Overall Rating

Nagano Powder Zone

Nagano Powder Zone5/525
Nagano Powder Zone5 out of 5 based on 25 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
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Nagano Powder Zone - Reviews

Nagano Powder Zone - Reviews

Amazing trip!

Tom Bayliss
17/03/2024
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Snow Boarder
  • Country
    New Zealand
  • Month:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    4

Amazing trip!

Tom Bayliss
17/03/2024
This is a fantastic trip and would thoroughly recommend.

I was guided by Jase, Harry, and Dan over a 6 night trip and they were all amazing. Their knowledge of the mountains is unreal and they can take you through some really interesting terrain and fresh powder runs. Jase made sure the logistics were worked out for us - all we had to do was turn up and everything was sorted out. Shiga Kogen was such a cool mountain to visit with very few foreigners and no queues.

I was stoked with how Jase and the team took us off piste a lot for fresh tracks and tree runs, but it also felt safe. They take safety pretty seriously and provide you with the right gear (e.g personal locator beacon, probe, spade). Overall my improvement was massive and really appreciate how well I was looked after.

I’m sure I’ll be back at some point in the future!
See our video here

Amazing trip!

Tom Bayliss
15/03/2024
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Snow Boarder
  • Country
    New Zealand
  • Month:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    4

Amazing trip!

Tom Bayliss
15/03/2024
This is a fantastic trip and would thoroughly recommend.

I was guided by Jase, Harry, and Dan over a 6 night trip and they were all amazing. Their knowledge of the mountains is unreal and they can take you through some really interesting terrain and fresh powder runs. Jase made sure the logistics were worked out for us - all we had to do was turn up and everything was sorted out. Shiga Kogen was such a cool mountain to visit with very few foreigners and no queues.

I was stoked with how Jase and the team took us off piste a lot for fresh tracks and tree runs, but it also felt safe. They take safety pretty seriously and provide you with the right gear (e.g personal locator beacon, probe, spade). Overall my improvement was massive and really appreciate how well I was looked after.

I’m sure I’ll be back at some point in the future!
See our video here

Cam's Jan 23 Group of 8 (intermediate to advanced

Campbell Gough
17/02/2024
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    51-70
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Country
    New Zealand
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    4

Cam's Jan 23 Group of 8 (intermediate to advanced

Campbell Gough
17/02/2024
If like me, you’ve spent years skiing at crowded resorts with limited runs and come to think of ‘powder’ as a mystical concept reserved for ‘gods’ and ‘fairy tales’ then read on, if not, then read on.
We were a group of 8 skiers of mixed abilities (intermediate through advanced) who had a fantastic time. For me it was a triple AAA experience. What resonated most was not having to do any ‘thinking’ or ‘planning.’ Jase had everything sorted from dawn to dusk to optimize our skiing experience. We just needed to turn up on time for the morning shuttle. From there Jase and the team took care of everything - determining which ski fields, which runs, which cafes and when to call it a day. The guides kept in contact via walkie talkies calling out the best slopes allowing groups to move around the mountain to optimize the skiing.
The gear was top notch. Jase and the team took time to kit us out properly, answer questions, and explain how to carry the skis etc. We were lucky to be fitted with brand new powder skis – that never happened before!!
The guides were an absolute highlight. Super friendly, unreasonably patient, and able tutors. Whether you are after some ‘basic tips’ or a detailed ‘how to’ lecture grounded in textbook theory the guides will oblige. While I had no favorites, Naru deserves special mention. An unassuming local Japanese man of modest stature, he exuded rare mana and gravitas. With years of back country experience and deep-set eyes of penetrating wisdom he’s a bloke I’d like at my back if something ever went wrong! The group concept was very flexible. Depending on the day, ability, and conditions it was easy to move between groups whilst also keeping with my son, which was important. Jase rotated the guides around too meaning we got to ski with a different guide each day adding to the experience.
I like food a lot and a lot of it. The on-field restaurants were superb with a ton of well-priced delicious options to choose from– they left the staple NZ Ski field ‘stale pie and soggy chip’ for dead. Jase helped us with some excellent restaurant recommendations in the evening. The Sushi-Train was a blast, and the 2 x in-house dinners were quite an event offering a banquet of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Another positive was the injection of Japanese culture. The only other time I’d skied Japan was at Niseko. Whilst the skiing was great, from a cultural perspective I might as well have been in downtown Melbourne. This time round Jason peppered the tour with narrative, a Karate & Taiko show, Magic & Geisha performances, traditional music, lion dancing, temples, shrines, forest walks etc. Do as little or as much of it as you like but be sure to at least soothe your muscles with a daily dose of hydrotherapy in the traditional Japanese ‘Onsen’!
As for Jase. Well, he’s quite the character. I think he starts every day with at least 5 cups of dark roasted coffee and a happy pill. I’ve never met anyone with quite the energy, exuberance, and enthusiasm as Jason. He’s well planned, organized, attentive to the group’s needs and adds real personality to the tour. A lot of fun to be around.
As for that elusive concept known as ‘Powder’? Well, I’m pleased to say the weather gods obliged and Jason’s team found plenty for us. It was weird at first, but Jason’s simple directive ‘attack it Campbell like you own it’ had me growing in powder confidence in no time.
Go ahead and book a tour with ‘Japan Powder Culture Tours’- There’s zero chance you’ll regret it.
Enjoy - Campbell
See our video here

