Japan ski touring
Akiko’s favourites

Discover the spirit of Akiko’s favourites: deep powder, quiet forests, wonderful food and a restorative soak in an onsen.

Inspired by our journeys through Honshu and Hokkaido, your private trip combines rewarding ski touring with the places and experiences that make Japan special.

Legendary powder, Japanese culture and a private ski touring journey made for you.

Discover Japan
beyond the lifts

Japan’s snow-covered forests and mountain landscapes invite you to explore further.

Akiko Nakae, mountain guide and founder of Epic Japan, brings the local knowledge behind Akiko’s favourites. After twenty years as a construction engineer in Tokyo, she changed direction to help visiting backcountry skiers discover Japan. She and Nick Parks developed this journey together over several trips.

The emphasis is on ski touring. Lifts can help us gain height at the start of a day, but from there we put on skins and explore the quieter terrain beyond the ski areas.

Between the turns, there is time for regional food, mountain villages and the hot springs that are such a rewarding part of a Japanese winter journey.

Skiing deep powder through snow-covered trees in Japan

Two islands,
countless discoveries

A sample twelve-day journey: eight guided ski days across Honshu and Hokkaido, a transfer day and time to explore Tokyo. We adapt the length and route to you.

Begin in Hakuba, meeting at Narita Airport or Nagano station. Two days in the Hakuba backcountry lead into two more around Nozawa Onsen, known for its village streets, local food and public hot springs. Favourite bases include Hotel Taigakukan and Haus St Anton; we choose accommodation with you.

After a rest and transfer day, spend four days in Hokkaido’s Asahikawa and Tokachidake backcountry. We choose the tours for the snow and weather, and arrange the domestic flights around your route.

Return to Tokyo after the final ski day, with time for a full day of sightseeing before departure. Combine both islands for a varied journey, or stay in one region to spend more time skiing and less time travelling.

Is Japan ski touring
right for me?

This is a trip for skiers who want to earn their turns, enjoy powder and discover the backcountry rather than spend every day riding lifts.

Expect descents of around 500–700 vertical metres, often on slopes around 30 degrees, with steeper options of 35–40 degrees where appropriate. Tell us about your off-piste experience and fitness so we can match the terrain and daily ascent to your group.

Cold air arriving from Siberia picks up moisture over the Sea of Japan, bringing the snowfall these mountains are known for. Birch and pine forests offer memorable skiing, while Hakuba also has steep, serious mountain terrain. Your guides assess the snow and weather each day; deep powder does not remove avalanche risk.

Share your experience and your wish list; we will help build your version of Japan.

Tree skiing in deep powder through a birch forest with Le Beau Ski

Let’s create your Japan ski touring journey

PLAN YOUR TRIP →

Our approach

Japanese powder, with a personal touch

Powder skiing between birch trees with Le Beau Ski guides

Your guides

Local knowledge, shared over a day on skis.

Nick Parks and Akiko Nakae developed this journey together, combining mountain guiding with Akiko’s knowledge of Japanese life. We confirm your guiding team before booking and leave time for the small discoveries between ski days.

Fresh snow powder skiing between the trees with Le Beau Ski

What we can arrange

The whole journey, from arrival to the last turn.

A twelve-day route can bring together eleven nights in hotels and temple lodging, eight guided ski days and a day in Tokyo. We can arrange breakfasts and dinners, domestic flights, local transport and lift passes.

Your proposal sets out the inclusions. We discuss international flights, lunches, drinks, dinner in Tokyo, insurance and equipment hire separately, so you know what to arrange and what we will take care of.

Powder skiing between birch trees on a Le Beau Ski trip

Getting ready

Practical help before you travel.

We send a full kit list with your joining instructions. Hakuba is an option for ski hire, and Japan’s delivery services can simplify returning equipment. We confirm the hire and return arrangements for your itinerary.

January and February are our recommended starting point for a powder-focused trip. These are seasonal recommendations, not fixed departures: tell us when you would like to travel and we will build the route around your group and the conditions.

