Kotaro Yamamoto

Kotaro Yamamoto

Where are you from, when did you begin skiing and telemarking, where do you ski most now?

I’m from Nagano, Japan. I started skiing when I was 3 at Shiga-Kogen Ski Area, with most of my time spent in Okushiga Area. I made the transition to telemark in search of powder when I was 10. I’ve spent some time in Canada as well as Europe, but now I’m back on the local hill where I live.

What do you love about telemarking?

Telemark makes any and every turn more fun. I enjoy the analog feeling it offers in the backcountry, having to make little adjustments with every turn according to the ever changing snow conditions. With an alpine set up, you can’t always pick up on the minute changes in the snow, therefore, telemark is harder than alpine, but for me that’s the most intriguing part of telemark.

What do you like about our bindings?

I really like the smooth and natural feeling 22 Designs’ bindings offer. Even when pushed to its limits, I can trust its durability and ski with a peace of mind, even in the backcountry. Also, thanks to the reliable customer service, I can start the season with my gear in pristine condition.What do you like to do for fun when you’re not skiing? Without a doubt, fishing in the mountains and the ocean. It requires paying attention to the weather as well as the moon phase, and I love those little moments of alignment. I love spending time in nature. And above all, the fish I catch tastes especially delicious.