Japan Snowboard Camp
Hokkaido 2025
Join us for the trip of a lifetime riding the deepest and lightest powder snow on the planet, whilst experiencing the very best of Japanese culture and cuisine.
Say ‘konnichiwa’ to the fifth year of Onyx’s very special powder ninja snowboard camp in Hokkaido, Japan.
What's included
Japan’s super light and fluffy powder snow is the thing of legend, made possible by the Siberian weather systems which deliver an average snowfall of between 600 – 1500 inches per season!
The camp includes 9 days riding the best resorts (see FAQs below) and backcountry terrain Hokkaido has to offer, thanks to the Onyx mega bus which is on hand to ensure you enjoy the most epic snow all day every day.
We’ve also included a heap of afternoon and evening activities, so you can immerse yourself in the best of Japan’s unique culturural and culinary experiences. From karaoke and spas, to hole in the wall food and ice festivals… We’ve selected the best just for you!
A snowboard camp in Japan is a true bucket list item and we can’t wait to help you tick it off in spectacular fashion.
Japan Snowboard Camp 2025 FAQs
Our snowboard camps in Japan have a strong powder and off piste riding focus throughout. You can expect to enjoy a variety of terrain including trees, steeps, open glades, hikes to fresh tracks, drops of varying sizes and more all mountain freestyle creativity than your stoke-meter can handle!
Due to the range of terrain and conditions you’ll be riding we require all riders to be 18+ and have a strong riding ability of L6/7 or higher on our scale here.
Short hikes for even fresher lines may be involved on some days, so in terms of fitness we advise that you be able to complete 5km at a gentle jog/fast walk without any major difficulty.
In our inaugural year all clients who joined us in Japan were actually solo travellers, so yes!
We’ve designed this snowboard camp from a solo traveller perspective first and built up from there, using our own experiences attending camps/trips around the globe to shape it. From our easy to book shared rooms through to the amazing social and supportive environment created on and off the hill, you may arrive as a solo traveller but you’ll certainly leave with some new life long friends.
Cheesy as… but it’s the truth!
Find your own way to New Chitose Airport and we’ll then look after the rest during the camp. Set transport is included so please read the following carefully:
- ARRIVAL – A shared bus transfers from New Chitose Airport (CTS) to Hirafu welcome centre on Wednesday 22nd January 2025, with available departure times at: 13:00, 14:00 or 15:30 only. We recommend booking a flight that arrive at CTS no later than 14:00 to allow enough time to make the last bus.
- DURING THE CAMP – The Chalets provide a scheduled minibus service to/from Hirafu. We also have a private 8 seater (the Onyx mega bus) to whisk you off to all other riding venues and afternoon/evening locations.
- DEPARTURE – A single shared bus transfer will depart Hirafu Welcome Centre at 08:30 only on Saturday 1st February 2025 and arrive at CTS for 11:00. We recommend booking a flight departing from 13:00 onwards.
No other transportation or alternative options are included as part of the camp.
MnK The Chalets at Country Resort – Niseko, Japan
We’re stoked that be staying in one of their high class, bright and spacious self catering chalets located close to the Niseko resort of Hirafu. The chalet features a super comfortable lounge area, fully equipped kitchen, washing machine and drying room.
Thanks to the Onyx mega bus we’re able to select resorts with the best conditions each day, this also allows you to experience more of this amazing country than other camps usually cover. We’ll aim to hit up the following resorts during your trip:
Niskeo – Arguably the most famous of Hokkaido’s snowboard resort and actually comprises the 4 areas of Hirafu, Annupuri Kokusai, Niseko Village and Hanazono. Snowboarding there boasts a wealth of easy to access and mind meltingly epic off piste runs via marked gates and short hikes. You’ll spend your first 1-2 days here getting you snow legs back and working on powder riding technique in a variety of terrain, we’ll also aim spend our final day here too wrapping up an amazing trip.
Niseko Moiwa – Although located just over the ridge from Annupuri, this is actually a completely separate resort comprising of just 3 lifts! Don’t let that foil you though as Moiwa is all about the long flowing valleys that reward riders with a mixture of wide open pow surfing and technical tree riding. The range of drops and tree jibs here make it’s easy to see why this all mountain playground was a top favourite with client’s on previous camps.
Rusutsu – With an average snowfall of over 14m, the truly magical Rusutsu Resort has 2 distinct areas in the East and West. The East area (actually 2 peaks) sees beautifully flowing trails stemming from a series of ridelines, all of which hide some of the worlds best snowboard tree runs along their edges. The West mountain is where things get crazy… imagine Disney’s take on a ski resort! Featuring a fun fair with roller coasters (sadly closed in the winter) plus a base area with carousels and a talking tree! It’s all about the tree runs and night riding on this side, we guarantee you’ll be blown away.
Sapporo Teine – From the top of this resort you’re treated to picturesque views across Sapporo city with the oceans waves crashing in the background. Sapporo Teine boasts some of the steepest lift accessed terrain in Western Hokkaido, along with endless glades and some amazing cliff drops of all sizes.
Kiroro – A true gem of Hokkaido snowboarding that hides a wealth of easily accessible off piste routes. This resort rarely gets busy, which means more powder runs for us!
You need to arrange
- Return travel to New Chitose Airport (CTS) in Hokkaido
- Travel insurance – providing cover for Japan and explicitly listing you’ll be covered for off piste with a guide and riding in a freestyle/terrain park
- Backcountry safety kit including: shovel (preferably metal), transceiver and probe (min 1.7m)
- Sustenance (food and drink) throughout the camp
Each snowboard camp in Japan caters for just 6 people, so early booking is advised for every season.
Simply click the book now button and fill in the details. One of the Onyx team will then contact you to chat through everything involved with the camp and help you secure your place from there.
Yeah, learn some Japanese before arriving… a little effort goes a long way here.
Please read our full terms and conditions before booking. If you have any questions or want to talk to a human being then please drop us an email or call, we’ll be more than happy to help you with any additional information or even just a chin wag.