The sun came out just before lunch and Tim and I tried to get a couple of stills at the gondola base.
We didn't quite get it , but you can see the quality of the powder.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
DAY 73 : SATURDAY 08 FEBRUARY 2014
3 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 6 with the Banks family, Tim, Jackie & Claud at Kiroro.
It was wall to wall sunshine across the region today offering up spectacular views of Mt Yotei, the surrounding peaks, Lake Toya, and the Pacific Ocean & Sea of Japan.
The groomed runs were in perfect condition and there were plenty of dry, light powder stashes in the trees.
Claud, Jackie & Tim with Otaru Bay in the background
Tim standing tall and relaxed in the fall line on the Nagamine red course
Jackie letting the skis run on the Nagamine red course
DAY 74 : SUNDAY 09 FEBRUARY 2014
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 7 with the Banks family, Tim, Jackie, Dougy & Claud at Rusutsu.
The groomed runs at Rusutsu were in great shape and there was still plenty of boot top to knee deep powder in the trees.
There's not much snow in the forecast, but with low winds and intermittent sunshine it's the ideal time to ski the groomers and the bumps improving your skiing technique and confidence.
DAY 75 : MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2014
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
A calm and sunny start to the day at MQ with VERY light snow flurries.
Taking a day off snow today to recharge the batteries and wait for the next wave of Hokkaido powder to roll in.
Which doesn't seem to be until the weekend at this stage.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Mike Pow wrote:
Great to hear all going well clarky999.
It's a tough one at Kiroro. I agree that it's not particularly dangerous with regards to avalanches, although there are a couple of steeper pitches in there that do slide.
Not for far, but in to terrain traps.
The bigger issue is discouraging unskilled people going in there because of the track out. Still plenty of very average skiers and snowboarders going in there mind.
I've seen two helicopter airlifts from the river track, and got one Japanese snowboarder out of a hole myself. He was 2 m below the snow surface, standing in the river.
They are in talks with the Forest Service to start a gate system similar to the Niseko Resort Area, but with the Sunshine, Alberta, Canada rule of access only allowed after a safety talk, with avalanche safety equipment, and with a partner.
Will keep you posted.
Kiroro is easily one of my favourite resorts and the skiing I had there on Tuesday was possibly the best out of a month long trip to Niseko. The only place I see a lot of people ducking under is near the 2-man lift but there are still a lot of other hidden treasures dotted around.
That said, if they implemented a gate system it would ruin the resort for me and I doubt I'd even bother going there again. I don't think I really need to discuss the sheer number of clueless punters with no knowledge, skill or gear who all go out the Niseko gates just to slide slip and fall leaf down.
Day 8 with the Banks family, Tim & Jackie at Kiroro.
Great sunny start to the day with the groomed runs in perfect condition.
Started snowing after lunch and it was knee deep by day's end.
DAY 77 : WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014
5 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 9 with the Banks family, Tim, Jackie, Dougy & Claud at Kiroro.
Another sunny day at Kiroro on deserted pistes and even more deserted tree runs.
Claud, Jackie, Tim & Dougy with Yoichidake in the backround
Dougy went to the darkside today, but managed to stay in the light
Tim and I hit the trees and with Tim hitting his marks and me well off today unfortunately. But you can see the quality of the snow we skied
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Hirafu good today. Despite the forecast there was over a foot of fresh come the end of the day. Talk of a blizzard tomorrow but either way it looks good for some fresh tracks. Was hard at it from 4-8pm
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
DAY 78 : THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2014
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 10 with the Banks family, and with no new snow in the Niseko Resort Area Tim, Jackie, Dougy & I headed to Kiroro for their final day on snow this holiday.
We were greeted with sunshine and a full reset covering all of yesterday's tracks.
There was 5cm of light snow on the groomed runs, knee deep fluff on the fringes, and a lot more in the trees.
For the second day in a row I messed up the focus on Tim's turns in 'Walk In The Woods' but I think you'll get the drift
After lunch the heaven's opened and by day's end we had boot top powder on the groomers and face shots galore in the trees.
