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backcountry

Terrifying footage of skier disappearing into a glide crack in the Hokkaido backcountry
2 years ago

Terrifying footage of skier disappearing into a glide crack in the Hokkaido backcountry

By  •  Videos

Those of us who venture into the backcountry know that we do so with many risks involved. This footage posted earlier this month by freestyle skier Koji Saitoto is a …
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Guide to Hakuba backcountry skiing: where are the best spots?
2 years ago

Guide to Hakuba backcountry skiing: where are the best spots?

By  •  Guides

Hakuba’s picturesque mountain peaks are a vast backcountry powder skiing playground that any powderhound would be happy to explore. The towering Japanese Alps get some of the deepest, fluffiest powder …
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5 of Japan’s best backcountry adventures, plus the guides to help you tackle them safely
3 years ago

5 of Japan’s best backcountry adventures, plus the guides to help you tackle them safely

By  •  Guides

Skiing Japan’s backcountry with a guide is not only the best way to guarantee your share of the country’s famous powder, it also arms you with someone who has knowledge …
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How good is heli skiing in Hokkaido?
3 years ago

How good is heli skiing in Hokkaido?

By  •  Videos

If we were to try and describe a perfect day on skis in Japan, it might look a lot like the footage in the video above. The day was captured …
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Cat skiing in Tomamu, Hokkaido’s “best value” backcountry experience
3 years ago

Cat skiing in Tomamu, Hokkaido’s “best value” backcountry experience

By  •  Videos

Filmmaker and photographer Neil Hartmann has been based in Hokkaido since ’91, and his Youtube channel is a consistent source of entertainment and information on adventure in the region (Neil’s …
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Guide to Hokkaido backcountry skiing: where are the best spots?
3 years ago

Guide to Hokkaido backcountry skiing: where are the best spots?

By  •  Guides

When we asked our readers earlier this year about the most important factor in choosing a ski resort, the overwhelming number one response was the quality and quantity of snow. …
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Why we travelled to Niseko to ski four volcanoes in four days
5 years ago

Why we travelled to Niseko to ski four volcanoes in four days

In February 2020 seven challengers from the UK, USA, and Singapore made their way to Niseko to take on 4 volcanoes in 4 days in support of Protect Our Winters …
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Japanese mountain associations urge skiers to stay out of the backcountry
5 years ago

Japanese mountain associations urge skiers to stay out of the backcountry

By  •  News

Japan’s four predominant mountaineering associations have urged residents to stop all mountain-based activities immediately, including ski touring and split boarding. The announcement was prompted by the Japanese government’s declaration of …
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Backcountry skiing near Sapporo: Takao Miyashita’s Top 5 Spots
5 years ago

Backcountry skiing near Sapporo: Takao Miyashita’s Top 5 Spots

By  •  Guides

Takao Miyashita is a Hokkaido native who started skiing when he was just a 3-year-old, and since then he has made the mountains and snow his life. He has been …
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Meet the skier putting Hokkaido’s backcountry on the map
5 years ago

Meet the skier putting Hokkaido’s backcountry on the map

By  •  People, Features

Just over a year ago, Rob Thomson launched Hokkaido Wilds, an English-language database of ski touring routes complete with maps, photos, downloadable GPS files and detailed descriptions. In the short …
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