Japan Backcountry Guiding & Private Ski/Snowboard Tours

 So for a more detailed look into why we might be the right choice for you: 

Are your guides fly in – fly out? It is common for operators to have an inbound team that perhaps are having their first year on the snow in Japan. Not JOI, along with our local Japanese team who grew up in the mountains here and know all the little pockets of powder and amazing spots – all of our team are permanently living in Japan year round for many years and embrace the culture, the mountains and all of the fun stuff in-between. 

Professional Japanese Operator? On top of our highly accredited team, JOI is a registered Japanese company, also with in-house certified travel agent and with complete comprehensive backcountry insurance and rescue coverage. Which means we are a 100% legitimate tax-paying operation in Japan. Our basis of practice is built on the Avalanche Canada & Guide operations which are trained to our team, with daily conditions reporting AM & PM.

Certifications and Experience? The JOI team has accumulated experience, certifications and training from all across the world, our Japanese guides are all JMGA certified mountain and ski guides, our international team bringing standard guide certifications from Canada, Europe & New Zealand. All of us with decades of experience in Japan exclusively. We also cater for Japanese, Chinese, English, French, Spanish & German language groups. 

How about safety standards? JOI is an ambassador and steward in Japan for implementing regulations and raising standards for outdoor operators in Japan. Partnering with VIRISTAR, a North American Risk Management provider, We also are providers and our guides are also instructors of AST – Avalanche Skills Training under the standards of Avalanche Canada and Japan Avalanche Network (JAN). Finally we are providers of WMA (Wilderness Medical Association) Wilderness First Aid courses in Japan, all of our guides have minimum WAFA and most WFR certifications. 

For a complete understanding of our tour operations and process please continute to read below. 

We have a detailed form to obtain all key information to understand your tour needs – if you give us the blueprint we will put together the right tour for you and match you with the right guide. Our knowledge for all areas of operations allows us then to choose the day for the tour (multi-days) and based on the days weather conditions, experience of the group make the most the JAPOW!

We will provide the morning planning to the group before hitting the trail and please have patience as your guide runs an avalanche safety drill and check before starting. With a warm up skin, we travel at the pace the group is comfortable and also underline we are not all SkiMo endurance athletes – but if you are please let us know and we can match you with our fittest guide!

On-request providing a complete pick up and drop off service, we will also always stop at a convenience store or supermarket to fuel up for the day!

If you are needing any rentals, we have touring skis & splitboards available for ¥8,000 p/day and avalanche safety kits for ¥4,000 p/day including Transceiver, Probe, Shovel & 18-25L pack – all which are mandatory on tour. 

Most importantly we are here to provide you with an ultimately FUN & SAFE experience, finding you the best fresh runs on any day – all day! Having faith in our decisions, continually evaluating snowpack, adjusting for and managing the day based on the progress of the group. We look forward to hear from you! 

Please find below all details you need to know for your tour & preparation.

Please read carefully!

This tour outline is provided as a reliable example of how we run our tours. However it is subject to modifications depending on your guide’s style, your group and the conditions on that day.

Purchase process :

• If your are 100% ready to book then the best way is to complete the BC TOUR BOOKING FORM
• If you still have some questions and not 100% sure yet please use the form found here CONTACT US
• We will the respond within the day with your confirmation of tour or any adjustment for dates
• Once this is agreed and finalised we will send you direct online payment link OR if you prefer invoice and transfer
• Finally EACH guest must complete the the risk acknowledgement form before starting the tour

Pre-tour :

• The days prior to your tour, your guide will reach out on WhatsApp (if available) to review and confirm the tour details and specifics.
• IF you are coming on a MULTI-DAY tour and would like a meeting prior, we can arrange in the EVENING time for your guide to visit and run through details as well the required equipment list and perform a short briefing regarding the tour including safety, weather conditions, potential routes.
• Your guide will also mention for all other logistics and costs regarding travel to area, ski passes, lunch and planned return time.
• If rental equipment is to be provided by us, this will be moment to pass it over and adjust it.
• You will fill out any required forms if this has not been done prior.

AM tour Meetup :

• Your guide will greet you at your accommodation with a vehicle allowing to transport your group and gear. In case, the vehicle is not large enough to accommodate your group pre-arrangements will be made with your guide to deal with the situation.
• Meetup time is generally set to be at 07:30.
• An optional stop at a nearby convenience store will be offered to purchase lunch and hot drinks for the day.
• Ideally ski passes need to be purchased in advance to avoid the morning line-up.
• Your guide will review with you the conditions of the day and potential hazards for this tour explaining the strategies we will be using to minimize the risk and maximize the pleasure.

In the field :

• An avalanche safety drill is performed first thing on the first day to make sure everyone is familiar with the equipment and procedures to carry out an avalanche rescue.
• Access to the backcountry area is done by ski lift. However, sometimes we tour in locations where we climb from the bottom as well.
• Once the backcountry touring area has been accessed multiple laps will be skied throughout the day. The number of runs performed in one day cannot be stated in advance as they depend on numerous factors such as: weather conditions, length of the runs themselves, technical and physical abilities of the group, equipment performance.
• There will be multiple rest stops during the way up and while doing change over. Though there is not usually a proper lunch break, the change over at the bottom of a run (if deemed a safe area) are prone to take some time to eat and drink before starting to hike up again.

The following services are included

• Certified guide
• Safety management: hazard assessment (including a daily avalanche forecast) and risk mitigation procedures
• Transportation from and to your accommodation for maximum 4 people (inquire if more riders)

The following services are not included

• Mountain rescue insurance
• Equipment rental if not from JOI stock, (touring gear and avalanche safety gear.)
• Lunch, snacks, drinks for the day
• Ski pass for the traveled area on the day of the tour

• Train physically to enjoy your up-track as well as your downhill riding
• Fill out the booking inquiry form for the group
• Fill out the risk acknowledgement form (1 per participant)
• Review your equipment and prepare your pack with the Backcountry ski tour packing list
• Make sure to plan for lunch or snack options if you have specific dietary needs

Reliable avalanche safety equipment is required for the tour!

By reliable we mean the following:

• A 3 antenna transceiver (usually any transceiver after 2012 should match these specifications, in doubt ask us)
• a probe longer than 2m (6 ft.)
• a shovel with a metallic blade

The transceiver must have been checked, gone through factory checkups and regularly tested in sending and receiving modes.
If your equipment is not deemed reliable by the guide, a last minute rental can be attempted but without any warranty.

Please let us know well ahead of time if you need a rental.
If your equipment is not functional on the day of the tour you may not be allowed to join the tour.