My 10 day powder progression tour exceeded all my expectations and I was pretty damn keen for it.

As an Australian we never really get powder so it is hard to learn to ride it, so after doing some research online for ways to improve powder riding I came across JPC tours, me and three other aussies decided on the powder progression tour as it suited what we were looking for, at an affordable price, we came here to ride powder, not to party all night just to ride half a day hungover like some other tour companies.

We loved the cultural aspect that Jase puts into his tours as we would never be able to organise a trip by our selves where we get so much of the Japanese culture too. Also the culture on the tour is unreal, it’s like a family staying with their crazy uncle (Jase) with non stop laughs an entertainment, everyone was nice and friendly when I was on the tour and it was great to meet a bunch of other skiers and snowboarders.

JPC tours runs their groups based off ability level so you are riding with similarly skilled people which makes it more enjoyable for all as I was able to tackle some harder terrain whilst my partner was able to ride some more mellow terrain that suited her ability. We met a bunch of great people from all walks of life which is part of the charm of travel, meeting new people with different backgrounds and experiences.

The guiding team is amazing, we had a different guide nearly every day who were all great at finding powder on the mountain. If I had to pick a favourite guide I’d probably say Naru was our favourite as being a local and riding shiga kogen for decades his knowledge is second to none and took us down some unreal off piste runs that I’ll be telling the grandkids about.

There was one day of the tour where we simply got too much snow for the mountain to open so Jase put on an amazing cultural day going to some cool castles and the Olympic arena in Nagano. We stayed at hotel Omodaka and the hotel owners welcomed us like family, they were incredibly accommodating and the two in house dinners we had there were amazing and presented stunningly.

The bus ride up and back to the mountain each day was a lot of fun, with a combination of Jase telling crazy stories, doing karaoke, and the ski movies playing on the ride flew by, we made many friends on the bus as we were all telling our tales from the day about what our group got up to and what we hit.

Now let’s talk about the progression part of the tour, I started off as an intermediate snowboarder the rarely goes off piste, I have been snowboarding for 3 years so far and as an Aussie off piste is difficult as you get like 5 decent days in a season and the rest is icy, at the start of the tour we eased into off piste runs and dabbling with some trees on the side of the runs as ‘the closer you go to scary objects the better the pow will be’ and as we went further in the trip we hit more and more off piste terrain with tighter trees with resulted in some amazing powder as most of the locals don’t go off piste, admittedly we did duck quite a few ropes and I’m not sure the ski patrol would have been happy with where we were going but the experienced guides knew exactly where we were going and ensured we wouldn’t be hiking an hour out of a gully. By the last two days I had worked my way up to the advanced snowboarders group and we were smashing tight trees and steep drops with the guides Tom and Patrick who are two amazing skiers, with Patrick on the last day we even did a bit of side country leaving the resort and having to hike back across the road which was a great experience. I finished the last day in the valley of death free ride area which I am blown away with as 8 days earlier I had barely gone off piste, I have no doubt that having a guide gave me the confidence to push my comfort zone and improve drastically as a snowboarder. I felt very safe across the entirety of the trip as JPC tours prioritises safety first and briefed us on the first day about all the dangers on the mountain.

I think that Jase and JPC tours is an excellent choice no matter what skill level you currently sit at as some of the advanced borders I rode with had 20 years experience and were raving about the runs and terrain we hit and there were also beginners on our tour who had blast, so even if you have a group of skiers / snowboarders that are at different levels there is something for everyone at JPC tours.

The town of Yudanaka was very cool as it felt like a traditional Japanese town that hadn’t been westernised like some of the bigger resorts ( Hakuba and niseko). We got pretty lucky with the snow conditions as it was snowing nearly every day on the tour so there were plenty of fresh lines, the snow quality was really good too as shiga kogen benefits from being the highest lift access resort in Japan so the snow is drier and fluffier than some lower resorts and we felt the difference on the first day as we spent a week in Hakuba before the tour.

