Retrospect Snowboard crew in Japan

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Sarah

The Retrospect guys were in Japan last winter. Looks like they got sone great powder and had a lot of fun! Check out Part 1 of their adventure. Click here to check out the vid on Transworld Snowboarding.

If you want to progress your powder riding skills, explore Japan’s best snow and terrain and immerse yourself in a unique culture – check out the details of our 2012 Off the beaten track multi-location Powder Tour of Honshu’s hidden gem resorts. It’s the kind of trip you’ve only ever dreamed about and the chance to meet and ride with like-minded skiers and snowboarders!

Ladies, take a look at full details of our 2012 Snowboard Progression Camp in Hakuba, just for the girls!

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Japanese Snowboarders’ Roadtrip Movie Trailer

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Sarah

Summer is in full swing here in the Northern Hemisphere and we’re a little jealous of all those enjoying the snow storms currently hitting Australia and New Zealand’s mountains. The first editions of Winter 2011/12 ski and snowboard magazines are beginning to hit the shelves, with Buyer’s Guides and free dvds. Meanwhile 2012 gear is starting to land in the shops too. It’s time to start thinking about winter again!

For those keen to join us in Japan’s powder heaven in 2012, we’re offering an Early Bird booking discount of £100 per person off our tours and camps. To take advantage of this offer, sign up before 31 August. Don’t miss out, places on our guided Off The Beaten Track Powder Tour around Honshu’s hidden gem resorts and secret powder spots and exclusive Girls Snowboard Progression Camp in Hakuba are limited and are being snapped up!

If you are dreaming of winter, here is the trailer for “S”trippers & Powder Junkies snowboard movie from STONP, featuring a crew of Japanese pro riders touring across Europe, North America, New Zealand and of course shredding some sweet lines at home in Japan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fresh Japow Lines with Ebis Films

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Sarah

The crew at Ebis Films have made some really legendary snow films documenting the best of Japanese freeriding and backcountry, featuring some incredible riders and terrain all over Japan.

Check out the latest clip they have released, featuring Japanese snowboarder Hayato Maruyama ripping some very nice lines!

Join us next winter season in Japan as we explore and take you to our favourite hidden powder stashes on our Off The Beaten Track Powder Tour. This guided powder progression trip will give you the opportunity to improve your deep powder skiing and snowboarding technique, get the best out of your time riding in Japan, experience real Japanese culture and meet like minded powder seekers. We’re offering a £100 Early Bird booking discount until 31 August, so book now – and don’t miss out on this once a year trip!

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Welcome Kaede Kobayashi – Kelly!

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Sarah

We are very excited and happy to say hello to a brand new and very small member of the Snow Season Japan family! Andrew Kelly, one of Snow Season Japan’s owners, and his wife Sae welcomed a beautiful little baby girl named Kaede to the world on 1 August. Congratulations guys!

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Skiers helping with Japan’s relief effort

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Sarah

Japan national team ski racer, Akira Sasaki along with a band of volunteer skiers, including our good friend and amazing freeskier Kazu Sekiya from Nozawa Onsen in Nagano, travelled to the remote island of Katsurashima to help in the relief effort in one of the many areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan in March this year.

This touching video shows how a small portion of the money donated to the Skiers Helping Japan organisation was used. The volunteers provided hot meals and brought smiles to the faces of many affected by the disaster. You can really see the amazing spirit and sense of community of Japanese people in this video.

Show your support for Japan by making Winter 2012 your year to ski and snowboard in Japan. By travelling Japan you can directly support the people, local economies and tourism industry, which have all been financially affected by the disaster. The beautiful people of Japan are waiting to welcome you with open arms and wonderful hospitality!

The relief effort for those affected by the disaster in Tohoku continues. To donate to Skiers Helping Japan, click here.

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‘Being There’ Teaser with Japan section

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Sarah

Check out Scandinavian ski crew from Field Productions ripping up Japanese powder in the teaser for their upcoming film, Being There, filmed in Norway, Sweden and Japan.

Some very sweet deep pow footage from Japan at 2mins and 2mins 38secs. Get deep in Japan next winter on our Off The Beaten Track Powder Tour or Girls Snowboard Progression Camp. We’re offering a special Early Bird booking discount of £100 for those who sign up by 31 August! Contact our team if you have any questions or would like more information.

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More awesome Hakuba powder footage

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Sarah

Check out this sneak preview of One Hit Wonder show, scheduled to premiere in Australia on Sunday 24th July at 2pm AEST on the Nine Network.

Produced by our good friend Timothy Myers (we worked on the Snow-search Japan guidebook together), the show features Australian World Cup Champion and 3 time Olympian skier Steve Lee with his daughter, ripping sweet lines in Hakuba’s endless powder. Check them out from 28 seconds in this preview. Awesome!

Our 2012 Girls Camp with powder and freestyle snowboard coaching from pro rider Vicci Miller is based at Happo, the resort featured in this video. Read more about our Girls Camp here.

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New website and new trips for winter 2012 in Japan!

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Sarah

Welcome to the newly re-designed Snow Season Japan website! Have a look around and check out the exciting trips we’ve got available for the 2012 winter season in Japan.

We’ve got two great powder adventures for those who want to experience a snow holiday with a difference, deep in beautiful Japan.

