Patrick Thorne
With Japan beginning to re-open to international travellers after two lost pandemic winters, adventure ski specialist Mabey Ski have launched several new winter adventures to the country’s famous northern powder island of Hokkaido for the 22-23 ski season.
The Hokkaido Off-Piste Powder Chaser experience will be a hosted road trip aimed at those looking to experience the traditional culture of Japan, whilst skiing some of the best powder on the planet.
The 10-night road trip will venture off the beaten track, chasing the best snow with local expert guides, staying in traditional locally-hosted accommodation, and experiencing rich culture and mouth-watering cuisine along the way.
Based out of the traditional towns of Furano and Otaru, skiers will have the opportunity to ski off-piste and side-country terrain across multiple smaller Japanese ski resorts.
Accessed via lifts, this road trip is perfect for those looking to ski powder away from the crowds without any uphill skinning.
The other new holiday option is the Central Hokkaido Backcountry Ski Tour, an eight-night hosted road trip due to run from 11 – 19 February 2023. This will again use lifts to access backcountry terrain but this time with some skinning as well. Based out of the traditional towns of Furano and Asahikawa, participants will have the opportunity to ski up to seven different ski areas.
Skiers will discover a deeper side of Japan as they skin up dormant volcanoes in search of untouched powder, unwind in traditional onsens (natural hot springs) and chat to friendly locals along the way.
With many skiers desperate to get back to Japan, having been closed to visitors since March 2020, Japan is back on the ‘bucket list’ as a top destination for the coming winter season 22-23.
“Mabey Ski was originally founded on our incredible insider knowledge of skiing in Japan. When we were based in Singapore, Japan was our ‘go-to’ for skiing. We have the contacts and experience to make for a very special skiing experience in Japan. The two trips are being hosted over set dates but we also offer tailor-made adventures for skiers and snowboarders looking to create a trip around their own objectives, availability and ability,” said company owner Nickie Mabey, whose family have been ski pioneers for over a century.
