If you haven’t yet tuned into Ryan Butterfield’s VANLIFE IN JAPAN series on Youtube, then you’re missing a fantastic chance to live vicariously through someone who is, by our definition, living the dream.

In this episode, Butterfield he lands in Zao Onsen after a “crazy snow storm”, where he encounters Zao’s famous snow monsters, an eerie phenomenon that leaves trees completely caked with snow.

“Is is absolutely stunning up here. There’s been a lot of hiking involved to get to the nice trees, but it’s been worth it”, he exclaims.

“It’s pretty awesome up here – fresh tracks all day. There’s only a couple of other riders in the trees here.”

To learn more about Zao, read our comprehensive resort guide, or to learn more about the region check out our list of the top 5 resorts in Tohoku, Japan (which, of course, features Zao Onsen).