Hokkaido Snow Bike Experience – switching dirt for snow

Enduro in the snow? Kinda. Worth a go? Definitely. Our friends in Hokkiado, Japan’s north island are heavily involved in the enduro and rally scene – including running the Hokkaido 2-Day JEC round and Hard Enduro races. But they don’t put their feet up when the snow falls on the north island in winter. They switch to the snow bikes.

Hokkaido Snow Bike Experience has been running for a few years now in the Big Bear OHV Park in Rusutsu, Hokkaido. Schools, tours and bike rentals are available from December to the end of March (depending on snow fall).

Based the school is for small groups and is ideal for people who are used to riding off-road (basic skills requirements are being able to use a manual transmission). The feeling is like riding in soft sand or dunes they tell us and the school also serves as training for rally and motocrossers as well as enduro and trail riders.

Experience details:

One day courses (9:00-16 00)

90,000YEN per person + 20,000YEN guide fee per group/$780/€750/£650 (approx.). Half-day course (AM 9:00-12:30 or PM12:00-15:30) are also available. Included in the prices are avalanche beacon for each individual and necessary medical back-up.

Tours can also be customised to meet your needs and experience including making a plan for two or three day tours if you’re travelling internationally.

*Guide fee is free for groups of 3 or more person.

Bikes: Timber sled KTM/Huxsvarna 500 and 450 EXC/SX models all fitted with electric starters.

More information: www.hokkaido-snowbike.com