Welcome to Yabai Tours!!

Thankyou for your booking! We will do our very best to make your tour as memorable and exciting as possible! If any questions or concerns are not addressed on this page, please contact us and we will assist you 💯

This page will give you more information about your upcoming backcountry tour with us, what to expect, what to bring, and things you need before the tour starts.

GETTING HERE

Asahikawa city and Furano city are both around 40 minutes from Asahikawa international airport. Although it is an international airport, not every country flies directly here. Most people find the best way is to fly into Tokyo (Narita or Haneda airports) then get a connecting flight to Asahikawa with either JAL, Jetstar, ANA or AIRDO. Then from Asahikawa airport you can get a bus to Asahikawa station or Furano station for about ¥800 yen per person.

Alternatively, you may fly into Sapporo (Chitose airport) and get a train to Asahikawa or Furano however it's a few hours further away. This would only be a good option if you already plan to Visit Sapporo during your holiday.

TOURS PICK UP/ DROP OFF

Yabai Tours are based in Asahikawa and Furano, central Hokkaido. We have staff located in both these areas. Whether you are staying in Asahikawa or Furnano, our guides will pick you up & drop off from your accommodation each day. All members of the tour group will be added to a whatsapp group for fast communication. As we get closer to the tour date, we will ask you to confirm your accommodation address.

On the day of your tour, pick up time can vary anywhere between 7am - 8am. We will ask everyone in the group what their preference is, however we will give our recommendation for pickup and departure time depending on the mountain location and if it has snowed the night before. On good days we like to be first on the lifts if possible! So this may require an earlier departure. If you are worried about having breakfast first, most hotels serve breakfast from 6:30 am.

Drop off should be around 5pm in the evening.

AGE & HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Good physical fitness is required to participate in our tours, especially if we are performing a hiking only tour. We recommend preparing your fitness for the trip. (Especially if you have booked 3 or more days in a row) It is common for some people to be so tired after 2 days, they are not able to participate on the 3rd day. If this is the case on your tour then a refund will not be offered. If Yabai Tours are able to move your tour day to a later date, we will gladly do so, however, this is not a guarantee and depends on availability. If you become sick or physically exhausted during your tour period, Yabai Tours will not offer a refund for the days you have lost as a result.

If a Yabai tour guide ascertains that you or other participants in the tour are incapable of completing the tour without undue risk to themselves or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude that person or persons from the tour without refund. If you become sick with cold or flu, Yabai Tours reserves the right to exclude you from the tour without refund. This is to protect the other members of the tour group that you will be travelling with from also becoming sick. It's also to prevent your sickness from getting worse and possibly collapsing in the backcountry.

In the back country we require everyone to be in good physical condition and alert, as we are relying on each other for safety in possibly critical situations. Therefore stamina is very important.

Tour participation minimum age is 13 years (at time of tour) 13-17years children must be accompanied by a legal guardian. No maximum age requirement.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is mandatory for the days that you tour with us. You should pay for this online within your own country before leaving for your trip. Many travel insurance companies provide this type of cover. Your insurance must include cover for: 'Off-piste snow sports', personal injury, death, medical expenses, emergency evacuation. Recommended cover: cancellation, personal liability. Before your tour starts, we require a screen shot showing the provider, policy number and your name and policy coverage dates.

AVALANCHE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Some of the locations you will ride require an avalanche backpack, (avalanche transceiver beacon, shovel and probe.) If you have arranged with us to bring your own gear, please do so. If we have included an avalanche pack in your tour package price, then you will be provided it on the day. If you need to rent an avalanche pack at the last minute, we can can provide it for ¥5,000 yen per day. Our guides will give you basic training on how to use the equipment, before it will be needed. Any rental equipment must be returned at the end of the tour. Lost or damaged items will be charged at the full replacement value at the end of the tour.

RENTALS: SKI/ SNOW BOARD, SKINS, SNOWSHOES, HIKING POLES

If you plan to travel light and rent your ski's, backcountry skins, snowboards, clothing etc, we can recommend a few businesses in Asahikawa or Furano. (Please contact us for more info)

We (Yabai Tours) have plenty of snowshoes and hiking poles available for our guests. If you only need snowshoes and hiking poles, we will provide these for you at no extra charge, included in your tour price.

SNOW CONDTIONS / WEATHER CONDITIONS

Tours will go ahead on the day regardless of typical weather conditions (eg; heavy snow, extreme temperature, strong wind, lack of snow, rain, or other weather conditions). In the rare event that it is too dangerous to proceed with the tour (to be determined by our guides) then a refund will be made available, or a date change offered (whichever you prefer)

During the daytime, central Hokkaido regularly sees temperatures between -5 degrees and -25 degrees (seen regularly on mountains with high altitudes) Please make sure that you have suitable ski wear to keep you comfortable in these conditions.

**Please be aware that 'Yabai Tours' cannot under any circumstance be held responsible for snow conditions. Your tour will not be cancelled, amended or postponed due to undesirable snow conditions.

WAIVER

On the tour date, our guide will ask you to sign our tour participation waiver. This waiver releases 'Yabai tours' and it's staff members from all accountability, and it states that you understand the dangers & risks involved in participating in the tour and that you are willing to accept responsibility.

ACCEPTANCE OF RISK

Snow boarding, skiing, and participating in our tours involves a certain level of risk. Colliding with trees, falling off steep edges, hitting your head on a tree, a groomed run, or hard-packed run, are all very real risks. We highly recommend wearing helmets to prevent serious injury. Sudden weather changes and avalanches, are also possible in the backcountry. All clients must understand there is no absolute guarantee of safety.

'Yabai tours' accept no responsibility for death, illness or any other injuries sustained whilst participating in our tours (either during the tour or travelling to/ from the tour location). Your waiver will clearly define the terms.

That being said, our experienced guides will take all necessary steps to minimize the risk during your tour.

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

Please bring these items along with you on the tour:

• Freshly waxed snowboard/skis, boots and bindings

• Skins (If you have ski's or split-board)

• Spare parts for your equipment

• Waterproof outerwear

• Thermal undergarments

• Helmet

• Facemask/ balaclava

• 2 pair of gloves

• Snow goggles (high & low light lens)

• Water bottle (especially important for hiking only tours)

FURTHER QUESTIONS?

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to email us here: yababitours@gmail.com or call us (8-5pm Japan time) on +81-090-7091-6291 (Phone or whatsapp)

SEE YOU IN THE JAPOW!!