my last few days got me on a ride to Kiroro for my last day. After a couple of lean days locally and a lay day the powder at Kiroro that day was awesome, great day to finish riding. – Yu-san driving me down to Kutchan Station on my departure day.

Overall, a solid trip with great staff, legend guide and with only 3 of us in our group no complaints. One of the other guys in my group and another who i met on the following tour are looking at booking again for next year (leave pass from wifey permitting) and tacking on a few additional days afterwards on the provisos Greg will be guiding us 😜. The girl (Lisa) who won the trip and ‘bunked’ my additional nights at Full Note i took out for lunch on her first day……thinking she should have taken me to lunch. 😜 Congratulations on a well tuned operation, thanks to all involved and i would happily recommend Whiteroom to friends and family for future trips. Keep me posted as to when 2018 dates will be available.

Cheers Rob

Hi Paul/Graeme,

Just wanted to say thanks to Whiteroom for an awesome couple of days guiding in Japan last week. Leonie was a brilliant guide. She took us to places we would never have discovered on our own, found some great snow for us and was a lot of fun to spend the days with and passed on some really useful local knowledge. Couldn’t have asked for more.

I will definitely be recommending Whiteroom to friends and will be using you again on future trips.

Cheers

Ben

Hi Paul
Thank you for organising this tour. All went well. I did progress my powder skiing, I had never imagined that it would be so much fun. Hard to get back to skiing on Aussie snow.

I can’t praise Leonie enough, she was a good teacher, very organised and helpful, a lively personality. Adam fitted the same picture, I did not ski much with him, but he also was considerate and helpful.

Thanks again
Hanne

Very helpful before trip. Great guides. Recommended.

– Rose Maher

Hi Paul

Hope you are enjoying your travels – we were talking with Jen tonight !

Short write up on the Niseko Progression 2015 tour – rate the following out of 5:

Professionalism 4 – Good organisation of vehicles and venues, briefing on the day ahead, pre-trip advice OK,
Communication 3 – some confusion while arranging booking accommodation – but all done at short notice so understandable.
Instructor 4.5 – Adam was very good at leading the group and particularly at giving technique advice pertinent to each individual – showed empathy

and understanding with each member of the group. Very pleased to be with him again.

Progress 4 – I learnt heaps and reckon I went up a notch or two in ability – both on –piste and in powder.
Lodging 4 – Full Note Pension was appropriate level of comfort and situation near slopes and amenities. Owners were lovely, staff OK.
Value 4 – appropriate.
fun factor 4.5 – highly enjoyable trip.

All the best – and hope to catch up with you sometime either in Japan or Wamberal or maybe even Victoria.

Cheers

Chris

Niseko

Niseko is the apré ski capital of Japan. With a wide variety of bars and restaurants you will have a ball both on and off the snow. Made up of 5 resorts, Niseko is big enough to cater for all tastes. Plenty of intermediate powder runs are found side by side with off-piste advanced areas. You pretty much guaranteed reliable, day after day powder skiing and riding in classic tree skiing terrain, long groomers and some wide open alpine.

Moiwa

Moiwa is a little known secret and we’re happy it’s kept that way. Within only 20mins drive from Niseko it’s an amazing little powder paradise with two lifts, amazing trees and awesome back bowls. You’re sure to fall in love with this hill.

Rusutsu

Located only 40mins around the other side of Mt Yotei, Rusustu is another favourite amongst locals getting away from the Niseko crowds for a few solitary turns amongst the trees. Its modern lift system two mountains and long ridge and tree runs down into gullies will not disappoint even the most seasoned skier.

Kiroro

Located between Niseko and Otaru this gem gets the most snow of anywhere in Hokkaido. With easy access to its backcountry through a gate system Kiroro has some of the best terrain to get that true waist deep Japanese powder experience. Like many resorts in Japan if you didn’t know where to drop off the run you’d completely miss the best runs. When it’s blowy in Niseko, Kiroro is usually getting the goods!

full_note

PENSION FULL NOTE

In Niseko you’ll be staying at the lovely Pension Full Note. It is a Japanese-style Bed & Breakfast located in the centre of town, with lovely staff and a warm and cosy ski lodge vibe. It has a sunken lounge, fireplace, long communal table where we have our Shabu-Shabu welcome dinner party and daily breaky. Rooms are twin or triple share with shared bathroom facilities on the lower floor and sinks and toilets on every floor.

If shared facilities aren’t for you there are plenty of accommodation options close by which we can upgrade you to whilst still feeling a part of the tour.

More information here…

UPGRADE OPTIONS AVAILABLE – Price & availability on request

Speak to your consultant about upgrading your tour accommodation in Niseko.