Video to follow.
A great way to end a great time with the Banks family.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
DAY 79 : FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2014
10 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
After a week of no significant snowfall and limited powder in the Niseko Resort Area, a little place over the mountain delivered for the fourth day in a row.
This is what a a full day at Kiroro looks like, from bell to bell.
Looks very nice again Mike! Did you get any of this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26222457 or was that mostly further South? Too much snow by the sound of it (strange thing to say I know).
Cheers,
Dave.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Cheers Dave.
No, just down south on Honshu. And not really used to that volume of snow.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
DAY 80 : SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2014
3 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Late last night Clayton Kernaghan, owner operator of Black Diamond Tours in Higashiyama, called round to MQ to say that the Hokkaido Backcountry Club helicopter would be flying early Saturday morning and there was a seat onboard for me.
I got the golden ticket because I'm writing a feature for the 2015 Powderlife magazine.
Heli-skiing in the Shiribeshi region of Hokkaido has arrived, with Shiribetsu Dake beside Rusutsu Resort the first of many proposed landing zones.
We met at 7.30 am at the Black Diamond Tours office for registraion.
Johnie from London getting weighed to balance out the payload
Michael from Swizterland
Angus from Brisbane
Head Guide Jordy Shepherd from Canada
Jordy explaining avalanche beacon searches and probing for skiers / snowboarders buried in an avalanche
Local photographer Glen Claydon and NISADE Employee of the Month Kondo
Pilot J Iwada
NISADE Employee of the Month Kondo
NISADE Employee of the Month Pippy
Johnie
Jordy
Kondo and Johnie ready to drop in
Angus
Johnie
Guide Pablo Arsenault
A fantastic experience that comes highly recommended if you're in the Niseko Resort Area.
Look out for the feature in the 2015 Powderlife magazine out in December 2014.
Good hands. Looked like she was a bit stiff at the top then relaxed more as she went on. What a place to relax and enjoy......
EDIT: Wrote that after coming in late last night - perhaps should have explained. I need to get my wife to watch this video as I cannot get her to get her hands in a decent position - no matter what I try - always down by her sides, with all the associated issues.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Going out there next week. Can't wait
On a side note, will I need some sort of transformer to charge my iphone and macbook whilst out there? I've asked this question in other places but I thought it would be better to get the answer from people who are there or have recently been.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
boris360, all my gadgets charged fine a few years back
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Nice MikePow. I'm sure the heli trip was sweet. Interesting choice of location for a heli operation. I imagine BD are using it to test the water with a view to expanding to more remote spots? No doubt it'll do well. No shortage of clientele with money for that kind of thing!
boris360, Stuff like laptops and phones will charge fine, although might take a little longer than you're used to. If you have hair curlers/straightners etc (!) they won't get as hot so won't work as well (so I'm told by Mrs MagSeven!)
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
boris360 wrote:
Going out there next week. Can't wait
On a side note, will I need some sort of transformer to charge my iphone and macbook whilst out there? I've asked this question in other places but I thought it would be better to get the answer from people who are there or have recently been.
I was fine with a normal plug adaptor.
The BD guides seemed a bit sceptical about the hell operation; the weather often isn't exactly ideal for flying in Hokkaido!
Good hands. Looked like she was a bit stiff at the top then relaxed more as she went on. What a place to relax and enjoy......
EDIT: Wrote that after coming in late last night - perhaps should have explained. I need to get my wife to watch this video as I cannot get her to get her hands in a decent position - no matter what I try - always down by her sides, with all the associated issues.
Thanks. Will pass on. Yeah working on keeping hands forward and balancing through the turn.
Nice MikePow. I'm sure the heli trip was sweet. Interesting choice of location for a heli operation. I imagine BD are using it to test the water with a view to expanding to more remote spots? No doubt it'll do well. No shortage of clientele with money for that kind of thing!
Absolutely.
