Freeride skiing in Japan

Flight to purchase

Round trip to Sapporo - New Chitose airport (CTS) - Japan

Due to price variations, this freeride ski trip to Japan is sold without flights. It will be cheaper and easier for you to book your flights from the airport and on the dates of your choice via airline websites or booking platforms such as MisterFly, Opodo, Kayak, etc. 

Beware of connecting flights in Tokyo: make sure that the transfer between the international flight and the domestic flight takes place at the same airport (Haneda or Narita). 

Please note: Only buy the flights for this trip once we have confirmed that your departure is guaranteed!

Group size

Guiding

Daypack

Ski lifts

You should be at ease skiing in any type of snow. We ski every day at a good pace. Slopes can include some short steep sections. Short climbs with skins involved, 45 min to 1 hr max per day. You will not be expected to have previous ski touring experience.

• Stamina level

A good physical condition is expected, as we skin approx 45 min to 1 hr per day and ski the entire day at a steady pace. On powder days we just trace in the powder, no skinning those days.

Beware, you're not playing in the skatepark in your neighbourhood: even though you're extremely keen, are craving to make first tracks in the powder snow, don't forget that this trip is far away overseas, in remote areas and rescue services may be slow and often less well organised than in your home country. So keep cool and take it easy to fully enjoy...and please avoid a back flip without knowing what's behind.

A pair of Crocs is nice to have along and comfy to wear in your hotel room or in the minibus after an outing, and they don't slip on snow !

Good to know: If you don't have the level required, the guide may ask you to leave for the well-being of the rest of the group if necessary. If any doubt, please do not hesitate to ask us ! 

The price includes

• Trip arrangements & organisation upon arrival
• Minibus transfers from/to Sapporo New Chitose domestic airport terminal
• Accommodation for 8 nights in a hotel, breakfast included
• Safety & rescue equipment training/reviewing
• Certified and expert mountain guide services for 9 days (all his expenses are included: meals, accommodation, transportation, ski lift fares)
• Safety & rescue equipment sets are provided (tracking device, shovel and probe), if you don't have your own gear

The price does not include

• Flight from your home place to Japan/Sapporo
• Ski lift fares
• Equipment rental if required
• Lunches & dinners, all drinks and personal extras in the hotel
• Your personal insurance
• All expenses not mentioned under the section "the price includes"

A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance that is due latest 30 days prior to departure.

We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.

Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of insurances on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur. 

Tipping is no obligation. However participants often hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.

Depending on the size of group, you may share a room with someone of the opposite sex

• Accommodation: 3 star or similar hotels, breakfast included, double rooms to be shared, private toilets and bathroom, bed linnen and towels provided. Depending on the group size we may use triple rooms.
• Single supplement: on request and according to availability - please contact us. Single rooms are relatively expensive in Japan.
• Lunch and dinners are open - leaving all options open for the group to choose where participants wish to have breakfast. Food is one of the highlights of this ski trip in Japan, we know the best places and small hideouts to taste local delicacies.... Just trust us !

The local currency is the Japanese Yen (the rate of exchange is approx 132 Yen to the €). You will be able to change money in airports and towns.

Passport & visa

• No visa is needed if you stay for French, Belgian and Swiss citizens staying for less than 3 months. All other nationalities: please contact your embassy or consulate before travelling.
• Your passport should be valid during the entire extend of the trip.
• Since November 2007, immigration offices are equipped with digital finger print readers as well as cameras for facial photographs that may be taken at immigration if you're over 16 and enter Japan for the first time. This procedure is obligatory and if you refuse to comply with this requirement, you may be denied entry to Japan.
• New security measures have been implemented this summer in airports: electronic devices (smartphones, pads, laptops...) should be charged and in working condition for all flights via the US and London. Security agents should be able to switch them on. To be safe, have your charger on hand. If your electronic device is not charged or not in working conditions, it may be seized. This measure may be implemented in other airports, we advise you to charge all your electronic devices before your flights, no matter your destination.
• If travelling with children, they will need their own passport, regardless of their age. A minor travelling by himself does not need authorisation to leave the country if he has his own passport.

