Typically Niseko’s unique gate system allowing access to un-patrolled back country areas open in mid-late December though to the end of December as the snow base increases. This is not to say there is any lack of powder skiing before this time. With skier/rider numbers at a minimum at this early part of the season and storm cycles that deliver incredibly light powder offering virtually no resistance to ski in, HGP will have you skiing/riding through uncrowded, legendary powder snow conditions that Niseko is best known for.　

This tour is also recommended for first timers to Niseko. With four resorts that interlink at the top of the mountain, it can be easy to take a wrong turn and end up at the base of an unfamiliar resort in Niseko especially in deep powder or low visibility. Allow our guides to show you how to best take advantage of the conditions and your limited time in Niseko, you will gain the knowledge that is beneficial for discovering untracked slopes, secret runs and the best snow Niseko has to offer.

Whether you're a group of skiers, snowboarders, a mixed family group looking to explore the resort, moving away from the groomers for the first time or a powder skiing veteran looking for a bigger challenge – you won't find a better way to spend your valued time in Niseko.

The safety of our guests and staff is the highest priority of HPG, our small group with two guide policy has many advantages:

• Your tail guide will always follow behind, pay close attention and be ready to help you. Beginner to intermediate powder skiers/riders will feel free to ski/ride at their own pace, without the pressure of having to keep up with the lead guide or holding up the group.
• Advanced skier/riders will enjoy non-stop powder, fanning out behind the lead guide to find fresh tracks with long runs of up to 400 vertical meters.
• Our small group policy allows us to guide you in a fast pace, promising you to get the best condition on the day.
• Having two guides allows us to lead mixed skier/boarder groups with ease, our guides are experts at finding lines best suited to each discipline.
• Family groups are also welcome. HPG guides have the experience and expertise needed in leading groups of mixed abilities.
• All certified HPG guides are also qualified instructors, and happy to advise on techniques to bring your powder skiing to a greater level.

Group tours are perfect for singles or small groups of advanced skiers/riders. To get the most out of your time in Niseko, we recommend you experience one of these tours early in your stay.

Mt Niseko Annupuri is subject to extremely changeable mountain weather with snow and winds that change in direction and intensity constantly, due to this snow depth and conditions differ from day to day. HPG guides have extensive local knowledge essential to avoid avalanche-prone and dangerous terrain. We will lead you to the best spots and snow conditions available on the day - many of which are often featured in videos and magazines! We also offer advice on how to get the best powder runs of a morning, and show snowboarders the best powder lines with minimal traversing.

Above all, group tours are great fun, and provide a wonderful opportunity to meet new people with similar skiing/riding skills!

• The “First Tracks” service is available upon request for an added 2,000 per person (Includes an extra hour of guiding and pickup service from your accommodation) Starting time from Hanazono is 7:30am so if you are staying in Hirafu, your pickup time will be around 7:00am.

The Powder Dayz Program started in the 2011/12 Season and has proved especially popular with family groups and first timers to Niseko’s famed back country powder.

This an extensive 5 day program, your guide will be on hand to provide instruction and advice in back country technique, know-how and safety, all with a focus on having fun and improving your skills in back country conditions.

HPG guides are all fully qualified instructors from within Niseko International Snowsports School, have extensive experience with ski/board instruction, hold back country certification and are passionate about the local area and mountains of Niseko.

One guide will lead your group when within the resort boundaries, for added safety we provide a second guide when heading outside the resort into the back country.

All guests are provided with avalanche safety beacons and instructed in their use. Other back country safety equipment, when required is available free of charge.

To ensure you get the best conditions at all times, the 5 day powder program maintains a flexible itinerary, where you can choose any 5 out of 7 days throughout the season.

Whether you are family group with mixed abilities looking to venture into the back country for the first time or serious back country skiers/riders with a focus on getting as many powder turns as possible – this is the powder tour of a lifetime!

Check the following items.

• Backpack: We recommend backpacks that have a ski/snowboard carry. (Please consult with one of our guides if you do not have one). If you have bought a new backpack please ensure you are familiar with strapping on and off your skis/snowboard before the tour.
• Avalanche Beacon: We ask all participants to carry an avalanche beacon, which are available for rent free of charge. If you have one, we recommend bringing your own (fully charged) beacon that you are familiar with.
• Snow Probe & Shovel: Though recommended, we do not require our guests to carry a probe and shovel. If you are in the habit of carrying them, please bring them along. We have a limited number available for rent free of charge.
• Ski Poles: For skiers, ski poles with powder baskets are recommended. For advanced levels of snowboarders, telescopic or fold down poles will be useful as we may ask you to traverse some distance to find untracked snow. We have a limited number of new K2 Speed Link Poles available for rent free of charge.
• Skiwear: Regular ski/snowboard wear and spare inner-layers are recommended. Temperatures can drop to below minus 15C in midwinter. Windchill can see these temperatures drop even further, beyond minus 20C. We strongly recommend that you bring extra inner-layers of clothing.
• Facemask & Neck Warmer: We recommend that you wear or carry a facemask and neck warmer.
• Gloves: Please choose warm and well fitting gloves.
• Helmet: More skiers and snowboarders are wearing helmets recently. With so many accessible three runs, helmets are highly recommended in Niseko. They can prevent injury from falling, crashing, or even a wayward tree branch. We request all children wear helmets.
• Goggles & Sunglasses: What you would normally wear skiing or snowboarding is fine, although we generally recommend a good pair of goggles, for greater protection and visibility. Apart from spring season, a bright colored lens is recommended as we have very few sunny days during high season. We have a variety of K2, Oakley and Smith goggles and spare lens suitable for Niseko at Fusion outlets in Hirafu and Hanazono.