They're looking at a lodge based cat and heli operation south of Rankoshi on the coast.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
[quote="clarky999"]
boris360 wrote:
The BD guides seemed a bit sceptical about the hell operation; the weather often isn't exactly ideal for flying in Hokkaido!
Yeah very volatile weather, but March and April will become the months of operation IMHO.
After all it is free
After all it is free
DAY 84 : WEDNESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2014
17 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 2 of the Royal Visit
With the high winds still raging across the region and closing the upper lifts we headed back to Kiroro for Nerys' second day on snow.
Another big leap in her comfort level on and off the piste today.
Last edited by So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much on Fri 7-11-14 16:59; edited 1 time in total
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
DAY 87 : SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2014
23 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 5 of the Royal Visit
Another load of snow at MQ accompanied by sunny skies, so it was back to Niseko Moiwa for Nerys and me.
A little warmer than yesterday which made the powder a little heavier but another fabulous day.
Nerys and Mt Yotei
Nerys in the powder
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
DAY 88 : SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2014
2 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 6 of the Royal Visit
Nerys and I took a day off snow today and headed to the Kutchan Yukitopia festival at Asahigaoka Park.
It was a great afternoon with a real family day out atmosphere.
There were food stalls selling deicious local food - oysters, pumpkin croquettes, tako yaki (octopus fritters) and Kutchan's own fried potatoes.
Japanese Superhero shows on the main stage with mock battles.
And a children's tubing hill.
The main event was the sprint across the water. Fastest across wins. Cash money.
Some made it, some didn't. Hats off to all though, that water was cold.
Jon Barlow walks on water
Going for extra style points
Sumo
One of the organising committee
Nerys
Eye of the Tiger
His prey
Jagata-kun (the Kutchan town ski mascot)
Unlucky
If you're in the area next year it's definitely worth a couple of hours off snow to attend.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Our first day in Niseko and the only place I have been to is the Physio with Mrs rungsp....to be told that her fall last week in Switz has resulted in a ruptured ACL...it would be true to say
Thats torn it.
I will still be skiing, but she wont be on this trip of a lifetime, what a bummer...
Snow report....windy...flaking a bit.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Japan Niseko Powder Camp Coaches Day off from jorball
Glorious sunny weather across the region and no new snow for two days meant heading into the backcountry or heading out of the Niseko Resort Area to find untracked, soft snow conditions.
Nerys & I chose the latter, with Sapporo Kokusai our destination for the day. This was Nerys' first visit.
As we drove through Kimobetsu we heard the distinctive sound of helicopter rotor blades 'thwapping' overhead and saw the Hokkaido Backcountry Club dropping off skiers on the summit of Shiribetsu Dake.
Superb day for it.
Shiribetsu Dake
I've been eyeing this line for a while. This could be the winter for it
Sapporo Kokusai was deserted with fantastic chalky snow on the groomed runs and boot top to knee deep powder on the sheltered north facing slopes.
And great views of the ocean.
The camera was playing up again today.
One that got away
Nerys
On the way back we stopped to watch the fisherman ice fishing on Jyonzankei dam
and had an early dinner at Fukuro no Mori. Great pasta & pizza in front of the wood burning fire.
Still no new snow falling from the bluebird skies so Nerys and I headed to Kiroro Snow World for more chalky snow on the groomed runs and boot top to knee deep spongy powder on the sheltered north facing slopes.
A relaxing, mellow day of skiing with no crowds and quiet slopes.
DAY 91 : WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2014
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 9 of the Royal Visit
The "drought" continues!!!
So today's destination, a new one for both of us, was Otaru Tenguyama.
After a lovely drive over the mountains and down to Otaru City we took the steep approach road up to Otaru Tenguyama.
The ski resort is small but perfectly formed with beginners' areas at the bottom and the top of the mountain, one long green run from top to bottom, a couple of steep (tops out at 38 degrees) pisted red runs, and a couple of unpisted steep (tops out at 42 degrees) black runs.
And then there's all the stuff in the trees that drops right back to the bottom of the hill.
