A winter in the land of the rising sun: Hakuba 2012

[pales]

My first trip report. Here we go.

I finished school in the fall and, after taking time off to do a couple of winters around the lower 48, I knew I wanted more ski bum living. Since the winters I had done in America were years with little snow, and since nobody can shut up about how good the powder skiing can be in Japan, I figured it was about time to get some face shots.


Brennan Lagasse

But first, I had to do some early season suffering. Cold weather and shallow snow were plentiful in the Tetons with this guy:


Aaron Diamond

Finally in mid December I got on a plane, and was lucky enough to have a window seat. Much like skiing the park with Aaron, getting to check off one place, Japan, meant two more, Alaska and Kamchatka, were added to the list.



My first day, and one of the most memorable, I got my ski pass, did a bit of work around the lodge, and got out around 1. Temps were warm compared to the Tetons, but it seemed the lack of snow had followed me to Japan. I expected the skiing to be anything but special, so I left my powder skis at the lodge. At the top of the lift system, I was baffled. Fresh snow was everywhere and nothing was closed or even roped off! How can this be? I wasn't about to pinch myself and wake from this dream, so I dropped in. I entered the white room immediately and didn’t leave until I was at the base of the lift. No liftlines, I shuffled through the gate and a friendly Japanese man beckoned to me: "Hai dozo!" Unable to respond I pushed forward to sit on the freshly swept chair, and was headed back uphill for another.

Shots from January. Unless otherwise mentioned, the skier is Llyon.









The legendary Japanese powder didn’t fail to deliver. I thought it couldn’t get any better. Then the sun came out.


Ryan Gormly


Ryan


Katja Laukkanen


Katja




Ryan







High pressure concluded after skiing this guy.







That was ok though. There were Onsen to lounge in and more face shots.





We had a bit of rain so some sushi and drinking were in order.





Shenanigans commenced.

[pales]

Then this guy showed up and brought the snow with him. It piled up on everything and we got some more face shots.


Miles Clark








Simen Odergarden

By now it was February. I was told winters tend to vary in Hakuba, this year the weather was very volatile, and at times so was the snowpack. I still made lots of good turns, and in mid February was able to take advantage of some high pressure.


Miles


Jake Cohn


Jake


Jake




Brennan





In late February, the group went to Hokkaidoin search of blower.


Mark Virgin

When we got back the skies were gloomy. Glidecracks had formed all over the mountain, and it seemed winter had concluded. We did our best to prove this wrong, with a little help from the snow gods of course.





We enjoyed turns in the land of the rising sun as it slipped from the clutches of winter, and looked forward both to the next trip in late March and next December, when winter would take hold again.




Suggestions? Comments? Am I beating a dead horse because Lee is cross posting my blog on Unofficial? I’d love to hear them before I organize the spring trip. Maybe JoeStrummer is giving a writing class…

[neck beard]

Your TRs are better than Llyon's.

Not many people have this shot, I'd guess virtually none could name it, particularly if it were not presented in context. Kudos.



The rest is fluff.

[Verde]

Great pictures and a welcome breath of cold fresh air

[Scotsman50]

Great stoke..thanks.
Can't wait to get back to Hakuba which will be soon I hope.

[plugboots]

SSSSSSHHHHHHHHH.

[garyfromterrace]

Shit buddy, strong first TR! Great photos and stoke. Looks like a fine time indeed.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Great TR - nice work.

[Fortune_Cookie]

Wow. I want to go!

[neck beard]

bump.

Personal bias aside, this is a good TR.

Has anyone seen the new coke ad?

How to get more hits on your TR? Give them something to argue about:

- include some pov footage
- claim a first descent
- get vegans involved
- overtly promote yourself

[Mofro261]

Ahhhhhhh.

Good Shit.

[_Aaron_]

Jeez buddy, all that pow is going to make you into a softy! Shoot me a message when you book you trip south.

[RoanMtnMan]

Not sure why they call it "the land of the rising sun" since we saw the sun for about about 30 minutes in 3 weeks last February. Which was completely acceptable for us. It did make photo opportunities challenging though. Nice pics. Japan is a gift from a skier viewpoint. And I agree, SHHHHHHHH! Well done.

[pales]

SSSSSSHHHHHHHHH.

Psh it's gonna blow up after 'Further' anyways.

Not sure why they call it "the land of the rising sun" since we saw the sun for about about 30 minutes in 3 weeks last February. Which was completely acceptable for us. It did make photo opportunities challenging though. Nice pics. Japan is a gift from a skier viewpoint. And I agree, SHHHHHHHH! Well done.

Yeah you have to be very patient to ski the big stuff. This place is really cool and I'm definitely going back.

[Mike Pow]

Sugoi.

Loved the onsen spray shot.

[BraddA]

Stellar. Heading out next year, can't wait. Thanks for that.

[auvgeek]

I knew I should have gotten my act together and made it out there this past winter. Next winter, I hope!

Edit: One suggestion (since you asked) - put captions/names above the photos. Having the captions above and the names below made it slightly confusing to me. (Though perhaps I'm alone in that.) Otherwise, a stellar TR! Stoked on some of those pow shots.

[alpinevibes]

a timeline and gallery of awesomeness. somehow makes me feel like this winter wasn't sooo bad

[bern43]

Great first trip report!!!

[wolfelot]

Good stuff!

[Rasputin]

Outstanding. Strong work. Much thanks.

[Cedrik]

Sweet TR. Japan's next on my list . . .

[Wintergreen]

Awesome! So jealous. With pictures like that, who needs writing?

Suggestions? Just do that again next year?

[pales]

Awesome! So jealous. With pictures like that, who needs writing?

Suggestions? Just do that again next year?

Thanks I intend to!

Glad everyone is enjoying the stoke!

[Hugh Conway]

Nice work