Episode 17 of the podcast takes us to Niigata Prefecture and the deep snow of Myoko Kogen. Located on the flanks of Mount Myoko, Myoko Kogen is a collective named used to refer to five ski resorts, renowned for their very heavy snowfall and some of Japan’s best powder riding.

In this episode I speak with Billy Halloran, a talented snowboarder and operator of The Greenhouse Myoko, a self-contained lodge tucked away in picturesque village near the base of Myoko  Suginohara Ski Resort. Originally from New Zealand, Billy found his way to Japan and fell in love with the snow country lifestyle and culture that comes with it. Billy and I discuss all five of the resorts - - Akakura Onsen, Akakura Kanko, Ikenotaira, Suginohara and Seki Onsen – and the nearby resort of Lotte Arai – not officially part of Myoko Kogen but worth considering if you’re headed to the area to ski and snowboard. We also chat about backcountry and tree-riding, what's on offer at The Greenhouse and more.

Billy’s snowboarding and enthusiasm for life here is best attested to by through the beautifully shot film ‘As Above, So Below’, produced by film maker Gordy Duff. The film captures the essence of life in the snow country and Billy speaks well about the importance of prioritising what you love and the value of community. I encourage everyone to take the time to watch it, as it shows of Billy’s talent as a boarder and the beauty of Myoko Kogen. If you're interested in staying at The Greenhouse, you can get in touch with Billy via their Instagram - using the link above - or via the Tanoshi Corp Instagram or Tanoshii Tours website. You can discover more - including images, videos and a map - on today's episode page of the Snow Country Stories Japan website.

Snow Country Stories Japan is a bi-weekly podcast about life and travel in Japan's legendary 'yukiguni'. For more information about the show and your host, visit our website - www.snowcountrystories.com - and make sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.