Exclusive Service: Guiding tour bookings through Samurai Snow are available strictly for guests staying in our booked accommodations. If you are staying elsewhere, please arrange guiding tours directly with local resort suppliers.
Japan Powder Skiing at its Best
You've seen the Japan powder skiing, off piste and backcountry videos and gotten stoked, and Hakuba gets huge snowfalls, but with the keen local skiers and riders lined up first thing in the morning after a big dump the resorts get tracked out pretty fast, unless you know where to find the "secret stashes".
Several of Hakuba's resorts have excellent side-country access where you can get the best taste possible of Hakuba Off Piste.
Access the goods with the lift services of the resorts and then ride the excellent "side-country" terrain.
Go with the knowledge and expertise of local professional ski & split-board guides into the best steep powder stashes in Japan...right here in Hakuba!
Evergreen customizes the tour to your skills, to contact us, tell us your current level and we will make a tailored tour to fit your skills
Tour Expectations
- Hiking time: Not required as it is lift accessed product
- Hiking vertical: Not required as it is lift accessed product
- Descent: Custom as per experience, level, conditions
Plan Early
We recommend booking this service as early as possible to guarantee availability and secure your preferred option.
Availability of this service for short notice bookings is likely to be limited or not available.
2026 / 27 Prices
- Evergreen Backcountry operates only within the Hakuba Valley resorts of Happo One, Iwatake, Tsugaike Kogen, Norikura and / or Cortina
Tour Inclusions
- 1-day of guiding Lift assisted Off Piste terrain.
- Professional and certified Guide
- 3-piece backpack (with Beacon, shovel & probe)
- Basic Rescue Insurance
- Ideally all the powder you can handle
- 6 hours riding + 1 hour lunch break (8.00 to 15.00)
- Minimum age 16 years old
- 25% Discount off Backcountry Equipment Rentals
Not Included
- Lift Pass - It is recommended to have Hakuba Valley Lift Pass
- Lunch
- Transportation is only included in Premium products
Available Tour Dates
- Daily (depending on guide availability)
- Early bookings are recommended in order to reserve the guide
Meeting Time & Location
- Standard and Standard+ Tours meets at 07:50 at Evergreen Backcountry Guides Base located at the base of the Tsugaike ski lifts
- Premium Tours include a pick up from your accommodation between 07:15 and 07:30
Age Requirements
- Private tours can cater to participants over the age of 12.
- This is dependent on skill ability, and experience in the side/backcountry.
- All minors have to provide proof of age via the waiver form for all of our tours.
Things to Bring on the day
- Avalanche equipment – beacon, shovel, probe (mandatory & supplied)
- Lunch, drinks and at least 1L water (mandatory)
- Energy bars/chocolate/nuts etc (mandatory)
- Layering for warmth, wicking & ventilation (mandatory)
- Sunglasses (even if it is not sunny!) When you are hiking sunglasses are more comfortable to protect your eyes because they will not fog up. You can keep your goggles in your pack for the ski down.
- Helmet (recommended)
Off Piste Equipment
- Proper Off Piste safety equipment is required
- Evergreen offers Off Piste equipment rental and tour participants are eligible for a generous discount
Off Piste Equipment Rental Ability Levels Terms and Conditions
Private Standard Tour Schedule
- Meeting point: 7.50 at Evergreen Backcountry Base at Tsugaike
- 7.50 Check-In
- 8.00 Gear check
- 8.10 Depart to Tsugaike Gondola
- 8.20 / 9.00 Load at Tsugaike Gondola (busy period / weather conditioning)
- 8.50 Arrival to top of Tsugaike
- 9.00 Safety refreshment training
- 9.20 Safety check
- 9.30 Backcountry terrain
- 14.30 Return to the base
- 15.00 End of the day and wrap up
There will be a lunch break during the tour of aprox 30-45 minutes
Times are a sample and subject to change depending of many factors / variables
Private Premium Tour Schedule
- 7.15 - 7.30 Pick up at your accommodation
- 8.00 Private Premium Tour in a flexible location between Happo One, Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura, Cortina
- 15.00 End of the day and shuttle back to your accommodation
There will be a lunch break during the tour of aprox 30-45 minutes
Times are a sample and subject to change depending of many factors / variables
Book Off Piste Tours
Exclusive Service for Samurai Snow Accommodation Guests
Winter service bookings are strictly reserved for guests who have booked their accommodation directly through Samurai Snow.
If you have a confirmed accommodation booking, please enter your Samurai Snow Reservation Details below. We will email you direct access to our booking portal along with step-by-step booking instructions.
Booking Lead Time: We are unable to accept or process bookings submitted 7 days or fewer before the start date. Please submit your request at least 8 days in advance.
Multi-Day Bookings: We are only able to accept guiding tour bookings for 2 days or more (for 1-day bookings, please contact Evergreen Tours directly)
Please Note: Submissions without a valid Samurai Snow Accommodation Reservation Number cannot be processed. If you have not booked accommodation with us, please book your guiding tours directly through local resort vendors.
Already paid your accommodation deposit? Check your booking confirmation email for your direct link to the Hakuba Booking Portal to book immediately without submitting this form.