Japan is famous for many reasons, and skiing is definitely one of them. With lots of deep powder and good infrastructure to support skiers, it’s a dream destination. And several Japanese ski brands highlight this.
My name is Christine, and I’ve been an avid skier for decades. I get out in the snow as often as possible during the winter and love everything about the sport. I’ve used many ski brands over the years and have first-hand experience with several Japanese options.
This post will highlight a few good Japanese ski brands. I’ll provide you with some background on each brand, tell you what products they offer, and give you some other related information.
Let’s dive in.
1. Ogasaka Ski
Ogasaka is a top Japanese ski brand with a unique and interesting history. The brand has technically been around for over 100 years, and it’s been a leader in Japan’s ski industry for nearly that entire time.
Ogasaka was the first brand to start to produce skis in Japan, with its first concepts showing up around 1911. The company didn’t make many skis at first, but as the popularity of the sport grew in the country and around the world, production would soon ramp up.
In the 1930s, Ogasaka became a prominent ski manufacturer, and things began to take off. The next few decades saw the brand continue to develop, and it officially became a ski manufacturer in 1958.
Today, Ogasaka continues a long-standing tradition of making high-quality skis that blend superior construction with attention to fine details. The result is skis that perform really well in all sorts of on-snow situations.
Ogasaka skis aren’t that well-known outside of Japan, but if you ever have the chance to ski on them, you should take full advantage of the opportunity. This might mean renting them on a Japan ski trip, which is a dream for many skiers.
The brand has an extensive collection of skis available today, and skiers of all kinds can find something to match their needs or preferences on the mountain. All of these feature innovative designs and cutting-edge technology.
2. Roko Ski
Roko is another amazing Japanese ski brand, and this one is super innovative and exciting. It doesn’t have the same history as Ogasaka but reflects the modern movement of skiing in Japan and around the world.
Roko skis were designed for skiing Hokkaido snow, which is an area known for having deep powder and lots of it. This presents challenges for the average resort ski, and something was needed to stand out and give skiers an unreal experience.
After some trial and error, the designers for Roko developed a prototype that was truly amazing in deeper snow and soon began to attract attention. The brand quickly grew from there and continues to build on this legacy today.
If you ever get the chance to go skiing in Japan, you should definitely try to ski on Roko models. They will allow you to truly take advantage of the unique snow conditions that abound in the country, and that alone makes it worth it.
The Ppod and Platform 1+ are two popular models currently available from Roko. You can customize these skis to suit your needs and preferences, which is another reason to support the brand.
Roko also makes a lot of gear and equipment related to deep snow skiing, such as avalanche beacons and shovels. It’s also a good idea to be well-prepared if you head into the backcountry, and this equipment is designed with that in mind.
3. Descente
Another great ski brand to explore from Japan is Descente. This brand is pretty well-known in skiing circles all over the world, but not many people realize that it’s a Japanese ski brand.
Descente doesn’t make skis or other hard goods for skiing, but it does make some excellent outerwear, including ski jackets. Descente ski jackets are extremely well-designed and will keep you warm and comfortable skiing anywhere in the world.
The company has been around since the 1950s and was founded by one of Japan’s first professional skiers. This origin story is interesting, and the skier-focused mentality it allowed sticks with the brand into today.
Descente has many different ski jacket models for men, women, and children. This is a solid option if you are looking for a high-quality jacket that will keep you warm while providing lasting durability. The brand has an excellent reputation and releases new models every season.
Another great thing about Descente is that it utilizes cutting-edge technology in its ski jacket designs. A Motion 3D fabric pattern allows for an uninhibited range of motion, allowing you to ski as hard as you want without being held back.
Final Thoughts
The Japanese ski brands mentioned above are all worth exploring if you plan on visiting Japan or just want to support a company based in the country. With unique ideas and the latest use of technologies, these brands offer a lot for skiers of all kinds.
Have you ever used one of the Japanese ski brands mentioned here? Let me know in the comments below.