If I was to do the trip again I would just book the tour for longer and skip Hakuba as there were lift queues and the powder was tracked out by 11 in Hakuba. At the resorts we visited on the tour I didn’t even see a lift line, and the fresh powder lines lasted all day, some days we had waist deep powder on the last run of the day which I doubt you’d find in Hakuba.

This was a bloody long review but I cannot speak higher of the team at JPC tours, if you have made it this far through my review then what are you doing, go book yourself a tour, you won’t regret it.

PS. Good luck beating our record of 113 plates eaten at sushi train
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POWJA or JAPOW: (noun) Japanese for powder snow

JPCT: (verb) the act of enjoying powder snow

Sensational: (adjective) the combining of JPCT and POWJA.

Disclaimer: The 2025 season and particularly the time I spent on slope with 'The Tour' was IMMENSE. I am realistic enough to understand deep powder falls every day, for weeks, happens once in a lifetime...yet I will readily return because EVEN IN AN AVERAGE SEASON the peaks and piste are incredible.

Made so because every valuable minute above the snowline is curated by Jase and Tom's guides. Once the days strategy is decided by Jase (typically in his onsen accompanied by a beer the evening before) the guides are given autonomy to maximise the experience of their group once on the mountain...and they do that superbly.

Do's and Dont's:
1. Do some stretching and core work before you arrive - it translates into longer, better days flying down the mountain.
2. Do be honest with yourself about your skill level - then you don't miss a day skiing/boarding to your full potential AND you'll level up far quicker (well, I didn't, but I was there to relax vigorously while enjoying the experience and beauty of Fight Club Mountain).
3. Don't come if you cannot get up early every day you choose to ski/board - the group departs around 7:45 so as to be the FIRST group making tracks - and it works!
4. Do take a break around Day 3 or 4 - your body and mind will love you for it and reward you with improved performance from thereon in.
5. Don't fail to inform Jase or Tom in a timely manner if you intend skipping an organised meal - that's a hungry tour guide you've deprived of nourishment!

Is JPCT a better, possibly even the best, snow guiding group? Absolutely.

As the Pretty Pink Princess said, "I'd rather have my powder perfect and pristine with JPCT than see my board buggered and broken by the robber barons!"

Until the next snowfall...
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My family of four completed the 9-day Intermediate Progression Tour with Jase and the team at JPC in January 2025. We are a family of three skiers and one boarder with our teenage boys (14 & 18) being more advanced than mum and dad. The first day of our tour, our Guide, (the awesome Dan!), assessed our skills so the JPC crew could group us with others on the tour of similar abilities. Our boys were pushed forward into the more advanced groups which was great. Each day it appeared that the guides had discussed each participant, skill level, energy level and confidence and then placed them in the perfect group for the next day. We were given helpful coaching every day of the trip. Jase and his team seem to be very in tune with everyone on the tour as well as keeping an eye on overall group dynamics.
The guides are all highly capable, each with their own unique strengths and we took away many insights and learnings from each. Now Jase himself is quite a unique character and perhaps what some may call an ‘acquired taste’! BUT once you have spent a few days on the tour, you really appreciate the work and effort that Jase puts in every single day to ensure that everyone is safe, progressing and having the best chance to ski untracked powder, not to mention all the other little details like restaurant bookings for the group, cultural side tours, ski and board issues and hire etc. Seriously Jase is the hardest worker I have met in a long time. Jase is across every little detail for each guest which is massive! In addition, once on the snow he was exceptional to learn from (I wished I had more days with you Jase!) and I took away some technique changes that have felt a bit like a missing link in my skiing for years.
Our accommodation was at the Hotel Omodaka, this is a very traditional and simple Japanese hotel with a fabulous onsen to sort out the aches and pains from a day of skiing but the standout feature for me was the staff. We found them to be exceptional at helping to solve any issue, despite them not speaking English and us not speaking Japanese, they were always so willing to try and solve things and they were just genuinely kind and lovely people.
I think it is important to say that this tour is NOT for people who take offence easily (there are a few ‘dad jokes’ each day), who expect everything to be totally PC or who are disorganised and cannot get themselves to a bus on time. But, if you are easy-going, willing to enjoy the company of your fellow tour mates, good at your own self-management, then you will have an amazing time! Thanks, JPC Tours, loved it, hopefully see you again next season if we can make it happen.
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A mixed review for JPC. The trip was marketed as having some instruction and coaching, this was not accurate. The guides gave a few tips, repeating keep your hands up over and over. Guiding was mixed.

