Heli-Skiing in Hokkaido

Stay in a secluded and contemporary styled Ryokan (a traditional Japanese Inn) amongst the white birch trees of Hanazono Wood in Japan’s North Island. The Zaborin Ryokan was created to embody a contemporary experience of Japanese traditions whilst providing a tranquil and remote setting for guests to meditate and reflect. Each guest house has authentic Japanese sleeping arrangements as well as two private hot spring baths – one indoor and one open-air onsen for ‘forest bathing’. Both are filled with healing mineral waters from a private volcanic spring. Guests will enjoy two full days of backcountry skiing with a guide, as well as a full day of heli-skiing with a guide on the mountains of Annupuri. Try the light powder snow created by the Siberian winds at the Niseko resort. In the evening, enjoy a massage, sample local whiskeys in Zaborin’s library and try the unique and award winning multi-course Kita Kaiseki.

Drive back to Sapporo after your full days skiing in Niseko, and stay one night at the Sapporo Grand Hotel in the city centre. Located between Sapporo’s shopping district and the beautiful Odori Park, the hotel is the best base to explore the city for the evening. Learning about the city’s famous beer and ramen, and if you are there in the month of February, catch the famous Sapporo Snow Festival. Alternatively, enjoy a matcha tea in a traditional Japanese ceremony or learn the art of sushi roll making. Discover the history and tastes of traditional sake at the hotel before dining at the Waraku Japanese garden, sharing a hot pot Shabu Shabu prepared from seasonal Hokkaido food ingredients.

Get off the beaten track skiing in Asahidake on one of Hokkaido’s highest mountains and the Diasetu Mountain Range. Arguably Asahidake has some of the deepest snow in Japan and therefore has some incredible powder and is considered a backcountry ski paradise. Enjoy a private guiding experience off-piste, exploring Asahidake’s huge expanse of wild terrain, as well as one day of private heli-skiing. Asahidake is away from any crowds and therefore skiing feels as if you have a private mountain – or in this case, a private active volcano – in which skiers often see steam coming out of the snow. Test your limits with some snowshoe hiking to reach the mountain’s peak, or for those less experienced, the Asahidake Ropeway allows for easy access to the resort’s ‘prepared’ slopes. In the evenings, unwind in one of La Vista Daisetsuzan’s onsens, filled with heated mineral water from the Yukomakitsu River, and feast on authentic Japanese dishes and hot pots next to a crackling fire.