Japan SKI TOURING Trips GEAR LIST

You need to have everything on the list!

what i can provide

I can provide the following:

  • Transceiver (charge of $90/trip applies)

Let me know as soon as possible if you need a transceiver.

IMPORTANT Information about AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS

  • We only allow MODERN DIGITAL TRANSCEIVERS on our trips.

  • A transceiver with a MARKING FUNCTION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

  • Your transceiver must have been tested in both transmit and receive modes – it needs to have a signal at a minimum of 30 metres in both modes.

  • It is best if your transceiver is less than 10 years old.

  • Your transceiver must have been manufactured since 2001 (so it meets EN 300718 standard).  

  • We no longer allow Tracker DTS or Tracker 2 transceivers on our trips.

  • If your transceiver does not meet the specifications above you will not be going skiing!

  • The guides use and recommend Black Diamond transceivers. Our second choice transceiver is the Mammut Barryvox.

  • Although we allow you to use them, we do not recommend any of the Tracker transceivers due to an inadequate marking function. Or any other transceiver that does not have a marking function.

Let me know if you would like more information on transceivers.

COMMON EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS

Issues we see with ski equipment include the following. Some of these problems might end your ski week or at least make life very frustrating! Make sure you have these things sorted out before the trip.

  • Slow skis/boards

    • Make sure your bases are smooth and waxed! A tune-up for your skis/board is essential.

  • Inappropriate backcountry skis/snowboards

    • Too heavy, too narrow, or skis and boards that are not backcountry specific.

    • Try to keep your set-up as light as possible.

    • Ski width under your foot in the 100-115 mm range is best. Narrower than this and you may have issues in deep snow or crust conditions, wider than this is often too heavy.

  • Old skins

    • Make sure your skin glue is in good shape and get them fixed if the glue is dirty, in clumps, or the glue has worn off at the edges or ends of the skins.

    • Avoid G3 “Alpinist”, “Scala” and “Expedition” skins - this is old stock with glue that does not work. “Alpinist+” and other G3 skins are better.

    • New skins are well worth the investment if yours are looking old. We can recommend Contour, Pomoca, or Colltex skins.

  • Boot problems

    • Ill-fitting boots will give you blisters. I recommend a professional boot fitting.

    • All boots have bolts and rivets that may come loose or buckles/straps that can break. If your boots are brand new or well-worn make sure fittings are tight and in good shape.

    • Bring specific tools to tighten the bolts/screws on your boots and check them a couple of times over the week.

  • Binding problems. Beware of the following bindings:

    • First generation Diamir Vipec bindings (manufactured 2012-2013)

    • Dynafit Radical 1.0 (manufactured 2011-2012) - see information for a recall here.

  • Poles that are too long for skiing in deep powder snow

    • Adjustable length poles are best

The List

SKIING EQUIPMENT

  • AT touring skis or telemark skis or splitboard

    • Understand that telemark and snowboard bindings may not be releasable and greatly increase your risk if caught in an avalanche.

    • No snowboard/snowshoe combinations, splitboards only.

  • Skins

  • Touring specific boots

  • Adjustable length ski poles

equipment that you should bring skiing every day

  • Digital avalanche transceiver (marking function recommended)

  • Avalanche shovel

  • Avalanche probe

  • Sunglasses

  • Goggles

  • Water bottle and/or thermos

  • Small headlamp

  • Skin wax: I find a simple candle works fine.

  • Small personal first aid/repair kit: band aids, blister kit, headache pills, hand and toe warmers, extra batteries for transceiver and headlamp, duct tape, pocket knife, special binding and boot parts.

  • Toilet kit: toilet paper, baggie for used paper, hand sanitizer

  • Camera

  • Health insurance and mountain rescue insurance information

  • 35-45 L capacity backpack

    • All your gear and clothing must fit inside your pack

    • Nothing should be strapped to the outside.

Additional gear to bring but which we may not use

  • Ski crampons. No need to carry these every day but bring them on the trip.

  • Normally we would not need these, but if we get into the alpine there may be a wind scoured ridge with hard snow where they will come in handy. It is unlikely that we would need them at any other point.

optional safety gear

  • Ski helmet

  • Balloon pack. Although most airlines will allow the canisters and batteries for balloon packs on the aircraft there are special regulations involved. Please check with your airline well before you arrive at the airport.

Clothing Systems

  • Average temperatures at this time of year are normally about -5 to -12 but you need to be prepared for temperatures from -25 to +5

  • Several thin layers are better than fewer thicker layers. No cotton!

  • Long underwear tops and bottoms - wool or synthetic

  • Ski pants – softshell or light hardshell pants both are fine

  • Thin windbreaker/softshell - for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warmer softshell jacket – I prefer a hooded jacket but it’s absolutely necessary

  • Shell jacket – to keep the wet out, Gore-tex or similar seems best

  • Down or synthetic insulated jacket – for breaks and emergency use

  • Lightweight gloves – for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warm gloves – 2 pairs (mittens are optional but recommended if you get cold hands)

  • Hand warmers if you get cold hands

  • Warm toque for skiing down

  • Lightweight toque for walking up

  • Balaclava or neck tube – essential for cold conditions

  • Sun hat

TOWN GEAR

  • Lodge slippers (the lodge will have slippers available but I find they are usually too small!)

  • Casual street clothes

  • Toiletries

  • Towel and onsen (hot spring) gear

  • Electrical plug adapters

  • Ear plugs

Travelling

  • Passport. Ensure the expiry date is well after the trip ends. Citizens of Canada, USA, Australia, NZ, UK and most European countries do not require a visa to enter Japan.

  • Airplane tickets

  • Health insurance and mountain rescue information (carry this on you during the ski day)

GROUP GEAR

The guides will provide:

  • Group first aid kit

  • Group repair kit

  • Emergency toboggan

  • Emergency shelter

  • Radio

  • GPS, compass, map etc

  • Good looks and bright personalities

EXTRA SKI GEAR

  • I bring one pair of extra AT skis with “tech” bindings and skins that fit an average sized boot.

  • If there are telemarkers or snowboarders on the trip it is worthwhile to consider bringing one extra pair of skis or board.

  • We will have one extra pair of ski poles.

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