FOR Niseko, you’ll be wanting to eschew the American skateboard/park-designed cambered twins that the marketing guys thrust upon you, and get something directional with some rocker – like the 145cm Rocket Fish.

Gentemstick and Dupraz have been making boards with rocker for years, while Burton and the rest made snow/skate cambered boards that don’t perform well in the pow. What redeems Burton is their V-shaped Custom Rocker.

AN award-winning snow movie made predominantly in and around Niseko last year has been carving its signature identity into film circles around the world.

LIKE Gentemstick's Taro Tamai, Dupraz's Serge Dupraz started his company to wrench snowboarding away from the grip skateboarding currently has on it, and bring it back to its surfing roots. Like Gentem, Dupraz's tagline is 'snowsurfing'. And for good reason. Ripping a turn in pow on a Dupraz will make you feel like throwing both arms up just like

THE 7th Gentemstick Natural Pipe Masters competition, a time trial event held in Niseko Village on February 22, will reward the fastest to the bottom of the hill. About 100 people will participate for a chance to win ¥100,000, a season pass and much more. If you’re one of the 80 or so snowboarders competing, strap in tight and do your

THE Speedmaster is the best snowboard in the world. All right, all right, if you weigh over 80kg, live for riding powder through trees, and are not into riding switch, it’s the best board in the world. If you live for the park, mount your bindings in the middle of your board, love rails, spinning and riding fakey then it’s not for you

LEGENDARY local pro snowboarder Tomoki Takaku moved to Niseko from Tokyo 12 years ago after hearing word of the amazing powder snow. He started a mountain-guiding business 10 years ago, and three years ago launched Powder Company, a collection of different businesses all focussed on powder and Niseko’s mountains. The main part of the business

EVER been chauffer-driven to your restaurant by the very same person who brings you your food? Then been dropped home once you’re done? If not, then perhaps the Gentem Café, commonly known as the ‘Mongolian Tent’, could be worth a try.

The traditional Asian restaurant – along Route 343 on the outskirts

Are you tired of skiers boasting about how they skinned up Yotei in two hours, Iwanopuri in 20 minutes and back from the golf course in five? Then ditch the snow shoes and get one of these bad boys. Prior snowboards are Whistler’s version of Niseko’s Gentemstick - a boutique company hand-making some the best boards money can buy. Splitboards

Although the international community is only just beginning to discover Niseko, among Japanese it’s been well known for a long time that Niseko is the best resort in the country. It’s no surprise that many of the nation’s best winter sports athletes have been attracted to the area to refine their skills. Although you may