Testimonials
Google reviews

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 22 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Robert Glauerdt 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The best ski days of the season. Stefano is by far the best guide we’ve had!! Great two powder days and safety always comes first.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Charlie Dunmore 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've had the pleasure of touring with Stefano the past couple of years. He has a deep knowledge of the terrain and conditions of the Val d'Anniviers based on many years of experience, and will tailor routes and itineraries to suit your skills and goals. He's a confidence inspiring presence, and great company too!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Joe Gaines 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fantastic day out with Stefano. We were a group of mixed fitness but all keen to experience the off piste skiing Grimentz had to offer, and Stefano tailored our day superbly to ensure we were all having a good time. He found us some great snow and taught us lots while doing it! He was also great fun to be around, an absolute essential ☺️ I’d highly recommend skiing with Stefano and the team.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gareth Ayre 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Finds the best snow, safe, infectious enthusiasm, and a great laugh to! Highly recommended
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Dr. S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stefano is an excellent guide and made the day truly enjoyable. He knows the area extremely well, keeps the experience fun and is always helpful and attentive. Exactly what you want from a guide on an off-piste touring day.

10/10 — highly recommended. We'll be back :) Danke!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ben Thomson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stefano was great and we could some amazing powder even though the conditions made that hard. He also rescued me when I dislocated my shoulder.  So important to have a guide that can sort things out in an accident.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ben Salter 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stefano was a great guide. Even in some pretty tough conditions he managed to make sure we had top quality morning in Zinal and Grimentz. Couldn’t recommend him enough!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Archie Hardyment 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great ski. In high risk conditions Stefano delivered a great day whilst keeping everyone safe.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ed Crossman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stefano is a fantastic guide. This year really showed that. With sketchy conditions everywhere, he gave us adventure while always staying safe. He's great company too.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   William Hardyment 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Two fantastic days touring/off-piste with Stefano in the Val d'Anniviers in January, just after large snowfall. Always fun and informative, but also safe. In difficult conditions they delivered a couple of fantastic days touring and kept the fun going. Thank you Stefano.

Frequently asked questions
FAQ

You don’t need previous off-piste experience, but you should be a confident skier who is comfortable skiing all marked slopes in a ski resort. Your guide will adapt the terrain and pace to your ability, from your first experience in powder to more technical and challenging freeride lines.

No two freeride days are exactly the same. Your guide will consider the snow, weather, avalanche conditions, your skiing level and your goals before choosing the best terrain for the day. Depending on conditions, this might mean lift-accessed powder, short ski tours, longer backcountry routes or a combination of them.

Yes. Avalanche safety equipment — transceiver, shovel and probe — is required for all our freeride days. We also recommend ski touring equipment, as it gives us greater flexibility to access the best terrain and snow conditions. An avalanche airbag backpack is also highly recommended.

Yes. Our days can range from lift-accessed freeride with minimal walking to ski touring and longer backcountry adventures. Touring equipment gives us access to considerably more terrain and allows us to search for the best snow away from the main ski areas.

Absolutely. If you are already a confident piste skier, your first freeride experience can be a great introduction to skiing beyond the marked slopes. Your guide will select appropriate terrain and introduce you progressively to off-piste technique, terrain awareness and mountain safety.

Yes. We create personalised multi-day freeride and ski touring trips in Valais, across the Alps and internationally. Trips can be designed around a specific destination or built around the type of terrain and experience you are looking for.

Our home bases are Val d’Anniviers and Saas-Fee in Valais, Switzerland, where we offer private freeride guiding throughout the winter. We also organise multi-day trips across the Alps and personalised freeride and ski touring adventures in destinations around the world.

Conditions come first. Our guides use their local knowledge, weather and snow information, avalanche conditions and your skiing ability to decide where the best options are each day. Being flexible allows us to make the most of the mountains while keeping safety at the heart of every decision.

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