Snow CAT Japan - snowboarder

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!

FULL-DAY CAT SKIING

85,000 yen per person

TRANSPORTATION INCLUSIVE FULL DAY CAT SKIING at CUPID MOPUNTAIN UPPER VALLEY has been formally released for 2025. Thank you for your patience.

Operated in conjunction with local and national land owners and managers.

  • Operated weekdays only.
  • M-F-W departures are typical.
  • Pick up from your hotel occurs at 06:00.
  • Principal runs are former ski runs.
  • Participants should be comfortable skiing / riding in deep snow.

 

Inquiries for this product only should be directed to the following email address: [email protected]
For all other inquiries, please use the inquiry page / button on this website.

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
¥ 29,000
  • Guiding
  • 5 Runs

Private Cat Ski / Ride Charter
Pricing (2023-2024)

Private Snowcat Charter

all inclusive
¥ 165,000
  • Cat Ski or Cat Snowboard Guiding
  • 5 Runs

Panorama Snowmobile Safari

Pricing (2023-2024)

Per person

all inclusive
¥ 29,000
  • Backcountry Orientation
  • Probe/Shovel/Beacon issue + training session
  • SNOWMOBILE SAFARI INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY
  • Guide fees

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

Multi-day Myoko-based accommodation package

SNOWCAT TOUR INCLUSIVE!

7 nights stay in Akakura, Myoko, Niigata
1 day cat skiing at Cupid Valley, Niigata
250,000 Yen per person (based on 4-6 persons)

About

Snowcat tour at this location is one day out of our 7-day accommodation package.

Snowcat tour is not sold separately at this time.

Inclusions
Welcome beverage at Ninja Throwing star Bar.

1 day guided Cat Skiing at Cupid Valley.

1 round-trip ground transportation from Akakura to Cupid Valley for Cat Skiing.

7 nights accommodation at Thunderbird centrally located at Akakura Onsen Ski Area.
1 in-house dinner of Japanese Shyabu-Shyabu

For 2025 only, we have a new spot for snowcat operations on the whole upper portion (250 acres)of a local ski area (Cupid Valley) during their lift expansion which will knock their top lift out of operation for the whole season!

By our THUNDERBIRD SNOWCAT you’ll experience tree runs, lift lines and of course the ungroomed pistes. A few cheeky traverses or 20-40 minute hikes exist get you even higher.

Accommodation floor layout is 3 double tatami rooms per floor. Two floors total, 6 rooms total. Earliest reservation of 3 tatami rooms gets you a whole floor to yourselves.

Cat Ski Guide / Client Ratio is generally 1 : 6
Snow cat Seating is generally max 6 persons.

1 day guided Cat Skiing at Cupid Valley.

check-in check->out
Week 1 Jan 4th Jan 11th
Week 2 Jan 11th Jan 17th
Week 3 Jan 18th Jan 25th
Week 4 Jan 25th Feb 1st
Week 5 Feb 1st Feb 8th
Week 6 Feb 8th Feb 15th
Week 7 Feb 15th Feb 22nd
Week 8 Feb 22nd March 1st

Per person

all inclusive
¥ From 250,000 Based on a party of 4-6
  • Guiding
  • Accommodation
  • Transportation to location
  • Meals during CAT experience
  • Downhill Cat skiing

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
¥ 147,000
  • Per day
  • Includes 1 operator/driver per unit

Commercial Snowmobile Charter

all inclusive
¥ 115,000
  • Per day
  • Includes 1 operator/driver per unit

Booking Inquiry

Please be sure to read and take note of all conditions listed below.
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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