Located in Higashiyama, Black Diamond tours operates a deep powder and back country snowmobile service on their own land which extends out to the beautiful mountainous views of the surrounding area of Hirafu village. On behalf of Explore-Niseko, Chizuko and I decided to experience the deep powder tour for ourselves to see exactly what all the buzz is about.
Black Diamond have been operating snowmobiling tours for a substantial amount of years with local knowledge of the surrounding areas with qualified safety conscious guides. Their range of snowmobiles offers full throttle action for guests of all ability levels and is open to guests 12 years and older depending on experience.
Our guide, Jeremy, met Chizu and I as we pulled up to the entrance of the Black Diamond tours barn. Greeted with smiles all round we were ushered in to get our boots and helmets fitted. All equipment/clothing is provided by Black Diamond for no extra cost.
With a quick introductory lesson we were on our way experiencing the great open on-and-off track terrain with our guide leading the way. The powder was exceptional on this course and it was definitely an enjoyable challenge learning to lean into turns with the powerful Schi-doo 800cc snowmobile humming away beneath me.
The most fun can be had navigating you way through deep powder and coming away from the tour having used muscles you thought you never had! The guide will access your level and push you as much as possible in an hour with respects to your level and experience.
During the tour I managed to get completely stuck in the glorious mounds of snow famous to Niseko area. Thankfully the guide was patient enough and assisted me in trying to dig the bike out, we were both standing underneath the machine at points due to the depth of the snow level. One thing is for sure, you certainly need a level of physical fitness when going on the Deep powder tour, lifting the machine out of the snow can be a lot more energy consuming then it seems.
All in all Black Diamond snowmobile tours is a definite must on the list of off-mountain activities whilst in Niseko. Enjoying the famous powder snow on an exciting and challenging snowmobile course. The famous Milk Kobo dairy is located on the opposite side of the road from Black Diamond office and works out to be a well-deserved treat after an energetic snowmobiling course. Chizu and I lapped up the opportunity to stuff our faces with some of the best dairy products Hokkaido has to offer.
Black Diamond also offer an introductory course for families, beginners and intermediates. Using smaller, easier to handle 400cc Yamaha snowmobiles makes this trip more enjoyable and less physically demanding, but still equally enjoyable. This is a one hour tour and takes place just an hour away from Hirafu village, Black diamond offer a door to door transport service included in the price of the tour.
For more information on Black Diamond ours check out our website at explore-niseko.com or pop into our conveniently located office near Seicomart.
