Guided Myoko powder chasing and culture tours across Niigata and Nagano.
Small groups, flexible plan, and weekday riding. Easy access from Tokyo.
Stay in a real mountain town rather than an isolated resort. Evenings are simple and local with the insights of your Myoko resident Matt Guy. Soak in an onsen, eat Niigata rice and seafood, jump on a sushi train, grab yakitori, and make a late night 7-Eleven run. If legs still feel fresh, we can even hit up some night skiing. Quick day trips are easy on rest days, and Tokyo access is simple with the Hokuriku Shinkansen via Jōetsu Myōkō in about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Why Myoko
Myoko is your launch pad for consistent refills and variety. Cold storms stack fresh snow across Niigata and northern Nagano. From one base you can ride a cluster of local resorts within about 6 minutes to 1 hour, then reset each night for the next day’s conditions.
Resorts we target
From Myoko you can reach Ikenotaira, Akakura Kanko, Akakura Onsen, Suginohara, Tangram, Seki Onsen, Madarao, Lotte Arai, Togakushi, Nozawa Onsen, and Shiga Kogen, all within typical drives of about 6 minutes to 1 hour. Link each resort name to your own guides where you have them for internal SEO.
How we ride
We choose the resort daily based on wind, visibility, and overnight totals. Riding is Monday to Friday to avoid weekend day-trippers. In-bounds and side
country is the default. Guided by Matt Guy - Wilderness First Responder and AIARE avalanche rescue certifed.
Day trips during rest days or weather holds
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Nagano City and Zenkō-ji temple. Walk the temple district and grab local foods.
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Togakushi shrines and cedar avenue mountain shrine complex with famous soba. Around 30 minutes by car from Myoko.
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Nozawa Onsen village classic onsen town and ski area.
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Coastline lookouts in Jōetsu seafood markets and winter seascapes when the weather clears.
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Snow monkeys paired with skiing at Shiga Kogen or a trip to Obuse cultural town.
Fast access from Tokyo
Tokyo Station → Nagano Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen 1 hour 30 minutes
Nagano Station → Myoko Kogen Station local train 50 minutes
Alternate for guests arriving from the north or west
If someone is coming via Niigata or Kanazawa, they can take the shinkansen to Joetsu Myoko, then transfer by local train or taxi to Myoko Kogen. The local train leg takes about 40 to 45 minutes. Use this only if they are already on that side.
Myoko Guided Ski Tour Details
GuidedF
PRICE
7 Days / 6 Nights from 380,000 YEN PP
ABILITY
Intermediate to advanced on listed dates
(Beginners welcome on group bookings)
MAXIMUM RIDERS
Maximum 6 PAX
Larger group than 6? Contact me
Beginner and family 4+ group bookings also welcome!
2026 TOUR DATES
Ride Monday to Friday & avoid the weekend crowds.
1. JAN 4 - JAN 10 Progression
2. JAN 18 - JAN 24 Advanced
3. FEB 1 - FEB 7 Solo Progression or Advanced
4. FEB 15 - FEB 21 Advanced
5. MAR 1 - MAR 7 Progression
Group bookings: All dates are open to a 4+ group reservation and ability / ride style decided by group.
Please email for other dates of interest.
Ability
Progression Week
Small group riding on terrain that helps you progress. Coaching blocks on snow. Weekday schedule to keep lift lines light.
Advanced Week
Fast days focused on the best snow and features. Resort choice changes daily. Optional sidecountry with a certified local guide.
Terrain
Off-piste and side country.
HIGHLIGHTS
Home comfort
Private rooms with shared facilities at Orija Basecamp. Space to dry gear, get organised, and sleep well so mornings run clean. Onsen is about a five minute walk. Quiet nights, easy starts.
Small groups. Smart pace
Group riding is capped at 6 riders. We match abilities so the group moves at the right speed, takes fewer unnecessary stops, and gets more laps. Your host is on every trip, and sidecountry is available with a certified local guide when conditions line up.
Experience the real Japan. Basecamp Myoko
Orija Basecamp is in a unique part of Myoko. It's where the locals live - not the resort bubble area. After riding you have REAL local sushi, soba, okonomiyaki, and other REAL Japanese restaurants right on our doorstep - not part-time foreign run and priced businesses. Two onsen hot springs are just a few minutes walk away.
Deep powder. Snow and conditions in MyokoSnow and conditions in Myoko
Storms off the Sea of Japan refresh the mountains through winter. January and February are the most consistent months, and March can still deliver quality days. There is no fixed itinerary. We choose the resort each day after reading wind, visibility, and overnight totals, and we ride Monday to Friday to avoid weekend day trippers.
Orija sets you up before you fly
After you book, we send a short pre trip brief with arrival and departure timing, packing notes, and the option for a quick call. If you need insurance guidance, early arrivals, or extra nights, we help you line it up.
Why riders keep coming back to Myoko
One base gives you real variety. From Myoko you can reach a cluster of resorts within roughly 6 to 60 minutes drive, then reset for the next day. Evenings feel local and relaxed, and the mix of flexible riding, small groups, and town life is what brings people back.
Included
✔ Fully guided tour from start to finish
✔ 6 nights at Orija Basecamp in a private room with shared facilities
✔ 6 breakfasts
✔ 1 complimentary dinner
✔ 5 hosted resort days Monday to Friday
✔ 5 resort lift tickets
✔ All transport during stay
✔ Flexible daily resort choice based on conditions
✔ Complimentary use of local onsen
✔ Pre trip briefing email and optional quick call
✔ Gear drying space and access to a basic wax bench
✔ Wi Fi throughout Basecamp
✔ Restaurant bookings and local tips
✔ Support with simple day trip planning on rest or weather days
✔ Orija souvenir
Not included
✘ Flights to Japan
✘ Train fares Tokyo or Ueno to Nagano and Nagano to Myoko Kogen
✘ Lunches and dinners
✘ Rental equipment
✘ Travel insurance
✘ Airport transfers
✘ Drinks and personal expenses
What My Guests Say
"It was awesome - the highlight of our trip to Japan"
"What made the trip special was Matt and his knowledge, enthusiasm and generosity in spending so much time showing us around - to ski resorts and local highlights. "
"Whatever you wanted to do was no trouble at all and he had an unlimited amount of suggestions and was more than happy to tailor outings for your interests"
Julie, Connah, Toby, Bianca
Sydney, Australia
