MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR PRESENTS
BIG DAY
In Japan, the only place to ride early-season
November snow is a wild zone called Tateyama in the
Japanese Alps. Mt. Dainichi—which aptly translates
to ‘Big Day Mountain’ in English—resides there. After
November, the area gets so much snow that they
close access through the winter, with riders and
skiers unable to reach the terrain until April or later.
Just a few weeks ago, during an incredibly narrow
3-day weather window between giant storms, MHW
athletes Daisuke Mizuma and Keisuke Yoshida
threaded the needle right into the most perfect
conditions you can imagine. For a mountain with
such an enticing name, it sure lived up to it.
November snow is a wild zone called Tateyama in the
Japanese Alps. Mt. Dainichi—which aptly translates
to ‘Big Day Mountain’ in English—resides there. After
November, the area gets so much snow that they
close access through the winter, with riders and
skiers unable to reach the terrain until April or later.
Just a few weeks ago, during an incredibly narrow
3-day weather window between giant storms, MHW
athletes Daisuke Mizuma and Keisuke Yoshida
threaded the needle right into the most perfect
conditions you can imagine. For a mountain with
such an enticing name, it sure lived up to it.
MHW JAPAN ATHLETE & GUIDE
DAISUKE MIZUMA
Daisuke is a mountain and ski guide, born in 1978 in Toyama City, Toyama, Japan. After earning his professional stripes in snowboarding by specializing in halfpipe comps, he now focuses his winters touring and riding in the backcountry zones around his hometown, where this film was made.
In addition to his guiding work, Daisuke seeks out the ultimate lines he dreams of, exploring new pitches and expressing his passion for riding through videos and photos. He proudly collaborated with the designers at MOSS Snowstick to help produce the MATAGI SPLIT board, is an ambassador of his local ski resort, and produces a banked slalom competition for amateur snowboarders and skiers.
In addition to his guiding work, Daisuke seeks out the ultimate lines he dreams of, exploring new pitches and expressing his passion for riding through videos and photos. He proudly collaborated with the designers at MOSS Snowstick to help produce the MATAGI SPLIT board, is an ambassador of his local ski resort, and produces a banked slalom competition for amateur snowboarders and skiers.
"When it comes to the start of the snow season in Japan, it's all about autumn in
Tateyama. It's the earliest time in Japan when you can aim for big lines in the alpine
area. Keisuke and I had our first session there. We predicted the best conditions in my
hometown of Tateyama, set our sights, and headed for Mount Dainichi with confidence.
These two days, with miraculously perfect conditions, were truly a 'big day’ for us."
-Daisuke Mizuma
Tateyama. It's the earliest time in Japan when you can aim for big lines in the alpine
area. Keisuke and I had our first session there. We predicted the best conditions in my
hometown of Tateyama, set our sights, and headed for Mount Dainichi with confidence.
These two days, with miraculously perfect conditions, were truly a 'big day’ for us."
-Daisuke Mizuma
(日本のスノーシーズンのスタートと言えば秋の立山。日本でも1番早い時期にアルパインエリアでのビック
ラインを狙える場所で、僕とケイスケは初めてのセッションを迎えた。地元立山で最高のコンディショ
ンを予測し、狙いを定め当てにいった大日岳。奇跡的な条件が整ったこの2日間はまさに"BIG DAY"となった。)
ラインを狙える場所で、僕とケイスケは初めてのセッションを迎えた。地元立山で最高のコンディショ
ンを予測し、狙いを定め当てにいった大日岳。奇跡的な条件が整ったこの2日間はまさに"BIG DAY"となった。)
MHW JAPAN ATHLETE
KEISUKE YOSHIDA
Born in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, Japan, Keisuke has been snowboarding for nearly two and a half decades. After being in the comp scene focusing on halfpipe, Keisuke now directs his snowboarding energy toward riding for photos and films in the Hokkaido backcountry. Last year, Mountain Hardwear released a video project titled Backyard, showcasing footage capturing a winter of riding around Hokkaido.