I asked for a refund for the days I didn't ski, therefore did not need a lift pass, I got no reply.

Organisation and logistics mostly ran well, apart from 1 night where we couldn't get into the restaurant because we didn't have a booking.

The guides worked hard and were friendly.
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Japan Powder Culture Tours was an unforgettable experience! Jason is an incredible leader—his passion and deep local knowledge made the trip seamless. The guides were equally fantastic, always ensuring we had the best experience, from finding untouched stashes of powder to offering expert tips on the slopes.

Shiga Kogen itself is a dream—no lift lines, endless terrain, and the snow quality was unreal. Even on the days with minimal fresh snowfall, the guides knew exactly where to find the goods, and we were floating through powder all day. And on the two days we had 30cm+ fresh POW it was the best skiing experience I've ever had.

The accommodations were simple yet authentic, providing a cozy retreat after epic days on the mountain. The local cuisine was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and a true highlight of the trip. And after long days in the snow, soaking in the hotel’s onsen was the perfect way to unwind.

Jason and his team have created something truly special. If you’re looking for an incredible ski adventure in Japan, this is the one!
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Discovered JPC Tours via Powder Hounds. Communication from Jase was excellent.
Location of our tour mountain is a closely guarded secret but is located somewhere in the Nagano Region. I was on the 10 day progression tour and what we got was the best powder of my life! Chest high powder and fresh snow every day. Could not ask for better conditions to experience Japow. The included in house meals, daily breakfast and accommodation with Ryokan and Onsen was absolutely fabulous after a long day of snowboarding. If anyone wants to experience Japow, look no further then Jase and his team from JPC Tours.
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At 68, after a 30-year hiatus from skiing, I embarked on a journey with Powder Culture Tours. The skiing landscape had evolved, rendering my previous knowledge obsolete. Yet, Jase and his team in Japan were unwavering in their commitment to helping me understand and implement new techniques and make incremental improvements every day. Over eight days, they guided me, helping me rediscover the joy of skiing. By the trip's end, I confidently navigated steep terrain and even conquered steep runs that were cut up by previous skiers. I relished the leisurely pace of skiing through small wooded areas, a testament to the transformation I had undergone with Jase, George, Dan, Oscar, Harry, George.

If you're anything like me and are feeling nervous about returning to skiing after a long break, I highly recommend booking with Jace and his team. They are some of the most hospitable, helpful, kind, and encouraging young men you will ever find on a ski slope.

One of the major benefits of skiing with Jase and his team is that they take you to the areas where the snow is the deepest, which may require travelling up to an hour by coach. However, the time passes quickly as you engage in conversation and listen to Jase's insights. More importantly, you will be taken to locations with minimal crowds, resulting in very short wait times. In fact, the longest queue I encountered during my 9-day trip was only for 12 people waiting for an 8-person gondola.
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Coming from a safe tropical island with no mountains or snow and doing boring sports like canoeing, biking and swimming, it's easy to think that I've got no business being on slippery ski slopes. Picking up skiing at age 39 several years ago, I never progressed much. I decided to throw a 2-week trip at this and Jase (a real GC that guy ;) ) was flexible to customise the trip for me. This is my third time back with Japan Powder Culture Tours.