What you would normally use for skiing or snowboarding is fine, but if you come exclusively for the powder snow in Niseko, we recommend that you use a powder ski/snowboard. Many of these selected skis and snowboards have been tested and improved in Niseko.

• Skiers: 80mm waist and over all-round ski is fine. It will feel much easier to control your skis on Niseko’s quality snow. Of course you can enjoy with your own skis, but if you are coming to Niseko, why not try big fat, rockered skis to get the most out of the powder snow? With a rockered type ski it is easy to make turns so you can enjoy tree runs on the relatively wide slopes in Niseko.
• Snowboarders: You might struggle if your snowboard has a regular camber and freestyle stance setup. 5-10cm setback is necessary. Similar to skis, if you are here for powder snow, we recommend you try a snowboard designed for powder. The BURTON S-Rocker or Fish is very popular among customers at rental shops. Hokkaido branded snowboards are also popular.
• Demo Equipment Hire: Talk to our friendly staff at Demo Equipment Hire at Hanazono 308, Hirafu or The Vale Snowsports for advice and more information on powder skis/snowboards.
  Demo has a wide variety of skis/snowboards, including BURTON, K2 and SALOMON which all have a range of popular powder skis/snowboards. Our recommendations for snowboarders are BURTON Barracuda and Fish, K2 and RIDE powder series. For skiers, K2 Backside series, K2 All Mountain series, LINE signature models, SALOMON BBR and Rocker series. We will also stock the popular K2 Side Seth line, and women’s K2 Miss directed skis in season 2012-13.
  Demo offers the convenient option to switch your ski/snowboards, or even skis to snowboard or vice versa as many times as you like, at any Demo outlet.
  Check out our all new Pow Package, available throughout the 2012 – 13 season! This includes powder ski/snowboard rental and a HPG group tour. This package offers the perfect opportunity to try a variety of powder skis/snowboards while getting expert on-mountain advise from our guides. More details can be found HERE

Generally the best powder season is from late December to mid February, although this varies every season. Niseko always offers a high probability of fresh snow throughout the season.

• Start of the Season: The first snowfalls of the year in Niseko are usually in late October through to Early November. As temperatures drop and storm cells intensify throughout November, the snow begins to fall to lower elevations, blanketing the entire mountain white with snow. As snowfalls increase, and a base is formed the upper part of the resort becomes skiable - the beginning of the ski season.
  Winter storms pushing out of Siberia become more frequent from early December, covering small bushes and Sasa grass, this is a surprisingly good time to visit Niseko; with relatively few skiers/riders you will find powder stashes almost everywhere within the resort boundary.
  HPG “Niseko United tours” cater for this time of year; find hidden powder spots within the boundaries of Niseko United.
• High Season: Most backcountry gates open around the Christmas period. This time through mid February is the absolute best time of season for light & dry powder.
  If you wish to ski/snowboard deep and dry powder like you see in magazines or DVDs, we assure you, this is the best time.
  Family visitors leave Niseko around mid January and in their place, powder enthusiasts from all over the world flood into Niseko. This time of year, although snow quality is particularly good, the lifts can be frequently affected by the weather. When upper mountain areas are closed due to weather conditions, you still can enjoy Niseko’s powder line riding lower lifts.
  After mid February, bottomless dry powder gradually changes to creamy, slightly heavier powder snow.
• Spring Season: Weather is getting stable in March, offering good conditions for backcountry. On sunny day, hiking up to Mt. Annupuri is enjoyable and takes longer pitch riding down with good visability.
  In April, snow fall decreases but the snow base is still very high. Skiing/ snowboarding down through corn snow with high speed in warm spring days are exceptional. For your information, the last powder day in 2011-12 season was 6th and 7th April with over 20cm of snow on both days. A week before this, on 24-27th March surprisingly had over 30cm of powder snow every morning and it was dry.
  Gates will close when there is a high risk of slab avalanche in spring. Gate 1, 2, 7, and 9 in Annupuri International Ski Area was closed in early May but gate 3 in Hirafu Hanazono area was kept open till mid May in last season.