Backcountry

If you're bored of the ski areas, and are searching for untouched powder or late spring skiing after the ski lifts have closed, and you don't mind putting in a little extra effort to get it, backcountry is the way to go. Fortunately, Fukui is blessed with hundreds of mountains, many of which are suitable for backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

Anybody seriously interested in venturing into backcountry territory, should get in contact with Fukui's very own mountain climbing fanatic -Yasu. Yasu is somewhat of a legendary character in the Okuetsu area. A very skilled and experienced skier and climber, he's summated some of the world's highest peaks in India, China, Nepal, and Pakistan, as well as all the mountains worth climbing in Fukui.

So if you're after a guide - Yasu is the man to talk to. He lives in Ono, and as if his extensive mountaineering experience alone wasn't reason enough to seek him out, he also owns once of the best bars in Fukui Ken- Bar Yumeya in Ono. With a great selection of foreign beers and a warm atmosphere, Yumeya is located just off san ban dori in Ono, take the turn next to the Fire Station, - the bar has a red awning.

The best mountains for climbing are Kyogadake and Ginampo in Ono, and Haku-san, the peak of which is in Ishikawa. For more information, please read the reports of each trip, which were climbed in the 2005 with Yasu as a guide.