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Ultimate Hokkaido Backcountry Tour

If you’re looking to truly get off the beaten path, into Hokkaido’s legendary backcountry and to the top of the island’s most spectacular volcanoes, this is the trip for you. More backcountry powder than any other of our Japanese tours, this si aimed at those of you who are really looking for backcountry, not sidecountry, but true authentic backcountry! Having said that, we’ve still got a few resort based days to make sure we lap up our fill of lift accessed powder (particularly for stormy, low visibility days) but as soon as the sun creeps out we’ll be headed for the nearest summit!

Flights and Transfers: Fly into Chitose airport, these generally go via a quick stopover in Narita, Tokyo. From Chitose airport you will be collected and via bus and transferred up to Niseko where your hosts will receive you. Transfer time – 2hrs 30mins roughly

The Lodge: Throughout the trip you will stay in a combination of different lodges, all of them comfortable and full of stoke for powder touring. The accommodation will mainly be westernised and of a 3 star standard. There are options to tweak this element or try out Japanese style accommodation as well.

Itinerary: For the following 4 days your wasabi guide will treat you to some of the best shredding possible. Get ready to test your ski and snowboard skills to the max as you explore the Niseko back bowls and Mount Shiribetsu backcountry. You will then get to enjoy an unguided days in Rusutsu before being transferred to Sapporo. From here you will explore the plentiful Sapporo Kokusai off-piste and Yoichi-dake backcountry. The next few days will take you across Hokkaido to Kurodake, Asahidake and Tokachidake. The actual itinerary will depend on the weather, your guide will keep you updated on conditions daily on these! As an added bonus, if a bluebird day comes along, you may even make an attempt on the Fuji of the of the North – Mount Yotei!

N.B. Although prior backcountry experience is not necessary for this trip, reasonable physhical fitness and a desire to earn your turns is essential!

Guide price: Prices based on 6 people start from £2,395 per person and includes:

• 5 days Lift Tickets (provided on guided days only)
• 10 nights twin share accommodation on bed and breakfast
• 7 guided ski days
• all transfers transportation within Hokkaido
• All avalanche safety gear for the duration
• Trip of a lifetime

Get in touch to find out more, tweak the concept and book this trip

swiss sidecountry with a swedish twist

Engelberg – a beautiful and historic town, with a grand Alpine setting and a freerider’s dream! “The mountain of the angel” was founded in 1120 by a Benedictine monk who heard an angel telling him to build a monastery where the town now lies. Today the monastery still stands and Engelberg echoes to the calls of skiers here for incredible off-piste skiing and one of the world’s longest vertical descents. We love it and we’re happy to present it to you!

Flights and Transfers: Flights from the UK into Zurich airport. From there it is a short 1 1/2hr transfer up into the resort.

The Lodge: In the heart of the resort is a small and recently renovated hotel. Run by a Swedish pair, it has a distinctly Scandinavian feel on the inside thanks to their keen eye for clean interior design during the refurbishment. Most importantly though is that the lodge epitomises the freeride scene and is well known amongst the powder skiing fraternity. With their laid back friendly atmosphere, fantastic hospitality and food, and a focus on getting the most from the mountain, everything about this lodge helps build the stoke for an awesome week.

Itinerary: Engelberg is situated at an altitude of 1000 metres, with the slopes reaching far above that and even a glacier to enjoy. It is the biggest ski resort in central Switzerland, with 82 km of pistes to make your legs tired.  Riding powder is what it’s all about in Engelberg, and our guides will take you on an unforgettable downhill tour of powder runs. If you’re prepared for a short hike (around 1 hr), you’ll be in untracked fresh all day long. This tour includes 3 days of guiding as part of a shared group (maximum 8 per guide), and they’ll take to you to the best spots in resort and in the near surrounding slopes based on conditions of the day. For a small surcharge why not upgrade one of the days to an offsite trip? Within one hour’s drive from Engelberg, you’ll find another “freeride-mecca” – Andermatt. The steep northern slopes lead down to the 1500 meter lower Urseren-valley. Skins and touring bindings are essential, since the best rides must be deserved.

Guide price:  Based on 4 people for 7 nights start from £1400per person and includes:

• 7 nights lodging
• 3 days guided backcountry riding
• 6 day lift pass
• Return private transfers to Zurich Airport
• Breakfast each morning
• Add around £42 a head for a day tour to Andermatt.

