Thread: SR: Hokkaido, Japan 2011 / 12

Damn, is Ian actually working??? Sick shots as usual mate.

Ha ha. Thanks.


DAY 36 : WEDNESDAY 01 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 2 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


PLAYGROUND OF THE DOGS

In a former life Ian M used to manage the Hirafu Chalet and in the winter of 2005 hosted Porter Fox and Dave Reddick from Powder magazine who were over doing a feature on Niseko.

Ian M and Porter kept in touch over the years and when it was time (long overdue) for Porter to return to Hokkaido there was only one call he was making.

Having experienced and written about the deep powder skiing of the Niseko Resort Area, Porter was looking to show a different side to Hokkaido.

Hence this ski touring trip to the Tokachi range and the hope of skiing and showcasing more technical, alpine terrain.

Photographer Jordan Manley was in the Niseko Resort Area with skiers Chad Sayers, Forrest Coots and Andre skiing and filming for the forthcoming Japan: A Skier’s Journey Ep 1 [Season 3] and Porter had asked them to head north the week before him to get the images to accompany his feature in next season's Powder.

http://jordanmanley.com/blog/japan-a-skiers-journey
http://jordanmanley.com/


Forrest Coots with a POV vid of his time on Hokkaido
http://www.powdermag.com/videos/i-th...oing-japanese/


Ian M now running his own company Niseko WOW put everything together for Jordan's party and for Porter, and invited me along for the ride.

http://niseko-wow.com/


Ian M and I left the Washington hotel in Asahikawa at 7am with the temperature guage reading -22 C and drove to Asahikawa airport to pick up Porter.





With all his luggage safely arrived, we set off for Ryouunkaku Onsen hotel in the Tokachi range. The onsen at the end of the road.

http://www.furano-kankou.com/english...Ryounkaku.html


We made a stop en route to pick up some whisky to help Porter write! The choice, Nikka Whisky, distilled in Yoichi near Otaru here on Hokkaido.

http://www.nikka.com/eng/


Ian M and Porter whisky shopping en route to Ryouunkaku Onsen, Tokachi





An hour later the owner of Ryouunkaku Onsen, Aida san, and her two dogs Cinnamon and Milk greeted us with yelps and barks and growls. The dogs not Aida san.

Our room wasn't ready on our arrival but a changing room had been set up for us to get ready to go skinning and skiing.

Unlike nearby Asahidake and Kurodake, the area has neither lifts nor mechanised uplift (cat skiing).

It was impressive to see Porter rally after an overnight flight from Kelowna, BC to Seattle, Washington to LA to Tokyo to Asahikawa and he perfectly embodied the Jaded Local's take on Ski Magazine Editors in the December 2011 issue of Powder

Bar Tabs and Free Goggles

A lot of people think that being a pro skier is the Ultimate Job in the industry. It's not. That's just being dumb enough to risk it all for an illusory Shot At The Big Time. Pros get the glamour, but in the end they're essentially just Trained Stunt Monkeys, and there's a huge lineup og younger up-and-coming primates willing to gamble a life of quadriplegia for a fist bump and middling travel budget.

A ski magazine editor, on the other hand, gets to go to all the cool places the pros go, and unlike them, can call bullshit when he doesn't feel like tempting the Wheelchair Of Fate - and has corporate health insurance for when he does. If the snow is chundery, or when he's tired from making laps past the pros while they Wait For the Light, he can retire to the bar with the ol' company credit card. There he'll most likely wax poetically to the resort P.R. girl about skiing the midnight sun in Norway.

Sure, there are standards and qualifications that go way beyond most editorial positions. You have to ski well enough to show up anywhere in the world and follow ripping locals and pros down unfamiliar terrain after a 12-hour flight and a hard night of drinking homemade 100-proof schnapps. And you have to understand the sport well enough to appreciate the goods when they're in front of you, analyze foreign snowpack, know the difference between "switch" and "fakie", be able to talk calmly to police officers in strange countries, and charm the pants off the people that run ski area marketing departments.

You can't flinch at slough management on exposed terrain and you have to be comfortable with second-year Jackson locals vibing you on the Sublette Chair, aspiring Tahoe big-mountain specialists who still think it's 2002 and their soul patch is "edgy," Coloradoans who call a 70-inch base "stacked" and Vermonters who insist their secret stash is "the best shit East of the Mississippi." And most importantly, you have to drink. And not recreationally.

