Yuki Yama Backcountry Tour
FULLY GUIDED & HOSTED LIFT ASSISTED BACKCOUNTRY TOUR
Come and experience deep dry powder in world-famous Niseko with us, venturing away from the crowds and into the less-visited backcountry areas in the region.
Yuki Yama – Japanese for snowy mountain… we think that’s a fairly accurate name for this powder filled tour!
Based over 7 nights staying a short walk from Hirafu Village at Always Niseko, we’ll be chasing the bountiful storms rolling in from Siberia. Each day will be spent touring with or without using the lifts to explore the best of these amazing resorts: Niseko United, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Moiwa or Kokusai – so you can chase the best of what Japan has to offer.
We’ll explore some great zones including the Goshiki Onsen area, Yoichi-dake behind Kiroro, and Shirebetsu-dake.
If you have experience ski touring or splitboarding in the backcountry this tour will be the perfect way to see the best of the snowiest region of Hokkaido. The Niseko region is ideally suited for keeping a flexible schedule, allowing us to keep your day mixed between touring and the lifts.
7 NIGHTS | 6 DAYS
From ¥TBC
2026-27 Dates & Pricing coming soon
Secure your spot with a 20% deposit. See our Terms & Conditions for more information.
5 to 1 max client to Guide ratio
8 people max per tour. 3 person minimum.
Touring gear required and at least 10 days of ski/splitboard touring experience.
Ability Level: Advanced in Powder with a good level of fitness.
THIS BACKCOUNTRY TOUR WILL TAKE YOU BEYOND THE LIFTS IN SEARCH OF FRESH UNTOUCHED LINES IN SPECTACULAR SURROUNDINGS.
Yuki Yama Backcountry Tour Details
- Fully guided & hosted
- 7 nights twin share accommodation at Always Niseko
- All lift passes as required
- Airport transfer to Niseko with Resort Liner
- Welcome & farewell dinner party
- Daily cooked breakfast
- Onsen (hotspring) experience
- Whiteroom merch
- Single share accommodation – availability and price on request
- Avalanche gear rental
- Avalanche Awareness Courses – click here for more info
- 10% discount on our Weston and Moment Ski/Splitboard backcountry rentals
- Add on a pre or post tour travel package – click here for more info
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our tours and guided packages, and you’ll need to provide your policy details before departure. Your insurance should offer adequate cover for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment, and the specific ski/snowboard related activities involved in your trip. We also recommend ensuring your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you’re unable to join your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness or injury.Standard travel insurance may not cover skiing/boarding on or off-piste or backcountry touring with or without a guide, so it’s essential to check the details carefully. There are snow-specific providers such as World Nomads (Explorer plan) who cover skiing/boarding on piste and with a guide in the backcountry or Rise + Shield (Wintersports add on), which covers on piste as well as skiing/boarding in the backcountry without a guide.
Please make sure your chosen policy meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
NOTE: Avalanche safety gear is compulsory for all our tours. Please advise us upon booking if you have your own gear or will need to rent.
IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?
ABILITY LEVEL: Advanced in powder with 10 days+ of ski touring/splitboarding experience & above.
You must be able to ski/board the whole mountain in all conditions confidently at speed and have advanced ability in powder, through trees in steep terrain and in variable conditions.
Snowboarders in this level are able to keep speed in flat sections by planning ahead as well as hold a solid traverse line and be able to hop up and manoeuvre in a way as to not slow down the group.
You must have a very good level of fitness and be able to tour for around 2-4 hours total per day for up to 900m (3000ft) vertical.
Groups are split up into ski/board/ability levels and AT/skins set-up or split-boards are required. You must have had a decent amount of experience using this equipment (10 days+ of ski touring/splitboarding experience & above.).
The idea of these tours is to use the lifts for their vertical bump, smash the easy pow then use our touring gear to go further and further away from the lifts in search of more fresh lines. On some days we will not use the lifts at all – it’s all up to the group and the conditions.
Niseko United
A never ending list of options await anyone willing to earn their turns in Niseko. From the iconic Mt Yotei that commands the skyline to numerous other peaks all within a short drive of the resort it is not hard to beat the crowds and explore some of the Niseko wilds. With so many options Niseko is a great choice for anyone wishing to have their first touring experience to people that are wanting to ski or ride multiple laps in a day.
Rusutsu
The Rusutsu region is home to one of the local’s favourite backcountry zones, Shiribetsu-Dake. Accessible in all but the worst possible weather conditions, this peak which is the sister mountain to nearby Mt Yotei has multiple different aspects that can be reached by a sub 90 minute hike. From great tree runs to some of the longest open bowl features across the region Shiribetsu ticks multiple boxes. If required we can also use the lifts and the resort for some elevation and skin short distances across the ridgelines in search of some famed Japanese powder.
Kiroro
Offering some of the most varied backcountry terrain in the region Kiroro has everything from pillow lines to high alpine bowls. The area catches a huge amount of snow coming off the sea of Japan allowing for epic powder days. Access out Kiroro resort allows for steep skiing on terrain that is used in the World Freeride qualifier or push further and summit the nearby Mt Yoichi for long runs into the valley. Getting away from everyone else is easy with multiple mountains to choose from or we can try something different and complete car drops on terrain facing the ocean after a quick skin.
Moiwa
Mowia can be a great choice for anyone wanting to get the most out of a day on snow. If you want to get a great quality to quantity ratio then using the lifts in the morning to do some quick powder runs will be the way to go before sticking on the skins later in the day to push out a little further.
and more…
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 Niseko Airport Shuttle to the Hirafu Welcome Centre, and we’ll arrange your transport to Always Niseko. That night 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 snow day)
Today we head to nearby Moiwa resort, a favourite of the locals with some great back bowls to explore. We start the day with a few laps off the lift to get out legs warmed up, then put the skins on and head up into zones that few visit. Once back in town we’ll sit down for welcome dinner and share stories from the day.
