BACKCOUNTRY TOUR

Important notices
Special tours for repeaters

Nozawa’s ONLY OFFICIAL English backcountry guide service!

Make the most of your powder time at Nozawa by hiring a professional mountain guide to safely guide you around Nozawa’s and surrounding mountains backcountry.
BC tours are the best way to learn about the areas stashes and our crew of highly experienced international guides will ensure you have an amazing day!

We keep the group sizes small to maximize the riding time and freshies! It is best if you have a group with ability levels that are relatively close so we can customize the terrain for you.

If you like exploring then make the most of your time by booking multiple days and we can show you around some of the hidden gems at other nearby resorts. (Other resort trips only available for those booking more than 1 day of tours.)

For more detailed information visit the Nozawa BC site

Toshi Shiokawa

Head Guide

Toshi is a keen mountaineer with a wealth of experience in Japan and has been our backcountry guide for 3 seasons in Canyons. His passion for the outdoors and backcountry is contagious! Not only will you have an awesome day but your knowledge will be taken to the next level!

JAN - Japan Avalanche Network Operational Level
WFR - Wilderness First Responder

Pete Ozich

Head Guide

Pete has been working with us in Nozawa for several years. He is a well-established guide in New Zealand And Japan. When he's not touring, Pete runs avalanche awareness courses and enjoys climbing and kayaking

2020-2021	Backcountry Tour Details
Tour duration	7 hours
Price	20,000JPY/person (minimum of 2 people required to run tour) 40,000JPY private tour * *Price based on a 2 person tour, larger group options available Ask us about multi day discounts for private tours!
Registration & Payment	@Nozawa Onsen Ski School (Hikage Gondola) on the day before tour (or earlier) OR Using online booking form below (recommended)
Meet time	8:00 @ Nagasaka Gondola Ticket Office
Includes	Guide fee, Transceiver, Probe, Shovel
Additional costs	Lift ticket, rental equipment (Lift tickets are not included in the price of the tour. Please wait until the morning of the tour to purchase lift tickets so that the guide can advise you on the type of ticket required.)
Participation requirements	Age 13 and older (Participants under 20 must have signature of guardian or parent.) We require all participants to be at least level 1 on the downhill ability level chart below.
Fitness	Please be aware that a certain level of fitness is required for our backcountry tours. Typically there will be 10-20 minutes of hiking per every minute of skiing. We require all participants to be at least level 1 on the fitness level chart below (and level 3 if you wish to use snowshoes on a group tour)
Bring	Ski/snowboard, boots, ski clothing, gloves, helmet, goggles, ski poles with BIG baskets, drink, snacks, sandwich/food Snowshoes & poles OR Split board/touring skis and skins
Season	Jan 15th – March 15th
Note	Tours to other resorts are only available as private tours. Tours including a participant aged 15 or under are only available as a private tours. Private tours are based on the cost of 4 people.
Backcoutry rental equipment	Backpack 1000yen Snowshoe & Poles 1000yen Poles with big baskets 1000yen Touring skis and skins 5000 yen Split board and skins 5000 yen Note: Touring skis and splitboards are strongly recommended. Snowshoes can be used as an alternative to touring gear.
Insurance	Insurance is not inlcuded in tour so we recommend ALL tour participants have travel insurance.