Overall Rating

Nagano Guided Days

Nagano Guided Days4.5/57
Nagano Guided Days4.5 out of 5 based on 7 reviews
  • Would Revisit
    86%
  • Would Recommend
    86%
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Nagano Guided Days - Reviews

Nagano Guided Days - Reviews

Unforgettable ski touring with Japan Powder Culture Tours

Felix
24/01/2024
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    N/A
  • Ability
    N/A
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    4

Unforgettable ski touring with Japan Powder Culture Tours

Felix
24/01/2024
I recently had an incredible ski touring experience with Japan Powder Culture Tours, guided by Jase and George. The entire adventure was seamless, from arranging the trip to sorting out top-notch ski gear.

Jase and George were not just guides; they were passionate experts who led us through untouched snow lines, turning the experience into something truly extraordinary. Their guidance, along with the excellent ski gear provided, made tackling the slopes a breeze.

The group dynamic was fantastic - a fun and friendly atmosphere that added to the overall enjoyment. Jase and George's expertise also came through with valuable ski tips that boosted my confidence on the slopes.

In a nutshell, Japan Powder Culture Tours delivered an unforgettable ski adventure. With unmatched guidance and a great group, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Highly recommend for anyone seeking a perfect blend of thrill and fun in Japan's winter paradise! Thank you, Jase, George, and Japan Powder Culture Tours, for the amazing memories!
See our video here

Epic 2 days with Japan Powder Culture Tours

Alastair Cameron
17/01/2024
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    4

Epic 2 days with Japan Powder Culture Tours

Alastair Cameron
17/01/2024
Our group of 7 of kiwis (all experienced skiers / one snowboarder from New Zealand in our early 20s) went on a three week ski trip to Japan, covering 4 different ski regions. To finish off the trip, we stayed three nights in Yudanaka and organized two days guided skiing with George at Japan Powder Culture Tours. Having just scored some epic powder up in Hokkaido, we had high expectations going into this final leg of our trip. Having not snowed for 5 days, we were worried we would be skunked and left disappointed with our time in this region. But that was far from the case. George took us through untouched tree lines all day for the two days we were with him, scoring insanely dry, deep pow, and finding some epic lines. We were stoked. Everywhere we went we felt we were the only people on the mountain, with an insane amount of terrain to access. The mountain we skied both days (from different sides) was overwhelmingly large, and the best way to experience it at its best is definitely with a guide. We were all left extremely stoked and couldn't recommend Jase and JPCC higher for those keen on skiing (or boarding) some good pow and epic terrain. Jase knows the region inside and out and will get you to the best conditions each day, and drive you in his bus to fun cultural events in the evening. Our time in Yudanaka was definitely a highlight of our trip and we all cant wait to come back!
See our video here

So Flexible

Anne Anthony
15/01/2024
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    12-17
  • Ability
    Beginner
  • Rider Type
    N/A
  • Month:
    December
  • Admin Rating
    3

So Flexible

Anne Anthony
15/01/2024
As a family of 4 we had two adults that had skiied in the past, and two teenagers, one of which was skilled and one who had never skiied before. The girls wanted to ski, but my husband and I have old knees and really didn't want to risk hitting the slopes split up so one adult could ski the bunny slopes with the beginner and the other on the more advanced slopes. We were looking for ski schools that might be able to accomodate our girls. Literally the night before we were to arrive in Nagano, I stumbled onto the Japan Powder Culture Tour site. I reached out to the owner, Jase, and he was able to arrange lodging, transportation, meals, lift tickets, gear, and appropriate guides...literally overnight. We were so lucky Japan Powder Culture Tours had availability. The guides were friendly and encouraging. On day one our beginner skiier just couldn't bear her ski boots (I am sure all skiiers remember the first time with wearing ski boots and how they took some "getting used to".) That night the guides took her out to the gear garage and patiently refitted her in a different style of boot, and she went out the next day and skiied. The selection of the little ski town of Nozawa-osen was a perfect location. Adults who were skiing had the opportunity to walk the town, visit an osen, visit a sake factory, and just take in the beautiful fairy-tale like snow. When the kids came off the mountain we hopped in the bus and all returned to our hotel together. The breakfast that came with the lodging was a lovely combination of Western-style foods and typical Japanese breakfast foods. If you have picky eaters, there was definitely food for them, and if you have more adventurous diners, it was nice to have the option to try a Japanese breakfast. In the evening, Jase recommended restaurants with local favorites, such as ramen, and then there was evening entertainment such as a geisha and taiko drum performance. Overall, we had a lovely time, much richer and more fulfilling than we could have planned on our own.
See our video here

