Last week was an emotional one here in Niseko as on Friday we said farewell to Trever Ponting a kiwi born Niseko local who had been coming to the area for more than 20 years. Trevor or Trev as he was better known was also a valued member of the Holiday Niseko team working as our head of snow clearing in the winter and staff carpenter in the warmer months. If you had ever come across Trev while staying with us you would likely have seen the lengths he would go to help others and to share his experience of the area with anyone who was interested. We take a closer look at Trev the father, pioneering snowboarder and skateboarder, rock climber, teacher and so much more to the many people he came into contact with.

Trevor first came to Niseko in the mid nineties with good friend Quentin Robbins drawn by the areas incredible snow and lucrative snowboard sponsorship contracts that were on offer in Japan at the time. Trev was living his life as most can only dream of without fixed abode, foot loose and fancy free. It is to people like Trev who we owe the global discovery of Niseko for without them the early pioneers, word may never have gotten out as to how amazing the place is. If you had ever stood at the bar for a chat with Trev you would know his early days in Niseko were not without drama and on more than one occasion he was responsible for saving the lives of those trapped in avalanches and many more eye opening adventures. Since those early pioneering days Trev enjoyed more untracked runs down the slopes of Hirafu than any of us and ten friends could ever hope to do but he did not try to keep Niseko to himself and was responsible for introducing and guiding countless numbers of people here. Bringing people to Niseko was the ultimate for Trev and for him sharing smiles, turns and experiences was what he loved best.

Trevor was one of the forefathers of skateboarding and snowboarding in New Zealand and he passed on his wisdom and experience to many. He built up a skate scene in Methven literally with his own hands first with a ramp in his back yard and later getting the Methven community skatepark up and runnning. If you were a snowboarder and passed through Methven most likley you stopped at Trevs place for a skate, a beer and a yarn. Trevs ramp was skated by some of the greatest snowboarders in history, even Terje Haakonsen stopped by for a roll. If you stopped by Trevors place you were welcomed with open arms, he was a man that gave whenever the opportunity arose and his contributions to the New Zealand skate and snow scene will last a life time.

At the beginning of 2020 Trevor under went brain surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and once he was released from hospital and was able, set about pursuing his passions once more. With the support of his wife Aiko Trev was able to share these passions with his young family, Mia pictured above and 1 year old Toa who although was not quite ready for climbing was definitely keen on lego with Dad, which Trev informed us he was very good at, Trev that is. Trev spent last summer where he wanted to be perched high on the cliffs of Hokkaido making every reach and hold count.

From everyone here at Holiday Niseko we send our love and condolences to Trevors family and friends at his home in New Zealand and those here Niseko and elsewhere. We will miss ya mate, Rest in Powder good friend.