If you meet one of them, it will probably go something like this:

"Hey, how's it going? I'm from Powder magazine. Yeah, we're, um, doing a story on, ummmm, the scene here. So anyway, I was wondering if you could:

a) "Mount and tune these new skis that the product manager gave me after I got him wasted at SIA?"


or:


b) "Show me where the best snow on the mountain is?"


followed by:


c) "Step aside so I can ski this fresh line now? You may get mentioned in the magazine. Here's some stickers."


and later, at the bar


d) "Tell me your girlfriend's name again?"


The crucial point to remember when a ski magazine editor asks you one of these questions is: Bar Tab. They will have one, a formidable one, and you can be a part of it. Decline the stickers, request a pair of next year's goggles (editors throw them away after two to three uses), do not tell them your girlfriend's name,a nd demand to know where the Bar Tab will be. Not only will they appreciate your natural aptitude for The Industry and possibly offer you an internship, they will probably be glad to have s6meone to help them with their boozy Brand Management burden.

The next day, as you proudly sport your new goggles and brutal hangover in the lift-line at Mount Bumf*ck and wonder why your girlfriend is so quiet, remember that Mr. Editor is now flying off to Italy or Japan, where he will have to sort out whether the local guy is saying "Go!" or "No!" as he blearily dodges slough, while making jump turns on poorly-tuned unfamiliar skis over what may be a massive dead-end cliff. If they survive that, they'll have to stay up all night dancing to crappy techno and reflexively hitting on anything that moves, while once again ceremonially sacrificing the expense account, several pairs of free goggles, and their battered livers...all for Ski Journalism.

Rest assured, even while pro skiers sleep soundly in their beds dreaming of being pro snowboarders, somewhere a ski magazine editor is turning coroprate dollars into an Armageddon-style bar tab, so that all of us can partake in the Spirit of Skiing

Jaded Local
Powder magazine
December 2011


Some but not all of the above came to pass, but Revelstoke didn't get off so lightly!

Porter kindly and expertly cut and fit my new skins and before we knew it we were out the door and on the skin track to discover what this part of the Tokachi range was all about.

Ryouunkaku Onsen and what the locals have named the TGR face





The area immediately around and below the onsen is heavily treed with a combination of old growth pine and Dr Seuss birch.

But very quickly you ascend above treeline to interconnected amphitheatres of steep faces scarred by volcanic activity. The rocks beneath your skis popping out on the windblown snowpack are yellow and sulphurous and leave streaks on your skins and your bases.

Heading up





to this









Porter in the Tokachi range





We made good time getting to our first drop in point. The snow was wind affected powder 10cm thick on a hard wind and sun crusted layer 40cm thick.

Getting ready to drop in









Porter dropped in first, followed by Ian M, and me playing tail gun charlie taking pics.

Porter skiing in the Tokachi range









Ian M skiing in the Tokachi range













On the second pitch I set off first and immediately broke through both crusts and lost a ski. Thankfully the pitch wasn't too long as I watched my ski make better turns than I did.

Porter and Ian M passed me and then I skied on one ski down the face to retrieve my ski.

Ian M headed back to the hotel to meet up with Takahiro Nakanishi - our photographer and local knowledge guy for the coming days.

Takahiro Nakanishi
Photographer

http://blog.takahironakanishi.com/20...furano-niseko/
http://blog.takahironakanishi.com/2012/02/07/luxury/
http://www.takahironakanishi.com/

Porter & I headed back up but on a different aspect to find better snow. We did. Although the clouds had rolled in and the sking was interesting to say the least.

We dropped into a nice gully that ran out to an area melted dry by the hot water and gasses continuously pumping out of the ground.

Porter on our second line in the Tokachi range





We skied back to the hotel to be met by Ian M and Taka bearing gifts of Sapporo classic.

Then it was a quick change in our tatami room and down to the basement for a much anticipated indoor and outdoor onsen, the waters muddy and warm.

Dinner at 6pm consisted of sashimi, nabe, rice, pickled vegetables, miso soup and beer. And lovely it was too.

Suitably refreshed we retired some time later hoping for sunshine on our second day.

DAY 37 : THURSDAY 02 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 0 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


The day broke cold and blue and we quickly slipped into our morning routine of onsen, breakfast, checking the weather forecast, and deciding on the route(s) for the day.

Our tatami room was spacious and warm, so there was no problem drying out the kit overnight.

