Backcountry Tour
BOKING NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026–2027 SEASON!
At Rura Guiding we offer expert guides to take you to untouched Niseko powder, this is an experience of a lifetime.
Backcountry TourTime: 9:30 - 15:00
Check-in at the reception by 8:30
Arrive at the start point by 8:50
Arrive at the start point by 8:50
Price
¥
88,000JPY
Per Person
-
Minimum of 2 pax per group
(Snow conditions are not guaranteed)
Private Backcountry TourTime: 9:30 - 15:00
Check-in at the reception by 8:30
Arrive at the start point by 8:50
Arrive at the start point by 8:50
Price
¥
150,000JPY
Per Person
-
Tours operate with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 7 participants. No mixed groups.
Powder Guarantee TourTime: 9:30 - 15:00
Check-in at the reception by 8:30
Arrive at the start point by 8:50
Arrive at the start point by 8:50
Price
¥
110,000JPY
Per Person
-
The tour will not operate if snow conditions are poor. Groups with fewer participants may be combined with others. Tours operate with 4-6 participants.
-
The age requirement to drive is 16 years old or older.
-
Ability level must be intermediate to advanced.
-
We accept cash and credit cards.
-
Reservations for one guest are also possible — please contact us to confirm availability.
-
Unlimited runs are available during your time slot, based on guest preferences.
-
All prices are tax-inclusive.
-
A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. For bookings made within 10 days of the tour date, full payment is required in advance to confirm the booking.
- Local qualified and professional Guides
- Pick up & Drop off transportation
- Avalanche transceiver, Snow shovel, Backpack, Walkie-talkie
Cancellation fee is charged:
- 1 month prior to the tour date: 50%
- 10 days prior to the tour date: 100%
- A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. For bookings made within 10 days of the tour date, full payment is required in advance to confirm the booking.
This is a backcountry tour conducted in a natural mountain environment. Weather, temperature, wind, visibility, snowfall, snow quality, snow depth, avalanche risk, and other natural conditions may change from day to day.
We offer the following two types of backcountry tours:
1. Non-Powder-Guaranteed Tour
2. Powder-Guaranteed Tour
The conditions regarding tour operation, cancellation, refunds, and snow conditions differ depending on the tour you book. Please make sure to review the applicable terms before making your reservation.
1. Our Decision Regarding Tour Operation or Cancellation
We may cancel a tour if we determine that it cannot be operated safely due to severe weather, significantly reduced visibility, strong winds, avalanche risk, hazardous road conditions, or any other safety-related reason.
The final decision on whether a tour will proceed or be cancelled will be made by our company and the guide in charge, based on safety considerations and local conditions.
If we cancel the tour for safety reasons, we will offer one of the following:
– A full refund of the tour fee paid
– Rescheduling to another available date
Please note that we are not responsible for reimbursing transportation costs, accommodation expenses, rental fees, airfare, or any other costs arranged separately by the customer.
2. Non-Powder-Guaranteed Tours
Non-Powder-Guaranteed Tours do not guarantee powder snow, fresh snow, sufficient snow coverage, any particular snow quality, or access to any specific skiing or snowboarding area.
Even if the snow quality or snow conditions do not meet the customer’s expectations or preferences, the tour will generally proceed if we determine that it can be operated safely.
Cancellations made by the customer for any of the following reasons will be treated as customer-initiated cancellations and will be subject to the applicable cancellation charges:
– The snow is not powder snow or fresh snow
– The snow quality is not as expected
– There has been insufficient snowfall or the snow depth is limited
– The snow surface is hard, wet, rough, or otherwise not in the customer’s preferred condition
– The customer is unable to ski or snowboard in their preferred area or on their preferred route
– The customer decides not to participate after reviewing the weather forecast, snowfall information, or snow conditions
– The customer decides not to participate before the tour begins, or withdraws during the tour, due to the weather or snow conditions
If we determine that the tour can be operated safely and the customer chooses not to participate, this will not be considered a cancellation by our company. It will be treated as a customer-initiated cancellation.
3. Powder-Guaranteed Tours
For Powder-Guaranteed Tours, we may decide not to operate the tour if our company and the guide in charge determine that the snow quality or snow coverage is not sufficient for participants to fully enjoy powder skiing or snowboarding.
