The concept is “safe and fun”
From beginner to veteran, we offer guidance according to your level. Avalanche workshops and powder lessons are held regularly to improve the level of the guests and enhance the safety of the entire tour.
“Backcountry skiing is an activity in the winter mountains. Develop knowledge, skills and experience
I want to convey the splendor and fun of the Mt. Gassan area
The Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono area in Yamagata Prefecture has been called "Idewa" since ancient times.
IDEHA provides guide services with joy and pride in being able to work in the area. A world of silence where you can only hear the sound of the wind if you listen carefully.
If you look around, the world of desolate white and gray spreads out, and the term "sanctuary" is perfect for the Gassan area in the midwinter. From mid-January to early March is the peak of the powder season, and it is not uncommon for this area to get more than 1m of snow overnight in this area, which is one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan.
Here, you can carve a track without hesitation as if you were chartering a vast powder barn.
In an area covered with virgin beech forests that are over 100 years old, you can enjoy wide-spaced tree runs with the best powder. IDEHA offers two types of services in the Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono areas: standard hiking tours and cat (snow vehicle) services.
IDEHA Mountain Ski Tour/Powder Trip
[Hiking tour]
IDEHA popular tour. The 1-day powder trip is about 3.5 hours climbing, about 1.5 hours sliding, and a total of about 7 hours (preparation, lunch, climbing back up, and rest time). The capacity is 10 people, so there is mobility.
The venues are Mt. Ubagatake, Mt. Yudono, Mt. Gassan, Asahi, and Zao area.
The target is backcountry experienced people, and the skill level is to be able to ski and board safely downhill on a slope of about 25 degrees. There are beech trees and other obstacles on the course, so it is necessary to be able to respond quickly and control speed. Check the date of the event on the IDEHA website and accept reservations up to 3 days before the date of the event. For those who come from afar, they will introduce IDEHA-affiliated inns.
representative
Takahiro Ishizawa
Born and raised in a corner of Zao, I grew up enjoying skiing in the mountains and fields from an early age. It's been 27 years since I started guiding at Mt. Gassan, and I never tire of the fun of skiing in this area. I would like to convey this excitement to everyone, so I am providing a guide.
In addition, as a Cocoheli drone pilot, I am involved in searching for lost people in mountain areas, and I also carry out educational activities on safe mountain climbing.
[Qualifications]
・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 | Chokaisan Area/Occasionally 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) Satoshi Ninohe (JMGA Mountain Guide Stage II, JMGA Ski Guide Stage I) |
| Number of affiliated guides | 4 full-time employees (including 4 qualified employees) |
| 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, excavator (ant/charged) |
| Backpack | A board can be attached (Ant/charged) |
| ski | Skis with tour bindings (pear) |
| climbing gear | Climbing skin snowshoe (pear) |
price
| 1DAY | 8,800 yen~ (excluding tax) |
| other | A tour using a cat/snowmobile (Mt. Gassan powder trip) is 19,800 yen |
Actual contents of the tour
| first participation | BC experience Ali | most difficult | |
|---|---|---|---|
| action time | 4~6 hours | 6~8 hours | 8 hours or more |
| Cumulative elevation difference | 300~500m (depending on the route and conditions) | 500~800m (depending on the route and conditions) | 1000m or more (depending on itinerary and conditions) |
| average hike time | 1.5~2 hours | 2-4 hours | 4 hours or more |
| Slope content | You can safely enjoy a gentle slope with an average slope of 15 to 20 degrees. Beech tree course, ranch open course | Enjoy the slopes of powder and granulated granules with an average slope of 25 to 30 degrees. Primeval beech forest powder, granulated barn from Mt. Yudono, etc. | With an average slope of 30 degrees or more, this course requires a long action time and requires both physical strength and technique. There is also a tour using crampons and pickaxes |
Information
| address | 2-10-24 Higashi Yamagata, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| TEL | 090-7067-0667 |
| ideha@khaki.plala.or.jp | |
| WEB | http://www.ideha.jp |
| SNS | ideha |
*The content posted is information as of October 2023.