Billabong Attack 13 at Kagura - March 30th

Some big names on the snowboarding circuit will be in Kagura for a big air competition on Saturday March 30th for this year's installment of the Billabong Attack Contest.

This is a big air contest with the emphasis on "big". Last year saw some amazing tricks thrown down and this year is sure to see more of the same. It is pro riders pulling out their very best moves in front of an appreciative crowd, so a great atmosphere guaranteed if you are just there to watch.

The competition runs from 0900 until the early afternoon. Check out the Billabong Attack 13 website for full details (and check out the videos of last year's action to see what you have to look forward to...)

Early Start to Cherry Blossom Season

Good news for lovers of spring as the recent warmer temperatures have brought the cherry blossoms out earlier than usual.

It is still a little early for Snow Country to sit under the cherry blossoms and admire their beauty with a drink in hand. The ski resorts are still all open here and the higher resorts will be open into the first week of May. This opens up the possibility of a half day on the slopes (think "skiing in a T-shirt and taking lunch on a deck chair in the sun") and then heading down to one of the cherry blossom viewing points for an afternoon of drinks and snacks with the other revelers.

The cherry blossoms blooming make their way up the country and it is an eagerly awaited time of year across Japan. It even has its own spot on the news with the weather forecasters letting you know when the blossoms are likely to be fully open in each area - currently Snow Country seems to be scheduled for mid-/end of April - so we hope to see you for some ski/hanami action next month.

Bird Eye Exhibition at Tomioka White Art Museum

We've mentioned the Tomioka White Art Museum before and it is highly recommended for a relaxing side trip to take in some minimalist art inspired by the local snowscapes.

There is a new exhibition running from March 16th to June 24th called Bird Eye. Souichiro Tomioka employs his distinctive style on the snowy vistas he has seen but this time it is looking down on his subjects from the dizzying heights of a helicopter.

The works takes in views of mountains, ice floes, rivers and lakes seen from the sky and using only the bare essential colors. As always the art is beautiful. Head here on a warm spring day as you can almost feel the cold emanating from the pictures.

Fuji Rock 2013 - 26-28 July

It is never too early to start on your preparations for Fuji Rock. This incredibly popular music festival draws crowds from all over the world and accommodation books up quickly, so if you want to get a bed close to the festival venue, it is a good time to set the ball in motion. The dates for the Fuji Rock Festival 2013 are Friday 26th July, Saturday 27th July and Sunday 28th July.

Line up news is starting to come on line so if you are keeping an eye out for a certain artist then the anticipation can begin.

It is an amazing event that gets big name acts across many genres of music. There are stages dotted around the forests of Naeba Ski Resort and hordes of people descend on the Yuzawa area. There are buses from Echigo Yuzawa Station so you can stay up at Naeba or in and around the main Yuzawa town area. Or for the true festival experience, pack your tent and get ready to wash in the mountain streams of Snow Country!

Kagura Heliski 2013

Snow, helicopters, skiing and boarding...... if you like the sound of those things and would like them all together then you need to head off to Kagura for the middle of April. The Kagura Heliski Weekend is back and scheduled for April 12, 13 & 14.

This is a great weekend and a chance to ski the back ridge of Kagura that most people only get to look at.

If you fancy earning your turns with a bit of sweat and legwork then you can get involved in the hike up tour from the beginning of April. The top lift of Kagura has been open for a while so the hike to the top is shorter than in mid-winter and the views from the top are stunning.

We've had some blue skies of late and those fair weather skiers and boarders have been congregating on the deck at the top of the Kagura gondola with a cold drink in hand working on their tans. You have to love a bit of spring snow action.....

Kagura Heliski Homepage

Yuzawa Kogen Downhill Race - Mar 31

For any budding racers out there looking for a fun day on the slopes, the 52nd Yuzawa Kogen Downhill Race is slated for the Sunday March 31st.

It is a fun race that is open to everyone which takes place on a gentle slope at the top of the resort. It is over 2 kms long and is run against the clock. If you have never taken part in a race before this could be a great chance for your debut. Don your bib and feel the excitement as you wait for the beeps in the starting gate.

Yuzawa Kogen has some of the best views of the valley in the whole area so if we get good spring weather on that Sunday it will be a fantastic day out.

