Powder Progression Tour

7 NIGHTS | 5 DAYS INSTRUCTION/GUIDING | from $2820

FULLY GUIDED / INSTRUCTED & HOSTED SKI/SNOWBOARD TOUR

 

DO YOU CHARGE THE PISTES BUT STRUGGLE IN POWDER? LEARN THE SECRET TO POWDER SKIING/SNOWBOARDING WITH OUR CERTIFIED COACHES AND GUIDES

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

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

On this tour Whiteroom’s certified instructors will help you get the most out of your skiing. With years of powder coaching behind them, they’ve found that often simple tips, drills and technique correction will unlock the secret to powder skiing/riding. By the end of the tour you will have learnt to be confident whilst maintaining control in a variety of terrain. Video analysis sessions will give you and your instructor the chance to analyse and improve your technique and build on what you have learnt that day.

Further details and an example itinerary are available in our blog article on the Powder Progression Tour.

This tour is specifically designed for those who can confidently ski/ride the whole mountain on piste and have maybe encountered some powder but struggle when skiing or boarding off-piste and in deep powder. Fill in our enquiry form or call us or and have a chat to see if this Niseko powder instruction tour suits you.

 

Dates & Prices (Australian Dollars)

*29 Dec 2018 – 5 Jan 2019 – $3190 SKI SOLD OUT – 2 SB SPOTS LEFT

5 – 12 Jan 2019 – $3190 SOLD OUT

19 – 26 Jan 2019 – $3190  SKI ONLY

*26 Jan – 2 Feb 2019 – $3190  SOLD OUT  

2 – 9 Feb 2019 –  $3190  4 SKI SPOT LEFT

*9 – 16 Feb 2019 – $3190  SKI/SNOWBOARD 2 SKI SPOTS LEFT

16 – 23 Feb 2019 – $3190  2 SKI SPOTS LEFT

23 Feb – 2 Mar 2019 – $3190  SKI ONLY

2 – 9 Mar 2019 – $2820 SKI ONLY

 

*29DEC, 26JAN tour and 9FEB are the only tours with both Ski and Snowboard instruction. All other tours are ski only.

**If you are 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.

 

SKILL LEVEL: High Intermediate.

6 to 1 Client to Guide ratio

Tours have a max of 6-12 people 

This tour is specifically designed for those who can confidently ski/ride the whole mountain on piste making parallel/carving turns at speed and have maybe encountered some powder but struggle when skiing or boarding off-piste and in deep powder. Check your ability level here.

 

 

We are a fully licensed travel agent with wholesale fares and can organise discounted flights from any capital city. Ask for our ski and fly packages.

 

*Prices in Australian dollars correct as of 27th April 2018. LAND ONLY

TOUR INCLUSIONS

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

 

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • Discounted flights with Qantas
  • Avalanche gear rental – $140
  • Tokyo stopover/Kyoto cultural side trip
  • Accommodation upgrade to Kimamaya Boutique Hotel, M-Lodge or M-Hotel
  • Extra nights accommodation & ski days in Niseko or elsewhere

Niseko

Niseko is the apre 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 beginner and intermediate 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. It’s modern lift system two mountains and long ridge and tree runs down into gullies will not disapoint even the most seasoned skier.

 

Kiroro

This gem of a ski resort is located an hours drive from Niseko, yet hardly any foreigners even know about it. With high speed quads, gondolas and some amazing terrain it’s worth the day trip for something different and all that untracked powder that’s our alone.

full_noteIn Niseko you’ll be staying at the lovely Pension Full Note. It is a Japanese-style Bed & Breakfast located in the center of town, with lovely staff and a warm and cosy country style atmosphere. It has a sunken lounge, fireplace, long communal table where we have our Shabu-Shabu welcome dinner party and daily breaky. We love this place!

More information here…

Arrival/Check-in day – 1st night

Upon landing at Sapporo’s Chitose Airport you’ll be transferred by Niseko Airport Shuttle 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 1
First day on skiing Niseko! Your instructors we spend looking at fundamentals, gear setup, stance, turn shape and turn size and how this affects our speed 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 2
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 terrain.

Day 3
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 with no one around and terrain for all abilities.

Day 4
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 or we can organise cultural experiences or lunch or dinner at one of the great restaurants in the area. We will also offer the opportunity to take a day trip to the seaside village of Otaru via the Nikka Whiskey Distillery or if the Snow Festival is on head to Sapporo by train.

Day 5
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 charge through the pow. This powder gem has some awesome terrain and fresh lines all day.

Day 6
Day tour to Rusutsu Resort. Departing in the morning, we will spend the day guiding you through the trees and gullies of Rusustu. You will now be fine tuning your movements 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 7
Time to check out and say good bye to your new friends and transfer to Sapporo’s Chitose Airport for your flight home.

 

NOTE: 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.

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

Meg Hamilton – 2016 Powder Progression Tour

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.
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

 

 

Rose Maher

Very helpful before trip. Great guides. Recommended.

 

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