Spring Skiing
Ikon Pass
Tue, 14 Apr 2026
This spring, SkiBig3 welcomed pro snowboarder and Ikon athlete Yuki Kadono to Banff National Park, where laid-back spring laps met one of snowboarding’s most creative riders. During his visit, we caught up with him to talk about his journey, his mindset, and what makes spring snowboarding at SkiBig3 so special.
Yuki first stepped onto a snowboard at age eight, inspired by his dad. Growing up in Hyogo, Japan, a place better known for its absence of snow and mountains, snowboarding wasn’t the obvious path. But from day one, it clicked. “It was a great moment for me. I made it to the bottom without any issues on the first day,” he says. Safe to say, he was hooked early.
By 14, he had already won a national contest and stepped into the world of professional competition. What followed were some seriously standout milestones: a Red Bull sponsorship at 16, the world’s first quad 1980 at 19, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, and a win at the 2020 Burton US Open. But when you ask Yuki what he’s most proud of, his answer is refreshingly simple: “I’m still snowboarding, so I think that is my biggest achievement.”
Yuki snowboarding at Banff Sunshine | Video credit: Cody Gray
That perspective says a lot about how Yuki approaches the sport. When asked what keeps him pushing, he doesn’t overthink it. “The answer is simple. I just wanted to have fun. And I don’t like to fall and get wet.” It’s that mix of lighthearted honesty and deep appreciation that makes his riding feel so effortless. “Being a pro snowboarder is hard, but it’s such a beautiful sport, and I love the art of snowboarding,” he adds.
Yuki Kadono snowboarding in the Lake Louise Easy Street Terrain Park | Photo credit: Jill Scarpato
During his March and early April visit, Yuki tapped into what makes spring riding at SkiBig3 so special. Think soft landings, longer days, and that perfect mix of park laps and big mountain exploration. Over at Lake Louise Ski Resort, he lapped the spring parks and ventured out into West Bowl. At Banff Sunshine Village, he mixed park sessions with freeride terrain, including the iconic Delirium Dive. “Fun spring boarding and beautiful nature,” is how he put it. With warmer temps, playful snow, and unreal alpine views, spring in Banff National Park delivered for Yuki.
Yuki snowboarding at Lake Louise Ski Resort | Photo credit: Jill Scarpato
Off the Resorts, Yuki leaned into Banff’s easygoing mountain town vibe. Traveling with his partner, he enjoyed how accessible everything felt, from getting around town to winding down after a day on snow. It’s the kind of place where you can go from bluebird laps to patio hangs without missing a beat.
If there’s one takeaway from Yuki’s approach, it’s this: keep it simple. “Just go have fun,” he says. It’s less about pushing for the biggest trick and more about staying present, taking in what you see, what you feel, and letting that shape your experience. “Don’t be shy about what you can do, care about the things you feel and you see.”
To follow along with Yuki’s travels and snowboarding, keep up with him on Instagram.
