CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Bike rider, Takayama, Japan. During our trip to Japan in January 2023 we island-hopped from Hokkaido to Honshu to explore a new-to-us zone. We were met with subpar weather and snow conditions, so we bailed and had a few days to kill, reset and plan for the next storm to hit. Takayama was the place for it, a beautiful little city with great food. We spent our down days strolling around town, eating well and observing the local culture. Nicholas Wolken, Asahikawa, Japan. Nico found this ski mask at a local hardware store somewhere outside of Asahikawa and it became his trademark look for the remainder of the trip. Lars Popp, Lake Tahoe, CA. Splitboarding through the forests around Donner Pass was one of my favorite memories of our first trip to Tahoe. Such beautiful and quiet moments looking up at the tall, towering trees. Throw in Lars with a pair of super-fast sunglasses and you get an even more picturesque view. Spencer O’Brien, Truckee, CA. Snack-queen Spencer at the local Shell gas station, loading up on a “big bag” of teriyaki beef jerky, rip rolls, ranch-flavored Corn Nuts, and a beer. We had an hour drive to and from our Airbnb in Portola, CA, so the snack game went hard on the drive home after a long day in the mountains. Nicholas Wolken, Lake Tahoe, CA. Tahoe has some really interesting features and rock formations—one of my favorite things about that place, along with the beautiful forests. Thomas Stöckli, Laax, Switzerland. Gotta love it when bad weather days unexpectedly turn really, really good once you get to the top of the resort and above the clouds. Judging by the empty chairlifts, not many folks decided to take the risk and head out on this day. I’m glad we did. 088 THE SNOWBOARDER’S JOURNAL
The Snowboarder's Journal The Snowboarder's Journal 22.1: Page 88