Minakami Ski Trekking Festival - Mar 20

Do you have plans for the public holiday for the Spring Equinox (Wednesday 20th March)? If not head out into the mountains of Snow Country for the 13th Minakami Ski Trekking Festival.

It is being held at Minakami Kogen Resort, which boasts a cross country ski circuit that loops around the summer golf courses. It is a great day out and if the weather cooperates it is an amazing place to spend a spring day. The blue of the skies with the forests and the mountain backdrop make for a great change to the grey of the city.

It is a very beginner friendly event and there are also activities for the kids.

Snow Picnic at GALA Yuzawa - Apr 6 & Apr 21

Spring, sun, snow, stunning views and beautiful nature.... It will all be on offer at GALA in April. It is a long season over there with the ski slopes planning to be open through the Golden Week holidays at the beginning of May. There is also plenty going on off the slopes. As part of their series of events for women they are running a couple of snow trekking and picnic events on April 6th and April 21st.

Make your way through the forests at the top of the resort to a special view point with stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Enjoy a specially prepared picnic on a table crafted of snow.

It was a great success last year and sure to be another great couple of days this time around.

Yairo Children's Snow Festival - Mar 10

Spring is just around the corner and it is a great time to visit the mountains, especially if you have kids. Whether they ski or not, there is always plenty to do to keep them occupied. The warmer weather in March makes it a great time to come and have some fun in the snow, and that is the driving force behind the 7th Yairo Forest Park Children's Snow Festival on Sunday March 10th.

Yairo has one of the best parks in the area for most of the year but most people don't head there in the winter. All that will change for the Snow Festival. There are loads of fun, free activities to play around with. Banana boating on the snow, igloos, snowshoeing, tubing, bamboo skis, mini games, snow sculptures and plenty more. It is always loads of fun, and the little ones will love it. There will be plenty of food as well to keep them full of energy.

SBJonSnow/Airmix at GALA - Mar 15-17

There is a busy competition schedule around Snow Country throughout winter with lots of chances for aspiring snowboarders to try their hand against the best riders out there. Then there are times when the pros hit the slopes and show how it is really done. March 15th to March 17th will see some of the top riders in Japan take to the skies above Yuzawa, and if previous performances are anything to go by it will be amazing - SBJonSnow & Airmix

It is a chance to see some of the guys you may have watched in videos and seen in magazines to some unbelievably big tricks. The jumps they use are specially crafted for this event.

If you get the chance, find a spot nearby, take your skis off and just sit down to watch. You will be amazed.

Check out the video from last year to get excited.

Tenjin Banked Slalom - Mar 2&3

The Tenjin Banked Slalom is one of the top races in Snow Country, drawing pro-riders from all over the globe. The course is designed for maximum thrills and spills, and whether racing or watching, it is a fantastic event.

The event runs all weekend and you can expect as much fun and action off the slopes as on it, as the racers and organisers go as hard in the evening as they do on the snow.

There are lots of prizes up for grabs and a long list of big name sponsors. We'll be there cheering behind the fences and marvelling at the high speed crashes, of which you can guarantee there will be many.

For more details on the event, entering (if you dare) or some photos of the action, check out the Tenjin Banked Slalom homepage or click through to their Facebook page.

GALA Spine Session - Feb 23

For those of you that either enjoy hurling yourself of giant jumps crafted of snow, or for those of you who enjoy watching other people hurling themselves off said jumps, the GALA Spine Session this weekend is probably the place you want to be.

It is a 2,000 yen entry fee for those of you feeling brave and will surely be a great day down in the GALA Park. There are some talented riders in the area keen to show what they are made of and it will also draw competitors from much further afield so you can expect some real gravity defying stuff.

It starts at 0900 so if you find yourself in Yuzawa this weekend, head up to GALA and enjoy the show.

Sakae Kids Festival - March 16

One of the joys of skiing in Japan is the amazing amount of different resorts to explore. From the big, inter-connected, well-known areas to the little family run slopes - there really is something for everybody. It is definitely worth heading out to some of the places off the beaten track and you will always be met with fantastic hospitality wherever you go. What makes it even more tempting is when there is a festival or event on at one of the resorts.

For a great day out for the whole family, and to tick another resort off the list, head over to Sakae Village in Nagano on Saturday March 16th for their Kids Festival.

