Starting from
Location
Japan
Type
Rider Series
Minimum Ride Level
Inclusions
Exclusions
Addons
*To fully enjoy yourself on this trip, we recommend a minimum level 3 riding level
Arai & Surfriding Exploration
A rare opportunity to spend a week riding alongside some of Japan’s most respected surf-style riders. More than just chasing powder, this exploration is about learning to see the mountain differently — reading terrain, linking natural features, finding flow, and understanding how everything from line choice to stance and board setup shapes the way you ride.
Suitable for intermediate riders and up, it’s a chance to get more comfortable riding trees, discover new ways to move across different terrain and experience a surf-inspired approach to snowboarding. Set against the varied terrain of Arai and Myoko, you’ll ride alongside experienced local riders and gain insights that only those who know these mountains inside out can share.
Backed by The Ride Side’s signature hosted experience, it’s a week designed to deepen not just your skills, but the way you see and ride the mountain.
Social Aspect
06
Constant opportunities to socialise and ride together
Group Size
1
HOST
:
6
GUESTS
Split up into your skill levels with a host to show you around the mountains suitable for your level
Accommodation Type
SNOWBOARDER MOUNTAIN LODGE
A private mountain lodge, just our group, deep in snow country
Inclusions
2 Way Private transfers from Nagano Station
6 Nights in Mountain Lodge
5-day lift pass (4 days in Myoko + 1 external resort)
Daily private transport to the slopes and restaurants
5 Days of riding
2x half day mountain hosting with local Japanese riders
3x half day mountain hosting with TRS hosts
Dinner reservations daily
Add Ons
Gear Rental
Snowboard equipment and apparel rental
Exclusions
Flights & train tickets
Travel Insurance
Food and personal expenses
Ski/snowboard lessons
Availability
Week 1 (24 Jan – 30 Jan ’27)
8 Slots Left
Week 2 (31 Jan – 06 Feb ’27)
Available
View All Slots
Highlights
A WEEK OF SURF-STYLE RIDING IN ARAI & MYOKO
More than just a snowboard trip, this exploration is an opportunity to experience Arai and Myoko through the eyes of experienced local riders. Spend the week exploring their home mountains, discovering natural terrain and learning a different approach to snowboarding built around flow, line choice and creativity.
Check-in & get ready
Meet the group at Nagano Station and hop on our private shuttle to our home base of Yukisato Lodge in Myoko. After check-in, get to know the crew and settle in as we walk you through the week’s itinerary and ski areas.
Private Group Pick up from Nagano Station
Nagano Station
Check in
Yukisato Lodge
Welcome Briefing
Yukisato Lodge
Dinner
Joetsu
The riding begins!
The first of our rider series for the season kicks of in Arai, just beside the main Myoko area.
Your package includes 3 half days of hosted riding in the mornings, with free & easy afternoons to continue exploring with the group at the mountain of the day, or take a break at the resort. Pick up will only be done at the end of the day for everyone at 4PM.
For 2 days this week, we’ll be joined by respected local Japanese riders who’ll share their approach to surf-style riding across the natural terrain of Arai and Myoko. These aren’t formal lessons — think ride together, follow their lines and learn by watching how they read the mountain, link features and find flow across different terrain.
These special riding sessions will be conducted in Japanese, with no translation available.
Morning
Mountain orientation by the team at the resort of the day
Lunch
Lunch break on the slopes
Afternoon
Free & Easy afternoons to continue riding, exploring or take a break – it’s up to you
Evening
Dinner reservations will be made for the group, but expenses are not included. Onsen visits are optional.
One Last Ride or Goodbye
Time to say goodbye! Our private shuttle leaves for Nagano Station at 8AM, and you will get the train station at 9:30AM.
Check out and take the morning shuttle
Resort Itinerary
With 5 days on the mountains, we will be exploring the mountains of the Myoko, Joetsu and Arai areas.
*Itinerary is weather-dependent and will be tailored to the group’s overall skill level, subjected to change.
Day 2 (Mon): AM Mountain Orientation
Half day morning orientation by the TRS team
Day 3 (Tues): Surf-Style Riding Day
Full day riding session with local Japanese riders
Day 4 (Wed): AM Mountain Orientation
Half day morning orientation by the TRS team
Day 5 (Thu): AM Mountain Orientation
Half day morning orientation by the TRS team
Day 6 (Fri): Surf-Style Riding Day
Full day riding session with local Japanese riders
Information
Arrival & Departure
departure
Door Step pick up: Take the TRS private shuttle from Yukisato Lodge to Nagano Station
Pick Up
Yukisato Lodge
1 h 30min
Drop Off
Nagano Station
Accommodation
Yukisato Lodge
We take over an entire mountain lodge for the week — a beautifully restored traditional Japanese house tucked high in the Myoko mountains, all thick timber beams, tatami floors and big windows framing the peaks. A private mountain lodge, just our group, deep in snow country – a true snowboarder’s experience like no other.
