ATTENTION HIKERS

If you intend to climb up Mt. Iwanai, please enter from the posted hiking entrance near our lodge. Iwanai Resort is responsible for first response rescue operations on the Iwanai Range. Please check in at the bar counter on the second floor of the lodge to sign a waiver and present the necessary documentation. We ask that all hikers refrain from climbing up our courses or skiing into resort terrain. Resort terrain includes land leased from Hokkaido Forestry and land inside the designated recreation area. We will provide a map and description of areas that are off-limits.

Backcountry skiing involves inherent risks. The terrain is unmarked, unmanaged and not patrolled. You must have the proper training and equipment to deal with unexpected incidents such as avalanches, injuries, evacuations, quick changes in weather, tree wells, etc. Climbers wishing to go into these areas do so at their own risk and are obliged to sign a disclaimer.

ATTENTION: You are skiing in terrain where rescue operations are the responsibility of Iwanai Resort and you are parking on private property. You must therefore follow the rules listed below:

IWANAI SKI TOURING RULES

  • Every hiker must present a government-issued photo ID.

  • Every group must provide a valid phone number.

  • If you have parked your vehicle in our Iwanai Resort parking lot, you must disclose the car license plate number.

  • All hikers must stay out of the cat skiing zone.

SAFETY

Safety is our top priority. As our mountain team takes every possible precaution to ensure your safety, it's worth mentioning there are inherent risks when entering backcountry terrain.

Our tour operates on a semi-retired ski resort, which means that you are never very far from our lodge and first responders' security. Our terrain offers a wide variety of fun features and challenging landscapes, but hazards and avalanche risk are always present.

Our qualified guides, emergency preparedness and meticulous attention to the changing terrain and snow conditions all help ensure a safe day of CAT skiing. All guides and snowcat drivers participate in daily meetings to discuss snow stability, weather conditions and other hazards to improve the team’s awareness of mountain conditions. All guides, CAT drivers and office staff carry radios during operating hours and maintain regular communication. All guides have rescue and first-aid equipment with them and each snowcat is equipped with additional first-aid and rescue devices.

MOUNTAIN TEAM

Each snowcat is equipped with two qualified guides (lead and tail) and one CAT driver.  Our lead guide will show you the way and the tail guide ensures that we have all guests accounted for.  In addition to their witty personalities, all of our guides have been trained and certified to guide in the backcountry.  Our guides are required to have advanced first aid and avalanche training and all of our staff participate in ongoing training, remain current with industry standards and take part in pre-season avalanche and rescue training.