Excellent

The Pritchett Family
08/02/2024
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    36-50
  • Ability
    Intermediate
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Country
    Australia
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    4

Excellent

The Pritchett Family
08/02/2024
What an amazing family trip!

As a family of four with two teenage boys (aged 15 and 13), we found the whole experience with JPCT truly fabulous. JPCT certainly delivered a safe and fun environment and we all gained personal growth in our skiing ability during the 5 days. All the details are taken care of by Jase and his team of guides, including the search for the best daily snow and conditions.

All you have to do is make sure you are on the bus in the morning (don’t be late, the bus always arrives on time and Jase makes no apologies for that) and the rest is taken care of by JPCT. Even your skies are taken up the mountain for you and at the end of the day, the santa sack of snow boots arrives like magic 😊

We enjoyed meeting and skiing with other people of a similar ability in our group from all around the world.

Jase and his crew pride themselves on their 3 pillars (Safety, Fun and Improvement) and that is always considered. The guides were friendly and interactive with our teenage boys and they have you skiing the right terrain to improve and be challenged without the feeling of ever being in danger or out of control.

When fatigue set in later in the day for the oldies (aka Mum and Dad), our boys were able to keep skiing with the group, with us knowing they were in safe hands with the guides.
Special mention to Oscar, Gus and Harry for delivering some outstanding days of skiing. They also knew the yummiest spots to stop for lunch.

Jase has an incredible sense of humour and provided us with many laughs. He reminded us daily, to stop and smell the roses. He is also very respectful of the Japanese people and their environment and always remained professional and across the tour in detail. He goes to a lot of effort to make sure everyone has a great experience (and has an endless list of great places to eat on the nights we were not eating in).

The trip is busy, so be prepared for skiing all day and cultural activities all night. Rest assured you will sleep well each night but highly recommend fitting in an onsen each evening, to reinvigorate those tired muscles (there aren't any lift lines where Jase takes you, so no time to recover whilst on the slops).

It was a real escape from our busy lives back home, but at the same time gave us an active holiday with memories and stories to share at the dinner table for years to come.
Thank you, Jase and the team at JCPT for giving us an unforgettable ski holiday experience. Can't recommend you guys enough.
See our video here

Best Skiing Trip

Megan Shipp
04/02/2024
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Country
    Australia
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    3

Best Skiing Trip

Megan Shipp
04/02/2024
This was an amazing trip with a great mixture of skiing and cultural activities. Jase and the guides were knowledgeable of the various skiing resorts and knew the best places to get powder. Transport up the mountain was easy and stress-free. Jase also knew all the best spots to get food and would kindly drop us at places for dinner. All the people on the trip were friendly and approachable which made the trip much more enjoyable as a solo traveller. Couldn’t recommend this trip enough and will definitely be coming back!
See our video here

Manager

Ali
26/01/2024
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    18-35
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Snow Boarder
  • Country
    🇹🇷
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    1

