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Private Powder Guiding

A dedicated professional Mauna Kea English-speaking Guide will safely take you through the best powder skiing experiences in Niseko, always keeping in mind which runs would give you the best powder of the day, whether in bounds or out bounds via the fabulous Niseko Gate system.

We will provide you with avalanche safety gear and a very comprehensive avalanche briefing before our Tour starts. Let us take you through the amazing powder skiing that this region offers to riders from all around the world.

  •  Full and Half day Tours available.
  •  Flexible start location:.Base, Family Base and Gondola Base.
  • backpack  Avalanche safety gear is included with the price of each Tour. Beacon, Shovel, Probe and Backpack.
  • Include instruction on how to use safety avalanche gear.
  • Up to 5 in a group without any additional costs.
  • Tour available In Resort and Out of Bounds.

The terrain that the Guide will take you on your Tour will depend on:

  • Weather, Snow and Avalanche conditions.
  • gate  Number of Gates open allowing acces to out of resort terrain.
  • Your Skills and Level.
  • snowy-mountains  Where you wish to explore.

Please Note

Plese note that you must have All Mountain lift pass which is not included in the Guiding Tour price.

2023/24 Pricing

Type Duration Start Time Remarks Price
Full Day Premium 8 hours Start time 8:30 a.m. Lunch Break ¥98.800
Full Day Private 6 hours Flexible start time from
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.		 Lunch Break ¥83.000
Half Day Private 4 hours Start time 8:30 a.m. No Lunch Break ¥62.800

Powder Guiding Frequently Asked Questions

Skiers and Riders must be of an intermediate to advanced ability level to enjoy our Powder Guiding experience. We recommend that all guests are of a similar ability to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals. We always like to start the day with a “Safety lap” to ensure that all guests have the ability to ski/ride the terrain that will be accessed.
Mauna Kea will provide you with the avalanche equipment needed, avalanche beacon, shovel and probe, everything inside a mountain professional back pack.
We will teach and train you, so you will receive the necessary training on how to use your equipment prior to your lesson. Please arrive 20 minutes before your lesson start in order to receive the training. We always appreciate your colaboration. Thank you very much.
We recommend you to take some energy bars or snacks and water to keep your energy high all day long. Also, is a good idea to bring some extra warm layers and a spare goggles if you have one. Please also make sure you have good gloves and goggles and highly recommended wear a helmet as well.
Yes no problem! Our Powder Guiding Tours we are able to have guests on both skis and snowboards to enjoy the experience.
This will be dependent on the snow conditions and weather on the day. It will also be dependent on your preference, the time of booking and if you are looking to hike or enjoy terrain accessible by using the resort lifts. If your preference is to enjoy hiking and back country access, the terrain accessible will dependent if gates are open for access or not.
We always hope for the best snow quality but dependent on Mother Nature. The experienced Mauna Kea guiding team know the area very well, and they know where to find good snow if it has not been snowing for a while. It is possible that powder snow lacks everywhere, if that is the case, your guide will take the opportunity for other learning.
This area generally receives its bigest snowfall from late December through until early March, but as Mother Nature knows, this can be different from season to season.

Powde Guiding Terms & Conditions

  • Your safety is our main priority, Mauna Kea Guides have the final decision on where is safe for you and your group to ski or snowboard.
  • You must follow the direction of Mauna Kea Guides, including respecting the Niseko Rules and Alpine Responsibility Code at all times.
  • You accept that touring in the Niseko backcountry is a dangerous activity, and while our guides take utmost care, there is additional risk involved in touring the alpine backcountry areas. You accept that no liability will be held to Mauna Kea Snowsports, our employees or Grand Hirafu Resort in the event of accident, injury or death.
  • You accept that in the event of an accident, you will be responsible for all costs associated with their recovery. The fee for backcountry rescue is a minimum of ¥100,000 per/person.
  • You must have and you agree that you do have valid Travel Insurance which covers you for accident or injury while skiing in “off-piste” areas.
  • Please note that the Niseko United Gates which access the out of resort terrain are opened / closed by the resort Ski Patrol. Gates are scheduled to open at different times of the day and season and are always subject to weather and snow conditions.
  • Half-day tours cannot access some backcountry terrain and resort areas due to time constraints. If skiing/riding the peak is your goal, a full day tour is recommended.
  • All guests accessing at the gates must carry avalanche safety gear including beacon, shovel, probe & been instructed in their usage prior to accessing these gates.
  • Tours will only be rescheduled if the lifts are not operating.