Rooms range from cosy twins to a traditional tatami room sleeping four, but the soul of the place is its shared spaces — a kitchen to cook and gather in, and a tatami lounge with a wide veranda where the whole crew ends up, mugs in hand, watching the snow fall over the mountains.
Single slot in Twin Share Room
Early Bird: $3290 (U.P: $3490)
Up to 2 pax per room
Single slot in 4 pax Tatami Room
Early Bird: $2690 (U.P: $2890)
Up to 6 pax per room
Single slot in Twin Share Room
Early Bird: $3290 (U.P: $3490)
Up to 2 pax per room
Single slot in 4 pax Tatami Room
Early Bird: $2690 (U.P: $2890)
Up to 6 pax per room
You’ve asked for more ways to explore the mountains and this season, we’re making it happen. With a 7d6n itinerary starting this season, this means you can travel *between* our destinations and take in the sights of Japan without worrying about rushing on your holiday! From camps that open up progression across more levels – think carving, tree riding, even backcountry – to exploration experiences and expeditions designed to take you deeper into the mountains – you can experience it all, or as much as possible.
More ways to ride, more ways to progress – if this sounds like your kind of season, you’ll want in early.
Early Bird Sale begins 1 July, 4pm.
First Dibs go live on 30 June!
Mountains we’ll be riding
Lotte Arai
Lotte Arai Resort is home to some of the most exciting powder terrain in Japan. Most of the mountain is left ungroomed, with gated, avalanche-controlled freeride zones opening up open bowls, gullies and tree runs between the pistes — all fed by some of the heaviest, most reliable snowfall in the country. A wild powder playground built for confident riders chasing fresh tracks.
Mountains we’ll be riding
Akakura
The largest ski area in Myoko, you can expect wide groomers for beginners and intermediates to progress on as well as steep terrain with epic tree runs for the advanced riders.
Mountains we’ll be riding
Ikenotaira
Beginner-friendly resort with long and wide piste runs with good tree riding options. Perfect to warm up the legs for the week.
Mountains we’ll be riding
Suginohara
Home to Japan’s longest run at 8.5km, with lots to see along the way. Sugi has something for everyone — steep tree runs, piste of all colours and even moguls for the skiers 😉
Mountains we’ll be riding
Madarao
Madarao is great for later in the week once your legs are warmed up! This resort is all about playful powder and tree runs, with 60% of the terrain left ungroomed. The resort features multiple official tree courses and natural bowls, great for intermediate riders looking to explore off-piste in a safe, controlled environment.
Mountains we’ll be riding
Secret Resorts
Crowd’s coming into Myoko and sometimes, it’s always fun to find fresh new lines away from them! We’ll be taking you to secret resorts that only the locals go to.
01
Find your crew
Come solo or bring your crew—our hosted trips and camps are all about good vibes, shared rides, and late-night hangs.
02
From piste to powder & tree runs
Our hosts will guide you through all terrain types based on your skill level. Whether you prefer to take it chill or have an appetite for adventure, you’ll be in good hands.
03
Ride our lines
We read the weather, track the snow, and scope out the best lines—so you don’t have to. Ride with us and unlock secret stashes and local favourites most never find.
04
Level up and push your boundaries
From steeper runs to side hits and beginner park laps, our hosts will progressively challenge you throughout the week.
05
Find your crew
Come solo or bring your crew—our hosted trips and camps are all about good vibes, shared rides, and late-night hangs.
01
From piste to powder & tree runs
Our hosts will guide you through all terrain types based on your skill level. Whether you prefer to take it chill or have an appetite for adventure, you’ll be in good hands.
02
Ride our lines
We read the weather, track the snow, and scope out the best lines—so you don’t have to. Ride with us and unlock secret stashes and local favourites most never find.
03
Level up and push your boundaries
From steeper runs to side hits and beginner park laps, our hosts will progressively challenge you throughout the week.
04
Find your crew
Come solo or bring your crew—our hosted trips and camps are all about good vibes, shared rides, and late-night hangs.
05
From piste to powder & tree runs
Our hosts will guide you through all terrain types based on your skill level. Whether you prefer to take it chill or have an appetite for adventure, you’ll be in good hands.
01
Ride our lines
We read the weather, track the snow, and scope out the best lines—so you don’t have to. Ride with us and unlock secret stashes and local favourites most never find.
02
Level up and push your boundaries
From steeper runs to side hits and beginner park laps, our hosts will progressively challenge you throughout the week.
03
Find your crew
Come solo or bring your crew—our hosted trips and camps are all about good vibes, shared rides, and late-night hangs.
04
From piste to powder & tree runs
Our hosts will guide you through all terrain types based on your skill level. Whether you prefer to take it chill or have an appetite for adventure, you’ll be in good hands.
05
Ride our lines
We read the weather, track the snow, and scope out the best lines—so you don’t have to. Ride with us and unlock secret stashes and local favourites most never find.
01
Level up and push your boundaries
From steeper runs to side hits and beginner park laps, our hosts will progressively challenge you throughout the week.
