Where da snow at?
I was hoping to go to Hakuba next week (Jan 9-15) but apparently the backcountry is still covered in bushes so I have to change my plans quickly! I'd rather not spend the money and endure the hassles of flying to Hokkaido (although I really want to see if the hype surrounding Furano is legit) but I will if necessary.
The other problem I face is my unfamiliarity with backcountry terrain in Japan so I will need to hire a guide. Of course, most guide companies seem to require a minimum of 4 and I'm solo so this, too, leaves few options.
Evergreen in Hakuba seems to be willing to work with me to avoid paying the exorbitant "Private guide" fee but now we get back to the bush problem again.
Any tips on where to go next week and who to use as a guide?
THanks!
By the way, I've enjoyed a few trips with Simon up at Hakkoda, very reasonably priced and quality snow (but wimpy terrain), and I will use this as a last resort, but am looking to explore something new.
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I am not sure Simon in Hakkoda is a real "guide" in the way the guides in Hakuba need to be (i.e. qualified and experienced ski guides). DB from Hakuba Alpine Guides used to post here but I think you would need to look up his site as he doesn't visit like he used to. There are local guides but I am not sure if any of them speak English. You could try coloursports or bluecliff (?) and see.
As for the Backcountry, rumours of this season's demise are greatly exaggerated. I was shralping side country trees yesterday and poaching treelines in the days before that while DB seems to have found the goods in the alpine (if you check out SteepDeepJapan.com, you will see). Depending on where you are staying you may be able to hook up with a group of like minded skiers, assuming you know the basic BC drill.
One word of caution is that a lot of the exits that are traditionally reliant on snow bridges are not filled in of yet. I have seen some pics of some serious waste deep river crossings. Good luck.
54 days on snow this season 55 days last season
+1 to SteepDeep japan
They're pro guides and usually finds good spots.
When I was 1st time at Hakuba, I hired them couple of times.
PS. And their Yoda MasterSkiGuide skis nowadays with bananas
Thanks for the tips, Fellas. You've given me hope!
Haks has recently been puked on and all though Myoko has more snow to date I see no need to change your plans.
One man wolfpack