EARN YOUR TURNS

• You will meet your guide at the designated venue the afternoon/evening before your tour for a full briefing, safety and gear check
• In the morning your guide will meet you at either Happo Information Centre or a designated meeting point
• Your guide will transport you to the selected resort in their 7-­‐seater van
• Depending on the tour and day warm up runs may be taken in the resort before hiking to the backcountry
• After a final safety & gear check we start hiking to some riding paradise
• When you reach the drop-­‐in point your guide will give you final instructions and ride the line that he wants you to essentially follow
• Your guide will call you down one at a time via walkie talkie advising the line you should take, then…… you’ll be riding one of the most amazing powder runs of your life
• We highly recommend you book our photographer to document the day, ensuring memories of a lifetime and that new facebook profile shot!

• Regular stops for water, food and a backcountry lunch experience breaks up the day to keep you energised and ready for every run
• Through the day you’ll learn important methods of hiking safely and economically. Very important decision making information regarding avalanches and traveling safely, both up and down hill, while in the backcountry
• You’ll have Instruction on how to effect an avalanche search using a beacon, Probe and shovel
• How to set up and break down your touring gear, be it skis or split boards
• And of course important tips on how to ride the powder. Anything your not sure about….just ask
• At the end of the day your guide will drop you back to either Happo Information Centre or our designated meeting point

• If you’re planning to spend more time in the backcountry we highly recommend you further your education and take an Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course.
• However pre your backcountry trip with Hakuba Powder Tours, we offer you some educational videos on the basic equipment required and how to use it.
• Please take some time to watch and understand this info before you head out on a tour.

Safety Videos

• Our guides are constantly practicing snow and avalanche management as they analyze the changes in the conditions and make guiding decisions accordingly.
• Each morning and evening our guides meet to evaluate and discuss the weather, snow stability and terrain based on field observations and data supplied by the Japan Avalanche Network.

• Continuous radio communication between the guides is maintained
• The guides carry emergency and first aid gear in their packs
• However, it is essential that you have adequate insurance cover to mitigate against the costs of any helicopter or other rescue effort.
• Most travel insurance does not cover off piste riding.
• We strongly suggest you take up this extra insurance offered by the Austrian Alpine Club UK prior to your trip.
• It offers yearly global rescue insurance for all types of outdoor activities.
• Register at: aacuk.org.uk/membership

Your packing list for your backcountry tour should include;

• If you need rental gear, we have friends in the industry!
• Try The Boarding Co or Central Snow Sports
• And tell them Steve Lee sent you….