Snowmobile rides in Rankoshi, Niseko. No license needed.
Prices, how the day goes and the FAQ are all on this page. After a short briefing, ride the snowfield course on our own grounds with a guide. English and Japanese spoken. Meet us on site.
Choose by how long you want to ride, and who is coming with you.
Ride / activity
Details
Price
Snowmobile rideSpecial price
For first-timers. After the briefing, ride the snowfield course on our grounds with a guide. Single or two-up.
from ¥3,000
Long coursePrice to be confirmed
For those who want more time on the snow. We stop at a scenic spot for photos.
from ¥◯◯,000
Banana boat & snow tubingPrice to be confirmed
Towed behind a snowmobile across the snowfield. Great for kids and anyone who prefers not to drive.
from ¥◯◯,000
Night ridePrice to be confirmed
Ride the snowfield after dark by headlight.
from ¥◯◯,000
Private bookingPrice to be confirmed
Just your family or group. Tell us your numbers and how long you would like.
from ¥◯◯,000
BBQ house (jingisukan)Price to be confirmed
A warm indoor meal before or after your ride. Bringing your own food is possible on request. Reservation required.
from ¥◯◯,000
Prices for rides other than the snowmobile ride will be posted once confirmed. Hokkaido residents receive ¥500 off. Rides may be changed or cancelled depending on weather and snow conditions.
Your day
Your day, from check-in to the end.
Meet us on site. Total time depends on the ride you choose.
Photo slotReception at the lodge counterflow-01-reception.jpg4:3Image
STEP 1
Check-in
Make your own way to our base. We confirm your name and ride at reception.
Photo slotHelmets and goggles ready on a benchflow-02-gear.jpg4:3Image
STEP 2
Gear up
We hand out helmets and check your clothing, gloves and goggles together.
Photo slotPre-ride briefing: guide explaining the handlebar controlsflow-03-lecture.jpg4:3Image
STEP 3
Briefing
Throttle, brake, turning and hand signals, practiced on flat snow.
STEP 4
Out onto the snow
Follow the guide onto the snowfield course on our grounds. We start slowly.
STEP 5
Ride and photo stop
Once you are comfortable, we pause at a scenic spot and take photos.
STEP 6
Back to base
We return to reception. If you booked the BBQ house, your meal is next.
FAQ
Answers to the questions people ask before booking.
No. The ride takes place on the snowfield course on our own grounds, so no license is required. Your guide explains the controls and signals before you set off.
I have never driven a snowmobile. Is that OK?
Yes. You practice starting, stopping and turning on flat snow before heading out. During the ride the guide leads and matches your pace.
Can my child ride with me?
Two-up riding is available. The minimum age to drive, and the age and height requirements for passengers, will be posted once confirmed. If you need to know now, please ask us.
What happens in bad weather?
If we judge that it is not safe to ride, for example in a blizzard or poor visibility, we cancel or change the plan. How fees are handled when we cancel will be explained when you book.
What should I wear and bring?
Waterproof, insulated jacket and pants (ski wear is ideal), gloves, a neck warmer, goggles, and winter boots with good grip. Helmets are provided.
Where do we meet?
Please make your own way to our base at 28-14 Kogane, Rankoshi, near JR Konbu Station and Route 5. Parking is available. Roads are snowy in winter, so allow extra time.
What are your hours and season?
We are open 9:00–16:00. The winter season runs from mid-December to late March, depending on snowfall.
Is there a cancellation fee?
Our cancellation policy will be posted once confirmed, and explained when you book.
How can I pay?
Payment options will be posted once confirmed, and explained when you book.
Can I ask questions in English?
Yes. Questions, bookings and the briefing on the day are all available in English.
Why GMR
What the snowfields of Rankoshi make possible.
A quiet town in the Niseko area
Rankoshi sits away from the busy resort villages. Our snowfield is on our own grounds, so you ride at your own pace without waiting on other groups.
Photo slotPre-ride briefing: guide explaining the handlebar controlsflow-03-lecture.jpg4:3Image
A briefing first, so first-timers can ride
Throttle, brake, turning and hand signals, all practiced on flat snow before we head out. Even if you have never driven one, you start off calmly.