Pre-dawn at Ryouunkaku Onsen hotel





Porter starting on the feature





The genkan at Ryouunkaku Onsen hotel





The onsen inside





and out









Taka and Ian M checking out the weather forecast and organising the day









Porter checking out the line he wanted to ski in 'TGR' face









The fox checking out the Fox









Ian M and Taka discussing the line and the snow conditions









Yesterday's playground





And so it was decided, 'TGR' face was a go and this was the chute we were hoping to ski









Ian M graciously took one for the team and ferried us to and from the starting point of the tour way down the access road.

Porter crossing the stream that leads to the start of the skin track through the trees and then up to the top of 'TGR' face.





The skin track and route to the top were both obvious and straightforward and it took us around 2 hrs. This was the first longish tour I'd done in almost 5 years and I was very grateful to be on my current set up of Movement Jam skis, Dynafit FT bindings and Dynafit TLT5 Performance boots. It was a breeze.

The view down to Ryouunkaku Onsen hotel and across to Tokachidake once we got above treeline





Porter skinning





Taka skinning









As we got into the alpine the wind picked up and the temperature plummeted to -20 C. Taka expertly negotiated the moonscape on the summit plateau to drop us into the start of the chute.

It was a tad windy and cold at the top of the chute





But very quickly we hit paydirt.

Porter skiing the chute on 'TGR' face









The snow was a little windblown up high, but once we dropped into the chute and the shadows it was knee deep dust.

Taka skiing the lower section of the chute just above the frozen waterfall





Porter on the sidewall of the chute waiting for Taka to drop below the ice





Porter dropping in to the last of the chute





Once out of the chute it was an easy traverse through the trees beside the river to get back to our starting point.





Ian M was waiting for us at the trailhead and in 10 mins we were back at the hotel ordering a late lunch.

After lunch we made two laps of the terrain right in front of the hotel this time with Ian M, and then retired to the onsen, Sapporo Classic in hand, for a soak and a soothe.

The vista from the hotel





Dinner was superb with a variety of tastes, textures and temperatures

You need to keep these TR's comin MP

Thanks. Playing catch up after a heavy February.


DAY 38 : FRIDAY 03 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 19 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


A dusting of snow overnight at the hotel combined with fog and low visibility, so we decided the morning's entertainment was to be the trees either side of yesterday's skin track up to 'TGR' face.

Knee to mid thigh deep turns in light pow through widely spaced old growth conifer had me thinking back to my winters in Montana and BC.

Once again Ian M was the ferryman for Porter, Taka and I and after lunch back at the hotel Porter and Taka toured over to Hakuginso Onsen hotel where Ian M and I met them for a post-ski soak.

This hotel was newer and a lot fancier than ours, but was too stuffy for my liking.

While we were waiting to go in for dinner the owner joined us for a chat and through the expert translation from Ian M we found out about the history of the onsen and his family, and how he used to have to ski in to town and tour back with all the provisions before they laid and plowed the road right to the front door. A round trip of 12 miles.

He proudly showed us photographs of himself and his wife hosting the Emperor's cousin at the hotel in their younger days.









And the touring gear he used up until 3 years ago - Karhu skis with Fritschi bindings and Salomon rear entry boots - when he was on ski patrol in the area. At 77 years of age.









His wife hurrumphed in the background calling him an old fool.





Once again dinner was superb.

DAY 39 : SATURDAY 04 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 17 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


and 1108 cm so far at village level in Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area (approx 300m asl)

http://360niseko.com/blog/category/daily-snow-reports/


After yesterday's grey we woke to another bluebird morning.

We were shipping out today to get back to Hirafu for dinner & drinks, but not before we snuck in a quick tour from Hakuginso Onsen Hotel to the volcano.

Ian M and Porter in the Hakuginso Onsen Hotel car park





Taka and Porter in the car park (no Taka's not taking a leak)





Taka and Porter setting off from Hakuginso Onsen Hotel





Taka and Porter with the steam jets in sight





Unknown Japanese skier enjoying the powder as we skinned up





As we got nearer to our goal the weather closed in, so we made the decision to get a few quick pics and then head back to our pick-up point

Taka almost at our turn around point





Porter at the turn around point





Porter and Taka at the turn around point





Taka at work





The turns were fast and smooth in boot top powder on a very relaxed pitch.

When we got back to our hotel to change out of our gear, grab a bite to eat, and check out, the owner's ski boots were out next to his skis. He was nowhere to be seen and we couldn't work out if he'd put them out intending to go for a ski or his wife had put them out for the rubbish collectors.





Two ladies having lunch at Ryouunkaku Onsen Hotel





As I was about to leave I saw this trinket on the window sill which encapsulated our stay at the hotel





We had a fabulous time in the Tokachi range and had tremendous luck with the weather window and snow stability.

