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This season, as always, we are pleased to offer a regular schedule of tours on weekends and holidays—as well as backcountry experiences at any time for both individuals and groups. Let us know what you’d like to do!
Destinations are subject to change due to weather and snow conditions—watch the schedule for the latest information.
This year we're also using Google calendar; you can also link to the calendar on your own Google calendar, iCal or other calendar, and see the latest changes and information.
Myoko Area Tours
Our roots are in telemark skiing; our passion is for leaving the groomed for the excellent backcountry just beyond the Myoko ski areas. We now are happy to welcome AT skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers alike as we continue in our third decade of hosting backcountry tours: from Tateyama in November, local tours throughout the season, to multiple-day tours in the Spring and into May.
Our schedule is below; please note that fees go down as more people join—so come and join us for a fun and affordable backcountry tour in Myoko!
- MBSS is pleased to provide guided tours in the wide, varied terrain of the Myoko area, and beyond. Most of our tours are to four main peaks/courses, each quite different from the others. Also, the changing weather and snow makes each tour a completely new exciting and unique experience. Think about your own goals and interests, and we can help provide the tour to meet them!
- Because the number of people taking part in scheduled tours is not fixed, we request that those without backcountry not take part. Instead, we suggest snow hiking or private tours as a good first experience; contact us for more information.
- Backcountry tours require a range of equipment, some of which—proper non-cotton, layered clothing; skins; thermos; water bottle; etc.—is the responsibility of the individual, not least for safety and efficient travel. Avalanche beacons, snowshoes, some shovels, probes, etc. are available for rent at MBSS.
- Guides are also available for group or individual private tours.
- If there's something you'd like to do, let us know!
Tour registration »
| January | February | March | April | May | November |
| 1, Friday Togakushi Jinja New Year's Snow Hiking ★ |
6, Saturday Mitahara ★★★ |
6, Saturday Sasagamine Snow Hiking ★★ |
3, Saturday Mitahara ★★★ |
1, Saturday Maeyama, Takizawa ridge ★★ |
26, Friday Tateyama "New Snow" Tour Day One ★★ |
| 2, Saturday Sasagamine Snow Hiking ★ |
7, Sunday Togakushi ★★ |
7, Sunday Maeyama ★★ |
4, Sunday Maeyama, Takizawa ridge ★★ |
2, Sunday Sasagamine Snow Hiking |
27, Saturday Tateyama "New Snow" Tour Day Two ★★ |
| 10, Sunday Akakura-yama ★★ |
11, Thursday Sasagamine Snow Hiking ★ |
13, Saturday Akakura-yama ★★ |
10, Saturday Imazu Komagatake Day One |
3, Monday Maeyama ★★ |
28, Sunday Tateyama "New Snow" Tour Day Three ★★ |
| 11, Monday Kanna-san, Fujimaki ridge ★★ |
13, Saturday Maeyama, Takizawa ridge ★★ |
14, Sunday Maeyama ★★ |
11, Sunday Imazu Komagatake Day Two |
4, Tuesday Maeyama, Takizawa ridge ★★ |
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| 16, Saturday Akakura-yama ★★ |
14, Sunday Kurohime ★★★ |
20, Saturday Maeyama, Takizawa ridge ★★ |
17, Saturday Hiuchi-san– Sasakura Onsen Tour Day One |
５, Wednesday Mitahara ★★ |
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| 17, Saturday Maeyama ★★ |
20, Saturday Mitahara, Ikenomine course ★★ |
21, Sunday Akakura-yama ★★ |
18, Sunday Mt. Hiuchi- Sasakura Onsen Tour Day Two |
7, Friday Tateyama Spring Tour Day One ★★ |
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| 23, Saturday Maeyama Takizawa ridge ★★ |
21, Sunday Mt. Kanna, Fujimaki ridge ★★ |
22, Monday Akakura-yama ★★ |
24, Saturday Oze, Mt. Shibutsu Tour Day One |
8, Saturday Tateyama Spring Tour Day Two ★★ |
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| 24, Sunday Mitahara ★★★ |
27, Saturday Yokote-yama to Kusatsu Tour Day One |
27, Saturday Maeyama, Takizawa ridge ★★ |
25, Sunday Oze, Mt. Shibutsu Tour Day Two ★★ |
9, Sunday Tateyama Spring Tour Day Three ★★ |
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| 30, Saturday Akakura-yama ★★ |
28, Sunday Yokote-yama to Kusatsu Tour Day Two |
28, Sunday Togakushi, Mt. Menou ★★ |
29, Thursday Sasagamine Snow Hiking ★ |
14, Friday Gassan Tour Day One ★★ |
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| 31, Sunday Mitahara ★★★ |
30, Friday Togakushi Kogen Soba Tour ★ |
15, Saturday Gassan Tour Day Two ★★ |
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| 16, Sunday Gassan Tour Day Three ★★ |
★ easy: Able to make a solid telemark, Alpine, snowboard turn in soft/natural snow.
★★ moderate: Climb and/or slopes are more challenging; some experience required!
