Backcountry 09/10

Come and experience the thrill of riding one of Japan’s top backcountry areas. Mt. NORIKURA [Highest Peak: Kengamine - 3026m] has good snow condition all season long because it’s geographical features and it gets fresh snow even in May. Hiking up from the top of the Norikura Kogen Onsen Ski Resort [2000m] and challenging one of the peaks, riding in trees, natural half-pipe, our guide will take you to best runs according to the weather and your riding level.

For beginners, we offer 2 Day Course with short avalanche study and beacon training. For experienced riders who have joined our beginner tour before, we offer a One Day Course that you can challenge steeper and deeper avid terrain. For those who would say,  ”Winter mountains?? Ummm….”, we suggest you to join Spring Backcountry Course which starts from May. Starting at KURAIGAHARA [ 2350m ], a 45 minute bus ride from NORTHSTAR’s lodge. Most of the hikes are shorter than the winter hikes. You can ride down to the ski resort until the middle of May. That season would be best to start “backcountry riding”. We also offer 2-day tours that stay the night at the Kuraigahara Lodge. Please contact us for more details.

2 Day Course for Beginners

Cost: ¥18,000
*Price Includes; 1 night lodging with 2 meals, lunch for day 2, guide fee,  backcountry insurance, avalanche study fee, beacon training fee.

Schedule
Day 1
12:30 Registration
1:00 Beacon Training
2:00 Riding Check at the ski resort
4:00 Avalanche Study
6:00 Dinner
Day 2
7:00 Breakfast
8:00 Move to the ski resort
9:00 Hiking up from the top of ski resort
Hike & Ride
2:30 Back to ski resort
3:30 Fairwell

Restriction
Intermediate and above: You do not have to be an expert rider but you need to be able to ride any kinds of terrain. Our guide will choose terrains according to the level of the riders who join the tours.

One Day Course for Experienced Riders

Cost: ¥8,500
*Price Includes; guide fee and backcountry insurance.

Schedule
7:00 Breakfast for those staying at Northstar
7:30 Meet and register at Northstar
8:00 Moving to the ski resort
9:00 Hiking up from the top of ski resort
Hike & Ride
2:30 Back to ski resort
3:30 Fairwell

Restriction
For those who have joined our beginner courses.

Spring Backcountry Course

Cost: ¥8,000
*Price Includes; guide fee and backcountry insurance.

Schedule for a One Day Tour
7:00 Breakfast for those staying at NORTHSTAR
7:30 Meet and register at Northstar
8:00 Walk to the bus stop [ 2-3 minutes from the lodge ]
9:00 Start the hike up from Kuraigahara 2300 meters
Hike & Ride
2:30 Return to Kuraigahara [or ride down to the ski resort]
2:58 Bus ride back to Norikura Kogen
3:30 One Day Tour is finished

Restriction
Intermediate and above: You do not have to be an expert rider but you need to be able to ride any kinds of terrain. Our guide will choose terrains according to the level of the riders who join the tours.

Common Topics for All Courses

Open to: Snowboarders, Telemark and Alpine Skiers.

Dates: Starting from mid January, mainly every Saturday and Sunday by the 1st week of June. *Reservation a week prior.

Age restriction: 18 Years and older

Group Size: 3 to 9 people

Equipments
snowboard/skis, boots, ski/snowboard jacket and pants, back pack, avalanche beacon, probe, shovel, adjustable ski poles (for snowboarders), ski seals/snow shoes, water bottle, bento [ lunch bag, only for day tours], snacks, extra goggles, extra gloves, extra insulation jacket, lift/bus fare

Available Rental Equipments
Backpack: ¥1,000/day
Avalanche Beacon: ¥1,000/day
Probe: ¥500/day
Snowshoes: ¥1,000/day
*Rental equipments are limited in numbers. Renting in the order of reservation.

Disclaimer

Guides will make the final decision about what line to climb and ride. Please understand that we will have your safety as a primary focus of this backcountry experience. We will take into consideration the riding ability of our guests, the weather, and the condition of the terrain to make this evaluation.

About your guides

Daniel Junker: who will be your primary guide, is the founder and director of NORTHSTAR. He was born and raised in Japan and started skiing on Norikura and the Northern Japan Alps at a young age and has lived in Norikura since 1991.

• Guiding: 8 years
• Rescue: Wilderness First Responder
• Avalanche: Canadian Avalanche Association Level One Skiing and Snowboard Experience: Former SAJ instructor

Application
Please make reservation from our Reservation Page with course, date, etc that you want to join.