An Interview with Jenny Jones: Our Hokkaido Powder Week Host

In January 2017, you can join Jenny in Niseko, discovering the best powder of your life along with like-minded boarders and local guides. Running 15-23 January 2017 for 12 snowboarders only, the Hokkaido Powder Week is an opportunity to not only hone your skills but also to delve into Japan's unique and fascinating culture. Book by 14 October to secure your place.

Read on to find out more about the trip, plus some top tips from Jenny...

If you have never been snowboarding in Japan or even visited Japan, it is an incredible and truly unique experience. It will make you come away asking yourself... why haven't I done this before, and why didn't I come sooner!?

Of all the snowboard trips I have been on (which is a fair few), last year's trip to Japan stands out because it is simply such a different culture. It really was Japan as a whole that made the week so special - the sites, the mountains, the people I met were fascinating. The food, restaurants and, believe it or not, some lovely whiskies, and I haven't even mentioned the riding yet!!

Niseko is a great mountain, it's full of fun powder fields and tree runs without being too crazy steep but staying just the right side of exciting.

In my experience it's even better! Of course you can't guarantee anything, but if you were to ask me where to go for a week's holiday with the highest chance of getting powder, I would say hands down Japan.

Did I ever! Again, this is just one of those experiences unique to Japan and gives you an insight into the Japanese traditions. These are all added bonuses after a good day on the hill.

A powder board, a few different lenses as I don't want to miss out on night riding and a good goggle wipe. Charging devices so I have a full powered camera every day for pictures!! Breathable layers and lightweight jackets and pants as you will get hot riding powder and hiking. A nice big pair of mittens and a good few pairs of cosy socks. Nothing beats a fresh pair of snowboard socks for a new trip.

Park definitely adds a few strings to your bow and good board control. It is a great place to understand and explore jumping, air time and rotations before then moving them into the backcountry. However, I also think you can learn a lot from just messing about on the sides of the piste, finding natural features and discovering different terrain around the mountain. This is something I am constantly challenged by and always trying to improve.

Don't skip legs day in the gym! Obviously nothing beats the actual act of snowboarding itself for building up muscles and tolerance to riding so a few sessions in the snow domes never hurt. However, if you are looking at ways to condition your body off snow to try and soften that initial blow of riding heaps of powder, then I think there are a few things you can focus on.

In the gym - quads, glutes and hamstrings - making sure you do some weights sessions on these specific areas and then mixing it with dynamic training as well, so jumps, lunges, resistance band work. You want strong legs but quick firing muscles too. When you're riding in powder, the endurance of holding squat position is key but you are constantly being challenged by lumps, bumps trees etc. so you're never static. This then also links to the all important core, the stronger it is the more you can hold a good balanced position and spend more time whooping and hollering through the powder!

Definitely have a lesson, it's way less frustrating and you don't pick up bad habits (which I guarantee you'll regret later down the line). Learn with people at a similar starting point as you, that way you can laugh about it together when you fall over rather than having the pressure of trying to keep up with your friends or a more advanced group.

Never underestimate the toe edge catch :)

I think constantly improving the accessibly to young people is key, and giving them the chance to try out snowboarding or skiing in the UK snow domes and dry slopes. I think it is great to have this experience and really important to keep that grass roots and younger age group coming through. Snow-Camp are a great example of this as they not only give young people the opportunity to try snowboarding, they open the doors to gaining qualifications in instructing and working in the industry, which is awesome.

I think competitively for sure, winning bronze in the winter Olympics and Gold in the X Games. Non-competition, I would say in all honesty one of my favourite moments has been coming off the hill in Niseko last year with my friends and being absolutely exhausted from just riding powder all day. I laughed so much and there were so many mini adventure moments through the day that when it came to the end of the evening after onsens and sushi, there was a real sense of quiet satisfaction. More days like that please!!

The Hokkaido Powder Week with Jenny Jones is running 15-23 January 2017 and costs £3499pp* including:

• Flights and transfers
• Twin or double share B&B accommodation
• 6 day lift pass
• 5 hosted/guided days
• 2 yoga classes
• Cooking class with dinner

The experience is for high intermediate to expert snowboarders - powder experience is essential. For more details or reservations please call Andrea on 01273 224067 or email andrea@skisafari.com.

* Price subject to flight availability at the time of booking. Secure your place with a deposit of £500pp. Book by 14 October.