Ride/Dress like a local

It's been a big snow year in Snow Country and as the season moves into spring you might be thinking about treating yourself to some new gear. Before you rush out and buy the latest offering from a big manufacturer, have a look at some of the locally designed and tested kit from boutique makers.

Snow Country is home to several companies that make snowboards - they have a passion for the sport and are out there everyday putting their gear through its paces on the local mountains, as well as supporting local riders.

The 12 Snowboard team are Minakami locals and are usually the first up Tenjin on a powder day. Their boards have a cult following among the riders of Minakami.

Voltage Design are from the other side of Tanigawadake and make a split board that is popular among the backcountry riders. They spend a lot of time up at Kagura testing their new ideas. Their split boards were taken out and tested by the crew at Outdoor Japan who wrote an article on them.

Surge Snowboards are another team that are often spotted in the Minakami area who make a range of snowboards that will have you covered no matter what kind of riding you do.

If you are looking to dress like a local we have already mentioned the Snow Monkey brand that are based in Yuzawa.

There is also another independent clothing company that produces hand-drawn designs by one of the local park crew which you can buy online - faninari

The local designer also did the artwork for one of the goggle straps for some super-cool Dragon goggles.

Buy local and help support these Snow Country businesses.