Since I expressed motivation on progressing, Jase gave me homework to do - reading the instructor's teaching guide! A lot to remember and it also gave me a better insight to what the JPC instructors have all been teaching me. "Repetition is the mother of skill" so I was quizzed on the basic ski movements and almost every session I had on the slopes we worked on one or two things. It's all about fine-tuning the technique! I was surprised by how easily I could forget something or pick up a bad habit, so I'm glad I dedicated two weeks to this! I needed someone to correct me frequently.

On day 7 at breakfast Jase told me that he wants me to teach the beginners, together with one of the instructors of course. I panicked, who am I to teach anyone how to ski when I'm still figuring this stuff out! But it helped me heaps and I was able to help two complete beginners. Being in a teaching position meant that I had to remember everything that I've learnt. It also made me so much more aware of my technique, the movements and how to articulate it in a way that I understood and they understood. Seeing how the beginners ski also made me more aware of what I'm doing. Win-win for all.

I also got on the fatter powder skis for a few days which were a different feeling! We had a spell of warm weather so I didn't get to try them out on powder. I definitely learnt how to ski in different and interesting conditions. This is good because I can sort of handle different ski conditions on-piste (such as slush and icy stuff).

I even went down a black slope and it was pretty ok, Gus was with me the whole way as I made my way down turn by turn. On the last day the snow arrived. With more powder on the slopes it almost felt like learning something new again. I then started to understand why they kept drilling into me to learn to ski with even pressure on both skis, to parallel ski with the skis as close to each other as possible and a few other things. because those are needed in powder conditions. I still have some way to go before skiing off-piste and I'm enjoying the journey. Can't wait for the next season already!

Besides skiing, there's so much more that adds fine touches to the exeprience. Like knowing the good places to eat and the best time to go to beat the crowds and have a hassle-free day. The guides are also on walkie-talkies with one another so communication about where everybody is, which lifts are open/closed, and adjustments are always clear. The culture performances are great! Authentic and delivered with passion by each artist. For even more details, read the review I wrote for my trip in Dec 2023.

The JPC crew and operations are a well-oiled machine and I felt safe and looked-after all through my trip. It's so nice to meet fellow travelers on tour, we usually share stories during the bus trip down(or up) or at dinner! After writing all this, I can only conclude by saying that words don't do justice to the experience I had at Shiga Kogen with the JPC crew and fellow travelers! ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!
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Jase and his team are big hearted, super well organised and seem to have boundless energy. They tailor every day to suit the group and find the best conditions. The days are topped off with onsens, dinners and cultural activities. If you just want to ski a couple of hours a day you can do that too, but you'll need to wait around in a Cafe until it's time for everyone to finish for the day. From that perspective if you want to stay on the mountain, spend half a day skiing and the rest of the day doing other things this is not the trip for you. Having said that, great instructors and all round a very enjoyable experience. Oh, and the snow monkeys are a bonus.
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Wow …… wow ….. I love love love powder skiing!
I’ve skied powder in Canada before on a guided tour that pushed me so far out of my comfort zone with rocky cliffs and trees, I was hesitant. Which is not me. Powder Culture Tours have 5 guides including the owner Jase. You are guaranteed to ski with equal or better skiers in your group. The tuition you receive is ‘priceless’. The guides are professional, know the different resorts inside out to find the best POW available, encouraging and very occasionally empathetic. They are totally there for you, making you feel safe and working out your personality to know how far to push for improvement. Always there to rescue you from ‘powder tumbles’. Did I mention F.U.N.! Lots and lots of laughs were had. Generally ranges between 20-30 peeps on the tour changing personalities around you all the time. Which I love. From all walks of life. The accommodation, daily onsens, dinners, cultural events, sneaky stop offs after skiing, music on the bus, all help to bond the guests and make for a second to none experience. They had me at ‘Harry (guide) playing the saxophone on the bus on the way to the slopes’! I never go back to the same place twice …. BUT I’LL BE BACK.
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