If you're looking for a different Hokkaido experience, then add this one to the list.

We headed back to Hirafu in a snowstorm and arrived in the village in time for dinner & drinks and the Italy v Ireland 6N rugby match at Paddy McGinty's.

Loving the past few reports, great work!

Thanks llyon


DAY 40 : SUNDAY 05 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 20 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


After a very expensive and underwhelming breakfast at Downtown Cafe I skied Grand Hirafu with Sally Townsend. Excellent conditions on and off piste and surprisingly quiet for a Sunday powder day.

Porter spent the day lapping Chair 4 and the hike to the peak with Taka. When he was here to write the article about Niseko for Powder magazine the peak wasn't open. He was suitably impressed with the vertical and waist deep powder off the top this time around.

Moondrop: Rebirth on the Northern Island
Porter Fox
Powder Magazine

http://www.writingofthedisaster.com/...r_moondrop.pdf
http://www.writingofthedisaster.com
http://nowheremag.com/



After lunch I skied one run in Miharashi with Ian M - thigh deep and light - before heading to Chitose to pick up my girlfriend Nerys Royal.

This was her first visit to Hokkaido and her first taste of skiing. It was fabulous to see her after 6 weeks apart and we had lots to catch up on.

We had decided to give skiing a go early on in her trip and booked into the Mountain Hotel at Kiroro for 3 nights and 3 days of skiing. If Nerys didn't get on with it, then we would go on the road around Hokkaido sightseeing.



DAY 41 : MONDAY 06 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 22 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


WARNING : GRATUITOUS GIRLFRIEND BEGINNER SKIER 'SKI SCHOOL' STOKE AHEAD

After a lie-in and a gorgeous breakfast at the Mountain Hotel buffet, Nerys & I headed to the Kiroro rental shop to hire her equipment.

This is how it should be done. Start to finish in about 15 minutes. Fantastic service.

All my friends said I was crazy to teach Nerys to ski. A recipe for disaster and a return to life as one more skiing bachelor.

I was more apprehensive about teaching an absolute beginner for the first time in four seasons.

I needn't have worried. Nerys was a model student.

We started sliding on one ski at 10am and by 11am we were on the Family Lift skiing the Family Gelande course (green).

By 12.15 she was skiing gliding wedge to matching parallel on the Family Gelande course unassisted.

After a leisurely lunch we went back to the Family Lift for one run and then progressed to the Yoichi No.1 Express quad chair and three runs on the Yoichi No.1 course (green).

A fabulous first day of skiing for Nerys.

After a second day skiing at Grand Hirafu and Hanazono Porter, Taka and Ian M travelled over to Kiroro for the night.

Dinner was the all you can eat buffet at the Mountain Hotel combined with the JPY 1,500 60-minute Nomi hodai (all you can drink).



DAY 42 : TUESDAY 07 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 0 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


Nerys graciously gave me the pass to ski with Ian M, Porter and Taka in the am on Porter's last ski day on Hokkaido. Lap after lap of mid-thigh powder off the gondola. Spectacular.

Look out for Porter's feature on Tokachi in next season's Powder magazine

http://vimeo.com/36411819


After lunch it was an afternoon of skiing with Nerys. Superb. Two laps of the Yoichi No.1 course (green), one run on the gondola and the Asari Panorama course (green), and one more lap on the Yoichi No.1 course (green) for good measure.

An afternoon of gliding and sliding. She's loving it.

Nerys Royal on the Yoichi No.1 course, Kiroro





Nerys in the Kiroro gondola





Nerys' second day of skiing and already skiing parallel from the top of Kiroro, Hokkaido

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo_IV...4Yz3KNxAFD_4OL

Excellent Tokachi area reports, Mike. But are the dates correct? Feb or March? You can't be a month behind.

Good work getting Mrs. Pow skiing - invest in the future, just in case. You seem like a gentleman instructor. If you ever happen to visit hakuba and want a half day of work, my wife is about ready for some pro instruction.

Originally Posted by Hohes

Excellent Tokachi area reports, Mike. But are the dates correct? Feb or March? You can't be a month behind.

Thanks Hohes. Yep dates correct. A month behind but playing catch up quickly.

Good work getting Mrs. Pow skiing - invest in the future, just in case. You seem like a gentleman instructor. If you ever happen to visit hakuba and want a half day of work, my wife is about ready for some pro instruction.

Thanks. Yeah loved seeing her get the addiction.

Will let you know if I ever / when I venture south.

