Short answer: from Australia, the easiest way to Hokkaido’s powder is the direct Qantas flight from Sydney to Sapporo (New Chitose), which runs over the Japanese winter from 12 December 2026 and takes about 11 hours. From other cities, connect through Sydney or fly to Tokyo or Osaka and hop to Asahikawa, the closest airport to Furano. A guided backcountry week with us costs US$3,800 per person, roughly A$5,600, including lodge, breakfast, guiding, a daily onsen and airport transfers. January has the lightest snow and lines up with the school holidays; December and late February have more space.
I’m Gerard Martinez, co-founder of Yukiumi Hokkaido. We live and guide in Kamifurano and Kamikawa, in Central Hokkaido, all year. This is the guide I’d give a mate flying over from Australia.
Flights from Australia to Hokkaido
| From | Best option |
|---|---|
| Sydney | Qantas direct to Sapporo (New Chitose), about 11 hours, from 12 December 2026 |
| Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and other cities | Connect through Sydney, or fly to Tokyo or Osaka and take a domestic flight to Asahikawa or Sapporo |
The direct Qantas flight leaves Sydney in the morning and lands at New Chitose in the early evening, with the most flights over Christmas and January. Schedules change, so always check the airline before booking.
Getting from the airport to Furano
Asahikawa Airport is about an hour from Furano and Kamifurano, and it’s where our week-long tours pick you up (after 14:00 on arrival day) and drop you off (around 08:00 on departure day).
New Chitose (Sapporo) is the main international airport and further away. If you land there on the evening Qantas flight, the simplest plan is:
- Stay a night in Sapporo or near the airport.
- Take the train the next morning to Asahikawa (via Sapporo) or to Furano.
- Meet us in Asahikawa on the afternoon of the tour’s first day.
Send us your flight details when you enquire and we’ll help you plan the connection.
How much does a Japan ski holiday in Hokkaido cost in Australian dollars?
Our prices are set in US dollars for week-long tours and in yen for day tours and rental. The A$ figures below are a guide at about A$1 = US$0.68 = ¥110 (late October 2026); your bank sets the final amount.
| What | Price | Roughly in A$ |
|---|---|---|
| Sea of Snow, Furano, 7 days | US$3,800 per person | A$5,600 |
| Kamikawa Northside, 7 days | US$3,800 per person | A$5,600 |
| Beginner Backcountry Course, 7 days | US$3,800 per person | A$5,600 |
| Private room upgrade | +US$400 per week | A$590 |
| Private backcountry day tour, up to 4 people | ¥135,000 per day | A$1,230 |
| Touring ski or splitboard rental | from ¥13,000 per day | A$120 |
Included on the week-long tours: 6 nights at our lodge (shared room, 2 guests per room), Asahikawa Airport pick-up and drop-off, 5 days of guided backcountry skiing or splitboarding in small groups (up to 5 guests per guide), local transport, breakfast and a daily onsen visit. Not included: flights, dinners, lunches on touring days, onsen entrance fees, lift tickets, alcohol and travel insurance.
For a full breakdown, read how much a backcountry ski guide costs in Hokkaido.
Best time to ski Hokkaido from Australia
- December: the snowiest and quietest month, and a great way to beat the Christmas rush.
- Christmas to late January: cold-smoke powder during the Australian summer school holidays. These weeks are popular with families and groups, so book early.
- Late January to mid-February: peak season in Japan, with more sunny spells for bigger touring days.
- Second half of February: our hidden gem, with deep snow and far fewer people.
- March and April: big mountain days in Daisetsuzan and our Spring Special Missions to Rishiri and Shiretoko.
Our fixed week-long sessions for winter 2026–27 run from 20 December to 16 March. If your group needs its own dates, for example around school holidays, the Hokkaido Powder Safari is tailor-made. More detail in our Hokkaido ski season guide.
Travel insurance for backcountry skiing in Japan
This is the one Australians most often get wrong. Many policies cover skiing on marked runs only, or exclude off-piste and backcountry skiing unless you add a snow sports option. Before you fly, check your policy covers:
- off-piste and backcountry skiing or snowboarding with a professional guide,
- mountain search and rescue and medical evacuation,
- medical treatment in Japan.
Travel insurance is not included in our tours. For current travel advice, check Smartraveller.
Gear: bring it or rent it?
Bring your own boots if you have touring boots you love. Everything else is easy to rent, which saves on oversize baggage: we rent powder-oriented touring skis (106–115 mm underfoot), splitboards, touring boots and avalanche packs with beacon, shovel and probe from Tokachi Base Club in Kamifurano. Pick-up is the afternoon or evening before your first day, as the shop opens from 16:00 to 22:00. See Hokkaido backcountry rental.
Niseko or Central Hokkaido?
Niseko is the name most Australians know: a big international resort with nightlife and English everywhere. For backcountry skiing, Central Hokkaido (Furano, Kamikawa and Daisetsuzan National Park) has colder, drier snow, far fewer people and a much wider range of terrain. We compare both honestly in Furano vs Niseko for backcountry skiing.
Plan your trip
Tell us your dates, how many of you are coming, your level and which city you’re flying from, and we’ll confirm availability and help with the rest. Start on our page for Australian skiers or get in touch.
October 29, 2026
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