Food stalls selling tasty local dishes, plenty of action on the stage and an open-air footbath brought in specially for the occasion. There will even be fireworks to finish off the day. Spend the day on the slopes and then come down to the festival.

Igloos and Candle Night in Minakami - Mar 9/10

There is something about fire and snow that go together really well. Most winter festivals seem to incorporate  fire in one form and another, and Candle Night in Minakami on the weekend of March 9 & 10 is no exception.

The night is lit up by hundreds of eco-friendly home-made candles and you can take a break in one of the many igloos that have been constructed for the occasion. There will also be fireworks to add to the light and noise.

The Candle Night will be held up at Houdaigi Ski Resort and if you would like to have a ringside seat for the festival, why not book yourself a weekend in some ski-in, ski-out accommodation right on the slopes of the resort?

Tokamachi Snow Festival starts tonight.

It is a big weekend for snow lovers with one of the biggest Snow Festivals in Japan starting tonight in Tokamachi. The Japanese do Snow Festivals in a big way and if you haven't been to one, you are missing out. Incredible snow sculptures are the main attraction but there are loads of things going on in and around the town too. Food, fireworks, a carnival, a beauty pageant, and it looks like it is going to snow most of the time too - just what a Snow Festival needs.

There is masses to see and do and some of it is spread around, so if some of you are enjoying the slops, while some have free time, this would be a great way to spend a day or two.

The Tokamachi Snow Festival runs through from 6pm tonight until 4pm on Sunday.

Nakazato Snow Carnival - Mar 9

March is a great time to enjoy yourself in the mountains in Japan. There is still good snow but the weather is getting more springlike and there area always plenty of off-snow events and festivals to participate in.

The evening of Saturday March 9th is the Nakazato Snow Carnival.

There will be mochi making, warming winter soups and drinks, fireworks, a torch light descent and plenty of other spectacles to enjoy.

If you have never been to Nakazato before you should definitely check it out. Good skiing, loads of accommodation close by and a very family friendly atmosphere. It is not one of the best known resorts in the area but people that go there often return.

Snowwave 2013 - Mar 2nd

Calling all snowboarders - Snow Wave 2013 is just around the corner and they are looking for competitors. If you like the idea of throwing yourself off a giant jump in the name of a good time, you might want to make plans to be in Tsunan on Saturday March 2nd.

It runs hand in hand with the Tusnan Snow Festival so you can make a weekend of it. Being full of hip young kids there is a bit of a party afterwards too so as well as seeing the famous floating lanterns at the Snow Festival you can let your hair down.

Even if you don't fancy taking part, it is fantastic to watch to get on over there.
Check out their Facebook page for details

February Long Weekend - 9-11 Feb 2013

It's National Foundation day on February 11th. That is definitely a cause for celebration as it means a three day weekend for people in Japan. It is mid-winter and there is plenty of snow falling so an escape to the mountains would be the perfect choice for some quality R&R.

There is masses going on all over Snow Country for the long weekend.

The Minami Uonuma Snow Festival is on the Saturday and Sunday

The Koide International Snow Ball Fight is on the Sunday

Or if you like watching other people suffer, head up to Uonuma on Monday to watch recently married men get doused with ice cold water...

Maiko 500 yen Night Ski

So for those of you that can't get enough time on the slopes Maiko have a pretty amazing deal on. 4 hours of night skiing for just 500 yen. That has to make it some of the cheapest skiing around.

The usual price is 1,500 yen for an adult so that is quite a nice saving.

Night skiing at Maiko runs every night until Sunday 3rd March (and for one more night on 9th March). The night ski ticket is valid from 4 - 8pm so you can get a decent session in. Night skiing is a great experience as you shoot down the runs under flood lights. It is fantastic if you get to do it in the snow too.

Maiko One Coin Nighta

Naked Man Festival, Urasa - March 3rd

Another one for the diary - the Naked Man Festival in Urasa is on March 3rd and is definitely one you don't want to miss if you like unique winter festivals.

Giant candles, men clad in loincloths in a heaving, steaming mass trying to push their way into a temple - all the things you want from a winter celebration. The location itself is a beautiful temple and there is plenty going on in and around it. The streets leading up the temple from Urasa station are lined with food stalls hawking tasty treats so there is plenty to do once you have had your fill of the main event.

If you get a bit cold standing around in the winter snow then get yourself a nice warm cup of sake....complete with dried fish for flavor!