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Backcountry Skiing

Japan POW: Does It Really Live Up to the Hype?

October 23 , 2025 - 12:00PM EDT
Starting in

Will will cover:

  • Why Japan’s powder became the stuff of legend 
  • What makes the snowpack there unlike anywhere else on Earth
  • Where to find real backcountry lines (hint: it’s not always Niseko)
  • What to expect from a guided trip: safety, logistics, cultural immersion
  • How to prepare for Japan’s terrain, conditions & deep-snow techniques
  • The truth about the hype: social media vs. actual ski experience

We’ve all seen the clips: faceshots so deep you disappear, bamboo forests waist-deep in fluff, and riders floating through endless powder that looks straight out of a dream.

But is it really that good?

That’s exactly what ACMG guide Will Mackaness is here to unpack.

Having spent years guiding in Japan’s backcountry, Will knows both the myth and the reality of the world’s most famous snow. 

In this LIVE WEBINAR, he’ll pull back the curtain on what skiing Japan is actually like, from the science behind the snow to the cultural rhythm that defines a true Japan ski experience.

 This isn’t a travel ad. It’s an open, insider chat with a veteran guide who knows every facet of Japan’s backcountry: the highs, the myths, and the magic. 

Because if you’ve ever wondered whether Japan’s legendary snow really lives up to the hype, it’s time to find out. Straight from someone who’s been neck-deep in it.

Live Q&A session

Will will follow up with a live Q&A session, where you can ask him anything you want to know about Japan’s legendary pow.

Get free professional advice from someone with tons of experience guiding ski trips in Japan.

NAGANO PREFECTURE | JAPAN
Backcountry Skiing in Hakuba & Myoko: Ski JaPOW!
From $3,545 | 9 days

Webinar host

Will Mackaness
ACMG Ski and Rock Climbing Guide

Will is an ACMG-certified Ski and Rock Climbing Guide and the founder of his own guiding company. With a career that began in the Canadian Rockies and expanded through British Columbia’s interior, the Coast Range, and Japan, Will brings deep experience and passion to every trip. He specializes in backcountry ski touring and alpine climbing, helping guests push their limits and find joy in wild, remote environments. For Will, guiding is about connection, discovery, and sharing those once-in-a-lifetime turns or summits.

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