At Next Stage Snow Sports, our journey began with a shared passion for the mountains and a deep-rooted love for snowsports. Nestled in the heart of the Niseko area in Hokkaido, Japan, we have dedicated ourselves to crafting unparalleled experiences that fuse the thrill of adventure with the expertise of seasoned professionals.
After 22 years and 34 seasons of teaching and guiding, Bryan’s energy and passion for the sport only gets stronger. As a NZSIA Trainer and Examiner, he spends his winters mostly training instructors and taking eager skiers and snowboarders into the Niseko Backcountry.
Filling his other days is getting people of all ages to love the sport and make the most of their time on the mountain.When spring hits, he can be found touring out in the mountains, always keen to explore somewhere new.
Highlighting the day, Bryan is always keen to take you to his favourite restaurants as he loves the culinary diversity that is Niseko.
Coming from Taiwan, Elaine discovered her passion for snowsports doing a winter season during a career break at Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand. She has since done over 15 seasons of instructing across Japan and New Zealand.
Not naturally athletic, Elaine understands the struggle and fear when learning a new sport but also the joy and satisfaction you can get from excelling at it.Elaine looks forward to sharing her passion and love for snowsports with you in Niseko. She can teach snowboarding and skiing in both English and Mandarin.
Hi im Greg (aka OG) from the south of New Zealand. I've been working in the snowsports industry since 2011. With seasons in North America, Europe, China, New Zealand and multiple seasons teaching/training/coaching here in Japan.
SBINZ certified snowboard instructor trainer and examiner (also PSIA certified Level 2 ski instructor).
Weather your just getting into boarding, or want to land any new tricks, learn the ways of riding Japans famous powder snow, or keen to be shown the best pow stashes. Lets go! Even if you want to nerd out and perfect your technical riding and understanding of this sport. You name, it lets do it!
My spare time, I love going for splitboard adventures and are currently collecting and learning off snow hobbies to add to my surfing, sailing, mountain biking and paragliding.
I Also look forward to visiting Japan in summer one day!
Originally from the Slovak High Tatra Mountains, Tom brings to our team over 35 seasons of experience in Snowsports management, guiding and teaching. Tom is a fully certified instructor and former trainer. With 8 seasons in Niseko he knows the backcountry just like a local.
Tom is ready to share his experience and passion for snowsports with everyone.
Skiing has been part of my life since my early childhood. With time and great experiences it became more and more my passion. I dedicated over 20 years to teaching, coaching in Slovakia, Austria and Japan, sharing my passion with kids, adults, beginners or experienced skiers. After I have finished III. level of ski instructor education in 2004, I started educating and training ski instructors on all three levels.
Few years later I began coaching young ski racers. Skiing and above all backcountry skiing, steep slope skiing is still my passion and winter belongs to my favourite season of the year. Now I am looking forward for Japan snow – best powder snow, to guide you, teach you or refine your skiing skills, to improve your performance and above all having great time and fun.
With over 10 years experience, Mereana still absolutely loves teaching skiing! She is an NZSIA Trainer and Examiner and has instructed in Queenstown, Canada and Niseko. Recently she returned to university gaining a BSc in Exercise and Sport Science and a Masters in Physiotherapy with an interest in movement analysis and performance .
She enjoys skiing powder, bumps and groomers but mostly loves to share her knowledge so that everyone feels confident to enjoy and explore the mountains.
Monica is an NZISA Ski Examiner and Trainer from Auckland, New Zealand. As a Children Certification Examiner in NZ, she excels at teaching kids and loves taking them for a fantastic experience on the mountain. Working in New Zealand, Japan and Canada, she is inspiring new instructors through training programs and camps, sharing the knowledge and building passion for instructors all over the world.
Monica has been selected for the New Zealand Tech Team in 2024, helping lead the development of the industry for the NZSIA. Her focus is female biomechanics and body functions in skiing.
Also holding the ISIA Stamp Level Avalanche cert, she’s keen to get turns out in the backcountry whenever she can. She loves ramen and is always willing to get a table at her favourite restaurant, Del Sol in Annupuri.
Tom is a friendly kiwi who has spent 9 years of his childhood living in South East Asia, before moving to New Zealand. Starting instructing back in 2014, he has years of experience teaching both skiing, snowboarding, adults, children, beginner to advance lessons and everything in between.
Fully certified snowboard instructor, with park and kids cert with his ski level 1. His main passion is freestyle, but loves all aspects of riding. With years of experience he has built up a strong set of skills and experience to help all levels of lessons.
Loves introducing this incredible sport to new people and helping to further develop others with their riding or skiing. Seeing other progress while having a fun time is what keeps him ticking.
Meet Claudia, an enthusiastic and skilled NZSIA/SBINZ instructor hailing from Taiwan. She has been instructing since 2017 and spends winters in both New Zealand and Japan.
Come join Claudia and share the fun of snowboarding together! She might tell you her own favourite spot on the slope.
Theo hails from New Zealand, having skied there since he was 3 years old. His passion for the snow led him to become an instructor in 2021 and he hasn’t stopped since.
Returning to Niseko for his 3rd season, he has a wealth of knowledge of the surrounding area in resort and in the backcountry. In his time off, he will usually be touring deep in to the bountiful backcountry of Hokkaido.
He is accredited with an NZ Avalanche Risk Management (ARM) Level 5, NZSIA Ski Level 2, Freeski Level 1 and Kids Cert Level 1.
Theo is dedicated to teaching skiers of all ages and abilities, from beginners taking their first steps on the snow to advanced skiers looking to refine their techniques or ski some of the worlds best powder snow.
Overall, fun is one of his top priorities (and coffee too)!
Shea brings 6 seasons of experience from the Southern Hemisphere to his teaching, holding full NZSIA certification and currently working toward Trainer’s Certification. With additional qualifications in Children’s, Race, and Freeski, he is well-equipped to support skiers of all ages and abilities.
His passion for skiing stems from weekends spent at Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand's active skiable volcano, where he quickly developed a love for freestyle and park skiing. Shea is excited to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport, helping you progress on your skiing journey.
Having grown up on the West Coast of Auckland, NZ Shea spent his childhood surfing the black sand beaches from the age of 6 and skiing since the age of 2. Now, he’s looking forward to embracing Japan’s legendary powder and sharing his love of skiing with students around the world.
