Welcome to SnowCat Japan
Snow sports of skiing and snowboarding via Snowcat (over-snow vehicle) are now available in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture.
Commercial over-snow services for film industry, telecom or power industries also available.
Area specialist SNOWCAT JAPAN / Thunderbird Guides is pleased to provide the following flagship Snow Cat and Snowmobile services.
We also offer a snowmobile safari on a limited basis. You drive!
Panorama Cat Ski Morning
Enjoy a program of intro to Back Country skiing or riding. The program has an early start, includes an introduction to avalanche transceiver use (depends on terrain selection) . Board the SNOWCAT for 5 generally untracked runs / laps on a private slope at your own pace.
This is not a hardcore adventure, but suited to folks and families newer to the BC scene. The pace is easy. The idea is to take it easy and lay down some quality tracks with your buddies, GF or family.
If shooting drone footage is possible, we will!
Guests usually self-drive or taxi to location about 15 minutes from Akakura.
Panorama Cat Ski / Ride Morning
Pricing (2023-2024)
Per person
all inclusive-
Beacon orientation
-
Guiding
-
5 Runs
*Minimum participants: 2
Ask! We might have others going which you may join!
Private Cat Ski / Ride Charter
Pricing (2023-2024)
Private Snowcat Charter
all inclusive-
Beacon orientation
-
Cat Ski or Cat Snowboard Guiding
-
5 Runs
*07:00 – 10:45 am (approx. on slope schedule)
Minimum participants: no minimum
Max: 6 guests
Panorama Snowmobile Safari
Pricing (2023-2024)
Per person
all inclusive-
Backcountry Orientation
-
Probe/Shovel/Beacon issue + training session
-
SNOWMOBILE SAFARI INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY
-
Guide fees
Ask! We might have others going which you may join!
The tour includes and meet and greet with guests and pick up and transfer at the times listed below.
Our SNOWMOBILE SAFARI program is geared for area visitors who wish to get off the beaten path and experience driving snowmobiles in the mountains.
| Pick up from Myoko Kogen | Drop off to Myoko Kogen |
|---|---|
| 07:30 | 09:45 |
| 09:45 | 12:00 |
| 12:00 | 14:45 |
| 14:45 | 17:00 |
*depending on weather, instant bookings for tours are possible
*Serious inquiries only for instant bookings
Secret Cat Ski Tour
Pricing (2024)
A 2.5 day affair !
Enjoy a program of intro to Back Country skiing or riding.
Operated in conjunction with a long-established guiding outfit on a space available basis only.
The program begins from Myoko usually on a Saturday. Day 1 catch a ride with guide to points outside the prefecture to relocate to a countryside hotspring inn or city hotel depending on driving conditions. Portions of travel may be by train in some cases. Following 2 days are on the hill and in the snowcat for uphill bumps, downhill skiing or riding and a few short hikes mixed in for each of 2 days. Each day has a respectably early start, and day one has an introduction to avalanche transceiver use basics if not already covered.
This is not such a hardcore adventure, but suited to participants newer to the BC scene with reasonable powder skills and equipment. The pace is easy. The idea is to take it easy and lay down some quality tracks with your buddies, GF or family.
Day 2 on the cat finishes at a train station proximal to the cat skiing/riding area about 4:30 pm and you can shoot off to wherever your next vacation stop is. Guide will help you get the correct train info, etc.
Per person
all inclusive-
Beacon orientation
-
Guiding
-
2 Nights accommodation
-
Transportation to location and to train station
-
3 meals a day
-
Downhill Cat skiing and few short hikes
*Serious inquiries only for instant bookings
Non-skier options
Snow Cat Charter (sunrise or snowshoeing or a mountaintop picnic, etc.)
Build your own itinerary around your group desires.
Local hotels can provide Bento, or local snowshoe rental available.
*Please inquire. Groups of 4 or more required.
*Serious inquiries only for instant bookings
Commercial Over-snow Transportation Services
(SNOW CAT OR SNOWMOBILE)
We also offer a commercial over snow transportation for Industry and events.
We bring our Snowcat (over-snow vehicle) or snowmobiles to your location to transport workers or staff to remote or ski area locations anywhere on Honshu Island. Client list includes, Telecom and Wind-power providers. Rates are excluding trucking to your location and excluding fuel.
Commercial Snowcat Charter
all inclusive-
Per day
-
Includes 1 operator/driver per unit
Commercial Snowmobile Charter
all inclusive-
Per day
-
Includes 1 operator/driver per unit
Booking Inquiry
Please include the number of guests in your party.
Payments
A 100% deposit secures your reservation. When payments are received, we will email you a receipt. When payments are received from a 3rd party, we will email the receipt to the booking party also.
Cancellation
Upon receipt of written notification of cancellation the following fees will apply:
30% will be charged for cancellations made more than 31 days before the tour departure date. Cancellations made 30-15 days or less prior to tour departure date will be charged a 50% fee. Cancelations made with less than 14 days of advanced notice will not be refunded. Snowcat Japan also reserves the right to cancel any program due to weather or route conditions. If a tour is canceled before commencing or at the operators discretion or due to weather or route conditions, then a full refund or full credit will be given. Snowcat Japan is not responsible for any additional customer expenses incurred (i.e., airline tickets, equipment purchase or rental, hotel reservations).
Change of Date
Date changes are subject to availability. Date changes made will be charged a flat fee per person or unit.
Medical and Emergency Evacuation Insurance
Due to the inherent risk involved in alpine pursuits, Snowcat Japan strongly recommends all participants to bring insurance that provides full medical and emergency evacuation coverage Snowcat Japan will NOT provide insurance for participants in any Snowcat Japan tour. If a participant does not have proper insurance documentation, he/she will be liable for her own medical and emergency evacuation expenses and in case of inability to participate will receive no refund, date change, nor any kind of compensation from Snowcat Japan.
Hazard Management and Participant Responsibilities
Managing risk is Snowcat Japan’s number one priority. Snowcat Japan’s guides manage significant hazards inherent to mountain pursuits (e.g. avalanche, inclement weather, participant accidents, rock fall, and high winds) but they cannot eliminate them. Please clearly understand that skiing / riding / outdoor activities are inherently hazardous and are undertaken with the full knowledge and consent from participants. Participants acknowledge inherent risks, and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in this activity.
Participants must be physically and mentally fit, properly attired and equipped, and should continue to assess him/her-self throughout the activity to ensure as safe operation. In terms of fitness, health and skills, participants should accurately describe themselves and their equipment to their guides, and at all times adhere to guide advice.
Operations fall under the Thunderbird Guides umbrella in conjunction with local guides.
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