Get in touch to find out more, tweak the concept and book this trip

Still need convincing? Ok, check out this vid below of the freshies to be had in this area. We didn’t make it, but it helps give you an idea of what’s on offer:

Japan Deep Powder skiing and snowboarding

Been wondering what a wasabi Japanese powder ski and snowboard adventure is like?
Watch the below, then check out our custom concepts from Japan…and then book them.

untracked, unforgettable – backcountry boarding in Colorado

With your board strapped to your back and snowshoes on your feet, head out into the backcountry of Telluride resort with your local wasabi guide for a few days of extreme deep powder boarding action. Based amongst the majestic San Juan mountain range, in the south west of Colorado you will find acres of untracked fresh powder, both in-bounds and out-bounds, to provide hours of thigh burning pleasure. Away from the crowds, in a beautiful box canyon and with plenty of riding options to keep you entertained all week long, this is the very best of Stateside backcountry boarding adventures!

Flights and Transfers: Flights from the UK into Montrose airport have 1 stopover in a major US city. From there it is a short 1hr transfer up into the resort town.

The Lodge: Stay is Telluride’s newest, oldest lodgings! Originally built during the town’s historic mining days back in 1891, and recently having undergone a full upgrade and transformation, your stay in Telluride will be at a place steeped in history. It is also extremely conveniently located in the heart of the resort town,  just two blocks from the ski lifts and in the thick of the action for the evening entertainment. The bar may be the oldest in town, but don’t worry the rooms are not. Each room has been beautifully restored  and “mod-cons” added in with flat screens and internet access throughout.

Itinerary: From a base in the town you are just a short walk from the gondola which will whisk you up away from the resort, via the mountain village, and then into the wide open expanses beyond. With 2000+ acres to explore and a vertical descent of 1,200 or so metres, you will not run out of places to ride. Enjoy a couple of days of exploring the resort on your own, head over to the Black Iron Bowl, Gold Hill Chutes and Palmyra Peak for some challenging in-bounds sidecountry riding. Many of the best lines are hike to terrain, so the freshies last that much longer. On day 3 your local wasabi guide will meet you at your hotel and from there you will head out beyond the resort boundaries, into the wild mountain terrain for the ultimate in deep powder riding adventures. With an intimate knowledge of the local area and mountains, you will spend the next 3 days exploring the very best the Telluride backcountry can offer. These tours aren’t for the faint hearted, expect to hike for at least 1 1/2 hrs to reap the rewards!

Guide price:  Based on 4 people for 8 nights start from £1639 per person and includes:

• 8 nights lodging
• 3 days guided backcountry riding
• 7 day lift pass
• Return shared transfers to Montrose Airport
• Equipment hire for the duration (backcountry equipment extra)

Get in touch to find out more, tweak the concept and book this trip

grand teton touring – backcountry ski and snowboard week

If deep powder skiing and boarding, magnificent Teton views and touring with some of the most accomplished ski guides in the world excites you, then we have the perfect tour to offer. Head out into the heart of the Wyoming backcountry with our epic week long touring session around the stunning Grand Teton National Park. Enjoy some of the most impressive terrain in the country while increasing your knowledge about snow science and terrain evaluation. Improve your technical abilities with tips from PSIA instructors, learn about ski mountaineering or just ride blower powder in the trees, it’s all on offer in this week long trip.

This can be booked either as part of a set week with others, or for your group privately, prices will differ accordingly.

Flights and Transfers: Jackson Hole is remote, but that helps to keep it to the preserve of the true powderhound. Flights from the UK will go via one of a number major US cities, and then onto Jackson Hole Regional Airport. After that it’s a quick 15-20 minute taxi ride up into Jackson Hole itself. For Teton Village it will take about 30 minutes.

The Lodge: For your stay you will be based in a charming Lodge, conveniently located in Jackson and with the bus swinging by every 20 minutes to take you to the tram. The Lodge aims to deliver a European charm in the heart of the US, with soaring fir beams and rustic tile floors for a cosy ambiance and it even has a small spa onsite. Run by  2 ex-US Ski Team Olympians, the Lodge provides an excellent base for powderhounds to soak up the local atmosphere and get set for epic days on the mountains.

Itinerary: Spend your day skinning up striking Teton peaks, earning your turns for the descent. Terrain will be chosen according to the group’s ability, and can range from wide open powder slopes to steep, north-facing couloirs. No matter what, we guarantee it will be memorable. There will be an afternoon of avalanche education taught by some of the most qualified avalanche experts in the country, as well as practice in the field while skiing. On one night of the week enjoy a slide-show at your lodge, where local legends will share slides and stories of their adventures. For when you get really stiff, we’ve even included a 60-minute massage and yoga session to help loosen you up a little!

Set dates: For 2012 are:

• January 22-28
• February 5-11
• March 18-24
• April 1-7

Guide price: For the set week options prices are based on 2 people start from £1300 per person and includes:

• 6 nights lodging
• 3 days guided backcountry riding
• 1 day riding at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
• Breakfast each morning
• A sack lunch each day
• 1 dinner at the Lodge
• 1 evening slideshow
• 1 60-minute massage
• 1 yoga session
• ½ day avalanche education course
• Use of an avalanche transceiver and shovel

Get in touch to find out more, tweak the concept and book this trip