Destinations

It’s often said that Hokkaido isn’t steep. People come for the powder, but it’s almost as if the amazing snow quality makes up for the fact that challenging terrain is …
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For most skiers and snowboarders that flock to northwestern Hokkaido, the luxury and modern infrastructure of Niseko, Kiroro and Rusutsu are the big draw. Backcountry enthusiasts come here for a …
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A recent trip to Hokkaido gave my partner and me the chance to return to Otaru – a town we remembered as a quaint, seaside escape popular with domestic tourists, …
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Last season I posed a question to our Ski & Snowboard Japan Facebook group on what people considered the best ski town in Japan. The responses trickled in: Nozawa Onsen, …
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My name’s JJ Thomas. I’m from Golden, Colorado, and now live in California. I’m a professional snowboarder who has been riding for 30 years. I competed on the US halfpipe …
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Myoko Snowsports has recently announced a new snow school at Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort. While other higher profile changes apparently coming to Sugi are a relatively recent development, plans for …
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As I begin writing this piece today, I am sitting in a rather humble ski lodge in northern Japan. It’s not modern, or especially cool, and yet, it is arguably …
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Rishiri Island remains a relatively untouched destination in northern Japan with just over 5000 inhabitants and a circumference of around 60km (37 miles). At the very centre rests Mt. Rishiri, …
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I’ve had the pleasure of skiing in the alps for close to 20 years and over that period of time, I’ve come to know what to expect. From the overpriced …
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A wonderful natural world of mountains, forests and sparkling lakes, but it is less than two hours by train from the heart of Tokyo. It starts with amazing, light snow …
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