Thread: SR: Hokkaido, Japan 2011 / 12

Will do, thanks garyfromterrace


DAY 21 : TUESDAY 17 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 17 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


Day 2 at Rusutsu with the Lovelocks and Craig

A beautiful bluebird day with powder still to be found despite no new snow for the past two days.

Our day began on West Mountain warming up on Elite, Natural and the tree run areas before heading over to the groomed and ungroomed runs of East Mt and Mt Isola.

The Gang on West Mt, Rusutsu
(l-r Craig, Hayden, Olga, Al, Alex, Neil, Ria)





DAY 22 : WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 12 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


and 909 cm so far at village level in Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area (approx 300m asl)

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


Day 3 at Rusutsu with the Lovelocks and Craig

Another beautiful, bluebird Rusutsu day.

The view from the top of Heavenly View, Rusutsulooking down on to Lake Toya and the ocean beyond





Neil dropping in off Heavenly View, Rusutsu









Craig dropping in off Heavenly View, Rusutsu






From whence we came

DAY 23 : THURSDAY 19 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 1 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


Day 4 at Rusutsu with the Lovelocks and Craig and the fourth beautiful, bluebird day in a row.

As on previous mornings our day began on West Mt warming up on Elite, Natural and the tree run areas before heading over to the groomed and ungroomed runs of East Mt and Mt Isola.

The Gang on West Mt, Rusutsu with Shiribetsudake in the background
(l-r Olga, Al, Hayden, Neil, Ria, Craig, Alex)





For dinner, Ian M of Niseko WOW took us to an izakaya in the nearby village of Makkari.
(Neil Lovelock's pics)





Without him we wouldn't have known it existed. With him the Lovelocks, Craig, olga, Al & I had the best meal of our stay in the Rusutsu area.

We were made to feel most welcome, and were the only non-Japanese guests they had received this winter. The meal was both beautiful and bountiful with fabulous tastes and variety.

The owners Hashimoto Tencho and Fuku Tencho preparing yakiniku and bibinba for us.













Would you like ice with your drink?

Hayden icicle hunting





Niseko WOW
http://niseko-wow.com/

DAY 24 : FRIDAY 20 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 0 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


The last day at Rusutsu with the Lovelocks and Craig and the fifth beautiful, bluebird day in a row.

Thanks to the below normal temperatures we still managed to find untracked knee deep powder all over the mountain. None better than the shaded slopes underneath the East Mt gondola.

As they bade farewell to Hokkaido for another year, the Shiribetsu skyline put on a show

Mt Annupuri, Mt Yotei and Shiribetsudake from East Mt, Rusutsu






The Gang on East Mt, Rusutsu with Mt yotei and Shiribetsudake in the background
(l-r Olga, Al, Hayden, Craig, Alex, Ria, Neil)

Your thread has made me want to go to Japan more than ever...next year, this is the place for me to spend some time.

Excellent PowTron. You won't be disappointed.


DAY 25 : SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 0 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


Back to Kiroro with Ian M

No new snow, sunny, 1st buckle deep and tracked in the usual places, so we decided to have an exploration morning off the Nagamine area quad chairs.

Ian M scoping out the Kiroro backountry terrain









Slackcountry terrain off the Nagamine #2 Quad chair, Kiroro





DAY 26 : SUNDAY 22 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 5 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


A much needed day off after 24 days straight of skiing. The old bones needed some R&R.

DAY 27 : MONDAY 23 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 22 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


With no lessons booked for Chinese New Year and the Niseko Resort Area busier than it had been all winter, Ian M and I headed to Kiroro to escape the crowds.

And our 1hr drive from Hirafu in driving snow was rewarded with empty slopes and dry, light, waist deep powder. All day.

Ian M testing his new duds - helmet, goggles, jacket, and gloves - in the Kiroro deepness. They all passed with flying colours!

























DAY 28 : TUESDAY 24 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 10 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


Kiroro with Ian M. Different day, same play.





On the way back to Hirafu we pulled up behind this truck dumping snow at the Kutchan dump

DAY 29 : WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 37 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


MEDIUM SIZED WEDNESDAY

The day broke sunny and clear but the clouds and snow soon rolled in

Mt Yotei from Higashiyama





My front door in Higashiyama





With 37cm overnight it was a big call to head over to Kiroro once again, but one that absolutely paid off.

We warmed up in the Nagamine area

Ian M waist deep behind the tuning fork, Kiroro





and then it was 'mama dumpu' time.

A 'mama dumpu' is the name the Japanese give to the red push shovels used to move large amounts of snow at one time. A tool that even an old 'mama' can use.

The snow was so light and deep off the gondola that the go was to point and hold your breath.





























Ian M getting deep in Kiroro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eN4M...o-QW1qc7WaA0u2



And there's more

















And more









I even got in on the action

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


Absolutely top day where the Gaijacounter for Kiroro was an all time 12!

DAY 30 : THURSDAY 26 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 28 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


and 1012 cm so far at village level in Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area (approx 300m asl)

http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-vs-the-world-2012/


Kiroro with Ian M.

Our 10th visit of the season so far and the season pass already paid for.

Heavier than yesterday, but the sun did make a brief appearance.

