Bluebird pow day in Niseko last winter. Will we see similar days this season? Photo: Niseko United Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper The past month has been an unsettled one in Japan, where an anomalous southwest flow has brought [...]

Now in the Northern hemisphere… …What a start to the season it’s been! With a number of resorts across Japan and North America already receiving record November snow fall: It’s never too early to start plan [...]

Myoko is regarded as the powder capital of Japan for good reason – 15 metres average annual snowfall means there are a lot days like this. Photo: Grant Gunderson Mountainwatch | Joe Stanco After visiting Minakami and Tenjinda [...]

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! In Japan, Niseko [...]

Niseko and Mt Yotei after this week’s snowfalls cleared. Photo: 360niseko Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper First North America, then Europe, and now Japan is on the map after the first proper snowstorm of the season came through [...]

Mountainwatch | Reggae Elliss Jackson Hole has a reputation for being among the best resorts in North America and once you visit you’ll easy to understand why. It’s awesome. The iconic North American resort had been on my hi [...]

Aimee Engerbretson during a deep day at Palisades Tahoe last December. Last season was a record year for the Sierras and in an El Niño year above average snow totals are likely again this season Photo: Jeff Engerbretson Mountainw [...]

Drew Jolowicz finding deep powder at Appi Kogen, northern Honshu, in Feb 2020 a season that experienced a moderate to strong El Niño. Photo: Dylan Robinson Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper Here we go folks, another Japanese snow [...]

Get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey through the winter wonderland of Myoko, Japan. Our daily backcountry tours are more than just adventure; they’re about prioritising your safety, ensuring you have a blast, and [...]

There are so many Japanese resorts to choose from and Myoko Kogen has got to be one of our favourites. Joe Stanco, owner and operator of Joey’s Myoko, has been living in Myoko for a few winters now. As well as owning his rental [...]

Niseko is a global powder powerhouse known for some of the driest, lightest snow in the world – with 15m snowfall in an “average” season, and up to 19m in a good season! If you’re keen to experience this powder mecca f [...]

Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper Written early Monday 26thand valid to Thursday 29thJune Mild northerlies over the South Island today will see some rain spilling over the Main Divide as a front passes over from the west. The fron [...]