Japan Powder Culture Tours

The Legendary Roadie

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Japan Powder Culture Tours

Japan

An Authentic Japanese Ski Experience

Japan Powder Culture Tours

Powder

An Authentic Japanese Ski Experience

Japan Powder Culture Tours

Culture

An Authentic Japanese Ski Experience

Japan Powder Culture Tours

Tours

An Authentic Japanese Ski Experience

A Total Legend

Early Bird Rates Apply

$

Early Bird Rates Apply $

What is your perfect idea of a ski trip to Japan this coming season? Well, read on we may have the perfect solution for you.

Keegan Rice (Advanced Skier) – USA– Feb 2024 – Legendary Roadie

I'll make this short and sweet. It's 7 days after leaving Japan, and I am now fully functional. Not for any other reason than Jase and the boys finding us the freshness for 9 days. Mind you, we only had snowfall for 2 of the 9 days... The rest, bluebird. Their operation is efficient, absolutely hilarious, and the guides (and Jase) are world class. They care about skiing, laughing and having fun... Which is what our wide range of demographics that booked was looking for. We partook in the Legendary Roadie. I wish I knew how much fun it would be because I would have booked my wife (who stayed at home in the US) a proper holiday whilst I was away. Life is fine now, but the shit eating grin from perpetual POW persists. Honestly, if we went to Japan and did not have guides, we would have had 2 days of POW. Thankfully, we were exhausted each day because the boys found us the goods even when we thought it was going to be an off day. Untracked goods... All sorts of stars to you and the boys. Thanks for your hospitality, and so glad we got to enjoy the raw side of JaPOW vs the commercialized north island. Thank you for the time of our lives.

The Legendary Roadie

Definition of Roadie: “a member of a crew for a travelling group of musicians or other entertainers, whose work usually includes the setting up of equipment”. Well, that is similar to what your ski guide does for you on tour. However, we have two other versions of a “Roadie”. The first is an adventurous ski road trip with a group of mates or likeminded individuals and the second is something we drink in the van at the end of an epic day on the way back to our accommodation. Either way it all makes for a legendary ski trip especially when you get to ski in three different prefectures (provinces). Moving from Nagano to Niigata to Gunma you will experience a snow quality like no other.

Much more than the usual ski holiday, the Nagano Ski Buffet combines adventure, culture, quality Japanese run accommodation (which is vitally important to check the type of accommodation when booking any tour to make sure you are comparing apples with apples) and personalities to give you the complete Japanese experience. Visit the world-famous snow monkeys up close, be entertained by a traditional Geisha performance, enjoy the interactive Taiko Drum, Shamisen Guitar and Lion Dance show and participate in a Karate performance. The interactive magic and comedy performance hosted by Fred a 30+ year veteran magician will work on those laughing belly muscles like you will not believe. Why not soak in the rejuvenating Onsens, taste the local sake and beer recipes and visit historic Shibu Onsen Town. And let’s not forget the night where we all eat together at the Sushi train followed by an epic night in the karaoke bar. We also have a raft of self-guided cultural days if you need to rest those weary muscles. Where other companies may talk up the culture of Japan and include the experiences as an add on option at an extra cost, we include them so you get a totally authentic Japanese ski and snowboard experience, and the list doesn’t include the hidden gems we have up our sleeve that will amaze you and surprise you along the way. It is important to note that this tour focuses on finding powder where there are few westerners, so if you like skiing powder ALL day and not having to fight with the masses then read on. This is a trip not to be missed so enquire now as this trip sells out fast.

