I just took a vacation in Banff and that was it, looked like fun.
This is quite a way back now.

My dad was a ski instructor for 5 years in Austria so very keen and first took me to the Alps when I was 7.

Dad as a ski instructor. Bargain!

I just liked the look of it and always enjoyed playing around in snow and speed stuff. Easy choice.

Was on holiday and able to have a day out skiing - took it. That was it.

For me it was actually the football (soccer). My Brother and I had been saying that we wanted go snowboarding for ages, but another year went by and we still hadn't gone, then when we learnt that the world cup was going to be in Germany, we were going to go, but by the time we had learnt and started saving it was too late, most of the tickets were sold and we had left it too late to save enough. So we put the foot down, booked a trip to perisher and that was it....

Even though both my brother and I smashed ourselves pretty good and didn't enjoy the australian "snow" (its more like shaved ice), we wanted to go again, and started saving to go to Japan...

Grew up in Colorado.

I started surfing over 30 years ago and prior to coming to Japan lived in mostly tropical and sub-tropical places. Thus little access to snow. After moving here 11 years ago it was a natural transition to to take up snowboarding. For my first experience I was invited by a group of friends to Iwappara. One of my friends was an instructor and spent the morning giving me a private lesson. By mid-morning I was quite surprised that I starting to catch on so quickly. By afternoon my legs stiffened up and I regressed the rest of the day. That was a bit disheartening, but nevertheless I stuck with it and have been hooked ever since.

Almost everyone who tries gets hooked. True isn't it.

I'm Canadian so I ski.

(Family holiday!)

Being here in Tokyo! Had a day out with some skiing friends and loved it.

Always thought it looked like fun but never got the start but last season my Japanese friends were planning a day out in Gunma and took me along which made starting easy. Loved it right from the beginning.

My family went to Zermatt when I was 2. Didn't ski but played in the snow. The next time was when I was at college with some mates and good hooked pretty much straight away.

I got a job in Zurich and so was near to some pretty good resort areas - had to try it. And, like everyone else, got hooked.

my first ski was in Japan, actually Hunter Mountain. It was just so near and easy to check out and I loved it.

Can't remember it was so long ago.
Oh yes, just lived near snow and it was part of living there.
(Whistler)

When I first came here. Was taken to some small place in Gifu and that was it.

I bet tons of people take it up when they come to Japan. So many people within reach. The Japanese should be ashamed of themselves abandoning the slopes!

Friends.

Cheers, friends!

Dad took me out there when I was 4. I can remember crying my head off I did not enjoy it one bit. Soon changed though and cant get enough now.