The trip promises not only more powder than you could possibly dream of but also the authentic Japanese experience: food, culture and even the famous Onsen hot springs.

Though The Dragon Lodge is based in Tignes, the team flaps its wings once a year and heads over to snowboarding’s mecca, the home of powder: Niseko, Japan.

Lucky them, we hear you say, but you too could be joining them this coming January (peak pow time), getting the best guiding experience on and off the hill.

Hosted by Ezon Snow – run by Dragon Lodge co-founder Owain Bassett, who’s been living, riding and guiding in Niseko for the last 10 years – the trip promises not only more powder than you could possibly dream of but also the authentic Japanese experience: food, culture and even the famous Onsen hot springs.

On hill you can expect quality guiding to the very best pow stashes via lifts, snowshoes or splitboards – whatever suits the day best. And rather than being confined to one resort they’ll ferry you daily to the hill with the most face shots.

It doesn’t get much better than that, no sir. Head over here for bookings after you’ve ready what the team themselves has to say about this potential trip of a lifetime:

The Details

• 7 nights accommodation – self catered, twin share rooms in a 3 or 4 bedroom lodge in Niseko. January 17th – 24th 2015**
• 6 full days guiding – in resort, nighter, lift / gate accessed back-country and snow shoe / hiking back-country areas
• All lift passes needed (Niseko, Grand Hirafu, Annapuri, Hanazono & Moiwa)
• Back-country equipment – snow shoes, avalanche tranciever & pack
• Airport transfers from Saporo
• All local transport – to & from the hill every day
• Off snow hosting – our local knowledge to make sure you get the authentic Japanese experience off the hill – from best places to eat, drink & shop to essential cultural customs like the après riding hot spring Onsen!

Cost: £1250

**Extra nights accommodation available from £75 each per night and dates are flexible around this week – get in touch to discuss…

The Plan

Ezon Snow is the guiding company run by Dragon Lodge co-founder Owain Bassett who has been living, riding and guiding in Niseko for the last 10 years, so setting this trip up will reunite the original lodge crew. With lodge co-founder and owner John Bassett leading the group alongside with long time lodge manager and all round powder ripper Will Hughes the plan is to help our powder quest crew to get the most out of their trip – the best riding each day depending on snow conditions which Owain’s local knowledge will guarantee. John & Will’s lodge hospitality experience, and knowledge of the town picked up on previous trips, help make sure the crew get the best and fullest Japanese cultural experience off the snow.

John & Will’s lodge hospitality experience, and knowledge of the town picked up on previous trips, help make sure the crew get the best and fullest Japanese cultural experience off the snow.

We will pick you up each day, head to the chosen powder stash for that day. The selection of little resorts in the Niseko area are a little spread out, so having our own van for the week will ensure we can get to wherever the snow’s best that day. Wherever we choose, be it magical Moiwa, gate accessed side-country in Niseko, night-time powder sessions or a snowshoe hike or split-board mission into the backcountry, we’ll be sure to get the best snow each day that the conditions allow.

You’ll be staying in a great 3 bedroom house in the Niseko Country Resort just a short drive from Niseko village, with a free shuttle bus service – perfect for shops, restaurants and night time activities! We’ll also take you to the best places to eat, drink, shop…and also to experience the hot spring Onsens after riding!

The 7 day trip, with 6 full days guiding is the basic package – if you want to stay longer we can arrange the accommodation for that with added days either side of our week.