★★★ difficult: Tough climbs; descents may also be challenging (steep or long)
Scheduled Tour Rates
Tours will be held if only one person joins,
but please note higher fee.
but please note higher fee.
| One person | ¥15,000 (¥8,000 for half-day) |
| Two persons | ¥12,000/person (¥6,000 half-day) |
| Three or more persons | ¥9,000/person (¥4,000 half-day) |
 Maeyama (1932m) |
 Mt. Mitahara (2300m) |  Akakura-yama (2141m) |  Kanna-sana (1909m) |  Kurohime-yama (2053m) | Other destinations: |
| Our home course, accessed from the top of the Akakura Kanko Ski Area. A 400-meter hike up, lunch at the top, then more than 1,000 meters down through spectacular beech forest. | The longest course in the area; a descent of more than 15km, through fantastically varied terrain including open slopes, beech, birch and pine forests, and a winding mountain road. | A great tree run, above Ikenotaira Ski Area. We usually approach from the Suginohara Ski Area on a beautiful hike through the woods. This is also a safe alternative when snow conditions elsewhere are questionable. Depending on the snow, we may ski all the way down to just above the MBSS office.... | A totally natural tour—no lifts and no crowds. Challenging for the approach, the hard work is rewarded by a big view, open slopes at the top and great tree runs all the way down. | Another solid climb on this course; 900 meters from the top of Kurohime Ski Area. The slopes can be moderately steep, but often with some of the finest powder that falls in the area. Tours to Sadoyama continue to the secondary peak within Kurohime. | For complete beginners—even those with no ski experience—we use light telemark gear and head off into the woods nearby for snow hiking. Other courses include Sasagamine, a vast, open area behind Myoko-san surrounded by mountains; the famous shrine and spectacular peaks of Togakushi. |
A Note from the Guides
• For all our tours, the ultimate decisions on the course for the day—and even in some cases whether to continue, turn back, or change courses‐is made by the guides, based on the weather, the snow, and the skills and physical condition of everyone in the group. Blizzards, whiteouts, high avalanche risk, ice, high winds and other conditions are all routinely encountered in the mountains, and conditions can change rapidly. We always want to find the best snow, the best route, and the best experience for our guests, but always with safety as the one "must" for the day.
• For all our tours, the ultimate decisions on the course for the day—and even in some cases whether to continue, turn back, or change courses‐is made by the guides, based on the weather, the snow, and the skills and physical condition of everyone in the group. Blizzards, whiteouts, high avalanche risk, ice, high winds and other conditions are all routinely encountered in the mountains, and conditions can change rapidly. We always want to find the best snow, the best route, and the best experience for our guests, but always with safety as the one "must" for the day.
• We want everyone to enjoy tours; it's impossible for anyone to really describe just how much fun skiing in the backcountry is. But, as we have noted, there are dangers and risks involved in backcountry skiing, so it's a good idea for everyone to do a little studying and talk with experienced people before your first tour, to get some idea of the skills, physical strength, equipment and other factors that will be required. We'd also be happy to arrange for lessons covering some of the most important backcountry skills for those thinking about progressing to backcountry skiing. At every level, however, being out in the winter mountains is a fascinating activity with something special for each person.
Required Equipment
(for tours, or backcountry training lessons)
Ski equipment (skis, board, boots, poles); skins/snowshoes (for skiers, please use skins for your own skis, and ones which you have tested prior to taking part in the tour); a waterproof/breathable jacket and pants; full layered wear: under and middle layers of wool or synthetic material, gloves (with spare pair highly suggested), hat(s), goggles, sunglass; lunch; emergency food; thermos with warm drink/water; compass; 1/25,000 scale map (suggested); shovel; avalanche beacon and probe. Rental is available for some items, including beacons. When in doubt, just ask!
Ski equipment (skis, board, boots, poles); skins/snowshoes (for skiers, please use skins for your own skis, and ones which you have tested prior to taking part in the tour); a waterproof/breathable jacket and pants; full layered wear: under and middle layers of wool or synthetic material, gloves (with spare pair highly suggested), hat(s), goggles, sunglass; lunch; emergency food; thermos with warm drink/water; compass; 1/25,000 scale map (suggested); shovel; avalanche beacon and probe. Rental is available for some items, including beacons. When in doubt, just ask!
For Everyone Taking Part in Tours
Please be at the MBSS office by 8:30 a.m for registration（maps can be found here).
If you have pre-registered, please arrive before 9. Departure may be earlier in some cases; we will contact you with full information.
If you have pre-registered, please arrive before 9. Departure may be earlier in some cases; we will contact you with full information.
Please note:Tours and backcountry lessons may be cancelled due to weather or other conditions. If this happens, we will return the full tour fee, less ¥1,000 handling/registration fee. The route may also change without previous notice.
Myoko Backcountry Ski School
Telemark Ski Instruction &
Backcountry Guiding Center
Backcountry Guiding Center
218 Tagiri, Myoko-shi, Niigata-ken 949-2102
e-mail: mbss@myokokogen.org
Tel: (0255)87-2392
Tel: (0255)87-2392
Myoko Backcountry Ski School proudly uses:
