Guiding Experiences
Real stories, gate-day insights, terrain breakdowns, and authentic Niseko riding experiences.
Reading the Mountain – Wind-Loaded Snow and Smart Gate Guiding in Niseko
Reading the Mountain – Wind-Loaded Snow and Smart Gate Guiding in Niseko The day before hadn’t brought much fresh snowfall, so this gate guiding day in Niseko was all about reading the mountain and finding where the wind had done the work for us. Kate, Steve, and Stone—three skiers from the United States—joined me for…
Gate Guiding in Challenging Conditions
Navigating the Storm – Gate Guiding in Challenging Conditions Some guiding days are about blue skies and endless visibility. Others are about reading the mountain, adapting to the conditions, and making the right decisions at the right time. This was very much the second kind of day. Alex and Kinsey joined me for a gate…
Special Guiding Day in Niseko
A Special Guiding Day in Niseko: Not Perfect Conditions, Still Pure Japan Some guiding days in Niseko stand out not because of perfect powder or bluebird skies, but because of the people you share the mountain with.This was one of those days. I was guiding three close friends on their first trip to Japan:Aleix (snowboard),…
First guiding of the season – Ski_the_planet
First Guiding Day of the Season – January 9 The first guiding day of the season always sets the tone. This year in Niseko, winter started in an unusual way. We had snowfall early on, but also rain and temperatures well above average for December.Only about a week to ten days before January 9 did…
What is a Guiding Experience
Niseko Gates: What a Guiding Experience Is Really Like When people talk about skiing or snowboarding in Niseko, they often mention deep powder, tree runs, and the famous gate system.But what does a guided experience through the Niseko gates actually involve? This post is the first in our Niseko Gates series, and it focuses on…