Snowboarding in Japan

I’d spent years hearing about Ishiuchi Maruyama, a snowboarding crown jewel in Niigata. This past winter, I finally chased the hype. My visit came the first week of January—past the holiday rush, but not in time for a major powder dump. Yet, to my delight, the trip was a revelation. The groomed snow was fast and …

A February Escape to Zao Onsen – A Snow Glider’s Dream

November 24, 2025November 17, 2025 by Ploy

For snow enthusiasts, February in Japan has one mission: finding the perfect powder. Having traversed slopes across this winter-wonderland nation, I can confidently say that Zao Onsen Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture exists in a category of its own. It’s a place where world-class snowboarding blends with ethereal natural phenomena, creating not just a vacation, …

Ploy's Little Atlas

Tag: Snowboarding in Japan

Where the Snow Carves Easy: A January Escape to Ishiuchi Maruyama

A February Escape to Zao Onsen – A Snow Glider’s Dream