Thread: TR: SAIKO!! Japan POW Jan '12

Ever since the ski movie explosion in Japan circa '06 I've had a Japan ski trip on the bucket list. Finally, this January I was able to cross it off. For this trip I was joined by non-mags Brian & Matt. We stuck to Honshu in an effort to minimize travel time, and maximize ski, onsen, sushi, and karaoke time. It was an amazing trip, and I'll definitely be back. These photographs don't do the place justice (photogeeks we are not) but we did our best!

First stop was LAX


Once in Japan, I had to kill 9hrs until my friends arrived, so I headed out to Shibuya, where I tried my hand at taking "artsy" photographs


After a few fast train rides north we ended up at our first destination. The crowds were HUDGE!


The terrain here is surreal


First turns in Japan. Oishii!


Brian heads into the jaws of some Mokozawa...


and comes out on top


This thing only grooms the parking lot, but when you get 15m of snow per year that's a big job





Lift shack/ticket counter/DJ booth





Matt had some binding issues but after a quick repair and some rigorous testing (hucking) we pressed on


A rare shot in good visibility


After a quick stop at the Miyagi Hostel we were on our way to Myoko


Downtown Myoko where the snowfall never stops!


I got some beta from hop on where to access the goods at Myoko. This shot of Brian was about 10 strides off the main lift.


Dr. Matt usually spends his time in the ER. This trip he was happy to log long hours in the white room


Deep











Taking it switch to the road!!!...and almost getting taken out by a bus 3 seconds later


Our last day in Myoko it broke blue!


Here Matt closes out the trip in what I'm calling "candyland funzone cupcake mountain." Best. Terrain. Ever.


True ski-in ski-out


Tokyo. Sushi. Hai!


Fin

SUGOI!!!!!!

Nice pictures.

Was in Hakkoda mid Feb. The snow quality there is a much needed reality check. The words 'powder' and 'blower' have meanings that should be respected.

And Myoko for the first real time last week, though mostly just glancing around. So many little zones right of the lifts that locals seem to slide in and out of all day without so much as a blink from "The Man". Or so it seemed. Cool spot.

Awesome. Pure awesome. That cheered up an ugly damp spring Monday morning. Sweet. Thank you.

So...Japan has some bitching terrain and shitloads of snow. Noted.

Japan, added to bucket list. Thanks for the stoke. Looks like you guys had a memorable trip.

FKNA so much snow, nice stoke

japan TR's never get old... damn they have a shit load of snow..........sweet trip looks fun.. to say the least

Originally Posted by Hohes

And Myoko for the first real time last week, though mostly just glancing around. So many little zones right of the lifts that locals seem to slide in and out of all day without so much as a blink from "The Man". Or so it seemed. Cool spot.

Myoko is different for sure... but in a good way, and as long as you don't ski under the chairs or in marked avalanche terrain patrol seems really cool.

wow... deep.

Stoke BUUUMP! Just watched J. Manley's new Skier's Journey and it took me back...

Already assembling a posse for a return strip. Such an amazing place.

Goddamn that's beautiful.

nice TR. it always amazes me how dead the mountains are over there

Sweet TR, missed it first time around.

Looks like you had the perfect trip. I worked at a ski school in Shinshu (Tsugaike) this past season. There was one huge storm that came through in January (guessing when you went) and another in Februrary.

STUPENDOUS

thx for the pics, Myoko def on the radar.