Meet Shoko, a skier born and raised in the snow-covered wonderland of Towada City, Aomori. From her first wobbly turns at the age of six, skiing quickly became her winter ritual—until high school whisked her away from her snowy hometown.

Now living under the sun in Brisbane, Australia, Shoko hasn’t let the tropical vibes melt her passion for skiing. She rekindled her love for the slopes during a trip back to Japan with her daughter, where she rediscovered the thrill of gliding through powder. Inspired by this fresh chapter, Shoko swapped Brisbane’s beaches for the mountains and now shares her joy for skiing as an instructor.