Rates and Inclusions

Pick up and drop off at Yudanaka train station or snow shuttle drop-off point
6 x night accommodation at Hotel Omodaka in twin share Japanese style rooms with own bathroom
4 x nights at Tenjin Lodge in twin share Japanese or Western style room with own bathroom
Daily breakfasts
4 x in house dinners
8 x days fully guided (max 1:6 guides to guest ratio)
Lead and tail guides for two days at Tenjin ski resort (max 2:6 guide to guest ratio)
8 x lift passes
Transportation to best snow location each day
Transport to the world-famous snow monkey park
An interactive evening with a second generation Geisha performance
A magic/comedy/interactive performance
An interactive Karate performance and Taiko Drum/Shimansen guitar/Lion dance performance
Free rejuvenating daily Onsens and Sauna at Hotel Omodaka
Karaoke evening
Ability to have a rest day if you wish and you can experience one of our three self-guided cultural days as outlined in the tour itinerary (includes activities like snow monkeys, walk through ancient Shibu Onsen town, visit to Obuse town the home of the Hokusai Gallery, Zenkoji temple and the 1998 winter Olympic Museum)
Visit to the famous Takaragawa Onsen
Visit to the Tunnel of Light in the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel
Walk around 1300 year old historic Shibu town
Plus many more hidden gems....

Add ons:

AVI gear rental ¥3000 yen per day and includes beacon, probe, shovel and pack
We have a full ski and snowboard rental store which includes clothing, helmet, goggles, gloves, ski boots, poles, carving skis and boards and powder skis and boards. Ask for rate.
Extra onsen visits at Tenjin area
An option at an extra cost and if the conditions are favourable for an evening tour in a Pistenbully snow cat to the highest lift access point in Japan 2307 metres to see the snow monster trees
Please enquire for extra nights and guiding

Not included:

Travel Insurance
Flights
Travel to and from Yudanaka
Dinners except for those specified
Lunches, snacks and alcohol

Resorts

This tour can visit a number of resorts in the Nagano, Niigata and Gunma prefectures. The resorts have been hand-picked based around our three Q’s criteria – quality, quantity and quietness. The resorts we visit are dictated by the conditions on any given day and each area has its own individual micro climate so don’t be surprised if we visit the same resort more than once.

Transport to these mountain is either by our buses or vans and different groups are mixed together to fill the seats on the Nagano part of the tour. The Niigata and Gunma part of the tour has its own vehicle. The resorts we can access for our clients include: Nagano - Shiga Kogen (with 18 interconnecting resorts), Madarao, Tangram, Togakushi and Nozawa Onsen, Niigata – Kagura Gunma – Tenjindaira and Minikami Houdaigi. Drive times to these resorts vary from 5 minutes to 50 minutes in good road conditions.

travel Luggage

When we leave for the Niigata and Gunma part of the tour there is only limited room in the van for luggage. Bring a ski or snowboard bag and pack your clothes around your gear and a backpack or small suitcase. The trip takes 2 and half hours from Yudanaka to Tenjin Lodge. Skis, boards and clothing will be stored on the roof in your bags and ski boots in the luggage compartment. This leaves room for one bag each and is limited to a pack or small suitcase the size you would put in carry-on luggage in a plane. If possible, you can store this gear in your AVI pack would create more room in the vehicle. At the end of the tour you have the option of leaving by train from the Tenjin area or travelling back to Yudanaka in Nagano.

Accommodation

Hotel Omodaka

Hotel Omodaka, located in Yudanaka Onsen , has been loved by everyone as an inn with an open-air bath overlooking the Five Mountains of Hokushin . They offer a relaxing and peaceful time filled with the atmosphere of a hot spring . Owned and operated by an amazing family who make your time there a true authentic Japanese experience.

Rooms are larger than most in Yudanaka and predominately Japanese style. All twin/triple/quad share rooms come with private ensuite/bathroom and are Japanese-style with woven tatami floors and futon beds. The single supplement rooms come with toilets only and bathing is in the onsen complex. All rooms have a flat screen TV, small fridge & kettle. Your room also has a traditional Japanese wardrobe (Yakata), which is not mandatory to wear at this Hotel, although it is definitely comfortable attire after a day on the slopes.

Omodaka has a deluxe western room which are double the size of the Japanese style rooms at an extra cost and can house a maximum 4 people (2 x western beds and 2 x Japanese beds). The Hotel has an indoor Japanese bathhouse (onsen) and outdoor hot spring (rotenburo) and there is also a sauna on sight which is rare in Yudanaka. The Hotel does not have clothes washing facilities however there is a public laundry a short walk away.

