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    Snow Machine Festival announces stellar line-up for Queenstown 2026

    Ready to blend your dream ski trip with a world-class music festival this September? Snow Machine returns to the slopes of Queenstown for its fifth New Zealand edition, and it’s bigger and better than ever. 30+ ARTISTS | 8 STAGE [...]

  • Remarkables Freeride
    2026 NZ Early Bird Ski Packages Are Here!

    Nothing beats a New Zealand ski holiday… except nabbing the best deal before everyone else does. After an epic 2025 season with plenty of snow, exciting new terrain, and endless Southern Alps vistas, demand for the 2026 season i [...]

  • Japan
    First Snow Has Fallen – Japan’s Resorts Are Waking Up!

    As the mountains across the Northern Hemisphere are starting to disappear under a blanket of snow, ski enthusiasts around the world are starting to dust off their gear, in preparation for those first powder turns! Japan is leading [...]

  • Kicking Horse Grasshopper
    The Grasshopper’s North America 2025-2026 Snow Season Outlook – La Niña Set to Send Snowfalls North

    Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper Welcome back to our North American Outlook series for the 2025/26 winter season and it’s off to an early start in some areas with decent snow totals already falling. Early snow falls are always [...]

  • Hakuba Valley over sunrise.
    Everything You Need to Know About Hakuba: The Ultimate FAQ for Your Japan Ski Trip

    There’s truly something for everyone in Hakuba. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Japanese Alps, Hakuba Ski Resort is one of Japan’s standout alpine destinations. With deep, consistent powder, expansive terrain, and [...]

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  • 2025.01.18-Hano-Chad-Clark-@seaandsummitmedia-29-scaled-1-2048×1366
    The Grasshopper’s Japan 2025-2026 Seasonal Outlook – La Niña Set to Deliver Above Average Snowfall

    Mountainwatch |The Grasshopper Welcome back new and regular guests to our Japanese Seasonal Outlooks. With the weather in the southern hemisphere getting warmer and the northern hemisphere getting cooler it’s time to look ahead [...]

  • BLUEBIRD AUG2-66
    Lift, Lap, Repeat – Spring Ski Pass Steals for Queenstown

    As spring edges closer and the days stretch longer, Queenstown is gearing up to welcome spring skiing in full swing – with whispers of the season’s best snow still to come. Starting 1 September 2025, Coronet Peak and The R [...]

  • @justmelachie-SnowMachineHakuba-BestOf-82 (1)
    Snow Machine Returns to Hakuba Valley in 2026 – With a Monster Lineup Locked In

    After a huge edition in 2025, Snow Machine is officially heading back to Japan in 2026 – and the frosty festival favourite is shaping up to be even bigger this time around. Held in the breathtaking Hakuba Valley, Snow Machin [...]

  • DSC01076
    Discover Tohoku: Japan’s Untapped Powder Playground

    If you’re dreaming of deep snow, quiet slopes, and authentic Japanese charm, it’s time to look beyond the usual suspects. Far from the crowds of Hakuba and Niseko, Tohoku lies tucked in the north of Honshu, where heavy snow fa [...]

  • 7903F5B1-3CFB-4538-97C5-683E21244C8E-6330-000000D04D5C06E4
    NZ 2025 Season Is All Go!

    And some are saying the best start to the season in years… Lifts started spinning on Saturday 14th June, and skiers and boarders were treated to a weekend of bluebird skies, incredible views and some of the best early-season [...]

  • Mt Hutt Snow in May
    Grasshopper’s 2025 New Zealand Snow Season Outlook – June Update

    Fresh Snow This Week Builds Toward New Zealand’s Most Promising Season Opening in Years Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper Early season snowfalls have already shown their face in New Zealand and with some more snow on the hor [...]

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    nicky sullivan profile picture
    nicky sullivan
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    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.
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    Shelly Drewitz profile picture
    Shelly Drewitz
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    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.
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    Mark K Grant profile picture
    Mark K Grant
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    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.
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    Jess profile picture
    Jess
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    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.
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    Brett A profile picture
    Brett A
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    Mountain Watch are great, well organised and excellent advice on locations and accommodation. Highly recommended!
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    darren martin profile picture
    darren martin
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    Thanks Kirsty for helping arrange our family trip to Myoko for Xmas 2025, we had an amazing time
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    Jan Kelly profile picture
    Jan Kelly
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    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
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    Samantha Farr profile picture
    Samantha Farr
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    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!
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    John Durham profile picture
    John Durham
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    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
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    Simone B profile picture
    Simone B
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    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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