I'd been following powder hounds and their reviews for several years until I finally decided to see what a tour would be like.
I was not disappointed the tour was very well organised, the accomodation and guides excellent provided they had very tough conditions as the season 2020 was a low for Japan standards. Jase the tour leader is one of a kind with his humour and wittiness always keeping the laughs on the private minibus rides to the resorts. Yoshi and his lovely wife who own the Lodge Aibya where I stayed was excellent with their hospitality and cleanliness. This lodge is far from budget accommodation.

This tour definitely provides some cultural aspects too they keep you and the crew together after the slopes which really bonds the group together and I have made life long friends from this tour.

In terms of the snowboarding itself it was very much appreciated not having to worry about where to go as the guides were very experienced and explained the routes well! Having been to Japan before the snow (although poor this year) had its good days extremely deep dry powder that is better then anywhere else I've been. I wouldn't look anywhere else for a tour company that makes it so easy for you. All you have to worry about is which bit of powder your going to shred with a great big grin!! Being a young person it was slightly expensive for myself but only because everything is done for you. Would highly recommend this tour!!!

It’s taken me a few months to write this review . Why? It’s because I’m still speechless . Amazing terrain . Knowledgeable guides . Japanese culture experiences that truly are quintessentially Japanese . Jason and his crew (Tyson , Gus , George ) have a love for what they do and it shows . I can’t wait to join another tour . see you in 2021 boys !

This is the second consecutive year with Jason and his team. We recently finished the Ultimate Roadie and Buffet with the addition of a new area Aizu. What an epic adventure!

First I'd have to say how well organized these tours are. The JPCT team is extremely good at what they do. From avalanche safety gear and training to finding the best snow and terrain every run of the day. There is no other resort area in the world I've snowboarded where the last run of the day is the best run of the day other than in Japan. What is also great is the group size usually maxing out at six guests per guide and all with similar experience levels. This makes for plenty of runs per day. On average I tracked us doing 5000 vertical meters (16000+ feet) and our best day we rode just over 7000 vertical meters (23000 feet)!!! This is much more than I have ever seen cat boarding.

Not only does the JPCT team provide the best possible snow conditions, terrain and lack of crowds but the accommodations and cultural evenings are also an awesome experience. From soaking up the onsen after a great day of riding to sushi train to karate night to geisha games the crew will keep you well entertained! The food at both the hotel and in town at local restaurants is amazing. If you experience a down day or have a rest day you must check out the snow monkeys it really is worth the visit, just make sure you go early before the crowds show up.

To sum it up not only does Jason and the crew provide the best powder riding experience but with the great accommodation, variety of food, cultural events and value for $$$ it's really a no brainer. If you have been looking for a guided pow riding trip to Japan I suggest you give this one some serious thought. I also suggest you check out the "Week With JPCT" video on the website. It should give you a good idea what to expect.

To Jason, Gus, Tyson, and George thank you for another amazing adventure!!!

What an amazing tour! From the very start, Jase was organized and informative. Over time he has compiled a comprehensive FAQ that really outlines all the basics (and then some!) you need to know going into this trip! His recommendations and information traveling to meet up on the tour were flawless and much appreciated! Once arriving at the hotel and meeting the crew, it was clear that this was a smooth running, efficient tour!

First day on snow we were introduced to our avalanche gear and trained on its importance and function as well as critical rescue techniques in preparation to smash the pow. We had a small group of snowboarders that were similar in ability and fun to be around! It was great to ride with folks from different parts of the world!

Everything went so well, from the condition of snow to the amazing guides! It's clear these guys have a passion for powder and know how to treat their customers!

In addition to the amazing snow conditions, the activities off the mountain were just as amazing. The cultural exposure packed into this tour was the icing on an already amazing cake! Some nights were catered dinners with performances from a third generation Geisha and a multi-talented karate Grand Master. Other nights we were on our own for dinner and Jase helped us to make reservations at amazing authentic Japanese restaurants in town with our fellow riders. And then there was the onsens!! This was my first trip to Japan and Jase and his crew set my expectations sky high! I can only hope that I can come back in the future for another amazing tour!

To be honest, I don’t know where to start this review. Should I start with a wonderful bunch of guides by the name of Jase, Gus, George, Tyson, and John who take you to the best off piste lines the Nagano area has to offer? The waist-high, and sometimes above, powder the Shiga Kogen area has to offer? The quaint, beautiful, and clean accommodation in Yudanaka where Yoshi and his wife cater to your every need? The group of like-minded powder hounds and friendships that were kindled? The delicious cuisine?
I had an amazing time that now borders between a dream and hallucination in retrospect. Being a single individual, I had my reservations going into the trip; however all reservations and barriers were shattered with the sheer amount of pow, expertise, wit, and guile of the guides.
I highly recommend this tour to any snow monkey.

Great staff and experience. Guides had fantastic lines to bring us to and lodging was great. Awesome experience

I joined this years Powder Progression program on my own. It was my first tour ever, so I decided to go for a well organized but still relaxed and fun adventure. I can tell I haven't been disappointed. It starts right at the beginning with the comprehensive information package Jason is providing, the ranking of each individual into it´s skill level, the set-up of the right groups according to those and ends with the well made communication and preparations throughout the entire program. The accommodation and cultural program gives you a real sense of Japan. Once the snow kicked in, Jason and his crew put us right into the nice spots and showed us the beauty of skiing/snowboarding in Japan (which is awesome). I really enjoyed go riding with Jason, Jack and the group. The activities in the evening rounded everything up and we had a lot of fun besides the slopes. I definitively recommend it. I had the privilege to join Jason and Jack afterwards during their scout for new resorts, so they are constantly searching for the best spots to go and provide a variety of programs for all kind of taste.

It was a lot of fun!

All the best,
Philipp

I stayed at the hostel Aibiyu during my powder tour. Absolutely wonderful place, it was very clean, very quiet, and had the nicest owners. They would suggest the best places to eat and I would always have engaging conversations with them. Thanks yoshi and seongmi!!!
I don't even know where to start with mountains. Out of my top 3 days of riding ever in my life, 2 of those days were on this tour. I couldn't believe the amount of powder. It was great we went to a different resort almost everyday. If we didn't get any fresh snow for our day, the team would always be able to take us some where on the hill where we could find some freshies.
I found the staff to be very personable, relatable, all while remaining professional, and keeping mountain safety a factor. They would always listen to where or what kind of riding the group wanted to do and provided that. Also great at suggesting what food to try at lunch or what beer would go great.
I found their time management of the group was awesome to allow us the most riding while we were there.
They took us to some awesome restaurants and we had a wild Karaoke night.
I was there for a week and it was not long enough. I can't wait for an opportunity to head back that way !!

Was everything and more.. Amazing snow, new and different hills every day, made some new friends, guides were fun and kept things interesting..

The hotel selected near Shiga-Kogen was AMAZING, great on-sen, food, culture, THE REAL DEAL.! Definitely authentic Japanese.. Hotels in Japan in general have quite small rooms which was experienced, but definitely does not take away from what you get..

Snow conditions were great, sure you are at the mercy of mother nature but plans were made to make the best of different places on different days to compensate for this..

I plan on returning next year and really want to make this a regular trip for me.. Jason and his crew were great, can't say enough.!!!!