The concept is "safe and fun"
They offer guiding tailored to the level of everyone, from beginners to veterans. They regularly hold avalanche seminars and powder lessons to improve the level of their guests and increase the safety of the tour as a whole
"Backcountry skiing is an activity that takes place in the winter mountains. It is not a mountain that anyone can easily enter. To enter the mountains in winter, you need knowledge and skills. First, you should gain experience by taking a reliable guided tour, and develop your knowledge, skills, and experience."
We want to convey the wonder and fun of the Gassan area
The Gassan and Yudono-san area in Yamagata Prefecture, formerly known as "Idewa," is a historic land that weaves together the beauty of its four seasons. IDEHA provides guide services with joy and pride in operating in this area. If you
listen carefully, you can hear only the sound of the wind in this world of silence. Looking around, a desolate world of white and gray unfolds, making the Gassan area in the depths of winter a perfect example of a "sanctuary."
From mid-January to early March is the peak season for powder snow, and this area, one of Japan's leading heavy snowfall regions, is not uncommon to experience snowfall of more than 1 meter overnight.
Here, you can carve tracks freely on vast powder slopes as if you had them all to yourself. In the area with its primeval beech forests of trees over 100 years old, you can enjoy wide-spaced tree runs in the best powder.
IDEHA offers two types of services in the Gassan and Yudono-san area: standard hiking tours and snowcat (snowmobile) tours.
IDEHA Mountain Ski Tour and Powder Trip
[Hiking Tour]
This is a popular IDEHA tour. The one-day powder trip takes about 3.5 hours to climb and 1.5 hours to ski, for a total of about 7 hours (including preparation, lunch, climbing back up, and rest). The tour is limited to 10 people, making it very flexible
The event will be held in the Ubagatake, Yudonosan, Gassan, Asahi, and Zao areas. Participants must have backcountry experience and be able to safely ski or snowboard down slopes of approximately 25 degrees. The course will have obstacles such as beech trees, so the ability to react quickly and control speed is a requirement for participation.
Check the IDEHA website for event dates, and registration is accepted up to 3 days before the event. IDEHA will introduce accommodations to participants coming from afar.
representative
Takahiro Ishizawa
I was born and raised in a remote corner of Zao and grew up enjoying skiing in the fields and mountains from a young age. I have been guiding at Gassan for 27 years and I never get tired of the joy of skiing in this area. I guide with the hope of sharing this excitement with everyone
As a drone pilot for Cocoheli, he is also involved in searching for lost people in mountainous areas and promoting safe mountain climbing
[Qualifications, etc.]
・JMGA Mountain Guide Stage I
・JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
・Japan Telemark Ski Association Certified Instructor
*JMGA…Japan Mountain Guide Federation
JAN…Japan Avalanche Network
Guide Area
| Main guide area | Gassan area |
| Other areas | Mt. Chokai area, sometimes Zao area |
| Representative name (guide qualification) | Takahiro Ishizawa (JMGA Mountain Guide Stage I, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II) |
| Main guide name (guide qualification) | Takahiro Ishizawa (JMGA Mountain Guide Stage I, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II) Isao Ninohe (JMGA Mountain Guide Stage II, JMGA Ski Guide Stage I) |
| Number of guides | 4 full-time employees (4 of whom are qualified) |
| Guide Ratio | 1 guide: 5 guests |
| Percentage of guests | Skiing/Snowboarding (7 vs. 3) / Men and Women (7 vs. 3) |
rental
| Snow Safety Gear | Beacon Probe Shovel (Available/Paid) |
| backpack | Something that can be fitted with boards (available/charged) |
| Skiing | Skis with touring bindings (none) |
| Climbing gear | Climbing skins/snowshoes (none) |
Fee
| 1DAY | From 8,800 yen (excluding tax) |
| others | A tour using a CAT or snowmobile (Gassan Powder Trip) costs 21,000 yen |
The actual tour content
| First time participating | BC experience | The most difficult | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity time | Approximately 4 to 6 hours | About 6~8 hours | 8 hours or more |
| Cumulative elevation gain | 300-500m (depending on the route and conditions) | 500-800m (depending on the route and conditions) | Over 1000m (depending on the route and conditions) |
| Average hiking time | About 1.5~2 hours | 2~4 hours | More than 4 hours |
| Slope Contents | Enjoy the gentle slopes with an average slope of 15 to 20 degrees safely. Beech tree course, open ranch course | Enjoy powder and granular snow slopes with an average slope of 25 to 30 degrees | The average slope is over 30 degrees, and the course requires a long time and requires both physical strength and skill. There are also tours using crampons and ice axes |
Information
| address | 2-10-24 Higashiyamagata, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| TEL | 090-7067-0667 |
| ideha@khaki.plala.or.jp | |
| WEB | http://www.ideha.jp |
| Social Media | ideha |
*This information is current as of July 2025
*The information posted is as of October 2023
