GUIDED FREERIDE TOURS in
Snow Country, Japan

With years of riding in the area, we’ve built strong connections with locals and uncovered hidden gems that most never get to experience.

Location: Minamiuonuma, Niigata

Discover Snow Country in Minamiuonuma, a region rich in snow culture, just under two hours by train from Tokyo. Snow Country offers soft, abundant powder snow created by winter precipitation from the Sea of Japan.

For freeriding, this is a paradise of endless fresh turns combined with great local hospitality.
Join us for guided freeride adventures, exploring top ski resorts and secret backcountry areas that most visitors never see.

Experience Freeriding in
Snow Country, Japan

Tour Updates:

Our tours for 2026 are fully booked

Now Open:
Enquiries for 2027
Our guiding dates are January 11 to February 7

Your guides

ANTTI AUTTI

A professional freeride snowboarder, Antti is dedicated to inspiring people to enjoy the mountains in any conditions. For him, freeriding is not only about riding lines, but also about sharing knowledge of nature and local traditions. He believes that a great freeride guide should also be a guide to a fulfilling lifestyle.

With over 30 trips to Japan, Antti has gained deep insight into its diverse mountain regions and learned how to approach them with respect for local communities and culture.

His experience, passion, and mindful approach make every adventure both meaningful and unforgettable.

Takumi Nagai

Snowboarder, mountain guide, snow scientist, and local politician, Takumi brings together his love for the mountains and his care for the people of Minamiuonuma. He’s as passionate about sharing good times on snow as he is about supporting his community.

Through his guiding company Triforce Guides, Takumi and his friendly crew welcome guests like old friends, leading them to fun freeride lines, sharing stories about nature and local life, and making sure every day in the mountains feels fun and memorable!

Takumi also runs his own snowboard brand specializing in beautifully crafted snowboards and splitboards, built for good times!

TRIFORCE GUIDES

Triforce Guides is owned by Takumi Nagai. Their guide crew includes operations lead guide Maru and guides Jun and Sota.

They all share the love for the mountains and make every tour fun, safe, and full of good vibes.

Snow Country Tour INFO

Our guided tours in Snow Country are for intermediate to experienced riders.
We accept booking enquiries only via the form below and recommend multiday to a week to fully enjoy and explore.

Interested? Fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you with details and offer for guiding services.

Pricing
Our pricing is aligned with our other regional guiding services. However, since Japan is located far from the Arctic, we first want to understand your needs —this will help us determine a personalized offer for you and your friends.
The more days you spend with us, the better deal you get.

  • Suitability
    Our Japan tours suit riders with some freeriding experience and good basic endurance and skills.

  • We focus on terrain progression, helping you learn to read terrain and develop skills in a safe environment through resort riding and touring. Our goal is to expand your idea of freeriding possibilities.

  • Our maximum group size with one guide is 6 clients.

    If you are coming as a group, we will tailor the tour according to your skills and needs.

    You can also join as an individual and meet new friends while riding with us.

  • Day 1: Arrival
    Meet up and enjoy a few laps at the resort, then plan the days ahead in the mountains.

    Day 2: Getting Started
    A first full day riding and touring. Getting fully into rhythm of freeriding life in Snow Country.

    Days 3–6: Riding & Exploring
    Destinations each day depend on conditions, group skill, and mood. Groups may split if needed. Along with riding, we’ll visit cultural sites, savor local cuisine, and relax in onsens. Daily meetings keep everyone updated.

    Day 7: Final Day
    Half-day riding, then choose to continue your Japan adventure or head home.

  • Normal touring equipment:

    • Ski touring skis / splitboard or snowshoes, boots, poles and skins, helmet, goggles

    • Avalanche tranceiver, showel and probe

    • Backpack, extra jacket, extra gloves/mittens

    • Snack / lunch and something to drink

  • All the equipment such a snowboards, splitboards, skis and snow safety gear can be rented from us or local rental shops.

    We hope you let us know your rental needs prior to the trip.

Please fill in the form with your enquiry for winter 2027.
We are excited to fill in our days with great people and great riding during our seasonal stay in Snow Country, Japan!

Get inspired:
watch the Snow Country Movie

The Snow Country a story from Japan’s Hidden Freeride Gem, Minamiuonuma. Just a 1.5-hour train ride from Tokyo, this region blends untouched terrain, rich culture, and a strong local spirit.

In winter 2025, we set out to explore what happens when professional snowboarding meets guiding. When chasing perfect lines turns into creating meaningful experiences for others.

Snow Country is about friendship, discovery, and riding with no ego, getting back to the pure joy of being out there for the experience, the snow, and the connection.