Cat skiing in Central Japan, or what I've been up to the last 2 winters

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Great thread. Thanks.

Kye Peterson does some of that upper body rotation too. He'll even rotate his shoulders to initiate a McConkey turn, then open them back up as he floats along on edge. There's so much variation in style among great skiers, even racers (see Bode Miller's apparent tail gunning). It's always interesting to see a new way of getting it done.

[Toddball]

Wow, thanks very much Idris! Very swervy to be sure.

[Idris]

Wow, thanks very much Idris! Very swervy to be sure.

Yeah. Try following him through a densely wooded decent - he's about 1m56 (5ft3) and 54kg (120lbs). I am a more average 176 (5ft10) and 77kg (170lbs).

[hafjell]

That 540 in the park at the end is pretty smooth.

[Idris]

Not long now, looking forward to going back to



And some



This wont be bad either



Might have to watch out here



But should be ok here



Or guiding this



Will probably end up doing some more survey work, so will spend some time on this beast



Yes there are 3 sets of gear on a sled designed for 1, but hey you've got to work with what you have

Will try and put some video up next

[Shredhead]

^^^^
Glad to see you found your place, or more like, places. Hope we ski again!

[Idris]

A little bit of chase cam ion one of the gentler open runs (wide angle makes it look flatter)

[Idris]

A bit of chase cam in the trees, again wide angle makes it look flatter

[Idris]

Temporary website is up (should be www.mikuni-cat.com - but there are technical difficulties with the hosting/url) at www.alpinehike.com.

Basically we are up and running for the winter

Day rate is ¥ 35,000 ($310USD/€275) per person. You get 5-10 runs (we stop when your legs give out in general) we provide avie gear, you bring lunch snacks.

Minimum 3 pers max 10
Group rate/private cat this winter is ¥ 140,000 ($1240USD/€1100) for up to 10

We are 2 hours out of Tokyo by car or shinkansen.
If you are heading to Hokkido normally you have to bounce through Tokyo on your way through. Can easily be done as a day trip while others in the group go sightseeing.
We are about an hour an a half from Nozawa or two and a bit from Shiga Kogen.
We can't compete with Alaska heli for steeps, but powder turns per $ I think we have them beat

You can also find us at https://www.facebook.com/MikunicatTour/

For possible lower group rates / minimum numbers PM me

Happy to explain more on here or answer by PM

If anyone has any website suggestions omission etc, please let me know

[poikenz]

When does Japan's ski season usually start and when does it get "good"? Talking to people I heard that is was similar to N. America, but looking at some resort sites this weekend it doesn't look like much is open.

[SUPERIOR]

It’s tough to say, but late December is usually when it really dumps in Japan and things get good. There’s the odd drought cycle every few years, but they don’t call it “Japanuary” for nothing. PS - the ground was bare in Niseko last week, and it’s been snowing since thanksgiving for reference. I believe the Niseko resorts opened within several days of the first snow. https://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-...al-snow-depths

[Idris]

When does Japan's ski season usually start and when does it get "good"? Talking to people I heard that is was similar to N. America, but looking at some resort sites this weekend it doesn't look like much is open.

It's started already, only the higher places so far. Kagura, Shiga Kogen, Furano, Sapporo Kokusai and others are open.

Gets good? Most places Christmas, the un lucky ones , New Years.

I would have said it's more like Europe in terms of opening dates, the mountains proximity to the sea and size of the ranges being comparable to Europe.

In North America you have huge annual temperature swings that come with huge continental land mass. Neither (western) Europe or Japan has anything like Colorado or Alberta in that sense.

A lot of places can go from zero to hero in one snowfall, much like Tahoe, PNW for the same reason

[Idris]

I'm off to Japan in a week. It's currently green/brow and raining heavily in Chamonix

I will then begin regaling you tails of mud, oil changes and the general detritus of actually setting a cat op

[LeeLau]

Nice. Good to see a familiar name.powhunting

[dookeyXXX]

arigatō gozaimashita

[Idris]

Finally got back to the Cat

It had been sleeping since March



A few hours work later

[Buster Highmen]

w0000t! Looks fantastic.

[2nd mate]

Straight up AWESOME! Thanks for sharing you adventures with us.

[Best Mexican Skier from Da South]

THE LIFE! Live it up!

[Idris]

A couple of days ago I got the cat up to the top of the area.

We've had some snow since, and I didn't catch all of the area (I'm still learning the drone thing). But you will get the idea

[Idris]

Yesterday 8 Jan 2019



This morning 9 Jan 2019



Up at cat skiing



At work

[Shredhead]

Looks nice! Glad you found your place.


Shaun turns 25 this weekend.
I remember when we got him into Eric’s during XGames when he was maybe 16. Time goes fast.

[Idris]

A bit of an update,

We are up and running.

Here is an updated drone view, yes my editing is rough.



A view of me from a client's perspective



and

[Toddball]

What are the big mountains in the background around 1:09 in the first video?

[Idris]

What are the big mountains in the background around 1:09 in the first video?

Tyrapioyama, Taniwadake