TR: Superfuntime Japan Style.

[NW_SKIER]

Last summer, after seeing countless ski edits of the endless powder in Japan, Kopi_Red and I decided we were going to go there this season.Surprisingly, only one other mag jumped on board with us.

After booking with Black Diamond Tours, we waited until the big day. Upon arriving in Japan the first thing we noticed is how much cleaner everything was. The next morning we met up with 406, and the three of us boarded a bus to Furano.

Upon our arrival, 406 and another member of our soon to be group went and spun some afternoon laps while Kopi_Red and I wandered around town until we were able to find some proper screws for my bindings. Pretty views in Furano.

That night our whole tour group met for the first time and we also met our guides. All together we were a group of twelve including the guides.

In the morning, after a nice western style breakfast, we hit the slopes right up the street in Furano.

The first skintrack. Skinning would prove to become a big part of our ability to get fresh tracks all day at busy resorts. It amazed me how easy it was to get to areas with no competition for the goods.

The next day we traveled to the Kamui Ski Links. It was extremely cold again as the wind chill hovered near -25 Fahrenheit at times. But the skiing was incredible.
Kopi_Red traveling through the pow.

Next on the list was Asahidake.

[Norseman]

Heyo... been looking forwards to this!

[NW_SKIER]

A group of us made an attempt on the 2200m summit but were forced back by unrelenting whiteout conditions. The skiing down below treeline, was stellar. 406 gobbling up some fluffy turns. NW_SKIER in the pow.

How not to fall on your friend. Asahidake sunset.

The next day we skied at Saporro Teine. The views were incredible and more good turns were had by all. 406 always excited for more pow!

[dschane]

Nice shots and pow.

[NW_SKIER]

We stayed close to our lodging the next day and skied at Tomamu. The powder continued to impress. Enjoying the finer points of deep snow skiing. 406 climbing away. You gotta skin it to win it he would say. Kopi_Red thinking about nothing on the climb.

[2FUNKY]

'Bout fucking time.
Sweet photo.

[NW_SKIER]

More Tomamu.

Sapporo Kokusai was our next place to visit. This would be to be the deepest snow we would ski on the trip. Kopi_Red having a good time.
Kokusai would prove to be my undoing as I finally got too tired to climb all day. 406 continued on with the others and bagged some crazy deep turns.

Not much for photos the next day at Kiroro as the weather was windy and cold and the skiing not at the usual greatness we had become accustomed. I was still under the weather and sat out that day.

The following day was a scheduled rest day and a few of the group went up but some of us chose to explore Hirafu village in Niseko. A little restaurant where we had the best ramen of the trip.

[::: :::]

DAAANG!

[NW_SKIER]

Our last day was spent in Rusutsu where we lapped some inbounds trees and finished our trip with a nice stash of powder in the trees.

Our motley crue, minus one guide.
406 traveled on to Hakuba. State tuned for him to post his continued adventure.

It was an amazing trip and I can honestly say I skied the best powder of my life. Looking forward to my next adventure in Japan.

Much photo credit to Oliver H. He's got an eye for it.

[Norseman]

Boom!

[the_flying_v]

🏼🏼🏼

[Ted26]

Awesome

[phatty]

How did you like Teine? I'm in Hokkaido at the end of February and thinking of hitting it up. Spent time at Kiroro and Rusutsu last year and want to hit a couple new places.

[NW_SKIER]

It was fun. Steeper terrain than most Hokkaido. Busy though.

[phatty]

We'll corner them at 16BBI and get the full story.
Hoping for some Geisha and Kobe beef adventures.

True. I've been warning my kids of the Lot 4 chaos that will be 16BBI.

[The Duke of Hurl]

Strong work Chad, looks like it was a beautiful trip. You inspired me and the boys, heading over with BDT in a couple weeks.
Feel free to PM with any newfound insights.

[NW_SKIER]

Strong work Chad, looks like it was a beautiful trip. You inspired me and the boys, heading over with BDT in a couple weeks.
Feel free to PM with any newfound insights.

You have my number if you need any answers I may have. Japan is incredible. Can't wait to go back.

[ACH]

Killer!!!
Look forward to getting the chairlift word-of-mouth version this week!



What Norse said...

[406]

This might be my favorite photo ever taken of me:


Still working on getting my photos online.

[grinch]

well played. great pics

[phatty]

Arriving in Sapporo tomorrow night. Skiing Kiroro Saturday and Sapporo Teine on Monday if anyone is around and wants to hook up. I'm solo sneaking in some skiing on a business trip before I head to Beijing on Tuesday.

[phatty]

Anyone around Sapporo, get to Teine tomorrow. They are reporting 30cm as of 8am. It's still storming hard and they are closed all day. Unfortunately I leave for Beijing tomorrow so will miss it, but should be epic for anyone who can make it.

[bigasshair]

Sugoi!