We maintain the machines ourselves
We also service and sell snowmobiles. Every machine you ride has been checked by our own hands before it goes out.
You can see how the day goes
From check-in to the end of the ride, the whole day is shown with photos below, so there are no surprises when you book.
BBQ house after the ride
Back from the snow, warm up indoors with jingisukan (Hokkaido-style grilled lamb). Ask us about bringing your own food.
Photo slotWhat to wear: flat lay of ski wear, gloves, goggles and winter bootswhat-to-wear-flatlay.jpg4:3Image
English and Japanese
Booking, questions and the briefing on the day are all available in English as well as Japanese.
In pictures
The snowfield, and a day on it.
Photo slotFollowing the guide, rider's point of viewguide-leading-behind.jpg16:9ImagePhoto slotClose-up of throttle and brake controlshandlebar-controls-labeled.jpg4:3ImagePhoto slotStaff handing a helmet to a guest, hands onlyhelmet-handover.jpg4:3Image
Photo slotBacklit powder spray detailgallery-snow-spray.jpg3:2ImagePhoto slotInside the BBQ house: stove glow and wooden wallsbbq-interior-stove.jpg4:3Image
Safety
What we decide before anyone rides.
Riding on snow carries some risk, and we do not pretend otherwise. With that in mind, we work hard on safety.
Photo slotThe snowfield course from above, loop tracks visiblecourse-aerial.jpg16:9Image
01
Briefing and practice run before departure
Controls, signals and how to stop are checked with everyone before we set off.
02
A guide leads and sets the pace
The guide rides in front and adjusts speed and breaks to how the group is doing.
03
Decided by the snow and weather on the day
If visibility or snow conditions are poor, we change the course or cancel.
04
Helmets and gear check
Helmets are provided. We check your clothing and gear with you at reception.
05
Guide qualifications and insurance
Details of our guides' qualifications and insurance cover will be posted here once confirmed.
BBQ house and the seasons
Land where gold was once mined, through four seasons.
Gold was once dug from this ground. Today it is quiet snowfield, forest and river: snowmobiles in winter, buggies once the snow melts, and ponies you can meet all year round.
Jingisukan at the BBQ house
Hokkaido-style grilled lamb in a warm wooden cabin, before or after your ride (reservation required). Ask us about bringing your own food.
Gold history, quiet snow
This was once gold-mining land. Now it is birch trees, snowfield and a slow river.
Ponies all year, buggies in summer
Our ponies live here year-round. In summer, the fields turn green and the buggies come out.
Photo slotBanana boat towed by a snowmobileactivity-banana-boat.jpg4:3ImagePhoto slotSnow tubingactivity-snow-tube.jpg4:3ImagePhoto slotThe BBQ house from outside, warm light in the windowsbbq-house-exterior.jpg3:2Image
Guest comments
Guest comments are coming soon.
The cards below show the layout only. Real comments will be posted once confirmed with our guests.
SampleIt was my first time driving, but the practice before we set off made it easy to relax. (sample)
Family, 40s (Tokyo)
Snowmobile ride
SampleNo other groups around, so we had the snowfield to ourselves. The English briefing helped a lot. (sample)
Group, 30s (Australia)
Long course
SampleThe jingisukan after the ride was great. We don't ski, but still got to enjoy winter in Niseko. (sample)
Couple, 50s (Sapporo)
Ride + BBQ house
E.K.Photo to come
From the owner
Come and enjoy the snow of this land with us.
I guide snowmobile rides on the snowfields of Rankoshi. Whether it is your first time, you are here with your children, or you have come from overseas, I want you to enjoy the snow and the quiet of this place. That is why we take time for the briefing and check the snow conditions every day. We also maintain our machines ourselves.
Eiji KondoOwner
Draft message. Wording to be confirmed with the owner.
Photo slotTwo snowmobiles by headlight across the snowfield at dusknight-stars-snowfield.jpg21:9
Night ride
The snowfield after dark, too.
Prices and dates will be posted once confirmed. Ask us if you are interested.
Image
Book or ask a question
Tell us your dates, group size and any questions.
You do not need to have decided yet. Ask about conditions, prices or how the day works by form, phone or Instagram message.
Photo slotTwo snowmobiles by headlight across the snowfield at dusk