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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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Keep the Faith, SnowKids

Don’t give up on winter yet!

How many times have I uttered that phrase this season?

2017/18 will be one I’ll remember for quite some time:

December was canceled.

January was sluggish.

February provided us the love.

March is still unfolding.

April is gonna be rad!

Despite the negative attitudes and disappointment I continue to hear from folks regarding this winter’s lack of snowfall, I have experienced a pretty good season of turns.

It’s been wild watching the story unfold. Winds, warmth and La Nina have all lent themselves to a wild narrative this season.

But winter is far from done. I know it’s hard to believe as you continue to ride your bikes down low. But there’s still more to come- Trust me!

J. Givens from Durango Snow Lovers is still hopeful for more- although he's calling for "table scraps" with this week's AR event.

Solid riding and climbing exists up high. And there’s more precip in the forecast so I remain hopeful and vigilant.

I got blown off Commodore ridge on Thursday...Disser swooped up the goods in Grand Daddy Friday AM....bless his heart.

The Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies will continue to report on 17/18 events. Check out the monthly recaps here-

Avy Courses are finished at San Juan Mountain Guides for the season. Man those new yurts up on RMP are rad!

Now it’s time for some righteous ski mountaineering expeditions and private days I'm on the books with guests into May- Let's hit lofty summits and big lines!

Avalanche Education courses out of Silverton Avalanche School continue, albeit those are winding down too.

7th Annual Silverton Splitfest is coming up fast. Never been? You are missing out....here's a quick look at the Hx of the event.

It’s gonna be an absolute blast! Lisa and Klem at Venture Snowboards continue to support the tribe in so many great ways.

I'll be teaching the final, one day Avalanche Rescue Course of 17/18 and guiding both an intro and advanced day as part of the festival. These clinics have been well attended and incredibly fun in past years. Sign up quick!

Hit me up friends and we’ll see you out there, off-piste in the amazing backcountry of the San Juan Mountains.

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