Manager

Ali
26/01/2024
This tour ı really so enjoyed there was all culture and snowboarding all all guide also kindly and helpful they tried all best for us ı would like join again🙏🙏
See our video here

Experience Japanese snow and culture just by turning up

24/01/2024

Paul K

Powder Puppy
Powder Puppy

Paul K

Powder Puppy
Powder Puppy
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    51-70
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Country
    Australia
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    4

Experience Japanese snow and culture just by turning up

24/01/2024
Well, frankly I don’t want to review as it may create more awareness of Jase’s powder and culture tour - which is an apt description of the experience. His guides are world class each with awesome attitude (and skills) and will help develop your talents if that is what you want.

The tour delivers as much skiing and culture as you want, if you have the stamina. I found myself recovering in Sauna and Onsen rather than kicking on with cultural experiences post skiing on some days.

I was there in early Jan ‘24, the god of snow Okami (as I learned on tour) didn’t deliver as we hoped, but we still managed to find powder and otherwise awesome skiing everyday - going to different resorts in search of best conditions is a plus.

In my week there were learners, intermediates, advanced and expert groupings, with riders (yes snowboarders are accommodated..) moving across guides or even having 1:1 sessions to develop to join other groups.

As with me, I was on my own, like many others, but there were couples and families on tour.

I am going back, I didn’t mention some of the temples and shrines that you visit coming back from given resorts, a real plus, you would otherwise not experience this.

Thanks Jase and awesome guides.
See our video here

Simply a Great Experience!

Hans
08/09/2023
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    51-70
  • Ability
    Advanced
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Country
    Norway
  • Month:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    3

Simply a Great Experience!

Hans
08/09/2023
I already booked my next trip with Jase and his crew. It will be my 4th and surely not my last.
For me what makes Japan Power and Culture Tour is obviously the ski experience. Skiers and boarders are placed in groups according to skills, and each group led by expert guides with deep experience on where to find the best snow on that day. This brings me to ski areas with snow quality and with challenges tailored to my ability. Each day brings a new experience and with the reassurance of skiing with a guide.
But the social bonding is also unique – with different cultural programs every evening under the guidance of Jase.
Overall JPCT is such a good experience not to be missed whether expert or beginner!
See our video here

Advanced/Expert Level ShigaKogen Slack Country Skiing

Holly Holmes
16/05/2023
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    51-70
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Country
    United States
  • Month:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    3

Advanced/Expert Level ShigaKogen Slack Country Skiing

Holly Holmes
16/05/2023
Three excellent days of slack country skiing in the Shiga Kogen region. Jase was our guide and he shared all of his secret stashes. I loved zipping from one ski area to the next and not having to stress about where we would end up since I don't read Japanese, especially characters! When we weren't skiing, the guides gave the diverse group of guests many options and suggestions for Japanese experiences and culinary choices. Snow monkeys, sushi, guitar and drum performance, excellent accommodation suggestions with traditional Japanese Ryokan hotel with lovely in house onsen and huge Japanese (or European) breakfast/dinner. Good snowfall at the end of January/early February. Would recommend to all levels of skiers, including those of us wanting great powder and tree skiing at an advanced/expert level.
See our video here

Nagano Powder Progression

Ganesh Chandrasekkar
12/03/2023
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    36-50
  • Ability
    Intermediate
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Country
    Australia
  • Month:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    4

Nagano Powder Progression

Ganesh Chandrasekkar
12/03/2023
An exhilarating and fun experience,

A really fantastic 10 days of skiing, cultural immersion, food and making new friends.

Jase and the team were fantastic, from planning our runs to suit the snow conditions and finding the best resorts, providing really valuable skiing tips and getting us to some amazing food on the mountain.

The groups were well matched in ability which made for fun days on the snow, and when the snow god was less benevolent, on piste lessons to help improve technique. Full days followed by fun cultural activities.

Finally, Nagano has some amazing tourism on offer, the snow monkeys, the Genko-Ji temple, Obuse town, Matsumoto castle. I only wish I had planned for more days off the snow too.

Thanks Jase and team, planning my next snow adventure in Nagano already.
See our video here
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