Evergreen Backcountry Tours - Explore the Japan Alps

Come and explore the vast Hakuba backcountry and some of the very best powder skiing in Japan. The Japan Alps average 12+ meters of somewhat dry powder each year (see our Hakuba Snow Report), and no other mountain range in Japan has comparable terrain. Evergreen offers certified avalanche professionals and seasoned backcountry guides for our Japan backcountry tours.

All backcountry tour participants are asked to attend a pre-tour briefing the day prior at 5:30PM at our Wadano Base. This briefing will be a chance to meet your guide, go over routes, organize gear and rentals and cover the following days schedule. Backcountry Tours in Hakuba are offered from mid-December through to April.

Participants in our backcountry tours should have proper clothing for cold winter weather. Recommended winter clothing is a layering system with a base layer of non-cotton long underwear, a fleece or wool sweater, then an outer breathable waterproof shell. Warm gloves or mitts (maybe a spare pair as well), a warm toque or helmet and non-cotton socks are best in boots.

We also ask all participants to have a lunch and drinks prepared for the day. Light, high calorie snacks, trail mix, and chocolate are all good things to munch on during the day. A thermos with hot drinks is also a nice treat while out in the backcountry. A minimum 1 liter of water is also needed as we need to rehydrate throughout the day.

Gunma & Niigata area backcountry tours are provided by Canyons.

Hakuba Backcountry Course Options & Dates

Usagi Course - Beginner Level:
For those who are just starting to explore the backcountry. An intermediate ski, snowboard, or telemark skill level and a solid fitness level are all that is necessary. Participants in our "Bunny (Usagi) Course" should be able to competently ride powder and negotiate through gladed trees and open bowls.

This tour requires hiking up slopes and ridges using alpine touring bindings & skins for skiers and snowshoes or split-board with skins for snowboarders. There will be approximately 3 hours of hiking broken up in the day and approximately 500~700 vertical meters of skiing.

This introductory level tour is a great way to get off-piste, access epic terrain and ride the fantastic backcountry Hakuba has to offer.

Cost: 8,900 yen (Includes shuttle, guide and tax)

Dates:
December: 26, 31
January: 5, 10, 14, 19, 23, 31
February: 6, 11, 16, 21, 25
March: 2, 7, 13, 16, 23, 28
April: 3, 8, 13, 18, 24, 29

Usagi Tours require at least intermediate level skiing/boarding. If you can't ski or ride powder, please consider a powder clinic before our BC Tours. Additionally, all BC Tours are snowshoe accessed; this means you will be hiking for at least 2 ½ hours. By joining one of our tours we understand you agree you are fit enough to do so.

Kitsune Course - Intermediate Level:
These tours are for those who have had experience in the winter backcountry and are confident in their ability to ride in variable conditions. Participants in our "Kitsune (Fox) Course" should be capable to ride powder in gladed trees and steeper terrain and have a fairly strong fitness level.

This tour requires hiking up slopes and ridges using alpine touring bindings & skins for skiers and snowshoes or split-board with skins for snowboarders. There will be approximately 3-4 hours of hiking broken up in the day and approximately 800~1000 vertical meters of skiing.

Enjoy the beautiful views from the alpine zones above Hakuba and ride some epic terrain in the Northern Alps backcountry.

Cost: 9,900 yen (Includes shuttle, guide and tax)

Dates:
December: 27
January: 2, 9, 12, 17, 21, 24, 28
February: 2, 7, 13, 18, 20, 27
March: 4, 9, 14, 20, 25, 30
April: 4, 10, 15, 20, 25

Kitsune Tours require at least advanced level skiing/boarding. If you can't ski or ride powder, please consider a powder clinic and an Usagi Tour before our BC Tours. Additionally, all BC Tours are snowshoe accessed; this means you will be hiking for at least 2 ½ hours. By joining one of our tours we understand you agree you are fit enough to do so.

Kamoshika Course - Advanced Level:
These tours are for the advanced skier or snowboarder who has joined our Bunny or Fox tour. You will have to be fit and have experience in the backcountry to join in on these challenging and exciting trips into Hakuba's steeper terrain. The pace of this tour is a little faster as we aim to access a little farther off the beaten track in search of the best lines.

This tour requires hiking up slopes and ridges using alpine touring bindings & skins for skiers and snowshoes or split-board with skins for snowboarders. There will be approximately 3-4 hours of hiking broken up in the day and approximately 1000~1500 vertical meters of skiing.

Head off into the deeper backcountry and slide into some first-rate riding terrain in the Northern Alps.

Cost: 11,000 yen (Includes shuttle, guide and tax)

Dates:
December: 29
January: 3, 7, 16, 26, 30
February: 4, 9, 14, 23, 28
March: 6, 11, 18, 21, 27
April: 1, 6, 11, 17, 22, 27

Kamoshika Tours are only available for those who have done a Fox Tour with us OR those who can demonstrate proper experience in the Back Country and good powder skiing/riding ability. Additionally, all BC Tours are snowshoe accessed; this means you will be hiking for at least 2 ½ hours. By joining one of our tours we understand you agree you are fit enough to do so.

Private Tour - Tailored Level:
If you and your group are looking to venture off on a backcountry tour of any level we can arrange a guide for your private group. This type of tour would be recommended if you have a group of friends with similar skiing/boarding ability and you would like to keep the group limited to your small group of friends.

This tour requires hiking up slopes and ridges using alpine touring bindings & skins for skiers and snowshoes or split-board with skins for snowboarders. There will be approximately 3-4 hours of hiking broken up in the day and approximately 1000~1500 vertical meters of skiing.

Head off into the deeper backcountry and slide into some first-rate riding terrain in the Northern Alps.

Cost : 50, 000 yen for up to 4 people, add 10, 500 yen for each additional person (Includes shuttle, guide and tax)

Dates:
Available any day through the season (depending on guide availability).

All BC Tours are snowshoe accessed; this means you will be hiking for at least 2 ½ hours. By joining one of our tours we understand you agree you are fit enough to do so.

Complimentary Shuttle Service

We are unable to offer a shuttle service for Backcountry Tours and ask you to make your own way to Wadano Base for sign-in. Thank you for your understanding.