episode Fourteen
Ep 14 – From Powder Dreams to Property Schemes: Clayton Kernaghan on Niseko’s Wild Ride
In Episode 14 of Only Friends on a Pow Day, Austin sits down with Clayton Kernaghan — Canadian shredder, founder of Black Diamond Lodge, owner/operator of Hokkaido Backcountry Club, and one of Niseko’s most respected guides.
Clayton takes us deep into the history of Niseko, starting with his first trip in the mid-90s when snowboarding exploded in Japan. He shares how he built Black Diamond Lodge, grew a guiding business that attracted the world’s best pros, and eventually pioneered heli and cat-skiing operations in Hokkaido.
But Clayton isn’t just here for nostalgia. He’s brutally honest about the real estate chaos gripping Niseko — where agents legally flip properties within a day, driving prices through the roof and reshaping local culture. From wild bubble years to today’s luxury-focused scene, Clayton explains how Niseko has changed and what that means for staff, locals, and visiting riders.
This is an episode about snow, business, culture, and the fine line between progress and profiteering. Whether you’re a powder hound, a snow industry insider, or just curious about Japan’s ski boom, this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods.
#OnlyFriendsOnAPowDay #Niseko #SkiJapan #Snowboarding #SkiCulture #Backcountry #HeliSkiing #CatSkiing #PowderHounds #SkiLife #JapanTravel
