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Japan’s Ski Season 26/27: When Do Resorts Actually Open?

If there’s one rule every powder hunter knows, it’s that the best turns rarely wait around. When it comes to chasing Japow, those first few laps can make all the difference. But before you start setting those 5am alarms and dr [...]

Nozawa Onsen: The Ultimate Winter Escape Guide

There’s something truly special about Nozawa Onsen. Nestled in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Nozawa Onsen is one of Japan’s most iconic winter destinations. Renowned for its deep powder snow, expansive ski terrain an [...]

Myoko Kogen: Japan’s Quiet Powder Escape | Ultimate Ski Trip FAQ Guide

If you’re dreaming of endless powder days, peaceful mountain villages, and authentic Japanese hospitality, Myoko Kogen deserves a place at the top of your ski bucket list. Hidden in the snow-covered mountains of Niigata, Myoko K [...]

Shiga Kogen: Your Complete Guide to Japan’s Largest Ski Area

There’s something for every kind of traveller in Shiga Kogen, High in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, deep within the Japanese Alps, lies Shiga Kogen, Japan’s largest ski area. Set within Joshinetsu Kogen National Park [...]

Is Niseko Worth It? Everything You Need To Know Before You Go

There’s a reason travelers keep coming back to Niseko. Niseko has earned a reputation as one of the world’s premier ski destinations – but does it really live up to the hype? From legendary powder snow and breathtaki [...]

Some of Our Best-Value Japan Stays for the 2027 Season

Got Japan on your ski-dar? Now’s a pretty good time to make it happen. We’ve rounded up some seriously good-value accommodation-only packages across Japan, with set dates and cracking rates to help you lock in your next powder [...]

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Local Knowledge: Some of our Favourite Queenstown Experiences

Mountainwatch | Travel Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown takes things to another level in winter. From world-class skiing and adrenaline-fuelled activities to incredible food, wellness experiences and sceni [...]

2026/27 Japan Early Bird Deals Ending Soon!

After an all-time 2025/26 season packed with endless pow days, fresh terrain, and some of the deepest conditions Japan’s seen in years, demand for next Northern Hemisphere winter is already building fast. Japan’s snow season t [...]

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Snow Machine Festival adds Hilltop Hoods and a stack more to Queenstown 2026 line up

The temperature has dropped and so has Snow Machine’s second line up. Snow Machine returns to the heart of the Southern Alps from 8–13 September, transforming Queenstown into the ultimate alpine party playground. Joining Chet [...]

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Grasshopper’s 2026 New Zealand Snow Season Outlook – El Niño to Favour South Island

Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper Summer has been and gone and now we move into May, one step closer to the 2026 Winter Season. Coming off a La Niña event peaking over the summer, and mostly neutral conditions with an inconsist [...]

Powder Paradise: Winter in Japan’s Gunma Prefecture

Sponsored content Mountainwatch | Reggae Elliss Over the past few years I have been a regular winter visitor to Gunma prefecture, lured by its consistent snow, variety of ski resorts and authentic Japanese experience. It’s a u [...]

Chasing Powder in Japan by Train

Mountainwatch | Travel One of the great things about travelling in Japan is the ease and efficiency of the rail system, particularly the multiple Shinkansen lines. The sleek Shinkansen, known as the Bullet Train, travels at spee [...]

nicky sullivan

Lizzie was so helpful, gave us some options and advice to help us pinpoint where we wanted to go. And once we had booked provided some really helpful travel advice and answering questions we had. Easy to deal with, everything was smooth and we had a great time.

Shelly Drewitz

Calum was awesome at helping us every step of the way with our trip. We got a great deal on the accommodation and ski lift, and we will definitely come back to Mountainwatch next time based on his excellent service.

Mark K Grant

I booked my Japan ski holiday through Mountainwatch. Very professional and when we arrived in Japan all was laid out for us. The accommodation was even nicer than expected. KIrsty was very good to work with and made things very easy!!!! will book again next season.

Jess

Great experience booking through this company, our contact Anna was brilliant, and organised a fantastic ski trip for us. The travel was all clearly laid out, the accommodation was lovely, the ski field was fantastic, great range of local dining options and bars.

Brett A

Mountain Watch are great, well organised and excellent advice on locations and accommodation. Highly recommended!

darren martin

Thanks Kirsty for helping arrange our family trip to Myoko for Xmas 2025, we had an amazing time

Jan Kelly

Thanks Kirsty, once again your arrangements for us in Japan worked very well. We’ll have no hesitation about touching base with you before we make another booking….. not sure if we’ll be organised by June, but we’ll see. Have a great season yourself and keep up the good work at MountainWatch. Regards Jan and Tom

Samantha Farr

Our trip to Hakuba and Tokyo was so smooth and easy thanks to the help of Justine. Hotel was great and in a perfect location and it was very smooth having all our extras like lessons and rentals booked and sorted before we arrived. Would 100% book through Mountainwatch Travel again!

John Durham

This is the second year that Kristy has organized travel arrangements for a skiing holiday to Furano in Japan, for us. It is the second time that those arrangements have been fulfilled seamlessly. No hassles, as planned and on time. Perfect, and will use Mountainwatchj Travel again. John Durham

Simone B

We booked through Anna O’Malley for our stay in Nozawa onsen Village in Japan. Seamless service, prompt, and pricing reasonable. The Shimataya View Hotel, was a lovely stay. Room size was large, great views, and Amazing service from Staff. Momoi and Eloisa couldn’t help enough- from dinner reservations to organising luggage to Tokyo. Property is older, though clean, well maintained. 10 min walk to slopes, 5 min walk to village centre. I recommend Mountain Watch, and this property. Photos are the view from our room.

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