Snowshoe Experience｜Biei, Hokkaido

• Lie down on the snow and make a snow angel!
• Walk in pure white snowfields, leaving your own footprints.
• Tours available for single participants.

－ Course Overview －

• Snowshoeing in the Hills of Biei
  
  -Departure Times: 9:30 am / 1:30 pm
  
  -Meeting Point: Biei Tourism Association (Tourist Info. Center next to JR Biei Station)
  
  -Meeting Time: 10 minutes before departure
  
  -Ending Place: Biei Tourism Association (Tourist Info. Center next to JR Biei Station)
  
  Guides speak Japanese and English
  
  Luggage can be stored at the meeting point, the Biei Tourism Association.

  
  

• Snowshoeing in the Shirogane Forest
  
  -Departure Times: 10:00 am / 1:00 pm
  
  -Meeting Point: Shirogane Park Hills (Shirogane Onsen) near entrance on the reception floor
  
  -Meeting Time: 10 minutes before departure
  
  -Ending Place: Shirogane Park Hills (Shirogane Onsen)
  
  Guides speak Japanese and English

  
  

－ Package Overviews －

• Snowshoeing in the Hills of Biei

Biei Hills is known as "patchwork hills" in the summer, but in the winter, it
transforms into white snowfields. The gently curving hills resemble pure white
marshmallows, and it truly is a breathtaking view. The hills are usually
closed to visitors, but this special program allows you to go in and enjoy the
views from places even locals have never been to. This is a great package
which lets you see the panoramic views of the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group on
sunny days.

• Snowshoeing in the Shirogane Forest

This program features a walk in snowshoes through a quiet forest of Christmas
trees covered in the powderly snow. Thickets of bamboo grass are covered in
snow, so you can walk freely without having to worry about sticking to a path.
Unlike skiing, no special techniques are needed.

On this special program, you'll be able to take photos from places which are
not accessible on ordinary sightseeing tours and you walk in a forest where
you would easily get lost without a guide. If you're lucky, you may see some
wild animals.

1. White Birch and Blue River Course: Walk through a forest of white birch trees and see the flow of the Blue River closely.

2. Great Forest & Snow Field Course: Walk through a forest of giant trees and enjoy panoramic views of mountains covered in thick snow for as far as the eye can see.
   
   *The Great Forest & Snow Field course involves climbing 286 stairs, so a good level of fitness is required.

   
   

3. Experience time: approx. 2 hours

   
   
4. Tours available for individuals (children must be accompanied by a guardian)
5. Up to 6 guests per tour

－ Clothing －

• We recommend wearing thermal, quick-drying underwear such as long-sleeved HEAT TECH (top and bottom). Even in cold Hokkaido, you will sweat when you exercise. We do not recommend wearing cotton.
• Fleece and warm pants are recommended for the next layer.
• For outerwear, we recommend water-repellent and windproof jackets such as for skiing. It's the best if your jacket has a hood. Down jackets are also okay. Water-repellant and windproof over-pants that you can wear over the second layer of pant are recommended. When you walk in snowshoes, the snow hits you up to around your waist, so jeans would get wet and cold easily. If you regularly hike and have some rain gears such as Gore-Tex, you can use it as outerwear if you wear warm clothes underneath.
• There is a limited number and sizes of top and bottom skiing clothing available to rent with an additional fee (JPY 500 per set). If you wish to rent a set, let us know when making the reservation.
• Warm hat or beanie is recommended, preferably one that covers your ears.
• Bring gloves that won't get wet easily when you touch the snow. You can also bring two sets of fleece gloves and swap them out. You do not need hard gloves such as ski gloves.
• Please wear warm socks. If your toes tend to get cold, consider using disposable foot warmers.
• We recommend winter (snow) shoes that cover your ankles. (You will need them not just for the snowshoe experience, but for walking around Hokkaido in the winter. Snow is not completely removed from the streets even when shoveled, so sneakers are not recommended.)