Hokkaido Road Trip Japan, pow(d)ered by Janis

Leistungen: (im Reisepreis inklusive!)

• 8 full freeride days with UIAGM mountain guides
• 10 days Sport65 tour guide and travel organization by Janis
• 10 days rental car with plenty of space and driving service
• 4x overnight with breakfast in lodge in Niseko
• 5x overnight with breakfast in lodge in Furano
• 1x overnight with breakfast in hotel in Chitose (near airport)
• Optional: 2x overnight stay with breakfast in hotel in Tokyo (can be booked additionally)
• All local transfers to skiing, onsen, dinner,...
• All transfers on site for skiing, onsen, dinner,...
• Max. Group size 6 persons per guide
• Security certificate for customer money protection according to §651k BGB of tourVers / Hanse Merkur
• Sport65 rental service for freeride skis, airbag backpacks, avalanche beacon equipment,...as always with "Try & Buy" possibility
• Attention: All material will be transported to Japan by yourself - either you pick it up in our store beforehand, or we send it to you (extra costs!).

Extras and Sport65 specials: (not included in the tour price!)

• Journey - Flight Europe via Tokyo, Osaka,... to Sapporo-Chitose from 830.- Euro, as of June 2022
  For more details see arrival.
• Ski passes - these cost between 40.- and 55.- Euro per day, depending on the area.
• Optional: Additional nights "Tokyo package" - you can book this directly in the booking process
• Possibly local tax, which is charged in the accommodations
• Food, drinks (are a bit cheaper in Japan than e.g. in the Alps)
• Sport65 rental center: Brand new freeride skis with touring bindings and skins or even avalanche transceiver equipment and airbag backpacks can be easily ordered with your booking.
  Attention: All material will be transported to Japan by yourself - either you pick it up in our store beforehand, or we send it to you (extra costs!).

Important information about included and extra services:

• All services are included in the travel price.
• Extras are not included and must be paid at your destination or will be added in the booking form.
  Please remember to bring cash to be ready for unpaid extras.
• Lift tickets: If lift tickets are not included in the price, Sport65 is in charge of providing you with lift tickets we advise that we do not take responsibility for terms and rules of the lift companys.
  In case that we get free tickets we need them for our guides and staff. Special rates do not need to be forwarded to the customer.
  Booking of lift tickets is mandatory.
  Exception: Holders of season tickets or interconnection tickets (like Tirol Snowcard,...) must not buy tickets and can use their own ticket.
  Please note this during the booking procedure.
• Additional costs for transportation during the trip (bus, train, taxi/cab rides) which are not already included have to be paid extra.
• Visitor's tax: Will be added in the booking process and paid seperatly from Sport65 to the hotel.
  If not: Visitors taxes are not included in the travel price and will get charged directly by the accomodation to you.
• Drinks and additional food (which is not included in the service) have to be paid extra.
• Skilessons from Sport65 DSLV skiinstructors:
  Our trips include ski guiding but no - lessons!.
  Private lessons for novices can be booked on request.
  Group lessons: 2 days á 2x2 hr.: 79,00 EUR
  Group lessons: 3 days á 2x2 hr.: 99,00 EUR
  Group lessons: 4 days á 2x2 hr.: 129,00 EUR
  Private lessons: 39,00 EUR/hr. every additional person 19,00 EUR/hr.
  Min. number of participants for a group lesson is 4 people.
• Rental gear: Please regard the official terms of cancellation
  Cancellation of a formal and confirmed reservation has to be done by email and will effect the following terms:
  Until the 15th day before pick up date 10,00 EUR
  Until the 3rd day before pick up date 20,00 EUR
  If the gear did not get picked up on the stated day in the reservation sheet the cancellation fee of 80% of the quoted price will get charged. We will process an invoice automtically and send it to the renter. Refusal of the payment will get pursued by law.
• Please pay attention to our terms! They are mandatory with each booking.
  Download
• Please consider our terms of cancellation.
  until the 30th day before trip 20 % of the travel price
  until the 22nd day before trip 30 % of the travel price
  until the 15th day before trip 50 % of the travel price
  until the 8th day before trip 70 % of the travel price
  no show 90 % of the travel price
  We strongly recommend a travel insurance, that covers a cancellation from you due to disease. We will take out this for you through "HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung" (Travel Insurance). More information about Travel insurance.
  This insurance is not included in the trip price and Sport65 is not responsible for any insurance that is offered by alternative payment methods (such as Creditcard,...).
  If you book for more persons than yourself you also agree in our cancellation rules for those.

Self arrvial byx flight to Sapporo (Airport Chitose)

Arrival - Flight Europe via Tokyo, Osaka,... to Sapporo-Chitose from 830.- Euro, as of June 2022
Lufthansa and ANA include a lot of free luggage (skis!).
Please note: Book the flight only after contacting Sport65 - of course you can also arrive earlier to Japan or extend at the end.
For flight bookings or inquiries about flights, flight times please contact us -.
Please do not book a flight without consulting Sport65, this is the only way to organize a smooth trip!

Recommended flight schedule from Frankfurt:

• Arrival: Departure Friday 13.01.2023 at 11:30 am with NH or LH from Frankfurt via Tokyo to Chitose (Sapporo Airport) - you will then be in Chitose at 09:45 am on Saturday and drive with our rental cars for about 2.5 hours to Niseko.
• Departure: Return flight Tuesday 24.01.2023 at 08:30 from Chitose to Frankfurt.
  So you will be back in Europe on Tuesday afternoon (due to the time difference) (depending on the booked connection).
  
  OR: You come with us to Tokyo and book a stopover in Tokyo Haneda (Narita is quite far away from Tokyo) - again, please check with Sport65.
  Return flight in this case is from Haneda Thursday 26.01.2023 at 11:15 am to Frankfurt.
  So you are Thursday, 26.01.2023 in the afternoon (due to the time difference) back in Europe (depending on the booked connection).

Important information and additions to the journey:

• For flight bookings or inquiries about flights, flight times please contact us -.
  Please do not book a flight without consulting Sport65, this is the only way to organize a smooth trip!
  The organizer will send a message in time as soon as the minimum number of participants for the trip is reached - only then should the flights be booked.
  For the entry to Japan no visa is required BUT: Your passport must be valid for at least half a year after the date of entry!
• Sport65 reserves the right to cancel the trip if the minimum number of participants is not reached 15 days before the start of the trip.
• Sport65 will not reimburse any transport or transfer costs booked in advance - these cannot be assigned to Sport65 under any circumstances. 
• In case of own arrival, the traveler is responsible for late arrival, as far as Sport65 is not responsible for it.
• A claim for damages for non-received services does not arise from this.
• Luggage tips: Please pay attention to the luggage regulations of the airlines. Sport65 does not take any responsibility for excess luggage, not transported luggage (e.g. pressure cartridges for airbag backpacks), lost luggage or luggage arriving too late.
• If the luggage is rented from Sport65, the renter is responsible for it.
• Flying with ABS or similar cartridges: Is very difficult in Japan and is not recommended - as of June 2022 it is not a problem with electronic systems such as from Ortovox, Scott, Pieps, etc. You can rent an airbag backpack with electronic system directly when booking.
• Tip: Take ski boots and ski clothing (gloves, underwear) in your hand luggage, so you have this safely at the start of your trip.
• Please pay attention to the entry regulations of the destination country. Our obligation to provide information does not change the fact that the travel client is responsible for obtaining and carrying the necessary travel documents and for observing any required vaccinations as well as customs and visa regulations.
• Please pay attention to any regulations regarding coronatests, vaccinations, etc.

Lodges/Pensions/Hotels Hokkaido Roadtrip

Sorry, no English version...

Die Sport65 Unterkünfte auf dem Roadtrip: Typisch Japan Style!

Die Unterkünfte auf unserem Roadtrip werden typische japanische Skilodges sein.
Wir verzichten hier ganz bewusst auf die "europäisch-amerikanisch" geprägten Hotels der bekannten Hotelketten (die es hier auch überall gibt.
Denn nach unserer Meinung: Wenn man nach Japan geht, sollte man auch "Nippon-Style" wohnen.
Also in kleinen Lodges und Pensionen, mit typisch japanischer Einrichtung und Verpflegung.
Dass man dort oftmals vergeblich die Dusche im Zimmer sucht: Ist normal, denn Japaner/innen gehen eben zur Körperpflege in den Onsen, welche es in fast jedem Haus gibt.
Ihr könnt es uns glauben: Nach dem Bad und der Wäsche im Onsen ist selbst der härteste Powdertag bei eiskaltem Wetter wieder aus den Knochen gespült!
Die Essensverpflegung machen wir dann ebenfalls Japan-Style, nämlich in den Restaurants, die es überall gibt - auch hier schauen wir, dass wir eben nicht in die Pizzeria marschieren, sondern uns kleine japanische Restaurants aussuchen.
Oder: Hast du schon mal Essen am Automaten bestellt? Musst du mal machen - keine Angst, das wird von echten Menschen gekocht - mehr wollen wir hier gar nicht sagen. Muss man erlebt haben!
Die letzte Nacht verbringen wir in einem Hotel in Chitose, direkt bei Flughafen (ok, hier wird es wohl ein "Standard in der Nähe des Flughafens Hotel" sein...).
So sind wir bei Wetter Kapriolen (ihr werdet sehen, wenn es schneit, schneit es dort richtig...) auf der sicheren Seite, dass alle den Heimflug stressfrei erreichen können, auch wenn er früh am Morgen wäre.

Ausstattungen und Leistungen der Unterkünfte unseres Roadtrips:

• Doppelzimmer mit Toilette oder sauberer Gemeinschaftstoilette
  Die Zimmer sind in Japan eher klein aber immer sehr sauber (was typisch für Japan ist!)
• WICHTIG: In Japan gibt es keine Bäder in den Zimmern! Das ist dort nicht typisch.
  In den Unterkünften gibt es aber entweder Onsen (für Frauen und Männer normalerweise getrennt) und unweit gibt es immer auch einige öffentliche Onsen, typische japanische Badehäuser, in denen man sich seit Jahrhunderten wäscht, kommuniziert, entspannt.
  Ein absolutes Muss, wenn man in Japan reist!
• Frühstück in japanischem oder westlichen Stil (keine Angst, i.d.R. gibt es beides...)

Info: Die Unterkünfte werden, wie ihr es von Sport65 kennt (oder schon mal gehört habt), strategisch verkehrsgünstig liegen und eben den normalen japanischen Standard haben - der ungefähr einem 2-3 Sterne Hotel in Italien oder Frankreich entspricht (bis auf die Geschichte mit dem Bad...)

Rund um unsere Unterkünfte gibt es natürlich auch überall bei unseren Stops jede Menge Restaurants und Nightlife, das wir gerne mit euch mal antesten...
Oftmals zu Fuss erreichbar, aber wir haben ja unsere Autos und die Guides als Chaufeure.
In Furano ist Nachts etwas weniger geboten als in Niseko, jedoch kann man mit einem kurzen Fußweg oder auch dem Taxi viele Restaurants und auch ein paar Bars nach dem Skifahren erreichen.
Der klassische Après Ski, wie man ihn aus den Alpen kennt ist nicht annähernd vergleichbar mit der eher gemütlichen Stimmung in Japan.
Lasst euch darauf ein und ihr werdet es mehr genießen, als "Anton aus Tirol" Partys in Europa...

Hokkaido JaPow Roadtrip Gebiete

Hokkaido's top ski resorts with the incredible JAPOW are waiting!

South-West Hokkaido (Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, etc.)

The Niseko area includes the ski resorts of Hokkaido located southwest of Sapporo,
Niseko, probably the most famous ski resort in Japan, is world famous for its famous "JaPow", the best powder snow in the world!
Due to its proximity to the coast, the Niseko area permanently receives large amounts of fresh snow and is one of the snowiest areas in the world.
Niseko is simply a "must-go" if you are on Hokkaido!
Even though it is now very well known and accordingly well visited, we naturally make a stop here on our road trip - because: You must have seen this and "I was skiing in Japan" you simply have to be able to answer the question "have you been to Niseko?" with a YES!