Night-time meals are traditional multi-course Japanese cuisine served by your own private waiter in the hotel dining area. Breakfast (also included) is a buffet style mix of Japanese and Western dishes. There are massage services available, free wi-fi throughout the Hotel, a bar and separate River Cafe that serves the best burgers in Japan (for those hankering for a non-Japanese meal), drinks vending machines, table tennis room and a souvenir shop.

Omodaka has a complimentary pickup and drop-off to and from the train station and they offer a free drop off at the snow monkey park 20 minutes earlier than the other accommodation in town so that you get the luxury of arriving at the park early, so you have the place to yourself for a length of time (it is a tourist attraction so gets busy).

Tenjin Lodge

Tenjin Lodge is a mountain lodge deep in the Joetsu National Park, and just minutes away from Tenjindaira Ski Resort. Your hosts Kieren and his team provide a homely experience for travellers and the family pet Lucky is the ever-attentive receptionist. There are two types of rooms Western or Japanese style with their own toilet and wash basin with shared lodge bathing facilities. Each room has a powerful winter heater with a fridge and free WI-FI throughout the property. The western rooms are first in best dressed as they are limited in number. The male and female baths are fed by the same natural mountain spring which supplies water to the lodge. They are not onsens as the water is heated to temperature and the room has a pleasant ambiance with views of the forest outside. The water is not re-circulated so the baths are operating on a constant flow. Breakfasts are served at the Lazy Bear Restaurant in house and are made up of either the western breakfast consisting of a hearty serving of scrambled eggs and toast or the mountain breakfast consisting of warm oatmeal served with chopped seasonal fruit and yogurt. Both breakfasts come with coffe/tea or juice. On one night we dine in at Tenjin Lodge and we also travel into the local town of Minakami for two of the nights to sample some of the tasty cuisine from the local restaurants. A must is Restaurant Daruma – Japanese Isakaya in Minakami where the Master is always welcoming serving up some great value cuisine. Be aware this is a different accommodation experience to that of Hotel Omodaka which is very Japanese. Tenjin Lodge is owned and run by westerners and is very remote and experiences more extreme weather conditions so it will give you a different level of service to that of a Japanese property. Variety is the spice of life.

Yudanaka Township and Restaurants

Yudanaka sits at 600 metres above sea level and is a central hub for many ski resorts to be visited from. The area is well known for its onsens (hot springs) and it is said that over 1300 years ago a monk who visited the area discovered the healing quality of the water and the popularity of the region grew so much that the Samurai would come to repair their bodies in the rejuvenating waters. The other attraction to the area is the world-renowned snow monkeys who have learnt to keep themselves warm in the natural onsen water. Although the town is visited by foreigners to visit the snow monkeys you will find the town relatively free of westerners when you eat out in the evenings during the week as many just come on day journeys. And let’s not forget the wide array of traditional eating houses in Yudanaka which serve fresh local and regional produce. In the past few years, the restaurant scene has expanded to include a number of new eateries which have a mix of Japanese and Western food to suit every palette. A walk through historic Shibu Onsen town (where the popular Japanese movie Spirited Away was based) is also a must with its quaint shops, temples, shrines, foot onsens and authentic architecture.

Terrain and Safety

The rules when skiing at resorts in Japan can be a lot different to what is experienced in Western resorts around the world. At a high percentage of the resorts in Japan trail skiing is the norm and anything off the main marked trails is deemed out of bounds. The out of bounds is not patrolled so as far as the resort is concerned skiing there is at your own risk. The out of bounds skiing we provide is deemed what has been termed in Japan by westerners “slack country” or “side country”. Many times, these out of bounds areas are in between two marked courses so at the bottom of the run you meet up on a marked course to take you back to the lifts, hence the term “slack country”. Some resorts are more lenient with out of bounds skiing and others very strict. Some will have signs that state ski at your own risk where others may not. We consider everything that is not on a marked trail to be out of bounds so any clients who wish to experience the out of bounds need to have the appropriate avalanche equipment and be able to ski at a high enough level to manage the conditions. We have rental avalanche equipment available for those that do not at a rate of ¥3000 yen per day (beacon, shovel, probe and pack). Anyone who wishes to ski off the main marked trails will be given instructions on the use of their avalanche equipment and will need to sign the release of liability agreement. Our three pillars are safety first, fun second and improvement third and safety is the clear winner.