DAY 43 : WEDNESDAY 08 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 15 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


THE ROYAL HOKKAIDO SKI TOUR


The gondola was on wind hold all day for Nerys' third day on snow, so we did 4 laps on the Yoichi #1 Express quad in the am skiing the Yoichi #1-B course (green run).

Nerys' third day of skiing Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmtt7...o-QW1qc7WaA0u2


Lunch at the Mountain Hotel, Kiroro





Then 5 laps after lunch including Nerys' first red run, the Yoichi #1-A course.

By day's end Nerys really got a sense of balancing through the turn and relaxing the inside leg.

Yoichi #1-B course (green run) or Yoichi #1-A course (red run)? I can do both!









We went to Fuga restaurant at the Piano Hotel for dinner and enjoyed the Hokkaido feast

DAY 44 : THURSDAY 09 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 21 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


THE ROYAL HOKKAIDO SKI TOUR

We had originally planned to stay 3 nights at the Mountain Hotel and ski 3 days at Kiroro and then move on to pastures new.

But Nerys had the bug!

2 laps on the Yoichi #1 Express quad skiing the Yoichi #1-B course (green run) and the Yoichi #1-B course (red run) as a warm up, followed by 2 laps on the gondola skiing the Asari Panorama Course (green run) and the Asari Dynamic course (red run).

Nerys in the Kiroro gondola (it was cold today)





After lunch we did 2 laps on the Yoichi #1 Express quad skiing the Yoichi #1-B course (red run) and 2 laps on Nagamine #2 Express quad skiing the Nagamine #2-C course (red run).

A big fourth day on snow with the big challenge of the Nagamine #2-C course (red run).

Nerys on the Nagamine #2-C course with Otaru and the ocean in the background





Great day. Nerys really getting the 'see saw' motion on steeper slopes.

Nerys Royal's fourth day of skiing Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaA56...TAqduBkpCiQUcg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxkOb...o-QW1qc7WaA0u2


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBtSR...skHHkYNtv8lO7e

DAY 45 : FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 13 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


THE ROYAL HOKKAIDO SKI TOUR

There was a fair bit of snow in the car park this morning as I packed up the car.

The Probox in the Mountain Hotel car park, Kiroro





And there was a fair bit of snow all over the mountain too.

We warmed up with one lap on the Yoichi #1 Express quad skiing the Yoichi #1-B course (green run) followed by one lap on the Nagamine #2 Express quad skiing the Nagamine #2-C course (red run). It was like skiing inside a golf ball fitted to an air pump. Not exactly what you'd call stellar conditions but Nerys skied it really well.

So we headed lower down the mountain and skied 10 laps on the Center Express quad either side of lunch - three times skiing Center-B course (red run) and seven times skiing Center-A course (red run).

Epic day again.





Nerys Royal's fifth day of skiing Kiroro and on the fifth day she skied powder!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAMMq...L2_A_frU7IR_9-


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qRrD...3DytCYOWyWjfEg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2nvA...FdHJJgGK6U_Ert


After a quick coffee we drove to my place in Higashiyama, showered up, and then headed to Niseko Pizza for dinner with Ian M.

DAY 46 : SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 14 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


and 1213 cm so far at village level in Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area (approx 300m asl)

http://360niseko.com/blog/category/daily-snow-reports/


After a very enjoyable and successful five days skiing at Kiroro we took the weekend off snow to recharge and take in a few of the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Shiribetsu region in winter.

We had lunch at Yotei Maru Kaiten Sushi sushi train restaurant in Kutchan and then drove to Yoichi to sample whisky at the Nikka Whisky distillery.

http://www.nikka.com/eng/


Nerys in the barrel room, Nikka Whisky distillery





Masataka's story, Nikka Whisky distillery





Nikka Whisky distillery artwork





Nerys enjoying a tipple in the tasting room





But don't just take her word for it





Once Nerys was nicely warmed we headed down to the coastal town of Otaru for the annual Snow Light Festival





























Otaru Snow Light Festival

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awki9...ejWxbpQnObD6lF


It was colder at the ocean (a wet cold that goes to your bones) so you need to wrap up warm to enjoy the evening.

Definitely worth a trip.

DAY 47 : SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 13 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


Sunday is the most popular day to ski in and around the Niseko Resort Area - first day of the holiday for anyone who arrived on Saturday combined with the local Japanese skiers - so Nerys and I took the train from Kutchan to Sapporo to catch the final day of the Sapporo Snow Festival.

http://www.snowfes.com/english/


We packed a lunch and enjoyed a leisurely and very warm ride into the city

Nerys unwrappring her first onigiri - seaweed covered rice triangle with various fillings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgCHr...SIZcGMe37ldYwm


Nerys seeing snow on the beach for the first time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3OrA...eqx_HY30mYMTXr


I thought Otaru was cold, but it was positively balmy compared with the icy chill of Sapporo.

