The Japan Journals blokes, in their own words, “left the best till last” and so the last webisode of the season sees the boys sign off with a bang as they score awesome pow north of Niseko.

Loading themselves into the Rhythm Van, a crew comprised of Nick Hyne, Nick Brown, Connor Harding and Alex Stewart hit the blacktop from Niseko as far north as the Japanese roads allowed. Pitching up in Wakkanai – a mere 5 hour ferry ride from Russia – they get busy with one foot shenanigans and double corks all while scoring blower pow. As they say, it was “an epic road trip to see off the 2013 season.”

Look forward to next year’s, boys.

The good blokes behind the Diaries Down Under series have pitched up in Nippon for the season and are dropping a succession of webisodes from the Land of the Tit Deep Pow. This first installment sees the boys take night shred to a whole other level…

Featuring Nick Hyne, Nick Brown, Connor Harding, Alex Stewart and Dane Tiene as they take night riding to another level – riding the deepest snow earth has on offer, in the middle of the night! An array of portable lights unlock locations and features that have never been seen at night before. This episode will leave you hankering for powder and have you wondering why you aren’t in Japan making the most of the deep stuff.

Springtime hits NZ, and along with some of the anticipated slushy fun sessions the Diaries Downunder boys also luck out to score some of the best pow of the season in the Queenstown area…

Springtime’s not only about slashing slush in wifebeaters – often you can find epic snow with way less crowds if you know where to look. These Kiwi boys certainly know where to go when it’s on, and they also know someone at the resort who can build them a solid booter in the middle of the bunny run to boot. If we ever head to NZ we’re hooking up with this lot – seem’s like they be running tings down under.

Spring is a season that cannot be tamed or predicted. Spring is the king of surprises and the tail end of the snow season this year in Queenstown was no exception!

In between beautiful warm, blue sky days we had storms come through that delivered some of the best powder days of the season! 
In this episode we go and make the most of the surprise powder that Spring seems to so kindly deliver – even when we think the slush has finally become the king of late season.

We make the most of the slushy spring landings and get a progression session happening after hours at The Remarkables. 
A great end to another season of good times here at the bottom of the world!

Music Credit 
Band: Black Hat Brigade 
Song: On Leave 
Produced by: Brightmind Music

In an exciting turn of events, 19-year-old Tor Lundström from Sweden has just been announced Stylewars Grandmaster 2011.

Successfully climbing his way to the top from fourth place, Lundström stole first place from young Aussie Scotty James during the two-hour competition window today. He wasted no time throwing down as many tricks as he could, including a front 10 and a back 10. His podium finish is a combination of high scores from the judges and the traditional Stylewars rider vote – where each rider from the event gets to voice their thoughts on who threw down the best performances across both days.

Tor Lundström. All photos (c) Stylewars

Thrilled with his win, he says, “I’m super stoked. The standard of riding was really high – everyone sent it.” Indeed, competition was tough. Aussie Clint Allan was hot on Lundström’s heels, and Max Buri from Switzerland really stepped it up today ranking second overall in the rider vote.

Stylewars’ best trick goes to Norway’s Gjermund Braaten for his double cork back 10 at the start of competition yesterday. Although the slopestyle component of Stylewars has come to a close, the competition is not over yet. Tomorrow night brings the famous 28 Stairs rail jam event, where a further $8000 is up for grabs. The crowning of 2011 Stylewars Stairmaster will be tough. In the spotlight will be dark horse Cees Wille who has flown all the way from The Netherlands, Kiwi rider Nick Brown, fresh from his rail comp win at the New Zealand Winter Games, and Jye Kearney, who won best Aussie rider at last year’s event. 28 Stairs will be hosted out the front of the Frying Pan in Falls Creek’s Village Bowl from 7pm.

Clint Allan and the contest setup.

Final results

1. Tor Lundstrom (SWE) – $7000 cash, Liquid Image goggles and Selk Bag

2. Clint Allan (AUS) – $2500 cash, Liquid Image goggles and Selk Bag

3. Scotty James (AUS) – $1000 cash, Liquid Image goggles and Selk Bag

4. Nick Brown (NZL)

5. Pete Long (AUS)

6. Kieran McLaughlin (AUS)

7. Dane Tiene (AUS)

8. Declan Vogel Paul (AUS)

9. Max Buri (CH)

10. Connor Harding (NZL)

11.  Mat Galina (CAN)

12. Matt Sedunary (AUS)

13. Cameron Stavely (AUS)

14. Daniel Klein (AUS)

15. Jeremy Burns (AUS)

16. Tim Nelson (AUS)

Best trick:

Gjermund Braaten, double cork back 10 – $1500 cash

Max Buri and the perks of corporate sponsorship.

Watch the latest installment of Down Under shredding, this week with a road trip from Queenstown to Mt Hutt with Pooch, Nick Hyne, Nick Brown, Ben Comber and Jordan Rehrer.

Enjoy and look forward to the Euro season start that is coming closer and closer…