What to Bring to Hokkaido
Touring skis, splitboards, safety kit and the clothing that actually works at minus ten in falling snow.
Hokkaido is cold, snowy and humid by winter standards, and the kit that works in the Alps in spring is not always the kit that works here in January. This is what we recommend bringing, what is worth renting rather than flying with, and how pick-up and drop-off works if you are moving across the island.
Rent or bring your own?
If you already own touring skis or a splitboard you are happy on, bring them — familiar gear is worth the baggage fee. If you do not, renting here makes more sense than buying for one trip. We stock touring skis with pin and frame bindings, splitboards and snowshoes at Kutchan and Furano.
One thing we do not rent is standard resort skis and snowboards — resort rental is well covered by the shops at each base area, and we would rather do one thing properly.
Skis and bindings
Something in the region of 100 to 115mm underfoot suits Hokkaido snow well. Narrower works, but you will be doing more to stay on top of it. Pin bindings are lighter and better for long days uphill; frame bindings are more forgiving if you are new to touring and want a familiar feel on the descent.
Bring or rent skins that match the skis. If you are bringing your own, check the glue before you travel — old skins and deep cold are a bad combination.
Splitboards
Splitboarding in Hokkaido is excellent, with the caveat that the low-angle terrain that holds the best snow can involve traversing and short flat sections. Bring poles you can extend, and be realistic about your ability to skin efficiently. We stock splitboards in both shops.
Avalanche safety kit
Transceiver, shovel and probe are non-negotiable for any touring day, and if you don’t have your own, a full safety pack (backpack, transceiver, shovel and probe) and airbag packs can be rented from us at a discounted rate with any guided day. If you own your own transceiver, bring it and bring fresh batteries — familiarity with your own device matters when it counts.
Clothing for cold and constant snow
It snows a lot and it is often humid snow at lower elevations, so a genuinely waterproof shell matters more than a very warm one. Layer underneath and vent while you are moving. Bring a light insulated jacket to throw on at transitions — you cool down fast once you stop.
Two pairs of gloves, a spare goggle lens for flat light, and a buff or face covering. Tree skiing in falling snow is largely about being able to see.
Picking up and dropping off
Our Niseko shop is in Kutchan; in Furano we are at the Fenix West Hotel. If your trip moves across the island you can collect gear at one and return it at the other in either direction, which saves backtracking on a multi-day tour.
Availability and current pricing are on the rentals page, with live booking through RoomBoss.
Written by the Summit guide team in Kutchan and Furano. Reviewed and updated for the 2026/27 season.