The sculptures big and small were very impressive










and the food oishi - delicious












Nerys enjoying her first sea snail





And on the way back to Kutchan we saw this funky railway carriage

DAY 48 : MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 13 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


THE ROYAL HOKKAIDO SKI TOUR


After yesterday's blizzard conditions we woke to sunshine, a blue sky, and views of Mt Yotei for Nerys' sixth day on snow.

Nerys in the Hirafu Gondola





Nerys at the top of the King Hooded Triple Lift with Mt Yotei in the background





We did two laps on the Holiday Pair Lift to warm up

Nerys skiing Boyo (green course) in the King area, Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlW01...4p6mrH4VqjZmmM


Followed by three laps on the Hirafu Gondola and two laps on the King Hooded Triple Lift.

After lunch at the King Bell Hut - ten don (tempura prawn and rice) - we did four more laps of the Hirafu Gondola.

Nerys found the 'sweet spot' and 'stopping time' moment in the curve of the turn, and skied her first black run - Ni-kabe.

Nerys skiing Green (green course) at Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5Ez-...m9Pa_4PZFrNN6A

DAY 49 : TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 15 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


THE ROYAL HOKKAIDO SKI TOUR

The second sunny day in a row for Nerys' seventh day on snow.

So we headed to Rusutsu and Nerys' third resort on her ski tour.

The slopes were deserted, the sun was shining, the views of Shiribetsudake, Mt Yotei and the Niseko Resort Area were superb. You could see Lake Toya and the ocean.

And the snow on and off the groomed runs was perfect for Nerys to try some more off-piste.

Nerys skiing the red course off the East Quad at East Mountain, Rusutsu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLYfB...qxR2GzHQcUBjPD


Nerys skiing off the groomers under the East Quad at East Mountain, Rusutsu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhEHb...mUsJAoW2US1F7F


Nerys skiing off the groomers to skier's right of the East Quad at East Mountain, Rusutsu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAV4H...6yjisbezJWKEu_


And no day at Rusutsu would be complete without visiting the talking tree

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nnr7...z8MSFydmMaFFFW


For Valentine's dinner we went to A-bu-cha 2 in Hirafu





We had a selection of the restaurant's finest - sashimi, tempura squid, skewers, tofu & tuna salad, edamame, spring rolls - and a fabulous new cocktail to me called the Early Grey Ginger. A blend of Early Grey tea liqueur, ginger ale, a slice of lime, on the rocks. Give it a shot, or several!

In Japan, Valentine's Day is when the guys get spoiled. The gift being chocolate. Always liked Japan.

DAY 50 : WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 11 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


Blowing a gale in Higashiyama so Nerys decided to take the day off from skiing.

I spent the morning at Hanazono skiing with Andy Laidlaw giving him a tune-up before his upcoming heli-week at Galena Lodge with Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH).

http://www.canadianmountainholidays..../lodges/galena


We had good turns in Strawberry Fields, Blueberry Fields, and The Legend of Shinya.

Then lunch at the Vale Bar & Grill with Andy and Nerys before kicking back for the rest of the day back at the cabin.



DAY 51 : THURSDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 21 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


THE ROYAL HOKKAIDO SKI TOUR

Back to winter for Nerys' eighth day on snow, and back to Kiroro.

For Nerys' last two days skiing on Hokkaido (for this trip ) we took it back to where it all started.

Nerys was in the same boots - the Head Edge + 8.5 which were comfortable, warm, and which hadn't given her any problems the first 5 days - but I changed her from a beginner Salomon ski in a 151 cm with a tip of 118 and a waist of 78 to the 152 cm Vist Cross Over Lady with a 124-77-110 profile and a 11m turning radius.

A truly fabulous ski and the right platform for Nerys now that she was starting to transition from pivotted turns to rounded, edged turns. The wider tip also worked really well on the groomers, the chopped, and the untracked powder.

The evidence m'lord

Nerys Royal warming up on the Yoichi #1-B Course (green course) at Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1J0d...mCvEdTmIWaQN1p


Nerys Royal skiing the Yoichi #1-A Course (red course) at Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iODfy...7HkwofGct5DEoG


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHxWg...4Yz3KNxAFD_4OL


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld-0k...TAqduBkpCiQUcg


Nerys is starting to feel and look more comfortable on and off the groomers and really got some slinkiness in her transitions today.

