Practice eating with chopsticks, and break out the eel sauce and wasabi, because Indy Pass is saying “Ohayo, Konnichiwa, and Konbanwa” to Japan: “Good morning, good afternoon and good night!” Doug Fish and his Little Pass for the Little Guy just went global, adding four resorts on the skiing-rich Nippon-ese island of Honshu.
Indy Pass now offers two days each at Geto Kogan, Tazawako, Okunakayama Kogen, and Shimokura/Panorama: up to eight free days of unforgettable skiing and riding on some of the best powder in the world…”Japowder” as it’s colloquially referred tpo by the hipsters and hardcores. Local experts from Japan Ski Tours will provide optional guide and concierge services in an exclusive partnership with Indy Pass, and there are no blackout days for Indy Pass holders at any of the Japanese resorts.
“A constant barrage of winter storms powering across the Sea of Japan slams into the Tohoku region’s mountainous powder belt and deposits 40-60 feet of smoke-like powder,” Fish stated in both an interview with Your Author and also in his recent press release. “It offers cat skiing, backcountry skiing, tree skiing, and bountiful side-country in addition to temples, traditions, authentic accommodations, and hot springs that offer a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
In an exclusive conversation with JF.com, Fish added the extra incentive that local skiers at those resorts don’t like powder, they like groomers, so fresh pow is far more likely to be available that westerners might expect.
As an added bonus, anyone 18 years or older can enter to win a ski vacation of a lifetime as Indy Pass and Japan Ski Tours are giving away a dream trip for two. The prize includes a seven-day, all-expense-paid trip for two including round trip airfare, transportation, lodging, meals, two pair of Atomic Bent Chetler skis, and two Indy Passes. Enter to win and find contest details at indyskipass.com.
From the Indy Pass press release:
About the resorts:
Geto Kogen ski resort consistently ranks amongst Japan’s top snowfall regions, receiving an estimated 50 feet per season! Still relatively unknown in the Japow world, Geto Kogen offers an authentic Japanese ski experience, with frequent powder resets. Geto Kogen summed up: Consistently deep pow, with little competition for the freshies!
Tazawako is a site of the Annual FIS Freestyle Ski Worldcup Competition, and has a bit of everything—high-speed lifts, good piste options, side-country, backcountry, and a variety of terrain for all skier types. Located on the West side of the mountain range, this side is more exposed to the storms coming off the Sea of Japan and receives an abundance of snow.
Okunakayama Kogen is a town-owned ski resort that feels like a private ski resort on weekdays, where rivalry for fresh powder is approximately zero. This mountain is a protected east-facing bowl with four ski lifts and two traditional Onsen hot springs at the base. The facilities feature basic Japanese cuisine and authentic accommodation options.
Shimokura/Panorama is a local gem of the Hachimantai powder belt. This protected east-facing bowl gets positively dumped with high-quality super light snow. This small resort consists of just three lifts, but the tree skiing and backcountry options will have you playing on the mountain all day. A lift ticket here can also be used at the beginner-friendly Panorama resort which is connected by a 10-minuteshuttle ride.