Exclusion of Liability and Assumption of Risks

Adventure sports activities involve many risks, dangers and hazards. These risks and hazards are outlined in our release of liability, waiver of claims, assumptions of risks and indemnity agreement which all participants are required to read and sign before participating in adventure sports activities. This agreement will affect your legal rights should you be involved in an accident.

Itinerary

NOTE:

This itinerary is a guide. The tour is dictated by the weather each day and your guide will fit around where the best conditions are. This is a powder tour so wider skis are recommended to get the best out of your time with us. A full equipment checklist is listed in our FAQ’s and tour essentials pdf. Your guide is there to teach skills on how to better ride the powder alongside showing you lines you may not have discovered on your own. The beauty of a Japan Powder Culture Tours guided tour is that we are not constrained by relationships with resorts, our aim is to be flexible and follow the weather to allow all our customers goals to be met. The set dinners and evening performances of the Geisha, Taiko Drum, Karate and Magic performances may vary on which night they fall on the 11-day tour due to overlap in bookings or other circumstances.

Day 1

Make your way to Yudanaka (home of the snow monkeys) on either the amazing rail system or a shuttle from Narita or Haneda airport and be picked up at the drop off points. We need to know a minimum of one day in advance what time your shuttle arrives and what time you arrive to the Yudanaka train station so the Ryokan can have a shuttle van to pick you up. The area has a history of over 1,300 years as a hot spring resort and more recently was put on the map due to the 1998 Nagano Olympic Winter Games. You are treated like a rock star at the Ryokan with exceptional service, immaculate surroundings and food to die for. We do not have the first night’s complimentary meal due to different arrival times and setup of gear for guests, so instead we take the group to the sushi train restaurant or one of the many fine eating establishments in Yudanaka.

Day 2

Known as the birthplace of skiing in Japan in 1911, Shiga Kogen is the largest ski area in Asia with the highest lift access in Japan 2307 metres and has 18 interconnecting resorts. Because Shiga is so large and elevated, fresh lines can be found days after a snowfall. And because relatively few westerners have discovered this area the queues are almost non-existent, and another bonus is that very few Japanese ski off-piste. After skiing and riding, why not try an onsen to sooth any aches and pains followed by a local beer or wine from the lounge bar. Tonight, we will eat in house so bring your camera and this is followed by an amazing interactive Geisha performance by a second generation Geisha to the area.

Day 3

Madarao (Madapow) is another of the Japanese ski fields that does not attract the hordes of gaijin’s (foreigners). This field seems to have its own microclimate and when it snows here it can be very magical. On the way home we have the option to eat at one of the few Okonomiyaki restaurants in Nagano, which is a specialty from Osaka and Hiroshima.

Day 4

After breakfast we will travel to Nozawa Onsen if the conditions are favourable for some more action on the snow. With its 300 hectares of terrain and 50km means it the second largest resort on our itinerary next to Shiga Kogen. Nozawa Onsen does get a lot of profile so can be much busier than the other resorts we go to so we try to time our visit when there will not be long lift lines or to many people on our precious powder. If time permits at the end of the day, we will take a walk through Nozawa Onsen township and enjoy the many shops and eating treats. After two days on the snow the new muscles you have used are fatigued and, in our experience, this is the day when there is a higher potential of injuries occur so you may decide to rest so that you will be strong to finish the rest of the tour in style. You may just decide to chill for the day; however, we have a series of cultural side treats that will blow your mind. These are outlined at the end of this flexible itinerary.

