The fastest way to get to the backcountry from the city
Kagura is easily accessible from Tokyo in just two and a half hours, yet offers magnificent natural scenery and light snow that is unusual for Joetsu. With a remarkable amount of snowfall and varied terrain, it offers unparalleled conditions for powder riding
Kagura Powder Station operates powder tours in Kagura. Its parent company, Freeski Pro Shop Black Diamond, offers the know-how to enjoy Kagura's vast fields and diverse courses, as well as a wide selection of rental skis and gear perfect for backcountry powder riding. With the
specialized knowledge of snowy mountains and gear that only a pro shop can offer, and guides who know Kagura inside and out, even beginners can venture out into the backcountry with confidence, including those who have always wanted to go but never had the opportunity, and those who lack confidence in their ability to ski powder snow.
Find the best powder conditions of the day according to your level and preferences
Kagura Powder Station takes advantage of Kagura's abundant snowfall and snow quality to guide you to the best powder conditions of the day. Tours are designed to allow you to fully enjoy the vast and varied Kagura backcountry, from wide open areas to tree and steep slopes, with an emphasis on "snowboarding." Choose from a variety of tours to suit your level, including a 1-day tour for beginners only, a 1-day tour for intermediates only, a regular 1-day tour, and a Wadagoya tour. Snowboard-only tours are also available.
What's more, the 2-day, 1-night Wadagoya tour offers the added advantage of staying overnight and hitting the fast track on the morning of the second day. Wadagoya's delicious food and baths are also highly rated. Supported by two tail guides, this is a safe and comfortable guided tour that we are proud of.
Enjoy a worry-free backcountry debut with comprehensive support
Kagura Powder Station's unique feature is that it provides gentle and thorough guidance for beginners, including powder lessons and training on how to use the gear. They also offer seminars where you can learn the knowledge, techniques, and mindset to ensure a safe and enjoyable backcountry experience. They
also offer rentals of 4FRNT skis, K2 skis, and backcountry gear (seals, snowshoes, beacons, shovels, probes, BCA float bags, backpacks, etc.). All you have to do is strap on your skis and dive into the great outdoors!
profile
Kazuya Igarashi
After becoming the All Japan Mogul Champion, he participated in the W-CAP and served as the Olympic coach for the National Team, training Satoya, Miura, Tsukuda, Hara, and others. He worked for Yuichiro Miura and was active in the Snow Dolphin Ski Team. In 2008, he climbed Everest with Miura. He currently supports Kagura Powder Station as a backcountry ski guide and mountain guide.
K2 BCA Advisor
Kagura Powder Station
backcountry ski guide/mountain guide
[Qualifications, etc.]
JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage II
JMGA Ski Guide Stage I
*JMGA: Japan Mountain Guides Association
<Message>
It has been 16 years since the late Hideo Yoshizawa and I started the Kagura BC Powder Tour. Kagura's natural environment allows you to enjoy different conditions every day, with no difference in snow quality or conditions, so even after years of skiing, you will never get bored. We were fascinated by Kagura's motivation. Come enjoy this powder and return home with a smile on your face.
Guide Area
| Main guide area | Enter from the BC gate at the summit of the 5th Romance Lift at Kagura Ski Resort. Head towards Kaguragamine (2030m), Nakaone Peak (1984m), or Karigane Peak (1624m) |
| Other areas | Spring tours to Mt. Tateyama, Mt. Chokai, Mt. Gassan, Mt. Fuji, etc |
| Representative name | Momoyo Yoshizawa |
| Main guide name (guide qualification) | Main guide: Kazuya Igarashi (JMGA Ski Guide Stage I, Mountaineering Guide II) Tail guide: Nobuhiko Takahashi |
| Number of guides | 2 full-time employees |
| Guide Ratio | 1 main guide, 1 tail guide: Maximum 10 guests |
| Percentage of guests | Skiing and snowboarding (9:1) / Men and women (7:3) |
rental
| Snow Safety Gear | Beacon Probe Shovel (Ant) |
| Backpacks (available) and BCA float bags (2 sets) available for rental | Something that can be fitted with a board (yes) |
| Skiing | Skis with touring bindings (available) |
| Climbing gear | Climbing skins (Ari), snowshoes (Ari), Securafix, powder poles |
Fee
| 1DAY | 13,000 yen |
| others | Wadagoya 2-day, 1-night tour: 31,000 yen (Wadagoya accommodation fee: 15,000 yen for 1 night with 2 meals) |
The actual tour content
| First time participating | BC experience | The most difficult | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity time | About 7 hours | About 7 hours | About 7 hours |
| Total altitude difference |
About 500~800m > | About 1,000m~1,500m | About 1,000m |
| Average hike time |
1-1.5 hours | 1.5-2 hours | 3 hours |
| Slope Contents | Tours tailored to your needs, including how to use BC gear, basic knowledge of BC and powder, how to deal with it, and how to ski | Depending on the conditions of the day, you can ski on open runs, through forest areas, etc | This long tour takes about 5 hours and allows you to enjoy a variety of conditions, including open areas and forested areas |
Information
| address | Located inside Kagura Ski Resort, 742 Mimata, Yuzawa-cho, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture |
| Tel | 025-788-9066 |
| kagura-bd@blackdiamond.co.jp | |
| Web | http://kagurapowderstation.com/ |