  • Off The Beaten Track Powder Tour – Calling all skiers and snowboarders who want to progress their powder and off-piste terrain riding skills, get access to local knowledge on the best hidden spots and powder stashes and ride with like-minded individuals! This multi-location fully guided tour will take you deep into Honshu’s hidden gem resorts and best lift accessed powder terrain. Avalanche Course, Snow Monkeys and Tokyo included too!
  • Girls Snowboard Progression Camp – Ladies, this is your chance to sharpen up your powder riding and freestyle skills on our 2 week camp based in Hakuba. We’ve got luxury boutique accommodation on the doorstep of Happo resort, yoga sessions, coaching from Oakley pro rider Vicci Miller, Snow Monkeys, Tokyo and a whole lot of fresh powder waiting for you!

Places on these amazing once in a lifetime trips are limited. We only run one trip/camp per season, so sign up early to avoid missing out. Book by 31 August and get our Early Bird booking discount too!

We look forward to seeing you in the whiteroom this winter in Japan!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Skiers Helping Japan

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Sarah

Our good friend Kazu Sekiya, a skier from Obuse in Nagano, recently travelled to one area of Tohoku (Katsurashima Island) devastated by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami. Along with some other skier friends from Nozawa Onsen ski resort, he went to volunteer, cook meals and help people currently living in one of the many temporary shelters set up for those who lost their homes in the disaster. Check out the wonderful photos from their admirable effort below!

Japan has a long recovery ahead and it’s fantastic to see the extent to which people have pulled together to send aid and help those affected by the 11 March disaster. A huge amount of money has been raised all over the world, but it’s not too late – Japan still needs your help. If you would like to make a donation, please go to the Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal’s website.

For those wondering if it is safe to travel to Japan, please note that the ski resorts in Hakuba and across Nagano were completely unaffected by the disaster. Hakuba is situated 400km away from the nuclear facility at Fukushima and radiation levels in both Hakuba and Tokyo are normal. Another way to support Japan and it’s economy… make Winter 2012 your year to ski or snowboard in Japan!

For Winter 2012 Snow Season Japan are offering a Women’s Powder and Freestyle Progression Camp, based at Happo resort in Hakuba with coaching from a top European female pro snowboarder. We’re also offering an Off The Beaten Track Powder Tour of the best hidden gem resorts of Nagano and Niigata for skiers and snowboarders who want to progress their powder skills and ride with like-minded individuals. For more details, click here.

Kazu Sekiya with other skiers travelling by boat to Katsurashima Island

Japan National Ski Team racer, Akira Sasaki talking with some old Japanese ladies at the disaster shelter on Katsurashima Island

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New 2012 Ski & Snowboard trips to Hakuba, Japan

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Sarah

For the 2012 winter season Snow Season Japan are launching two brand new trips, which we are very excited about! We will be launching full details, dates, prices and early bird booking specials very soon.  Sign up NOW to reserve your place. Here’s a sneak peek at what will be on offer for winter 2012.

WOMENS POWDER AND FREESTYLE PROGRESSION SNOWBOARD CAMP – HAKUBA, JAPAN

Calling all ladies who love to ride! This trip is especially for you, offering the chance to learn and progress your powder and park skills in an encouraging and inspirational environment. Experience Japan’s deep powder, fun terrain parks, meet other girls who ride and experience a unique culture on this incredible two week trip!

2012 Camp Dates: Sun 29 January – Sun 12 February 2012

Included:

  • 14 Nights luxury accommodation (including breakfast)
  • Coaching from top female European professional snowboarder, Vicci Miller
  • Transfers & Transport
  • Lift tickets
  • Yoga sessions
  • Snow monkey onsen day trip
  • 1 Night in Tokyo
  • Goodie bag…. and lots more!

Our 2012 Women’s Camp will be based at the beautiful Gakuto Villas, just a few minutes from the lifts of Happo resort in Hakuba, and surrounded by restaurants, bars and onsen hot springs.

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK POWDER TOUR – NAGANO AND NIIGATA, JAPAN ALPS

Join our adventure through Honshu’s best hidden powder spots! Experience deep powder and real Japan on this off the beaten track adventure taking you into the heart of Nagano and Niigata’s hidden gem resorts: Hakuba Norikura, Hakuba Cortina, Charmant Hiuchi, Nozawa Onsen, Seki Onsen and Myoko Akakura. Our trip caters for skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers who would like to improve their deep powder riding, experience Japan’s unique and fascinating culture, and ride with other like-minded individuals.

2012 Powder Tour Dates: Sun 29 January – Sun 12 February 2012

Included:

  • 14 Nights Accommodation (including breakfast & some evening meals)
  • Avalanche course training & qualification
  • Guiding & powder skills coaching
  • Transfers & Transportation
  • Lift tickets
  • Snow monkey onsen day trip
  • 1 Night in Tokyo
  • …. and lots more!

E-mail us NOW to reserve your place on our Winter 2012 Womens Camp or Powder Tour – we’ll let you know as soon as we launch our prices and Early Bird booking specials!

Deep powder skiing at Hakuba Norikura – the first stop on our off the beaten track powder tour!

2011 was an incredible and deep winter in Japan – you can check our more photos on our Facebook page and videos on our Vimeo channel.

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