Western Colorado University and WildKine Expeditionary welcome you to the Japanese island of Hokkaido!

The island of Hokkaido is famous for its cold, deep, and dry snow. This snow of legend is due to cold air fronts coming out of Siberia, then blending with moisture as they cross the Sea of Japan. The result is enormous weather events of the cold, dry, fluffy stuff. The terrain in Hokkaido is mostly birch tree glade skiing. On the occasions when it stops snowing, the visible horizon expands, and opportunities to climb and summit some of the more prominent alpine volcanoes present themselves.

This trip is guided by our partners at Aspen Expeditions Worldwide: Head Guide and Co-owner Amos Whiting as well as a local Japanese guide Mako Takashi. Where our course stands apart from other Hokkaido trips is our trips are run by a mix of a world-class IFMGA Guide with over 20 years of experience guiding around the world, as well as a local certified guide who not only knows the slopes well but will take us to the secret restaurants. The culinary experience is almost worth the trip itself.