From April 6th to 11th, 2026, the all-season international mountain resort 'Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU' hosted Asia's first-ever 'Swatch Nines Snow' for six days. Swatch Nines is a new movement, different from traditional competitive sports. There are no winners or losers, and no rules exist. No stress, no competition, no bibs. It was born as a platform for top riders, who have been active on the global stage, to purely express themselves through their riding.

Swatch Nines began in 2008. Its founder, Nico Zacek, is a former professional skier from Germany who has been involved in the development of the freeskiing scene.

Nico Zacek

Having spent many years in the world of competition, Zacek felt a sense of liberation and overwhelming fun when skiing with friends on his days off. This led him to believe that "riders need a place to express themselves more freely and creatively." This was the catalyst for starting the 'Nine Knights' project, a place to challenge new tricks and styles, which has now evolved into the current Swatch Nines.

Until now, Swatch Nines has been held at international snow resorts in places like Switzerland. The reason Niseko was chosen as the venue for its first Asian event in 2026 is its high-quality snow and overwhelming snowfall.

One of Zacek's passions is natural snow. In Niseko, there is an abundance of snow to create a large-scale course, and its quality is premium powder snow, so exceptional it's called 'JAPOW'. In addition, the maturity of Japan's snow sports culture and the presence of many world-class riders were also contributing factors.

What is most wonderful is the scenery with Mt. Yotei, known as Ezo Fuji, in the background. The world-class tricks performed by athletes and Olympians from around the globe are broadcast worldwide online. This famous Hokkaido mountain, also listed among the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, was a crucial element in enhancing the appeal of the works of filmmakers and photographers.

An essential part of Swatch Nines' appeal is its innovative course layout. The designs of these courses incorporate the opinions of the riders.

In October 2025, top riders gathered in Niseko to hold a workshop and discuss the course. Based on their input, ideas for a fluid course composition utilizing gentle curves and a design allowing for diverse approaches were born.

This resulted in the creation of a groundbreaking platform that fully brings out the riders' creativity and enjoyment, featuring an integrated skate pavilion that can be used for skateboarding, skiing, and snowboarding, a 50-meter long rail, a big air jump, and numerous flow sections.

Professional skier Shiori Takahashi, who participates in competitions and shows around the world, commented, "I think it's truly amazing that they were able to build such a large section in Niseko."

On the first day of Swatch Nines, April 6th, riders from various countries gathered in Niseko. They mingled at a welcome night, and from the 7th to the 10th, early morning sessions and filming began.

The sessions were filled with a free and creative atmosphere, devoid of the tension found in competitions. Riders inspired each other while challenging new ideas and tricks.

On the other hand, some riders spent several days focusing on a single trick, creating a unique world where fun and seriousness coexisted. There was a constant sense of excitement about 'what will be created next,' and this passion was palpable not only from the riders but also from the film crew and the audience.

Indeed, many iconic moments were born, such as American rider Jay Rawe successfully landing the first-ever flare (an advanced aerial trick combining a backflip and a spin) on a sit-ski. The challenging and experimental atmosphere unique to the session was prominent.

Jay Rawe's session

"I don't usually do a lot of jumps, but after participating this time, I want to jump more," says Takahashi. In the process of free expression, she also had new realizations, such as rediscovering her love for wall rides. She also mentioned being greatly inspired by the rare opportunity for snowboarders and skiers to interact.

According to Zacek, what was impressive was "the atmosphere where not just the riders, but everyone involved, including the building team, filming team, and management team, came together as one to celebrate each other's challenges and successes." This sense of unity, sharing the same vision and creating the moment together beyond their roles, is a charm that only an event like Swatch Nines can offer.

The final day, the 11th, was planned as a public viewing day to showcase this unique world to many people, but it was unfortunately canceled for safety reasons due to bad weather. However, 'RIDE WITH PRO,' an event for children living in nearby areas to enjoy a small-group session with participating athletes, was held as scheduled.

At first, there was a sense of nervousness on both sides, but once they started riding, they quickly broke the ice and a friendly atmosphere emerged. After the session, they actively interacted, taking photos together, making it a time where they could experience firsthand the joy of riding together under the common bond of snow sports.

Swatch Nines will continue to emphasize "providing value different from competition," and plans to evolve as a creativity-focused event by collaborating not only with snow sports but also with other action sports like surfing, skateboarding, and mountain biking. A return to the Niseko area in 2028 is also being considered, indicating a vision for continuous development.

Japan produces many outstanding riders who lead the world not only in snow sports but also in skateboarding. One of the goals is to fuse these to create a new culture and establish it as part of the Japanese scene.

By holding the event in new locations, this movement will spread further, inspiring the younger generation. We look forward to the future developments of Swatch Nines.