January 28 - February 8, 2010
12 days/10 nights of the best powder snow on earth
surrounded by hot springs for ¥330,000 ($3550 as of 1/4/2010)
Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, has the most dependable powder snow on earth. Storms blow across the Sea of Okhotsk from Siberia and dump meters of fluff on an almost daily basis. The frequency and sheer quantity of snow provide a heli-skiing type experience without the expense or risk of a helicopter. In the western part of the island is Mount Yotei, a perfect volcanic cone ringed by natural hot springs--home to the town of Niseko and its six ski areas.
Powder skiing in Niseko offers something for all skill levels: The interconnected areas of Higashiyama, Grand Hirafu, and Anapuri are each big enough to keep you delighted for days. There's a plethora of beginner through advanced pistes, plus some of the most extensive lift-served backcountry powder skiing and snowboarding in Japan. Rusutsu is another huge area just 35 minutes away. Chisenupuri and Moiwa are two smaller resorts where you might find yourself sharing two feet of fresh powder with just a handful of others. Niseko offers world-class skiing and snowboarding, but more than that, it’s exotic adventure travel!
Because it’s a Waves trip, it's not just about skiing and boarding. Our trips are always focused on the great hot springs of Japan. Literally dozens of hot spring bathhouses--hyper-modern to traditional---await you after a day on the snow (or instead of a day on the snow). This area has some of our favorite country-style onsen; in winter there's nothing better than sitting in hot water surrounded by mountains of snow! Restaurants run the gamut from simple to elegant: Internet coffeehouses, lively pubs, amazing spreads of sushi (unlike most other mountain resorts in the world, there's no place in Japan more than 60 miles from the ocean). Due to an influx of Australians after 9/11, English signs and menus abound, making it easy to navigate independently. Although it’s an affordable winter vacation, we'll stay in really nice modern, kitchen-equipped three-bedroom chalets within walking distance of the lifts and village at Hirafu. We’ll have the use of eight-passenger vans when anyone wants to go farther afield.
The ski & soak tour will be January 28 - February 8, 2010: 12 days/10 nights. We will spend 7 of those days on mountain, staying in the famous ski village of Niseko. Skiing and snowboarding in Niseko offers multiple areas, hundred-year-old hot springs, great cafes and pubs, and a very convenient shuttle service linking it all together. Time is planned for 2 days in the incredible metropolis of Tokyo upon arrival to get one’s bearings, and time to visit Hokkaido’s main city of Sapporo at the end of the tour. Sapporo is known for its annual ice festival and beer of the same name.
Please keep in mind that this tour has its focus on snow sports, but for those who do not ski or board, there are other activities such as snowshoeing, bathing, snow angel making, bathing, snowmobile riding---you get the picture: there will be SNOW!
12 days of winter sports and bathing fun, Japanese-style for ¥330,000 (about $3550 as of 1/4/10). For those wanting to spend a few extra days in Tokyo or Sapporo at the end of the snow tour, please talk to us and we can customize it for you.
It's a tour for people who don't normally do tours. We take care of you, but build in lots of independence. It includes two nights in Tokyo, seven days in Niseko, and one night at the world-famous snow festival in Sapporo. One caveat: you really must love snow sports to enjoy this trip. A passion for hot water and massage won't hurt either.
We hope you are able to join us in our exploration of japan
and its snow & hot spring cultures. Above all, happy bathing!
Sincerely, deborah fleig
director, ten thousand waves tours
