Through the window of the newly purchased Airbus helicopter, Mount Shiribetsu grows steadily larger, rising steeply from the snow-covered fields that surround it. As we climb above its southern slopes, Sandy Miller, an Alaskan native now guiding for Hokkaido Backcountry Club (HBC) peers through the window, scoping out skiable lines. He twirls his finger, signaling for the pilot, Tatsuya Kudo, to circle the mountain.
As the helicopter thunders around a ridge on Shiribetsu's western flank, Lake Toya emerges to the south, its waters reflecting the pale morning sun. Beyond the lake, southern Hokkaido, Uchiura Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The visibility is excellent; the perspective afforded from the helicopter unparalleled.
Content with his reconnaissance, Miller signals once more, this time for the helicopter to land on Shiribetsu's peak, a crown of flat land that makes for an ideal landing site. The chopper's downdraft lifts a great cloud of snow as it touches down, and the five of us carefully maneuver into position, ready to exit. Miller goes first, followed closely by Tatsu Ota, our second guide.