3 days in Shiga

Emily
10/02/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Intermediate
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    3

3 days in Shiga

Emily
10/02/2020
I had an incredible time with the powder culture team.
The pick up/drop off from Yudanaka to the ski resorts was super convenient, and meant you could enjoy the convenience of the larger town, without being too far from the snow.
My instructor Tyson was really informative and pushed my limits on the slopes. The guys really know their way around shiga kogen.
There was always something on offer in the evenings, whether it be karaoke or enjoying the culinary delights japan has to offer.
The experience was so much more enjoyable because of the great crew that Jase has put together. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, I’d go back in a heartbeat.
See our video here

Time saver

David Mcintyre
21/01/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    36-50
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    4

Time saver

David Mcintyre
21/01/2020
Japan this year in Jan 2020 has had lower than normal snow amounts which has made finding fresh powder a bit of a mission. In saying that it's all still there if you know where to look.
My mates and I have just finished riding Habuka, Myoko and ShigaKogen.

We decided to book a guided tour with Jason at Japan Powder Culture tours for our ShigaKogen leg.
We are advanced boarders and have over 20 years of riding, with multiple seasons spent travelling looking for snow.
Jason is the first guide that has been able to really understand what it is you a looking for in a guided tour, he took the thinking out of finding lines and freshies which made our day magic. He is very knowledgeable of the area and history of the place. The whole operational was a well oiled machine and provided a professional service at a reasonable price.
Our guide although on skis ripped and we were very happy at the skill and pace he operated at, he was safe and had good gear to hire.
I would and will be recommending these guys to our friends as on Shiga Kogen it is a huge and confusing area a guide is worth it to increase your fun days.

Cheers Powder culture.
See our video here

Great trip

robert niles
18/01/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    51-70
  • Ability
    Intermediate
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    3

Great trip

robert niles
18/01/2020
I just returned from Japan after a tour with japan powder culture tours headed by Jase Caulton and company. I started skiing when I was 60 years old 3 years ago.
I have been to South America, Austria,Canada,New Zealand.and the western and eastern United States. The Japanese trip has been the best.
Jase,John,Tyson and Fraser are absolute professionals who helped me correct bad habits I happen to fall into if left alone. I couldn’t have asked for a better team of instructors or guides. I’m already making plans to return next year with a snowboarding friend. I recommend the Japanese culture and experience but above all I recommend Japan Powder culture tours.
✌️
Bob Niles
See our video here

Disorganised powder fun

Hgs
12/01/2020
  • Would Revisit
  • Would Recommend
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Alpine Skier
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    1

Disorganised powder fun

Hgs
12/01/2020
Jason was a friendly guide
Easy to organise session and pick up
Safe driving the hill
One good powder day: Jason had a good resort knowledge however little attention to safety. No transceiver check performed, no safety briefing or rendez vous point. Another team member got lost for 1.5h and wasn't told what the plan was. Limited respect for slower skiers leaving them behind
Other day was good but limited to piste skiing due to choice of resort and putting 2 very different ability groups together limited options. One participants got lost again for an hour with no plan B: poor guiding attention when getting on a lift
Jason also told some inappropriate stories
I have significant concerns about Jason's attention to safety and guiding
We also agreed that skis would be included but then we had to change dates as accommodation wasn't available but we were charged for this

NB the operator indicated that due to an uncharacteristically low snow base, the only skiing was on-piste hence there no safety briefing or transceiver check.
See our video here