DAY 3
When the sun pops out it’s time to go higher – today we head for the peak of Mt. Niseko-Annupuri with plenty of options for long runs that either lead back to a resort or wider out into the backcountry. We’ll finish up the day down at Goshiki onsen and sooth the legs in style.
DAY 4 – 7
To ensure we take you to the location with the best conditions and powder each day, we like to keep our itinerary flexible. From our Niseko base we have plenty more terrain to choose from and often head further afield to areas including Kiroro and Yoichi-dake, Rusutsu and Shiribetsu-dake, Kokusai, and the iconic Mt Yotei.
Expect to be using the lifts to gain elevation and then, depending on conditions, either smash a few quick laps in the backcountry, or strap on the skins and tour out through the gates along ridges and dropping some seriously fresh stuff.
We may also head to some pure backcountry zones away from resorts but not too far from Niseko. We’re always out scoping new terrain to share with you.
This tour is all about hunting out the best conditions and touring to find fresh lines!
DAY 8
(check-out and departure day)
Time to check out and say good bye 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!
Luke is exceptional. I cannot say enough about how wonderful he was as our guide. He truly became our friend. But he also provided us with the most incredible adventure – all around, from morning til eve. His professionalism around avy safety was extraordinary. Beyond the skiing – he went the extra mile to meet our needs and desires – like taking us to Goshiki onsen so we could enjoy that while he skinned back to get the car, taking us to an out of the way area near the ocean so we could get great sushi. He overdelivered in every way and we could not have been happier. We had a blast. And felt incredibly safe. What more can you ask for in a backcountry tour?
– Andrea Abegglen 2025
Overall, excellent feedback on the guides. Both Josh and Luke were extremely prepared and always available to listen to client’s voices. Extremely well prepared on their knowledge and safety. Very good communication and always willing to listen to the group’s preferences with always safety as a priority.
– Davide 2025
Guides are great… knowledgeable (Jesse is an avalanche forecaster!), experienced, accommodating, friendly, flexible, committed to safety, funny, knew how much to push us and when to back off, understood our limits. Could not be better. The group was fun and interesting. We must have gone to every onsen in the area. It was a lot of fun and good fellowship.
– Miles D. A. Protter 2025
Josh and Luke were incredible. We have done quite a few tours with Whiteroom with all guides being amazing but this team should be Whiterooms dream.
Josh has so much experience and was an exceptional lead guide. He regularly checked in with all guests and made us all feel at ease immediately. He knew how to make the most out of each of our days and got the balance right of pow, touring, lifts and most importantly soft serves and onsens.
Luke told the group he was early in his guiding experience but welcomed feedback along the way which shows maturity. He offered many helpful tips and tricks along the way in touring. Whilst new to guiding, he showed so much knowledge and understanding of the mountains and also how to bring a fun positive vibe to the group.
Josh and Luke went above and beyond to teach our group about snow safety at every opportunity. There wasn’t a moment on the trip I think these two could have done better. By far this was the best tour and it was special climbing Yotei with the group.
– Lisa Dibley 2025
Loved Todd! Amazing guide, very knowledgable and put in a lot of extra effort to bring us to many onsens and japanese local restaurants. I loved how he went above and beyond in that area as well as showing us some great backcountry in a safe way!
– Maddison 2024
As for Toddo, man, he was hands down the best ski and culture guide I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. The BEST no question. Dream trip with Todd at the helm.
– James K 2024
Carter (guide) was great! He was able to make the best of disappointing snow conditions on the first couple of days, and got us on some rad lines on the pow days. Carter was particularly good at communicating about avalanche safety and helping us understand the decision-making process. He seemed really knowledgeable about places to ski and individual lines to run. Carter’s easy-going personality and enthusiasm made him a great ski buddy, too. A+ would ski with him again!
– Nicholas Merriman 2020
Always Niseko
This stylish 104 room hotel is designed for the intrepid traveler who seeks the ultimate experience balanced with always the best in value. From the fresh-faced hipster to the seasoned powder hound, this property delivers on the Niseko adventure without compromising on comfort.
Boasting a great in-house bar and lounge area, high speed WiFi throughout, easy access to Hirafu Village and clean and comfortable twin/king bed rooms. It’s only a 10-minute walk to Hirafu Village, and provides a free guest shuttle to the lifts.
SINGLE UPGRADE OPTION AVAILABLE – Price & availability on request
Getting to Niseko is easy with the included Resort Liner coach transfers, which drop you at the Hirafu Welcome Centre. We will arrange your transport onward to your accommodation at Always Niseko.
At the end of the tour in Niseko we arrange your transport to the Hirafu Welcome Centre for your departure transfer to Sapporo’s Chitose Airport with Resort Liner coach.
Please ensure you check with your consultant before you book your flights so that they line up with the available transfer times.
Once you’ve booked onto the tour you will receive our Trip Info Brochure packed with loads of useful information to help you plan your trip to Japan.
View our full Terms & Conditions here.
" Carter was particularly good at communicating about avalanche safety and helping us understand the decision-making process. He seemed really knowledgeable about places to ski and individual lines to run "
Nicholas Merriman 2020
Backcountry Rental
Prefer to leave your gear at home? We now offer our clients backcountry rental with a range of touring skis, splitboards and equipment from Weston, Moment, Tyrollia, Spark R&D, Black Diamond and Mammut.
Our Guides
We take two things very seriously – safety on the mountain, and getting the most from each day. With qualified and experienced guides from all corners of the globe, we’ll show you some amazing places and get you deep into that famous Japanese powder.
