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The website Ski.com is offering trips to ski resorts on the Japanese island of Hokkaido this winter.
Hokkaido, Japan鈥檚 northernmost island, is famous for deep powder on birch tree-covered mountains. As much as 15 metres of snow a year is not unusual.
Off the slopes, cultural experiences include participating in a traditional tea ceremony and soaking in an onsen, a bath fed by natural hot springs. Onsens are typically separated by gender and visitors bathe in the nude.
Visitors usually fly from Tokyo into Hokkaido鈥檚 Chitose airport, then drive to one of the island鈥檚 many resorts.
Skiers often spend time at more than one resort in the same visit. Ski.com is offering trips to four of the resorts: Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu and Kiroro, located a half-hour to three hours from the airport.
Hokkaido鈥檚 largest city, Sapporo, is known for beer and the noodle dish ramen.
鈥淪kiing in Japan is much different than skiing in North America and Europe,鈥� said Ski.com spokesman Dan Sherman, who skied in Hokkaido last winter.
鈥淲hile Niseko has been a popular destination for Australians for several years, the other three resorts are less Westernized, for those looking for the Japanese experience.
鈥淚n addition to the amazing food, friendly people and overall fantastic cultural experience, most skiers are considering going to Japan because they want to ski amazing powder snow, which most die-hard skiers will find is worth travelling halfway around the world.鈥�
Ski.com鈥檚 options include a $2,499 US guided trip to Hokkaido covering two nights in Rusutsu and five nights in Niseko, with guided skiing included, breakfast daily and ground transport (airfare not included).
