This post is also available in: 日本語
Snowboarders and skiers from ‘down under’ are renowned for their love of Japan’s bottomless powder. And with the number of Japow seekers from all over the world growing each winter, some of the more adventurous types are looking off the main tourist trails of Hakuba and Niseko to get their fix of freshies!
That’s how a crew from New Zealand Snowboarder Magazine – riders Will Jackways, Jack Spence, Rob Mitchell, and photographer Phil Erickson – ended up on a mission into uncharted territory in February 2017… to Aomori Spring Resort, Northern Honshu.
Here are some highlights from their trip.
The Powder
“We had little information about the Aomori Spring Resort and no one we’d talked to had been there before. What we did know was they get the same storms that come from the Russian province of Siberia, travelling across the Sea of Japan and dumping their contents on the northwest coast” – Rob Mitchell.
Rob Mitchell aboard the Siberian Express
You don’t have to hike to get the goods. Jack Spence scores freshies ‘on piste’!
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Will Jackways rides high above the resort boundary
“The best riding of the trip and only a fifteen minute hike to access it. There’s nowhere else any of us could recall spending nine days with constant light powder falling” – Rob Mitchell.
Jack Spence front board in the park
The Park
Jack Spence, the jibber of the crew, hit up the terrain park “created by legendary Kiwi shaper John Melville… serviced by a covered four person chair, and offering features of all levels, from five-foot table tops, right through to 35-40 footers, hip jumps, boxes and rails.”
Off Snow
The boys found plenty to do “apres ride”… from the onsen, to the bar, to the buffet.
Rockood Hotel by Keith Stubbs
There is nothing better than soaking the bones after a day of riding and hiking!
Ramen House by Keith Stubbs
“The best Ramen we’ve ever had!” – Rob Mitchell
Ride, Stay, Soak Packages
If you’re travelling half way across the world to get the finest powder on offer, you’ll want to stay a few days. With this in mind, we’ve put together sweet 3 and 7-Day Ride, Stay, Soak packages which includes accommodation at the ski-in, ski-out Rockwood Hotel & Spa (twin or triple share), breakfast, lunch, lift passes (day and night riding included), unlimited access to the onsen and transfers to/from Aomori city – for around NZ/AU$180 day*. Please email our friendly English-speaking team to find out more about this package and to make a booking.
Grab a copy of NZ Snowboarder Magazine
To read the full story of NZ Snowboarder Magazine’s trip to Aomori Spring, you’ll need to grab a copy. Either at your local magazine shop (if you live in Australia or New Zealand) or jump online at magzter.com to get a digital copy.
*Exchange rate calculation is approximate only. Packages are priced from JPY15,000 per adult per night for stays of 7 nights or more. Please enquire about family and child’s rates. See more information here.