Guide diaries: Matt Wiseman

Guide diaries: Matt Wiseman

When it comes to local secrets, there are no better experts than our guides here at Niseko Photography & Guiding. We’re spending the next few weeks asking each of them a series of questions. Next up is Matt Wiseman – a young, driven skier and a talented photographer/videographer. In his spare time he works as a writer and editor for Transfer Magazine, Mountainwatch and Chill Factor, whilst completing a double degree in Journalism/Law.

Where did you grow up, Matt?
I grew up in a town called Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

How did you start skiing/boarding?
Like most, I inherited my love for skiing from my parents. We’d visit the snow in Australia every few years or so growing up and I quickly realized I had two very expensive hobbies in skiing and photography.

Favourite local spot to ski or board:
It really depends on what the snow’s doing. When it comes to resort riding in Niseko, you can’t beat the back bowls off Annupuri… if you can beat the crowd. I’ve also had some epic early December conditions in Miharashi this year. Otherwise, ski touring locally yields some fun terrain but I won’t name names…

Favourite thing to do on a day off:
My days off look very similar to my working days in that I still go skiing and I still take a lot of photos.
Perhaps the best day off of snow is a trip to the seaside, I’m particularly fond of Yoichi. Last time I was there I watched 3-5 foot barrels arc their way to shore whilst it puked down snow

Favourite place to eat:
Lawson.

Favourite piece of guiding or photography equipment:
My skis and my camera would have to be my most essential picks. As for my favourite gear, I’m a big fan of my F-Stop backpack that accommodates all my other bits and pieces such as onigiri and chocolate.

It’s a powder day! What do you do first?
Wake up then reach for my widest skis… It’s worth mentioning I haven’t skied my all mountain set up once here…

What do you love about Japan?
The people and the powder and the poultry… (read: fried chicken).

What do you wish you knew about Japan before you got here?
Japanese.

Find Matt on Instagram here.