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Rishiri's Island Volcano

Ski in to the caldera of an extinct volcano, traverse an ancient volcanic mountain range to the ocean, then ski an island volcano.

Starting in the resort of Niseko, you will ski Hokkaido’s ‘Mt Fuji of the North.’ You will then traverse from Hokkaido’s ski resort of Niseko to a seaside fishing village, each night staying in traditional mountain hot-spring ryokans. You will then travel to the northern part of the island, and catch a boat across to Rishiri, an island volcano in the Sea of Japan, where we will ascend and ski to the ocean.

This is a true Japanese ski touring adventure. It combines big ski descents on volcanoes, touring from traditional ryokans in the mountains, and bathing in thermal springs and savouring Japanese cuisine. This is a trip you will never forget.

The Area
The Annupuri Mountain Range is in the west of Hokkaido and is renowned for huge accumulations of snow. Adjacent to the range is Mt Yotei, nicknamed the ‘Mt Fuji of the North.’

Rishiri Island rises out of the Sea of Japan . The island is formed by the cone-shaped extinct volcanic peak of Mount Rishiri. The area is part of the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park.

Recommended Experience Level
In order that participants are of similar abilities we have rated this trip with Ski Ability and Backcountry Levels.

Ski Ability 4 Backcountry Level Advanced
To make the most of your trip we recommend that you have a good level of aerobic fitness. You will carry 30 liter day packs with day equipment and provisions.

Terrain and Snow
This is a combination of alpine and tree skiing on angles not exceeding 30 degrees. The snow conditions will be a mix of corn and firm snow and if we are lucky, some powder.

PROGRAM DATES 2012-13
(Sun) April 21 - (Sun) April 28

GUIDE TO GUEST RATIO
1:6 (maximum 6 guests)

PROGRAM PRICE Click here

BOOKINGS Click here

VIEW RISHIRI'S ISLAND VOLCANO PHOTO GALLERY

Program Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive to Sapporo and transfer to Niseko. Along the way there are stunning views of a huge caldera lake. We stop to see a 40 year old volcano that sprouted from a farmer’s rice paddy. Arrive at the hotel and hot-spring before dinner.

Day 2
We start the trip with a ski of Mt Yotei, the ‘Fuji San of Hokkaido.’ It is a huge cone shaped volcano that rises from just above sea level to 1,898 meters and is 9th on the list of ‘Hyakumeizan,’ or Japan’s 100 most famous mountains. If we are lucky and have a fine day you will be able to climb to the rim of the crater, descend in to the caldera before the main descent of one of the longest verticals in Hokkaido. We take an outdoor hot-spring with views of the volcano to finish.

Day 3
This is the first day of our traverse. From the tops of the cone shaped mountains there are stunning views of the Sea of Japan on one side, and the grand volcano on the other. At the end of the traverse we will be skiing a beautiful open alpine bowl to a hot spring surrounded by bubbling and steaming volcanic pools.

Day 4
We will continue on the traverse. We finish with a ski down through a mature birch forest to our mountain hot spring lodge. Relax in the out door hot spring before sitting down to a traditional Japanese style meal.

Day 5
The last ski day of the traverse will take us over two peaks down to a seaside fishing village. We then transfer to Sapporo for a night out at the Sapporo Beer Factory and then Suskino, the infamous night life district.

Day 6
This is a travel day to the far north of Hokkaido where we will catch a ferry to Rishiri Island which rises out of the Sea of Japan. The island is formed by the cone-shaped extinct volcanic peak of Mount Rishiri.

Day 7
We cap off the trip with an ascent of the island volcano at 1720m. You are surrounded by ocean and on clear days you can see over the ocean to Russia. We then ski to the ocean and celebrate with some of the local sake.

Day 8
If we didn’t have favorable weather on the first day, we will attempt to ski the volcano on the second day. Otherwise, we have the day to explore the island.

Day 9
Return ferry and transfer to Sapporo Airport.