Day 5

Old Faithfull as we affectionally know Shiga Kogen is back on the ski menu and if the conditions are right we will head to the highest lift elevation in a ski resort in Japan called Yokoteyama. The 360 degree views from the top are the best you will find anywhere in the world looking over the Nagano prefecture and if it is clear enough you can also view Mt Fuji which is Japan’s highest peak at 3776 metres. After you dine out at one of the many outstanding restaurants around Yudanaka we have Magic show from Fred who is a "local foreigner" and performed magic for 30+years around the world. The performance is something between great magic, fun comedy and silly stuff. The show will make you laugh and amaze you as well. The audience participation adds a bit of improvisation that brings a lot of surprises! A truly enjoyable experience!

Day 6

Togakushi ski resort is on the menu today. This area is highly significant to the Japanese as it is the home of towering cedar trees and the Okusha Shrine sits at the base of Mt. Togakushi so some good walking shoes are required for our cultural side stash walk after the skiing. Another amazing in house dinner and for your final night’s scheduled entertainment you can participate in a Karate performance and teaching session from one of Japan’s Grand Masters champions followed by a taiko drum, shamisen guitar and lion dance performance which is world class.

Day 7

Roadie time! This is the part of the trip where we lighten the load. The ski’s and boards go on the roof and the boots in the back. Each person has a small bag akin to a carry-on bag in a plane. Time to bid farewell to our amazing hosts at Hotel Omodaka. No visit is complete to Yudanaka without some interaction with the famous “Snow Monkey’s”. This is the only place in the world you can see the snow monkey soaking in natural hot pools up close and personal. Afterwards we explore historic Shibu Onsen town. We then leave Yudanaka for a 2-and-a-half-hour drive and on our way to Tenjin Lodge we will visit Kiyotsu Gorge and the tunnel of light then a soak in a very famous onsen in Japan named Takaragawa Onsen. Dinner will be at Tenjin Lodge followed by a beverage and chat with your guide for the game plan the next day.

Day 8

Game on. After breakfast if the Snow God has co-operated, we are off to Tenjindaira. This is where things start to get real. Tenjin is not an area to be trifled with and the area turns up the volume to what you have been experiencing thus far on the tour in regard to steepness, depth and risk. So, on this part of the tour we engage our guide Kieran’s knowledge and experience on this mountain and we have a lead and tail guide. Tonight, we dine at a Minikami favourite restaurant – Daruma.

Day 9

Because Tenjin gets so much snow and storms there are times it is just not possible to ski it. So, a backup plan is needed which the Gunma area provides in the resort of Minakami Houdaigi nearby to Tenjin Lodge. You are not going to come across any westerners at Houdaigi and the mountain has a real local feel. Mount Hotaka (Hotakasan) in Gunma has various ski resorts sitting on its flanks, yet the Hodaigi Ski Resort is located on the northwestern slope and many of the runs face due north, so the snow quality is particularly nice for our requirements. Dine out and about in Minakami.

Day 10

After breakfast we will travel to Kagura in the Niigata prefecture which is a three-in-one ski resort that incorporates the areas of Kagura, Mitsumata and Tashiro. The Kagura Ski Resort is also interconnected with Naeba Ski Resort via a super long gondola, the Dragondola, to form one large ski area referred to as Mt Naeba. The real goodies are off the top lift which gives us access to a wide range of terrain with some very light snow if the Snow God plays ball. For our last night we will either eat on the Kagura side or head back into Minikami to enjoy some authentic Japanese fare and relive our stories from the last 10 days.

Day 11

Time to bid farewell. You can either leave by train from Minakami if you wish to get the fastest route to Tokyo or come back to Yudanaka if you want to extend your tour and continue with some skiing and riding.

Self-Guided Cultural Excursions

Here are a number of options for those that either have a scheduled rest day or for those that have ascertained they need to rest to lower the probability of injury. We have a very rich cultural area with so many options that will give you that truly authentic Japanese ski experience that we at JPC Tours know are unique to this area and in our opinion cannot be replicated at any other ski resorts around Japan. Maps and train schedules are all provided for these cool adventures. Please Note: these are all achievable daily excursions; however you can chop and change them to suit how much time you would like to stay at each venue.

