by Sakura - Growth team @Slopes
I didn’t grow up around snow — I’m from Okinawa, where winter usually means 18°C and no jackets. But about three seasons ago, I started snowboarding. What began as something new and a little intimidating quickly turned into something I wanted to chase — again and again.
I’ve been lucky enough to ski in three wildly different corners of the world this season — Japan (where I live), Canada (Whistler), and Switzerland (Laax). Every trip taught me something new, not just about snow or mountains, but about the way different places feel when you’re riding them.
This isn’t a ranking. It’s more like a collection of moments that stuck with me — the little surprises, the cultural quirks, the things no one warned me about (in the best way), and made me love winter even more.
🇯🇵 Japan: Still new to me, but still feels like magic
I didn’t grow up around snow, so I still get excited about things that might feel ordinary to others. Like watching the trees slowly turn white as you drive toward the resort, or seeing those huge snowbanks piled along the road. Even brushing snow off the car in the morning is kind of fun.
These days, I spend most of my winter in Hakuba, and I’m completely hooked. The snow there can be unreal — it’ll dump 50cm overnight, and by the next morning the mountain looks completely different. Trails disappear under fresh snow, the trees get heavier with powder, and everything resets. You never really know what the mountain will look like when you wake up — and that’s part of the fun.
And then there are the days where it just doesn’t stop. The kind of days where you lap the same tree run over and over and still find untouched lines. I remember one morning we skied through knee-deep powder, took a quick break for lunch, and came back to find our tracks already erased by more snow. It felt like the mountain was refilling itself — just for us. It still blows my mind.
But Hakuba’s charm isn’t just in the snow.
One of my favorite memories this season was digging up snow-covered cabbage from a local farm — literally pulling it out from under a thick blanket of snow. The farmer handed it to us right there in the field, and that evening we turned it into a steaming hotpot. It was unbelievably sweet and crisp — one of the simplest, most satisfying meals I’ve ever had.
The food in Hakuba always leaves an impression — from handmade soba and wild mushroom nabe to warm, crusty bread and cozy cafés you stumble upon unintentionally. And even as the international crowd grows, the old neighborhoods, family-run shops, and long-standing traditions remain — giving the village a special mix of old and new that feels uniquely Japanese.
Some winters bring more snow than others — that’s just part of mountain life. But when it’s on, Hakuba truly delivers. I don’t even need to say much about the terrain or the views — they speak for themselves. The mountains are beautiful, and the riding just feels incredible. And even when it’s not, something about this place makes you want to stay a little longer.
🇨🇦 Whistler: Big Mountains, Big Adventure
This February, we had our Slopes team retreat in Whistler — and it was my first time snowboarding there. I’d heard it was big, but I didn’t realize just how big it was until I got there. The resort is massive. You can ride pretty much anywhere on the mountain, and the wide, open slopes give you this incredible feeling of freedom — like you’re not just following a trail, you’re exploring.
One thing I definitely wasn’t prepared for: the cold. It dropped to -17°C, and the air was so dry that it looked like everything was covered in glitter. Water froze, my eyelashes froze — and the snow sparkled. It was beautiful, but also brutal in the best way. You could really feel the power of a serious mountain winter.
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola was another highlight. Floating between two massive peaks with nothing but a deep valley below was one of those moments where you just stop talking to take it all in. It’s hard to describe, but it made me feel small in a good way.
And then there was the hike. I usually stick to lift-accessed terrain, but this time I decided to push myself — I did my first hike-up to ride off-piste. It was intense. My legs were on fire, the wind was strong, and I kept thinking to myself — what am I doing here? But when I got to the top and looked around, seeing the untouched snow below and dramatic peaks surrounding me made it completely worth it. That one ride down made the whole climb unforgettable.
But what really made the week unforgettable was the time with the team. Our retreat is the one time a year we're able to all come together and spend time with each other in person. For many of us, it was our first time meeting! Through shared rides, little adventures, and plenty of cold lift rides, we got to know each other in a completely new way. We talked about life and work in the hot tub, dreamed up new product ideas around the fireplace, and laughed a lot. It was a memorable week for sure. I left feeling more connected and inspired than ever.
Whistler was exciting, a little intimidating, and all around awe-inspiring. It opened my eyes to how much more is out there - and how much further I want to go.
🇨🇭 Laax: Unexpected Powder and Alpine Style
At the end of March, I flew to Switzerland for the first time — and honestly, I wasn’t expecting snow. I thought it’d be spring conditions. But right when we arrived in Laax, it snowed 30cm overnight, and suddenly everything turned white again. It was the perfect surprise.
The day started with Jamie, Ela’s golden retriever, running through fresh powder while we geared up. It sounds small, but watching a happy dog bounce through snow at the base of the Alps was one of those “wait, am I in heaven right now?” type of moments.
The terrain in Laax felt different from Japan's or Canada's. You'll take a series of lifts to reach the summit, with multiple options to connect across different zones. Rather than a single main lift route, it's designed like an interconnected network. And no matter which peak you end up at, there’s always a chic little spot to grab a drink whether it's at a bar, a café, or a sunny terrace playing music.
What really amazed me was seeing the massive halfpipe, and how many pro-level riders were casually training around us. Some were competing in slalom, others were practicing in the park — the mountain was full of athletes, but atmosphere was still laid back and casual. Everyone was insanely good and really enjoying themselves. It was inspiring to watch.
And of course, we stopped way too many times for drinks. Glühwein (hot spiced wine), Aperol spritz, and Irish coffee — all equally good depending on how cold you were. The après scene in Laax is on another level: casual but stylish, and somehow always exactly where you need it to be.
Laax was the most unexpected trip of the season. I didn’t expect snow, didn’t expect to ride that much, and definitely didn’t expect to love it this much.
🌍 TLDR; Each mountain gave me something I didn’t know I needed.
Each mountain gave me something I didn’t know I needed.
Japan showed me the quiet magic of snowfall — how peaceful the mountains can be, and how deeply snowboarding can connect you to nature. The rhythm of powder days, the silence of the forest, the steam rising from the onsen after a long day — it taught me how to slow down and just be in winter.
Whistler showed me scale. Power. The kind of terrain that humbles you — but also wakes something up inside you. It reminded me that the mountains will meet you at whatever level you’re ready for — as long as you’re willing to show up and try. It was wild, freezing, and unforgettable.
Laax showed me what it looks like when the mountains aren’t just a trip, but a lifestyle. People weren’t rushing — they were fully in it. Riding hard, dancing in ski boots, grabbing a drink mid-run, then heading back up. The vibe was effortless and full of joy. Everyone was doing their own thing, and somehow it all made sense. It made me want to live that way — to move through winter with that kind of ease and love for the moment.
I started snowboarding just a few seasons ago. I didn’t grow up with snow. I didn’t think I’d end up chasing it across continents.
But now, the mountains feel like home.
They’re where I go to feel small, free, grounded, and alive — all at the same time.
