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The Blanco Escape guided retreat was inspired by the magic of Myoko’s untouched snow, where we felt at home amid towering snowbanks and charming village life. We created all-inclusive retreats to share the riding, culture, and warmth without the hassle of logistics. Blanco Escape is more than a winter getaway; it's a community and an invitation to a place we love. Join us in Myoko this winter for perfect snow, hot springs, and unforgettable meals with fellow adventurers. It's going to be epic!
My New Channel
Why We Created This Retreat
We didn’t just want to offer a place to stay, we wanted to create an experience. A winter escape where deep powder turns are followed by slow evenings filled with laughter, vinyl records spinning, and the smell of something incredible cooking in the kitchen.
At Blanco Escape, we host you like we do our closest friends. Expect epic home-cooked meals, inspired by local flavors and global comfort food. And yes,we open some of the best natural wines we’ve been saving for the right people.
This week is about reconnecting with what matters: good snow, good food, good people.
A 7-Day Guided Powder Experience in the Japanese Alps
What a Week Looks Like at Blanco Escape
Day 1:
Arrival & Welcome Dinner
Settle into your cozy lodge, meet your crew, and enjoy a private chef-prepared welcome dinner. Soak in the atmosphere and maybe an onsen too.
Day 2–5
Ride. Explore. Repeat.
Each day kicks off with breakfast and a tailored snow report. We chase the best lines. Whether it's in Myoko’s legendary sidecountry or a quick day trip to neighboring resorts like Nozawa or Lotte Arai. Local guides lead the charge, from early lifts to secret powder stashes. Evenings bring hot meals, Natty wine and chill time. We'll do an onsen too!
Day 6
Culture Day or Bonus Ride Day
Choose your pace. Rest your legs and explore historic temples, shop in old town Takada, or ride one more day if the snow calls. It's totally up to you. If the snows still firing, go and rip some more pow.
Day 7
Departures & Hugs All Around
Big breakfast, last photos, and smooth transfers back to the station. You’ll leave full of powder, memories, and maybe a little sake, whiskey and beer.
What’s Included-
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6 nights in Blanco Escape Lodge (private or shared rooms available)
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5 days of guided riding
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Daily breakfast + 3 chef-prepared dinners. For other meals we'll go somewhere local and as the say.....oiyshiiiii.
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Transportation to ski areas and everywhere else you need to go
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Onsen visits, cultural outings, and surprises
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Good effin times!!
Explore the Back-Country of Myōkō Kogen
What makes Myōkō unique is how accessible the terrain is. You can ride lift-assisted powder bowls one day, explore untouched glades the next, and finish your week with a full back-country mission deep in the Myōkō-Togakushi National Park.
It’s the ideal setting for riders who want to progress safely — building skill and confidence with each day.
Zones
Mitahara-yama (via Myōkō Suginohara)
Starting from the upper lifts at Myōkō Suginohara, a short hike brings you to the ridgeline of Mitahara-yama — a volcanic peak that drops into wide-open powder bowls and perfectly spaced trees.
These runs can stretch for 800–1,000 meters of vertical, offering the best combination of big-mountain feel and easy lift access.
Expect: sweeping ridgelines, panoramic views, and deep snow with every turn.
Best for: intermediate to advanced riders who want to experience “earn your turns” terrain without committing to a full ski tour.
Local tip: North-facing slopes hold the lightest powder days after a storm.
Maeyama & Akakura Sidecountry
Just above the village of Akakura lies Maeyama, a mountain packed with glades, ridgelines, and hidden powder stashes.
You can drop straight off the lifts into mellow trees or push a little farther to find untouched lines that feed right back into the resort.
Expect: soft powder runs through Japanese birch forests, short hikes between zones, and a quick ride back to the onsen by afternoon.
Best for: riders looking to improve tree technique and flow through natural terrain.
Atmosphere: close to town but quiet — perfect for building confidence early in the week.
Seki Onsen
Seki Onsen is a small, family-run resort with massive snowfall. The snow piles high here — often over 15 meters in a single winter — and because it’s off the main circuit, it stays untracked longer than almost anywhere else.
Expect: steep glades, natural drops, and thigh-deep powder laps that feel endless.
Best for: powder lovers who want that “hidden Japan” vibe — no crowds, no noise, just snow.
Local tip: when wind scours the higher resorts, Seki holds the best sheltered snow.
Kurohime & Trailhead Zones
Kurohime offers lift access to vast forest terrain and serves as a gateway to nearby trailheads for those ready to tour a little deeper. It’s a natural progression for guests who’ve gained confidence and want longer, wilder runs.
Expect: rolling powder fields, quiet forests, and big open spaces for freeride exploration.
Best for: guests looking to step up from lift-served backcountry to light touring days.
Atmosphere: peaceful, scenic, and raw — a perfect balance of adventure and calm.
Myōkō-Togakushi-Renzan National Park
When the conditions align, we head into the Myōkō-Togakushi-Renzan National Park, where long alpine ridges and untouched bowls stretch into the horizon.
It’s a true adventure — big terrain, total quiet, and unforgettable lines through old-growth cedar forests.
Expect: full back-country touring, long runs, and panoramic alpine views.
Best for: strong intermediates and above who want to experience the wild side of Honshū.
Highlight: this is where you put everything you’ve learned together — navigation, snow reading, and flow.
Why Myōkō?
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Endless snow: among the highest annual snowfall in Japan.
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Diverse terrain: from gentle trees to steep alpine bowls.
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Less crowds: untracked powder long after the storm clears.
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Authentic culture: local onsens, hidden restaurants, and a warm, mountain-town feel.
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Progressive design: each day builds your confidence, from resort edge to remote ridge.
Compared to Niseko or Hakuba, Myōkō keeps its charm — a mix of deep snow, small crowds, and genuine Japanese hospitality.
It’s the kind of place where you finish the day soaking in a natural onsen, sharing stories from the mountain, and planning the next line before the snow even stops falling.