We speak to photographer Chad Clark about his love for the outdoors and how this led to founding a company that captures precious memories and Hokkaido’s beauty.
Faith, trust, and powder dust! Niseko’s world-renowned snow doesn’t just draw in skiers and snowboarders — it also inspires new adventures. For Chad Clark, founder of Sea and Summit Media, what started as a winter trip to experience Hokkaido’s legendary powder turned into a lifelong love affair with the region’s landscapes, lifestyle, and year-round outdoor magic.
Since launching in 2017, Sea and Summit Media has grown from guided ski and snowboard photography tours into a full-fledged media company, creating stunning visuals for travelers, tourism boards, and brands alike. Whether it’s waist-deep turns in January or lakeside hikes in July, Chad and his team capture the moments that make Hokkaido unforgettable.
Read on to discover what makes Niseko so special to Chad, how he turned his passion into a thriving business, and his insider tips on the island’s can’t miss experiences.
What first brought you to Niseko, and what convinced you to stay?
I grew up skiing on the icy hills of the United States’ east coast before moving to California, where I took up snowboarding. Experiencing powder for the first time got me hooked, and I was drawn to Niseko by all of the industry magazine photos and videos of Hokkaido’s famous snow. It turned out to be even better than I imagined, and within a couple of weeks I knew I’d need to rearrange my life to spend every winter here.
After a few winter seasons, I stayed for the green season, encouraged by locals’ rave reviews. Summers here are incredible! I fell in love with the island, the people, the food and the overall quality of life.
How does Niseko’s outdoor scene compare to other locations you know well?
Hokkaido makes up 20 percent of Japan’s land mass, with less than 5 percent of the population. Nature is everywhere and very accessible, from volcanic mountain ranges to rivers and caldera lakes. It’s a dream for anyone who loves the outdoors, with winter’s spectacular powder and summer’s temperate weather.
What really sets Hokkaido apart is its quality of life. It’s affordable, incredibly safe and rich with Japanese culture. The air, rivers and lakes are the cleanest in Japan, and the food is possibly the country’s best — fresh produce in the green season, plus outstanding seafood, meat, dairy and more.
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Why did you decide to set up Sea and Summit Media, and how has it evolved?
I started Sea and Summit Media in 2017 to build a career around my love for the outdoors and visual arts. Initially, I offered guided ski and snowboard photography tours, allowing me to be on the mountains daily in winter, which is my dream job!
When the pandemic hit, I began creating media for brands, tourism organisations, travel companies, hotels, restaurants, and real estate firms, and now our company offers both commercial media services and private tours for Hokkaido visitors. In winter, our team provides guided snow sports photography tours, snowmobiling and outdoor portrait photography. While in summer, we’re expanding into outdoor photography workshops and customised travel experiences.
We’re also passionate about sharing our love for Niseko and Hokkaido and promoting tourism through our account @nisekojapan on Instagram.
What sets your approach apart when capturing someone’s experience in Niseko?
We’re just as excited as our guests to ride the best snow on earth. With conditions changing daily, our knowledge of snow and wind patterns removes the guesswork, ensuring guests get the most out of their time on the slopes—and we get to capture it all, sending them home with photos and videos of their unforgettable Hokkaido experience.
Whether it’s their first time on powder snow or they’re seasoned experts, we offer a fully customised, one-of-a-kind experience that stays with our guests long after they return home. Many of our guests come back year after year, and that’s a true testament to how special this place really is.
You get a lot of clients who love winter but don’t do winter sports. How do you make Niseko just as memorable for them?
For these guests, we offer outdoor portrait photography sessions, snowmobile tours, photography workshops, and scenic tours away from the hustle and bustle of Niseko. The resort and town are already an experience in themselves, but I always recommend taking some time to travel between resorts to enjoy the snow-covered landscapes and see just how beautiful Hokkaido is in winter.
Other activities we suggest include visiting local onsens, snowshoeing, exploring distilleries and artisan food purveyors, and, of course, indulging in the incredible dining experiences Niseko and Hokkaido are known for.
Summer is also a highlight in Niseko, Furano and Rusutsu. Flower fields aside, what do you recommend checking out?
Hiking through national parks, paddling or relaxing by any of the island’s epic lakes, soaking in the crystal-clear, azure waters of the Sea of Japan — and did I mention the food? There’s also a growing mountain biking scene thanks to the crew at NAMBA (Niseko Area Mountain Bike Association), plus world-class golf.
If you visit between July and September, you’ll find many events and festivals (matsuri) happening across Hokkaido. I highly recommend planning your trip around one or several of these matsuri — they’re good fun and a true window into the local culture.
For first-timers to Niseko, what’s one shot they shouldn’t leave without?
A shot of them enjoying our famous powder snow, of course! And Mount Yotei, our local volcano. No matter how many times you see it, it never gets old.
Learn more about Sea and Summit Media by visiting their website and following them on Instagram at @seaandsummitmedia
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