In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (a phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.

Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.

Wifi is free of charge in our accommodation.

Good mobile & 4G coverage.

Electricity: 110 v, an adapter is most probably necessary.

• Fat freeride skis (a minimum waist width of 105 mm) with appropriate bindings, ski skins, ski poles and ski boots 
• A 30 litre backpack. Security advice: avalanche airbag backpacks are highly recommended. They help to stay on the surface in case of avalanche and minimize the risk of burial. Azimut guides use them.
• Avalanche kit: transceiver, shovel and probe (please let us know if you have your own, if not we lend them free of charge)

If you don't have the adequate equipment for the trip, don’t worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip ! Our equipment is relatively new, if not brand new, of good quality and adapted to your choice of activity.

Prices of rental equipment during the entire trip (these competitive prices only take into account the number of days of the trip, also includes excess bagage fare - your rental gear will be handed over on site):

Due to transportation security restrictions, airbags are not rented on trips overseas.

Clothes

You can choose to rent equipment when booking your trip, or lateron by clicking on “my account”. If any of the equipment that you’ve chosen is out of stock you’ll be notified and reimbursed.

This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes it may be a good to have with you. By no means do you need to have the latest brands or the latest gear, but if you need to renew your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.

Headwear

• Warm hat or buff/scarf
• Ski goggles (2 pairs) and sunglasses: UV factory 4 protective lenses. Photochromic glasses adapt to light intensity and are very useful
• Helmet (highly recommended)

Bodywear

• Under layer: breathable long sleeved tops to maintain heat. A tip: merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics. Take this into consideration if you need to update your wardrobe.
• Middle layer: a light polar or synthetic jacket for an extra layer of heat during breaks
• Outer layer: a Gore-tex or similar type of jacket with a breathable waterproof membrane. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack
• Bottom layer: trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) with long side zips allowing air to flow, recommended on climbs
• Hands: light fleece or soft shell gloves, a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath, warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane. Mittens are always a good idea for really cold days of for those of you who feel the cold !
• Swimming gear: it takes up such little space, it would be a shame not to bring it just in case. Avoid swimming shorts or bermudas, they are not usually allowed.

Footwear

• Ski socks: merino wool socks are breathable and have anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to smell as opposed to those made of synthetic fabrics. Think about them if you need to stock up.
• Slippers / Crocs recommended for evening wear.

Odds & ends

• 1 litre flask (Thermos or Camelback)
• Pocket knife
• Duck tape
• Suncream, UV factor 50 
• Duffle type bag holding up to 110 litres to leave at the hotel or in the vehicle. No suitcases.

Toiletries and first aid kit

• Personal toilet bag
• To make up your first aid kit, we advise you to check out the Ifremmont website

Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:

• SCOTT
• Arva
• Fitschi swiss bindings

Don't forget to

• Leave contact details with your friends and family
• Bring your papers and I.D. (passport and visa if necessary)
• Bring your contract number and documents related to your insurance (if you've chosen not to have insure coverage with us)
• Bring your “carte vitale” and your European health card (EU member states) - if you don't have one you can order one free of charge online  www.ameli.fr
• Check that you have the right equipment
• Take spare batteries and a charger for your electronic devices (camera, video recorder, tracking devices etc)
• Bring some cash and your credit card
• Leave in a good frame of mind: we're going to have a great time even if we may not happen to not make it to the summit !
• Before leaving: water the plants, empty the rubbish bin, turn off water and gas, and tell your partner that you're going to have a good time (please not by text message), that you've well deserved... If you don't follow the latter recommendation, you'll most probably kick yourself when you get back!

See you on the slopes ! Have great runs with AZIMUT !