This applies when we determine that the Powder Guarantee conditions have not been met due to circumstances such as the following:
– There is insufficient powder snow or fresh snow
– Snowfall or snow depth is too limited to provide the planned tour experience
– The snow surface is excessively hard, wet, rough, or otherwise unsuitable for powder skiing or snowboarding
– Our company and the guide in charge determine that we are unable to provide an appropriate Powder-Guaranteed Tour for any other reason
If we cancel the tour because the Powder Guarantee conditions have not been met, we will offer one of the following:
– A full refund of the tour fee paid
– Rescheduling to another available date
The customer may choose either a full refund or rescheduling. However, rescheduling is subject to availability. If there is no availability on the customer’s preferred date, a full refund will be provided.
The applicable snow quality, snow depth, and whether the tour will proceed under the Powder Guarantee will be determined comprehensively by our company and the guide in charge after assessing the actual local conditions on the day.
A refund or rescheduling will not be provided solely because the snow conditions differ from the customer’s personal expectations or individual perception.
If we determine that the Powder Guarantee conditions have been met and that the tour can be operated safely, the tour will proceed. If the customer chooses not to participate in such circumstances, the cancellation will be treated as customer-initiated and will be subject to the applicable cancellation charges.
4. Changes to the Tour Content, Location, or Schedule
To ensure safety and to provide access to the best available snow conditions whenever possible, the guide may make changes based on the weather, avalanche risk, snow quality, snow depth, road conditions, participants’ ability levels, and other conditions on the day.
Such changes may include:
– The skiing or snowboarding location and area
– The tour route
– The meeting point
– The start and finish times
– The method of transportation
– Other aspects of the tour
If the tour proceeds with changes to the location, route, schedule, or content so that it can be operated safely, this will not be considered a tour cancellation. As a general rule, no refund or price reduction will be provided in such cases.
For Powder-Guaranteed Tours, we may also change the location or route if powder conditions are available in a different area from the one originally planned and we determine that the Powder Guarantee conditions can still be met.
A refund or rescheduling will not be provided solely because the customer is unable to ski or snowboard on a particular mountain, in a particular area, on a particular slope, or on a particular route.
5. Changes, Shortening, or Termination After the Tour Has Begun
After the tour has begun, the guide may decide to take any of the following actions due to weather, visibility, avalanche risk, snow or terrain conditions, a participant’s physical condition or ability level, snowmobile operating conditions, or any other safety-related reason:
– Change the route or skiing or snowboarding location
– Change the tour content
– Shorten the tour duration
– Terminate the tour before the scheduled finish time
As a general rule, no refund will be provided for changes, shortening, or termination caused by sudden changes in natural conditions or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control after the tour has begun.
This policy applies to both Non-Powder-Guaranteed Tours and Powder-Guaranteed Tours.
However, if a major part of the tour cannot be provided due to circumstances for which we are responsible, such as a mechanical failure of our vehicles or equipment, we will provide an appropriate refund, rescheduling option, or other remedy based on the portion of the tour that was completed.
6. Changes Due to Customer Lateness, Physical Condition, Ability Level, or Other Customer-Related Reasons
As a general rule, no refund will be provided if the customer is unable to participate, or if the tour is changed, shortened, or terminated early due to the customer’s lateness, poor physical condition, inadequate equipment, insufficient ability level, failure to follow the guide’s instructions, or any other customer-related reason.
The guide may also change the route or skiing or snowboarding location if the guide determines that a participant’s ability level or physical fitness is not sufficient to safely complete the planned route.
7. Agreement to Follow Safety Decisions
All participants must follow the safety instructions and decisions of our company and the guide in charge.
If the guide determines that the tour cannot be started or continued safely, the guide may cancel the tour, change the route or content, shorten the tour, or terminate the tour early, regardless of the participants’ preferences.
All safety-related decisions made by our company and the guide in charge will prioritize the safety of participants, staff, and all other persons involved.
8. Important Information About the Powder Guarantee
The term “Powder Guarantee” does not mean that we guarantee any specific snow depth, snowfall amount, powder depth, snow lightness, skiing or snowboarding distance, number of runs, or access to any particular mountain or area.
Whether the Powder Guarantee conditions have been met will be determined comprehensively by our company and the guide in charge, taking into account snow quality, snow depth, timing of snowfall, wind effects, temperature, slope conditions, safety considerations, accessible areas, and other relevant factors.
If we operate a Powder-Guaranteed Tour, this means that we have determined that the conditions are suitable for the tour to be provided as a Powder-Guaranteed Tour.
Individual perceptions of actual snow quality and skiing or snowboarding conditions may vary. Therefore, we do not provide refunds, price reductions, or rescheduling solely because the conditions differ from the customer’s subjective expectations or from what the customer imagined based on photographs, videos, social media, or other promotional materials.
Our guide will choose the location with the best snow conditions on the day of the tour.