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 at Kagura. Its parent company, "Freeski Pro Shop Black Diamond," has gathered the know-how to enjoy Kagura's vast fields and diverse courses, as well as a wide selection of rental skis and gear that are perfect for backcountry powder riding.
With the expertise of a pro shop in snow and gear, and the knowledge of its affiliated guides who know Kagura inside and out, even beginners who have never had the opportunity to go backcountry skiing or who lacked confidence in skiing powder snow can safely venture into the backcountry.
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. The tours are designed to allow you to fully enjoy the vast and varied backcountry of Kagura, from open slopes to trees and steep sections, with an emphasis on "skiing." You can choose from a variety of tours to suit your level, including a beginner-only 1-day tour, an intermediate-only 1-day tour, a regular 1-day tour, and a Wada Hut tour. Snowboard-only tours are also available.
Furthermore, the 2-day/1-night tour to Wada Hut offers the advantage of having the first tracks on the morning of the second day by staying overnight. Wada Hut's delicious food and baths are also highly regarded. With a follow-up system of two tail guides, it is a safe and comfortable guided tour that we are proud of.
Enjoy a worry-free backcountry debut with comprehensive support
Kagura Powder Station is characterized by its gentle and thorough guidance, including how to use the gear and powder lessons, especially for beginners. They also offer workshops where you can learn the knowledge, techniques, and mindset necessary for safe and enjoyable backcountry skiing. Rentals of
4FRNT skis, K2 skis, and backcountry gear (skins, snowshoes, beacons, shovels, probes, BCA float bags, backpacks, etc.) are available. All you have to do is put on your skis and jump into the great outdoors!
profile
Kazuya Igarashi
After becoming the All-Japan Moguls Champion, he competed in the World Championships (W-CAP) and served as the Olympic coach for the national team, training skiers such as Satoya, Miura, Tsukida, and Hara. He worked under Yuichiro Miura and was active in the Snow Dolphin Ski Team. In 2008, he climbed Mount Everest with Miura. Currently, he supports Kagura Powder Station as a backcountry ski guide and mountaineering guide.
• K2 BCA Advisor
• Kagura Powder Station
BC Ski Guide/Mountaineering Guide
[Qualifications, etc.]
・JMGA Mountain Guide Stage II
・JMGA Ski Guide Stage I
*JMGA: Japan Mountain Guides Association
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) |
| backpack | 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
| 1 DAY | From 15,000 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 |
| Cumulative elevation gain | About 500~800m | About 1,000m~1,500m | About 1,000m |
| Average hiking time | 1-1.5 hours | 1.5-2 hours | 3 hours |
| Slope Contents | This tour covers everything from how to use backcountry gear, to the basics of backcountry skiing and powder, how to handle it, and skiing techniques tailored to the conditions | Depending on the conditions of the day, you can ski on open slopes, wooded areas, etc | A long touring trip enjoying various conditions such as open fields and wooded areas, totaling approximately 5 hours |
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/ |
| Social Media | Blackdiamond (PRO SHOP) kagura_powderstation |