A fabulous day.

DAY 52 : FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 13 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


THE ROYAL HOKKAIDO SKI TOUR

Nerys' ninth and final day skiing on Hokkaido for the 2011/12 season.

Nerys Royal warming up on the Yoichi #1-B Course (green course) at Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwbWG...o-QW1qc7WaA0u2


Then it was time to go exploring the powder on the fringes of the runs.

After lunch Nerys got boot top deep in 'Walk in the Woods'. A little uncomfortable at times but the lower section was smooth and relaxed and the run out back to the piste was elegant.

But it gave her the confidence to try the trees skier's left off the top of the mountain

Nerys Royal skiing the trees at Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEPG-...skHHkYNtv8lO7e


Another fabulous day and another day of significant improvement for Nerys.

Unfortunately all good things have to come to an end (for Nerys skiing wise at least) but we are both really happy that she loves Hokkaido, loves skiing, and has taken to the sport so quickly.

Fourteen days on Hokkaido, nine days skiing, three resorts, 203 cm of powder, sunshine, Hokkaido seafood, Otaru Snow Light Festival, Sapporo Snow Festival and more snow than she's ever seen in her life. Cumulative!

For her at least (ski) life begins at 40!

DAY 53 : SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 12 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


and 1311 cm so far at village level in Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area (approx 300m asl)

http://360niseko.com/blog/category/daily-snow-reports/


An early start bidding a fond farewell to Nerys at New Chitose Airport. Glorious sunshine on the way there, dumping snow on the way back.

Got back to Kiroro just as Ian M was rolling in to the car park and we proceeded to go deep all around the mountain all day.

Ian M skiing 'Walk in the Woods', Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVfFd...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM5b6...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


Unknown Japanese snowboarder in 'Hangman'

















Ian MacKenzie skiing 'Hangman', Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU7vV...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFtDc...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ-9g...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


Ian M skiing 'Hangman'













Yours truly skiing 'Hangman', Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y8kO...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D

DAY 54 : SUNDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 26 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


MY 50th DAY OF SKIING ON HOKKAIDO

We started off in 'Finding Your Feet' and Ian M found his pretty quick. Too quick for my camera skills (or lack thereof)

Ian M skiing 'Finding Your Feet'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dZ-b...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


Then we moved on to 'Hangman'

Ian M skiing 'Hangman', Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10nFs...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwrKP...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


Yours truly skiing 'Hangman', Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkXdN...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


And we finished off in the Nagamine area

Ian M skiing the Nagamine area, Kiroro

















Yours truly skiing 'the Nagamine area', Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E_-H...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D



DAY 55 : MONDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 20 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


Solo day in Grand Hirafu and Hanazono.

Skied Miharashi, Waterfall, and three laps out of Gate 4. Great snow and face shots skier's left of the cornice.

Yours truly skiing Grand Hirafu (caught on the Olympus Go Amateur)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMnnO...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


Just about saved the camera at the end.

DAY 56 : TUESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 7 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


Blowing a gale in Grand Hirafu for Preeya, Ashish, Guffy, Helen, and John's first day of their holiday.

Spent the morning skiing with Preeya and Helen. Surprisingly good turns despite the weather.



DAY 57 : WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 3 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


A far better day in Grand Hirafu for Preeya, Ashish, Guffy, Helen, and John's second day of play.

Spent the morning skiing the groomed and ungroomed off the King Hooded Triple lift.



DAY 58 : THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 2 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


The wind events, sunshine, and warming trend over the past couple of days had turned the recent snowfall from dust to spongy goodness.

Spent the morning at Moiwa skiing with Julie Martin.

We warmed up on the perfectly groomed and empty slopes of 'Forest Run', 'Sky Slope', and 'Main Burn' working on patience at the start of the turn and pressure control at the end of the turn before heading to the far more difficult and inconsistent conditions on the ungroomed slopes.

Julie Martin skiing the 'Giant Run' at Moiwa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHZZM...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


Julie Martin skiing the 'Expert Run' at Moiwa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp4D8...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


If you haven't skied Moiwa yet then it should be a must visit during your time in the Niseko Resort Area.

DAY 59 : FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 14 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


We had a decent amount of snow overnight but unfortunately it didn't arrive alone. The wind was gusting all morning and the top lifts throughout the Niseko Resort Area were closed.

Knowing how good the conditions were at Moiwa yesterday compared with Grand Hirafu and Hanazono I joined Preeya, Ashish, Helen, John and Sam at Moiwa for the day.