Option 1 (Snow Monkey – Shibu Onsen – Obuse Town)

8.30am leave from Biyu to snow monkey park on complimentary shuttle. Walk to park through national forest. Stop at Enza café at the start of the track after viewing monkeys for a hot drink and snack. Walk to the Sake Museum then down through Shibu Onsen town (this area is over 1300 years old and is where the Samurai used to bath to rejuvenate and where the famous Japanese movie “Spirited Away” was based) then to the worlds tallest bronze Buddhist statue. Take the 12.31pm train to Obuse that arrives at 12.53 and a short walk to Obuse Town. Visit the Hokusai Museum and explore this wonderful little town. Take the 17.11 train to arrive back at Yudanaka train station at 17.33.

Option 2 (Snow Monkey – Obuse Town – Zenkoji Temple in Nagano)

8.30 leave from Biyu to snow monkey park on complimentary shuttle. Walk to park through national forest. Stop at Enza café at the start of the track after viewing monkeys for a hot drink and snack. Pickup at 10.20 from start of monkey park to be transported to train station to take the 10.50 train to Obuse that arrives 11.12 for a short walk to Obuse Town. Visit the Hokusai Museum and explore this wonderful little town and have lunch at the many quality restaurants. Take the local 13.55 train from Obuse to arrive at Nagano 14.30. Exit the train and make way your way to ground level on the west exit of station. Take the Zenkoji bus to the temple. Nagano is the only temple city in Japan which means the temple was built first and the city afterwards. Purchase a ticket in the temple to do the underground chamber tour under the temple to find the gate to eternity and make sure you look in the large mirror when you exit to be born again. Take the walk from the Zenkoji Temple to the train station (Many cool shops and restaurants along the way) and either travel back to Yudanaka on the 18.00 express train or dine in Nagano and take the 19.40 express train.

Option 3 (Obuse Town - Zenkoji Temple and Olympic Museum in Nagano)

Take the 8.39 train from Yudanaka to arrive at Obuse at 9.14 for a short walk to Obuse Town. Visit the Hokusai Museum and explore this wonderful little town. Take the 11.12 or 11.56 express train from Obuse to arrive at Nagano either 11.36 or 12.30. Exit the Yudanaka express train and make way to ground level on the west exit of station. Time for lunch either at the Midori train complex or at the many street restaurants close to train station. Take the Zenkoji bus to the temple from the west exit. Nagano is the only temple city in Japan which means the temple was built first and the city afterwards. Purchase a ticket in the temple to do the underground chamber tour under the temple to find the gate to eternity and also the ticket for the Zenkoji Museum which is behind the Zenkoji Temple. Take the walk from the Zenkoji Temple to the train station (many cool shops and restaurants along the way). Another great place to visit is the M-Wave which is where the Olympic Museum is and the long course speed skating facility which is still in operation. An amazing building with the largest wood suspended ceiling in the world. Would need to get a taxi from train station to this venue. Option to take the 18.00 express train back to Yudanaka or stay for dinner in Nagano and get the 19.40 train from Nagano which arrives in Yudanaka at 20.29.

Reviews

If you want the best powder, best guides, most laughs and a true Japanese cultural experience, then Japan Powder culture tours (JPCT) is the best operation in Japan.
I have done several tours and just keep coming back!
Imagine waking up after a great sleep in your amazing Ryokan, having a morning Onsen that has inside and outside options, then enjoying your choice of Japanese or western breakfast, while your guides are scoping the weather and picking the best mountain to venture to for the day.
Your boards/skis are loaded onto the bus and then it’s off to the mountain with great music and laughs on the way. The focus is on finding the best powder and having fun! Riders are allocated into intermediate, beginner or advanced so you are always riding with similar ability people. If your legs are spent, you can just drop down a group in the afternoon and take it easy. There is some amazing off piste riding and Jase and his team are master’s at finding untracked powder, even after many days without snow. Riding through fresh powder in the Japanese forests is an ethereal experience. The guides are amazing. Everyone stays together, it is very safe and caters to all abilities of riders.
When the day is done, it is back to the Ryokan for another amazing Onsen and then onto the night’s activities. There are many group cultural nights where we will do Geisha nights, Japanese drums, karate displays and go to great local restaurants in the area.
I attended the tour the first time as a solo rider and have made some amazing lifelong friends, and we all now catchup with JPCT and enjoy the amazing Powder Jase and his team find us.

