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POWDER & PEAKS- JAPAN 2020

We’ll begin and end this expedition visiting some lesser known sidecountry areas of Hokkaido. Expect to bookend the Rishiri mission with secret tours around Furano (and group dependent) a crack at Tokachidake. Our team’s main focus will be the remote and elusive Rishiri volcano. Working with my local partners at Stealth Backcountry allows us to hit the goods from the moment we land!

Floating the Volcano

Rishiri Island is a backcountry skiing haven with a huge variety of ski and snowboard terrain for those willing to earn their turns. Mount Rishiri is a dormant cone-shaped volcano at the center of the remote Rishiri Island. In the native Ainu language, “Rishiri” means “island with a high peak”, which pretty much sums it up! Others call Rishiri the “floating island”, possibly because you’ll gain a lot of pleasure from floating in the deep powder!

Skiing Rishiri Island is on the bucket list for many Japan backcountry skiing aficionados. Powder on Hokkaido is world renowned because of the abundant, light, fluffy, amazing cold smoke that results from the weather systems that blow down from Siberia. Compared to most Hokkaido ski areas, Rishiri Island is much further north (and closer) to Siberia so the powder there is even better than amazing!

And if devouring all that Japanese powder isn’t enough for you, there’s also an abundance of local seafood to satisfy your appetite. A Rishiri ski trip provides a delightfully unadulterated Japanese experience.

Where is Rishiri Island?

Rishiri Island (Rishiritō) is a small island in the Sea of Japan, about 20 kilometers off the northwest coast of Hokkaido. The Oshidomari Port on Rishiri Island can be accessed via ferry from Otaru or Wakkanai (Hokkaido’s northernmost town). Wakkanai is a 5.5 hour train trip from Sapporo.

Rishiri Terrain

Mount Rishiri has an elevation of 1,721 metres. Depending on weather conditions, the backcountry terrain we’ll access will include a combination of ATL alpine zones and NTL/BTL tree skiing. Mt Rishiri has many ridges, gullies, and bowls- some of which are super steep, and there are several peaks to tackle. BUT, there is also a reasonable amount of mellow terrain below treeline for us to explore.

We will utilize a snowmobile to cover the long and flat distances at the base of the mountain before committing to human-power. No worries if you’re not a seasoned sled-neck!

Rishiri Ski Season

In late winter and early spring there’s a greater chance for clear days, although the main, year-round weather inhibitor to summiting Mt Rishiri is the wind. Rishiri is renowned for its oft-gusty conditions! Our expedition will run from 2/22/20 to 3/1/20.

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The Happy Hostel

With a glut of VRBOs, slope side condos and exclusive tourist resorts in this neck of the woods, where's a traveler on a budget to spend the night?

You shouldn't have to survive on saltines and ketchup packets from Telluride to afford your vacation in the San Juans. Too many of us have chosen to weather negative temps and deep snows up on the pass in our vehicles to save a buck. I say no longer!

If the price tag for local lodging has you more scared than that crux pitch or gnarly descent , fear not my skiing shredding, hunting, fatbiking, alpine looping, 4x4ing, horseback riding, snowshoeing, hot springing friends! Nestled in this forest of overpriced and inappropriate accommodations is a true gem for all your overnight stays. The basecamp for cost minded adventurers is Ouray's Happy Hostel

I'll let Liz tell you the story of her hostel when you stay there. But please know there's no one more welcoming of the mountain tribe than the Happy.

From the Hostel's Homepage:

Rooming Options

Ouray Hostel consists of two shared bedding rooms and one private.

Can host solo guests in one of four beds in either room, groups needing the whole place, and everything in between.

Two shared rooms consist of two queen sized beds.

Private room has a queen bed with a locking door and private toilet for more of a hotel experience.

Both options have access to onsite laundry and kitchen facilities.

In addition to cheap rates, a killer vibe and a warm bed, the Happy Hostel is conveniently located 28 steps from the Ouray Brewery. And being the mountain bad ass that she is, (yes that's her fat-unicycling in the snow) Liz is happy to provide you with a plethora of local beta adding even more value to your stay. Additional relevant info- the hostel is for cost minded adventurers so you'll have to pay the 2$ for a shower at Town Pool- but you can also soak there too. Social and well mannered pets are also allowed.

The Deets:

The Ouray Happy Hostel

Ouray Hostel

308 6th Ave

Ouray, CO

81427

970-325-3155

We'll See You in the Juans!

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