The ski mountain of Niseko, the Mount An'nupuri is "only" 1300m high - but since the "valley villages" around the volcano are only 300m high, you have a remarkable 1000m downhill for Japanese standards.
The ski pass "Niseko United" is valid in the individual areas - which are almost 20km apart at the foot of the mountain, but all meet together at the top. It's just a volcano - big radius, only one peak.
So you can also decide at the top, so to speak, at which flank of the mountain probably the snow is best, the avalanche danger is lowest, the visibility is best.... is.
You just have to know at which altitude you have to start crossing to end up at a lift again - but for these decisions you have our guides....

Kiroro and Rusutsu are 2 smaller, but no less spectacular Hokkaido areas that almost everyone knows from the many pictures that are always circulating through all the magazines and the Internet.
Light birch forests with masses of snow await the powder freaks of the world here - for one day these two are absolute dream areas, located about 1 hour drive from Niseko.
Rusutsu will surprise you first when you see the amusement park at the valley station, that has something extraordinary special...

Central Hokkaido (Furano, Tomamu, Asahidake, etc.)

The most snow with an average of 15-18 meters of snowfall during the season is around Niseko - but not far behind is central Hokkaido, our next stop of the road trip!
But the snow quality is generally even better due to the colder and somewhat drier climate.
There are also far fewer tourists here, which means we have to share the powder with fewer skiers and can immerse ourselves more in Japanese culture.
The ski areas are a bit smaller than Niseko United, but the opportunities for off-piste runs in the famous fluffy JaPow are incredible.

Furano will be our base station for another 5 days of skiing and is the perfect location for a perfect Japan trip!
The area used to be on the World Cup skiing event calendar as well.
The town is a very authentic Japanese small town, with many Japanese restaurants and in the ski area with beautiful powder runs.
The Furano ski area is quite a large (by Japanese standards) ski area with 10 lifts starting at 235m and going up to 1074m. You can enjoy deep fluffy powder right near the lifts after a snowfall.
If it has not snowed for a long time, it is not tragic, because the snow remains extremely fluffy - and we simply climb a few meters with our skins to find the untouched slopes.

From Furano we are within max. 60 minutes in various other ski areas, with the same snow quality and many offpist possibilities.
Kaumi, Tamamu, Sahoro, etc. are to be mentioned here.
Here we will decide at short notice depending on snow conditions, weather, desire and mood where we will ski.

The highlight in all of Japan (according to Janis and according to many reports) is definitely Mount Asahidake.
It is not a real "ski resort" but rather a "backcountry area" and even among experienced "Japan freeriders" a real insider tip.
There is only one big gondola and a few marked slopes (rather drag trails) to get into the deep snow slopes.
Everything else is real backcountry with treeskiing and alpine terrain.
The gondola takes us up to 1600m, where the smell of rotten eggs will probably await us.
Why. Asahidake is an active volcano, which usually smokes slightly.
But no need to worry about an eruption ((::
From the top station we can either start directly via the draw trails in beautiful and sometimes steep runs back to the bottom station or we put the skins on the skis and possibly even climb to the summit of Asahidake with 2291m.
To the summit of an active volcano to ski down - sounds good or?
One more thing: Don't be fooled by the "Austria" altitude, for Japanese conditions this mountain is very high and exposed, which can make the weather very extreme (after all, we are almost in Siberia here).

But what makes Hokkaido so special and unique is simply the already mentioned "JaPow" - the snow is so fluffy that almost everyone can cruise through it - "happy powder skiing"...
On Hokkaido every good skier will get his "powderhigh", because: you almost can't do anything wrong!
By the way: We use freeride skis with touring bindings and skins, because you often have to (or can) ascend briefly to ski other flanks or simply "freetour" for a few hours in beautiful terrain.
What is ingenious here is that due to the "only" low mountain altitude, you have much more air here than in the Alps, for example - try it out, you'll notice!
The areas are top, the facilities are not comparable with European standards - you should not make such comparisons, because you are going skiing and not riding a lift...
You might have heard that there are relatively strict rules for skiing in Japan - but don't worry, that's why our guides are with you!