I was fortunate enough to do the legendary Roadie tour with Jase, plus some other little adventures into some new prefectures in Japan. Jase is so good at what he does, we call him the Snowlord. The pricing is amazing for all that you get in the tours but most importantly, you are getting expert local knowledge and access to the best powder japan has to offer. I could not recommend JPCT highly enough and I will be a customer of theirs for life.

Cooper Born (Advanced Boarder) – AUSTRALIA – Feb 2019 – Legendary Roadie

I’m not one to write reviews but every so often a product is so good it deserves to be shared with other likeminded people. I have been lucky enough to share such an experience with Jason and his crew at JPCT on the roadie tour. Twice actually..Beyond his ability to always find snow days even after it snowed, it’s the lengths he and his team go to off mountain that makes him the best operator in Japan. The activities and amenities provided are top class. The Ryokan Biyu is amazing and its onsen truly become a way of life. Activities like the lion dance help build a great group dynamic, not to mention the obligatory karaoke session. Despite being a solo traveller, I have made amazing friendships that last well after the snow melts.And then there’s Tenjin. This place is nuts!! Best snow of my life but be warned, it’s not for the keyboard warrior. It’s the real deal so be honest with your ability. I cannot recommend his tours highly enough!! If the snow lord ever starts tours in the Southern Hemisphere, I’ll be sure to book those as well.

Benito Drovandi (Advanced Boarder) – AUSTRALIA – Feb 2019 – Legendary Roadie

This is the second consecutive year with Jason and his team. We recently finished the Ultimate Roadie with the addition of a new area Aizu. What an epic adventure!
First I'd have to say how well organized these tours are. The JPCT team is extremely good at what they do. From avalanche safety gear and training to finding the best snow and terrain every run of the day. There is no other resort area in the world I've snowboarded where the last run of the day is the best run of the day other than in Japan. What is also great is the group size usually maxing out at six guests per guide and all with similar experience levels. This makes for plenty of runs per day. On average I tracked us doing 5000 vertical meters (16000+ feet) and our best day we rode just over 7000 vertical meters (23000 feet)!!! This is much more than I have ever seen cat boarding.
Not only does the JPCT team provide the best possible snow conditions, terrain and lack of crowds but the accommodations and cultural evenings are also an awesome experience. From soaking up the onsen after a great day of riding to sushi train to karate night to geisha games the crew will keep you well entertained! The food at both the hotel and in town at local restaurants is amazing. If you experience a down day or have a rest day you must check out the snow monkeys it really is worth the visit, just make sure you go early before the crowds show up.
To sum it up not only does Jason and the crew provide the best powder riding experience but with the great accommodation, variety of food, cultural events and value for $$$ it's really a no brainer. If you have been looking for a guided pow riding trip to Japan, I suggest you give this one some serious thought. I also suggest you check out the "Week With JPCT" video on the website. It should give you a good idea what to expect.
To Jason, Gus, Tyson, and George thank you for another amazing adventure!!!

Daisy (Advanced Snowboarder) – CANADA - February 2019 – The Legendary Roadie

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE 2019/2020 SEASON

The 2019/2020 was a fairly poor season for many of the resorts in Japan due to it being very warm season with lower snowfall than usual. However, we did not experience this in our area as we have set up our ski business at the base of Japan’s highest and largest ski resort, Shiga Kogen with a 6-month season.

Because of this elevation the snow we got we kept as our temperatures were almost always below 0 centigrade, whereas the rest of the more westernised resorts that get much media attention were above freezing level a good part of the season. This is the first time we have has to use this trump card of the highest lift elevation resort in 8 years of operating in our area as the seasons are usually very good in Japan, but it was definitely good to have that card. We did not experience any of the cancellations due to poor snow coverage that the more high-profile western type resort did in Japan.

So, it is very important when booking a snow holiday, you look at the elevation of the resorts you are going to. It is totally essential as it will make the difference between a very average ski trip and an awesome one.