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Event trailer & setup reveal — Public Day set for April 11, 2026.
Innsbruck, March 5th, 2026 – In a month, Swatch Nines opens an ambitious new chapter with its debut event in Japan. The 18th edition of the Nines snow event will take place at Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU, a legendary snow sports hotspot, located on the island of Hokkaido.
Here’s what to know:
The snow’s been deep in Japan this winter, and it’s time to unveil what Swatch Nines has planned for the resorts ample snow base.
This year’s course blends disciplines in true Nines fashion. From the fully integrated skate pavilion with features that are rideable by skateboards, skis or snowboards, to the 50-meter rail, to the big air jump and the numerous flow features, the setup offers a groundbreaking platform for creativity, progression and fun.
“We want to diversify and push skiing and snowboarding in as many directions as possible, and that is where the Nines comes in with an annual, long-standing progression session. Not only pushing trick progression but also exploring park and feature design with new ideas. And that’s what makes me most excited about this year’s set up. Especially with the “curly bracket” and a 50 meters long PVC spine with parallel running rollers – something I haven’t seen in this form before. It’s super fun exploring creative park design when you are catering for world class riders.” – Sämi Ortlieb, course designer (SKI, SUI)
The setup design process began in October 2025 when riders convened for a Creators Cabin workshop in Niseko attended by Kaishu Hirano (JPN), Takeru Otsuka (JPN), and others. Many of the concepts developed during that session now shape the final course design.
“In this year’s course, I’m looking forward to riding the big air features the most, for sure. That scale is something you only really get at Nines, and I feel like it’s where I can express my style the most. I’m excited to see how far I can push myself out there. And of course, the new skatepark they introduced this year! I actually started out skating and I still love it. I’ve got a lot of friends from the skate scene, so the fact that Nines is bringing skateboarding into the mix is just such a cool move. That definitely gets me hyped.” – Kaishu Hirano (SNB, JPN)
Swatch Nines is excited to share its unique vibe with a brand-new audience in Japan. The Public Day is set for Saturday, 11 April, when general public is invited to watch the action in person. The Public Day is a rare opportunity to observe snow sports progression in real time and experience this one-of-a-kind event setup in person. Spectating is free with a valid Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU lift pass.
Swatch Nines is a friendly antagonist to the world of competitive sports. With unique formats and venues that draw top athletes, filmmakers and photographers, the Nines celebrates human talent and creativity while channelling the original untamed spirit of action sports. Ever evolving to meet the needs of the culture, the Swatch Nines experience now spans four cornerstones of action sports: Snow, Surf, Skate and Bike.
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