Ian M getting deep in Kiroro





















Ian MacKenzie skiing at Kiroro, Hokkaido

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

... Sigh....
The thread that keeps on giving
Thanks Mike!

Domo garyfromterrace


DAY 31 : FRIDAY 27 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 19 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


After 10 days away from Grand Hirafu it was time for a return. And what a day to make our return.

The gates had been closed the previous day, and once they opened the hordes headed up. We on the other hand stayed low playing in Miharashi and Waterfall.

Deep, light, untracked all day.

We'd borrowed a Go Pro on a stick from Ben Thorpe of Japan Ski Experience and proceeded to fill the card.

http://japanskiexperience.com/


Will post the edit once Ben gets through the mountain of footage. Check out Ben's most recent edit from this winter here

http://japanskiexperience.com/2012/0...day-in-niseko/


Ian M taking the stick for a ride in Miharashi





































Ian M in Waterfall

Sick Sick Sick!!!!!!!!

Was glad just to get off Rusutsu alive this afternoon. I hope everyone else managed to, as well. It was gnarly up there (but very deep in the earlier hours!).

Got in late from a deep week in hakuba to find the same at hirafu today, lee side was choking. But treacherous vis made for calling it at 1pm. Snowing hard, tomorrow should be outstanding again. Kiroro on Tuesday.

Huck- think I saw you unloading the steroid van when we were coming out of bd lodge tonight.

Cheers sqikunst


DAY 32 : SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 19 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


With most of the 19cm of new snow falling after dark yesterday's tracks had been filled in when we - Tracy, Mark, Filip, John & I - hit Miharashi in the early morning sunshine.

Magic day.

John riding Miharashi









Mark in Miharashi









Filip in Miharashi









Mark, Filip and Tracy out of the gates with Iwaonupuri in the background





Tracy heading down to Jackson's









Filip heading down to Jackson's





Mark heading down to Jackson's

Seriously, thanks for the stoke and thanks for moving Japan to the top of the list of foreign skiing for me.

Japan trip for next season... firmly on radar. Great pictures.

Scroll through Jordan's blog to see some of the great snow that Hokkaido is producing this year. WOW! What a trip we have had. Glad to not be sleeping in a van anymore though. Thanks to all the folks that were generous enough to hook us up....

http://www.elksandbeyond.com

Originally Posted by smmokan

Japan trip for next season... firmly on radar. Great pictures.

Yep, in the works.

Great shots!

Rusutsu was unreal yesterday. Fresh lines bell to bell. Another foot overnight last night and snowing hard right now. More of the same today. If you are contemplating going to Japan just do it. Place is like a constant snow globe Disneyland for skiers and riders. TR when we return.

Originally Posted by thin cover

Great shots!

Rusutsu was unreal yesterday. Fresh lines bell to bell. Another foot overnight last night and snowing hard right now. More of the same today. If you are contemplating going to Japan just do it. Place is like a constant snow globe Disneyland for skiers and riders. TR when we return.

Rusutsu was one of my favorites. I am sorry I missed you in Hakuba. I am glad you are loving Japan. I've already made up my mind to go back next season.

^^^ total bummer what happened. If I can make it happen I will. I have your physical receipt from HPL, nick gave it to me. Heal up dude and be well!

Thanks all.


DAY 33 : SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 6 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


Greybird all day at Kiroro.

Boot top on a solid base, quick and spongy.

The Kiroro gondola line was off the hook

DAY 31 : FRIDAY 27 JANUARY 2012 UPDATE

Ben Thorpe of Japan Ski Experience has edited the footage of Ian M and I in Miharashi, Grand Hirafu

<IFRAME SRC="http://player.vimeo.com/video/36953584?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></IFRAME><P><A HREF="http://vimeo.com/36953584">Going Underground in Niseko</A> from <A HREF="http://vimeo.com/skijapan">Japan Ski Experience</A> on <A HREF="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</A>.</P>

http://vimeo.com/36953584


http://japanskiexperience.com/2012/0...ground-niseko/


Hopefully it won't be the last time we get to play with the Go Pro stick this winter.

Thanks Ben.

DAY 34 : MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 9 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


Andy Laidlaw's first day on Hokkaido and what an exceptional day at Kiroro.

Powder, sunshine, thin high clouds, a blue, blue sky and a clarity that's not often seen in these parts.

So clear, that Otaru and the ocean were our backdrop for most of the day

Andy Laidlaw finding and 'losing' his feet in the Nagamine area













Ian M flying in the Nagamine area

DAY 35 : TUESDAY 31 JANUARY 2012

360Niseko reported 5 cm of new snow in Hirafu village

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


January 2012 was an excellent month in this part of Hokkaido.

431 cm of snowfall at village level in Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area (approx 300m asl), and snowfall recorded 29 of the 31 days.

The biggest 24-hr dump was 37cm on the 26 January.

There were far more sunny days than normal but the daytime and nighttime temperatures were considerably colder.


Ian M and I had a morning at Kiroro before we headed north to spend the night in Asahikawa and 4 days touring in the Tokachi area.

Ian M in the Nagamine area





Ian M in the shadow of Yoichidake





Ian M in the woods





It was tough to walk away from such great snow but bigger lines awaited us up north.