“Type 23 cat skiing is a very authentic backcountry experience and an excellent product - but it really suits more advanced skiers and boarders. It’s more of a “boots-on-the-ground, backcountry access” day than a polished, resort-style experience. Personally, I love it, but I can see how some guests might find it overwhelming if they’re not at that level.” - Simon
Backcountry Terrain
Unlike typical Niseko cat skiing operators, Type Two Three provides an authentic backcountry skiing experience. We don’t operate on abandoned resorts with cleared runs; instead, we offer 1,800 acres of raw Hokkaido powder. Our terrain is best suited for advanced to expert skiers and snowboarders who thrive in technical tree skiing and natural features.
Our expansive backcountry zones include:
Steep tree skiing and mellow, open birch forests
Alpine bowls and wide-open powder fields
Natural features: Small cliffs (3-5m) and massive pillows/mushrooms
A standard day of cat skiing in Japan with us averages 7–8 runs, with approximately 350 meters of vertical per descent. For those seeking extra adventure, a short ridge hike from our drop-off point unlocks even more exclusive terrain.
Beyond the cat, our expert guides lead backcountry touring across Niseko’s best hidden spots for our week-long guests. With decades of local experience, we tailor every trip to the current snowpack and group ability to ensure you find the best Japan powder.
Visit our media page to see our terrain in action.
“With thousands of acres of private terrain we didn't have to fight for fresh snow. There are fun pillows, cliff lines, steep hits and open meadows so there's something for everyone.” - Rusty
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is the "Type Two Three" terrain?
Our terrain is generally steeper, more challenging, and slightly more vertical than typical found at other Niseko CAT ski operations. Our terrain is most suitable for advanced / expert skiers and riders as almost every run will require some tight tree skiing, but we are able to tailor the difficulty to the group. We have plenty of open bowl sections and more open, mellow birch forest areas for more advanced / intermediate skiers and riders.
What is the average pitch of your runs?
We have some abnormally steep sections around 45 degrees and small cliff bands not typical in Hokkaido. Below these sections, our terrain is more typical, mellow Hokkaido tree skiing with 30-35 degree slopes and generous tree spacing.
Is your terrain suitable for snowboarders?
Absolutely. Our terrain is more than steep enough to carry snowboarders through the deepest snow. However, because we operate in a true backcountry environment, snowboarders should be comfortable navigating technical trees and maintaining momentum through deep snow on traverses. We recommend a dedicated powder board and suggest carrying collapsible poles for any rare flat transitions or short ridge walks.
How much hiking is required?
Zero unless you would like to hike to some additional terrain. Some of our best "secret" zones are accessed via short 5–15 minute ridge hikes from the drop-off point, but there is still plenty of terrain available without hiking.
What are "mushrooms" and "pillows"?
In the Niseko backcountry, heavy snowfall often cakes onto fallen logs, stumps, and rocks, creating large, rounded mounds of snow known as pillows or mushrooms. These are iconic features of Japan's terrain and offer incredible opportunities for technical "feature" skiing and soft landings. We have several areas where small trees and large boulders are quickly covered over to form massive unique features.
What gear do I need for this terrain?
We provide every guest with a backpack, transceiver, shovel, and probe. For skis, we recommend a waist width of at least 110mm to ensure proper float. In Japan's deep resets, "all-mountain" skis often sink, making the technical tree skiing much more difficult.
