Just when you think you've seen it all in Japan you uncover a place like Nozawa. Sickest little traditional onsen town with a true Japanese feel totally unwesternized with an awesome mountain to boot. Also spent some time at Shigakogen which is the largest resort in Japan. Found some of the steepest terrain in Japan with easy the biggest cliffs you can drop off.The Nagano area really delivers.

Japan delivered again for Australian & NZ Snowboarding magazine.An awesome trip to mainland Japan say the boys score waist deep powder for the majority of the trip. Hakuba was first stop where the guys got there legs warm and accustommed to the Japanese powder. The terrain in the backcountry remined me of Alaska.Steep and deep! We also had sick tree runs had some insane bluebird powder days. After we finished riding Hakuba, we moved to Myoko, possibly the best lift accessible terrain I have ever ridden ,not to mention some of the deepest powder I have scored. It was unbelievable and the terrain was incredible with pillows,cliffs and drops galore. With virtually no-one else around the whole mountain was pretty much left for us to ride.We got dumped on night after night and shredded until we dropped.Shinji knows where to find the goods in Japan. I will be back next year for sure...can't wait.

Our filming experience was top notch while visiting Hokkaido. The snow conditions are always world class every time I have been there. It snowed a couple feet on us every night with sunshine in the day. There is really nothing like the blower light snow in that area. Furano was a perfect location to base ourselves. The Furano Prince Hotel is beautiful and very accomodating. The food is wonderful and the service if friendly. Based right at the bottom of Furano Resort was so convenient and we explored all over the mountain. There is so much to do there from trees to groomers to powder fields. Our entire group, Gretchen Bleiler, Marie-France Roy, Jamie Anderson and Chanelle Sladics, feel fortunate for the experience and hope to be back soon because this area is a very special place.

Well organised two week stay at Mt. Zao for a week and Appi kogen for the other week. Couldnt really catch a break with the weather at Zao which was a shame as it looks like it has an abundance of good terrain up top. Still found a bunch of mini pillows to shred down below. Appi on the other hand delivered the goods, At least four days of blue skies in the week with plenty of fresh snow too. Found some sweet terrain up top and were well looked after at The Appi Grand Hotel. Pimiping 5 star accom all sorted by Shinji. Thanks buddy

The Squad is back in Japan! Marc André Tarte, Quentin Robbins, Louis Purucker and Simon Schweiger are currently in Japan to shoot for their video parts and a weekly webcast issue, attend different events and shred some fresh Hokkaido powder. And there is a lot right now!!! You can check out the new webcasts here: www.voelkl-snowboards.tv