THE INDYSKIPASS/JAPAN SKI TOURS EXPERIENCE
WHERE: First tracks are north at Aomori Springs Ski Resort (https://aomorispringski.com) and wind your way south, visiting Shimokura and Panorama ski hills, Okunakayama, Tazawako Kogen, and Geto Kogen. Don’t let the smallish look on the trail maps fool you: these Indy resorts ski big.
WHAT: Both in-bound and off piste skiing and riding brings – most days – deep powder. You can rent fat skis from Japan Ski Tours (highly recommended), as well as avalanche gear (required). Ski guides are available to help you find freshies all day. And side trip cat skiing is a worthy add on.
WHO: Japan Ski Tours (www. japanskitours.com) is operated by two American-born, Japan-raised snow lovers, Luke Cummings and Brent Potter; high school friends who dreamed of finding a way to open the world’s eyes to those Indy resorts in Japan. They found IndySkiPass online, reached out and the rest his history. Their combined understanding of both cultures helps from start to finish.
As for who would love this trip: High intermediate to advanced skiers and riders fare best. Hearty travelers who don’t mind a different view of creature comforts do well. Not for the faint of heart, but muster up the courage. You won’t regret it.
HOW: If you already hold an IndySkiPass, your pass price is deducted from the trip price. If not, your pass is good for all Indy resorts for the entirety of your ski season that year. Travel there and back are on you – Japan Air Lines has direct flights to Tokyo from many cities, including Boston – and the Bullet Train is a snap. Add a night prior in Tokyo (or two if you want to adjust more), as well as one before heading home. There’s a detailed itinerary of the two length trips at Japan Ski Tours site.
WHY: At these Indy resorts you’ll find quieter slopes, plenty of vertical and a true feel for Japanese ski culture. You’ll also bump up against incredible culture, from random shrines to hike to and mediate at, to strange and cool onsens, to rental shop attendants who charge you less than a bottled water cost at most resorts to grab some carvers for a rare groomed day. You’ll be challenged, but you’ll head home changed. In a good way.
COOL THINGS: Luke and Brent build special little surprises into their trips. One high avalanche day, rather than disappoint the group by cancelling cat skiing, they redirected to a super cool cat operation that was lower, safer but super cool. Hachimantai Cat Skiing is a perfect spot no matter the conditions.
The ski areas themselves are somewhat throwbacks. You’ll find old doubles with no safety bar (that they maintain well and sweep off each run), some retro cool base lodges and old-school paper tickets. But you’ll also find Udon Noodles cooked fresh by a Japanese woman right in front of you, incredibly clean surroundings (Japan skiers would never leave trash behind), kind people and yes, incredible skiing.