Hachimantai, deep in the Tohoku region, is known for having the driest powder snow in Honshu. Here we will introduce a report on participating in the HACHIMANTAI CAT TOURS, where you can enjoy snowboarding on a cat
【TOUR】"CAT & HIKE Tour"
7:30 Meet at CLUBMAN Clubhouse for briefing and equipment check
8:00 Meet at CAT base for final check
8:30 Depart by CAT
9:00 Arrive at the top of Daikokumori and start hiking
10:00 First run on the open slope
11:00 Arrive at Chausu Mountain Hut for lunch break
12:00 Second run from Mt. Chausu
12:30 Traverse and run third run
13:30 Traverse and climb back up for a long fourth run
14:00 Fifth run in the finest powder on the north slope
14:30 Return to CAT base
15:00 Hot drinks after at CLUBMAN Clubhouse
*This is the full course schedule. The number of runs may vary depending on weather conditions and the number of participants
The Hachimantai Cat Tour is a cat skiing tour operated by the Daikokuyama Management Cooperative, which is funded by local guides. This time, I participated in a Clubman Mountain Guide tour led by professional skier Junya Kuragane. The tour I
experienced was a cat skiing and hiking tour where we rode a cat ski to the top of Daikokumori, the former Hachimantai ski resort, and then attached climbing skins to aim for the summit of Mt. Chausu.
First, it's about a 30-minute ride on the caterpillar to the summit.an hour and a halfhike, allowing you to conserve energy and focus on skiing relatively early in the day.
Upon reaching the top of the old ski resort, we attached our climbing skins and began our hike. We walked through a fantastical forest of Abies mariesii and Betula ermanii. With no sign of other people, we walked step by step in silence. Listening to the birds, the wind, and the sound of our footsteps on the snow, we felt a sense of oneness with nature, which is the true essence of backcountry skiing. Enjoying this to the fullest,the summit of Mt. Chausu, the main peak of Hachimantai.
As we gained altitude, the number of trees gradually decreased. An open run spread out before us, and everyone was excited. Before reaching the summit, we decided to try out the open run with no tracks to warm up on one leg. We made a big turn and slid down in one go, as if jumping into the plains of Hachimantai
After skiing down a great run, put on your skins again and hike back up
Once you reach the ridge, Chausu Sanso Lodge is right in front of you. It's nice to have a rest spot at the peak. Here you can replenish your food and water and prepare for the slopes
After leaving the hut, we skied down the slope in front of us again. Here we enjoyed the moderately open slope and the tree run elements
If you continue traversing west, you will come to a slope with a unique landscape, where large, majestic trees grow. One of the charms of Hachimantai is that you can enjoy a variety of ski runs on one mountain
After finishing the third run, we climbed back up to the ridgeline and hiked westward. We enjoyed a good balance of skiing and hiking, and never got bored.
We took in the beautiful scenery of Hachimantai spread out below and the surrounding natural beauty.
The fourth run was a long run of about 300m. The slope was full of ups and downs, and the bounce of the boards when you stepped on them gave you an even more floating feeling
From there, we descended further in altitude for the last run! At the end, we found some very fluffy powder that was still in good condition on a north-facing slope. As you can see, Hachimantai is known for being the lightest in Honshu. Even though it was the afternoon, it was still as light as you can see
On the way back, we skied down the Aspite Line, which is closed for the winter, to the parking lot.
This marked the end of our CAT & HIKE tour, which allowed us to fully enjoy the depths of Hachimantai.
After the tour, we returned to the CLUBMAN clubhouse and reminisced about the day while looking at photos from the tour with a hot drink in hand. This is the moment when everyone smiles the most.
In addition to the above, Hachimantai Backcountry also offers easy ride tours that involve repeatedly riding a CAT (Cycling Aircraft) down the slopes. It's great that there are plans to suit different skill levels and fitness levels. The diverse natural terrain provides plenty of slopes to ski. We encourage you to fully enjoy the best snow quality on Honshu and the magnificent nature of Hachimantai through a backcountry tour.
Guided tour
| Tour Name | CAT & HIKE TOUR |
|---|---|
| Average hike time | Approximately 1 hour |
| Guide Ratio | Guide 1-2: Guests 2-8 |
| Required equipment | Beacon, shovel, probe, climbing equipment, helmet (recommended) |
| Difficulty (required BC experience level) | BC Intermediate Skiers: Skiing skills are intermediate or above and can handle fresh snow |
| Participation fee | 20,000 yen |
| others | CAT & RIDE Tour 27,000 yen No hiking required. Ride a cat and slide around! |
| Reservations and inquiries | Clubman Mountain Guide |
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