We skied hero snow on the groomed runs and toe top to boot top powder in the trees all morning off the double chair

Preeya skiing 'Forest Run' at Moiwa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4DAW...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


Helen skiing 'Forest Run' at Moiwa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rov8-...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


Sam skiing 'Forest Run' at Moiwa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il-gI...9eJrlWtCfOQ%3D


The quad lift opened at lunchtime, the sun came out and Helen, Sam & I skied 'Sky Slope', 'Shirikaba' and 'Main Burn' all afternoon.

Sam and Helen skiing 'Sky Slope' at Moiwa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5_VN...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D

DAY 60 : SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 0 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-sno...february-2012/


After two days at Moiwa it was back to Grand Hirafu.

In the morning I skied with Nithan from Sydney, NSW whose previous time on snow was six winters ago in Australia and who had received just two hours of instruction his first time on snow.

He worked hard all morning and combined with some fast feet and athleticism was sliding and gliding comfortably and safely around the lower mountain by lunch time.

Nithan skiing 'Boyo' at Grand Hirafu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcUSy...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


Nithan skiing 'Sennoki' at Grand Hirafu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sf7j...pnBZYgJ0Syw%3D


After lunch I met up with Ian M and we headed through Gate 4 to find what powder was out there.

Before heading out through Gate 4 we read the Niseko Avalanche Information report located at the top of the King Lift # 4

We were both intrigued by the highlighted paragraph of the report:

Niseko base 6am: -8 C, no new snowfall and calm wind. Coastal data: SSE4m/s at Benkei cape, 0.7m waves and 1018hPa at Kamui cape. 800m Moiwa: -10 C, snowdrifts developed on the 24th is packed and stable.


The strong NE wind of the 24th has made snowdrifts to develop in SW facing slopes, especially around 1000m altitude. The avalanche risk has risen accordingly, however the risk is diminishing as the weather calmed down. No notable snowfall and snowdrifts development can be observed this morning.


The general avalanche risk is lowering, however hazards of hard slabs slides from Feb 23rd layer is still to be highly considered in wind-affected slopes. Caution is required in Higashi-One’s steep slopes (coordinate G8-H9). The snow in the trees is in good condition, however snow/ice blocks are lurking just below the surface.


Many people from around the world are gathering in Niseko, however many trouble are continuously happening due to insufficient explanation of the Niseko Rules to the visitors. There are no exceptions to the Niseko Rules. Tour agents, accommodation facilities and guiding services should be aware that disregarding or pejorating the Rules would eventually turn the image of Niseko down. People ducking ropes might not be the only responsible people if they haven’t been properly informed about the Rules.

Peak gates are scheduled to open at 9:30. Refrain from traversing valleys, knolls and cornice slopes. Out of bounds areas are never 100% safe. Once you step out of the gates, you are in the wilderness and whatever happens there, you should be able to handle it on your own. Have a safe and enjoyable day.

http://niseko.nadare.info/?day=20120225


We digested the information and headed beyond the ropes.

Ian M finding untracked out of Gate 4, Grand Hirafu









Over apres coffee & drinks at the Vale Bar & Grill Ian M and I discovered that two people had been caught in an avalanche beyond the ropes on Thursday 23 February. This explained the cryptic paragraph of the avalanche report.

Both lost their skis in the tumult and were swept down through a stand of trees. They were skiing with four other people who didn't get caught in the surface slide.

To my knowledge (and it's far from complete) neither of the two caught were wearing avalanche beacons nor carrying shovels or probes.

The gentleman, who is a local businessman, suffered a non-serious facial injury.

The woman, who was on holiday, didn't get away so lightly. She broke her fibula and suffered an agonising hobble back to the resort.

There have been serious and fatal avalanche incidents in Europe and N America this winter, all of which have been reported in detail locally and across the interweb.

The reason - EDUCATION.

The fact that this incident and others from previous seasons have not been widely reported is very disappointing IMHO.

I certainly don't want to be the prophet of doom but I honestly feel that it's just a matter of time before another person is fatally injured in an incident beyond the Niseko Resort Area ropes.

There is a very cavalier attitude towards skiing and riding the non-patrolled areas.

Niseko Village is making great strides to manage and open avalanche prone areas - Mizuno sawa - and provide avalanche awareness and education to visitors in spite of the efforts of amateurs and professionals to totally disregard the Niseko Rules.

And for that they should be applauded.

The other lift operators should fall in step, and quickly.