"There are still so many undiscovered places in Japan, and I wanted to embark
on a trip exploring the locals. This time, it was my first experience in autumn at
Tateyama. Within the expansive alpine space, the lifelines were firmly established,
making everything feel refreshingly new. Thanks to the perfect setup by the local
expert, Daisuke, who knows every nook and cranny of Tateyama, and the excellent
snow conditions, we were able to kick off the season with the best possible start.
This trip became an exploration of the top-quality autumn experience that
Tateyama hasto offer, a place previously unknown to me in Japan."
-Keisuke Yoshida
on a trip exploring the locals. This time, it was my first experience in autumn at
Tateyama. Within the expansive alpine space, the lifelines were firmly established,
making everything feel refreshingly new. Thanks to the perfect setup by the local
expert, Daisuke, who knows every nook and cranny of Tateyama, and the excellent
snow conditions, we were able to kick off the season with the best possible start.
This trip became an exploration of the top-quality autumn experience that
Tateyama hasto offer, a place previously unknown to me in Japan."
-Keisuke Yoshida
(日本でまだまだ知らない場所はたくさんあってローカルを巡るトリップをしたかった。今回は
初めての秋の立山で、360度アルパインの宇宙空間の中にライフラインがしっかり整備されていて、
全てが新鮮だった。立山を知り尽くしているローカルの大ちゃんの完璧なセットアップと雪の良いコ
ンディションが重なって最高なシーズンインを迎える事ができた。日本の秋のトップクオリティーは
立山にある事を知るトリップになった。)
初めての秋の立山で、360度アルパインの宇宙空間の中にライフラインがしっかり整備されていて、
全てが新鮮だった。立山を知り尽くしているローカルの大ちゃんの完璧なセットアップと雪の良いコ
ンディションが重なって最高なシーズンインを迎える事ができた。日本の秋のトップクオリティーは
立山にある事を知るトリップになった。)
"There are still so many undiscovered places in Japan, and I wanted to embark
on a trip exploring the locals. This time, it was my first experience in autumn at
Tateyama. Within the expansive alpine space, the lifelines were firmly established,
making everything feel refreshingly new. Thanks to the perfect setup by the local
expert, Daisuke, who knows every nook and cranny of Tateyama, and the excellent
snow conditions, we were able to kick off the season with the best possible start.
This trip became an exploration of the top-quality autumn experience that
Tateyama hasto offer, a place previously unknown to me in Japan."
-Keisuke Yoshida
on a trip exploring the locals. This time, it was my first experience in autumn at
Tateyama. Within the expansive alpine space, the lifelines were firmly established,
making everything feel refreshingly new. Thanks to the perfect setup by the local
expert, Daisuke, who knows every nook and cranny of Tateyama, and the excellent
snow conditions, we were able to kick off the season with the best possible start.
This trip became an exploration of the top-quality autumn experience that
Tateyama hasto offer, a place previously unknown to me in Japan."
-Keisuke Yoshida
(日本でまだまだ知らない場所はたくさんあってローカルを巡るトリップをしたかった。今回は
初めての秋の立山で、360度アルパインの宇宙空間の中にライフラインがしっかり整備されていて、
全てが新鮮だった。立山を知り尽くしているローカルの大ちゃんの完璧なセットアップと雪の良いコ
ンディションが重なって最高なシーズンインを迎える事ができた。日本の秋のトップクオリティーは
立山にある事を知るトリップになった。)
初めての秋の立山で、360度アルパインの宇宙空間の中にライフラインがしっかり整備されていて、
全てが新鮮だった。立山を知り尽くしているローカルの大ちゃんの完璧なセットアップと雪の良いコ
ンディションが重なって最高なシーズンインを迎える事ができた。日本の秋のトップクオリティーは
立山にある事を知るトリップになった。)
FILM CREDITS
RIDE LIKE DAISUKE & KEISUKE
SWIPE THEIR STYLES
SWIPE THEIR STYLES
THEIR DEN
ON DAINICHI:
THE SPACE STATION™ DOME TENT
The hub of any basecamp on high-altitude expeditions like this, this iconic design helped make this film possible by providing study shelter for the whole crew.
BEST IN CLASS
EXPEDITION TENTS
EXPEDITION TENTS