The pisted runs were in perfect condition with grippy corduroy, and the ungroomed terrain was a mix of packed powder, sun crusted powder and boot top heavy powder.
Uplift is by a 30-person ropeway or by a 2-person uncovered chair.
With my Niseko United seasons pass I got a day ticket for JPY 2,000 and Nerys got a 6-hr ticket for JPY 2,300
Nerys on the ropeway with Otaru bay in the background
The terrain
Nerys on the green 'C' course with Otaru bay in the background
Dropping into the red 'F' course, at 38 degrees at the top Nerys's steepest run to date
and cruising out at the bottom
And back up for more
We had lunch at Restaurant Tengu which commands a wonderful panoramic view over Otaru
and after lunch visited the Tengu House which houses Tengu goblin masks from all over Japan.
Legend has it that the Tengu goblin has the magical power to grant wishes and protect people from harm.
and the Otaru Ski Archives museum
The view from the Observatory Deck
Otaru Tenguyama is a fantastic little resort and one which I will definitely return to. Especially on a powder day.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
DAY 92 : THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2014
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 10 of the Royal Visit
Another glorious day and another new resort for both Nerys and me.
Today's destination was Sapporo Teine, the 1972 Winter Olympics resort overlooking the city of Sapporo.
We drove up to the Highland Zone and started our day on the 4-seater chair that takes you to the top of the mountain.
The views were superb.
We worked our way from City View Cruise to City View Panorama to Natural to the Men's / Women's Slalom run from the '72 Games.
The grooming was excellent and the slopes were quiet.
Nerys was getting more and more comfortable and much more relaxed on steeper grooomed terrain.
And Teine is consistently the steepest resort in this part of Hokkaido.
After lunch we headed to the Olympia Zone, which is an amazing area to learn and develop your skiing.
On our way down the 'Natural' run we came across a Sapporo Police Dept. police car stuck in the snow.
The policemen had taken a wrong turn out of the car park and headed down the groomed run instead of the mountain road.
I dug them out once and we managed to push them a little way back up the run, but then they sank again and had to wait for the groomer to pull them out.
The current snow conditions kept us to the groomed terrain today, but Teine has an abundance of open bowl and tree skiing at all pitches that would be superb in powder.
The Niseko Resort Area is often criticised for not having steep terrain to complement it's plentiful powder.
After visiting some of the Otaru and Sapporo resorts this week, my recommendation for those looking to ski deep AND STEEP on Hokkaido would be to base yourself in Asari, Otaru or Sapporo and day trip to
Kiroro Snow World
Otaru Tenguyama
Sapporo Kokusai
Sapporo Teine
and a number of the smaller ski areas nearby.
After all it is free
After all it is free
DAY 93 : FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2014
2 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
February saw 231 cm (91") of snowfall, the 2nd lowest total in the eight winters I've been collecting data.
The highest total was in February 2013 when 395 cm (156") fell.
Day 11 of the Royal Visit
Nerys & I took a day off snow today.
High winds kept most of the lifts closed for most of the day, so we headed to Kutchan for a bit of shopping, coffee & cake at Sprout cafe, and a visit to the Kutchan Natural History Museum and the Shu Ogawara Museum of Art.
Shu Ogawara (1911-2002) was born in Kutchan and is a well respected artist in Japan.
Along with his paintings there is a visting exhibition of international artists called Kutchan Art 2014 which runs until 23 March 2014.
Both are well worth a visit.
In the evening, Nerys and I joined Ian for an excellent dinner at Dragon Restaurant in the Sekka building in Hirafu.
We shared the appetiser selection of seafood, pate, and rillettes; oysters on the half shell and oyster shots; and the salmon and scallop sashimi.
Nerys had the fish main course, Ian had the duck, and I had the lamb chop. All delicious.
The service was great, the atmosphere relaxed, and dining here is highly recommended.
DAY 94 : SATURDAY 01 MARCH 2014
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 12 of the Royal Visit
Happy St. David's Day (Patron Saint of Wales).
A grey day at village level with gusting winds, so Nerys & I took another day off snow today.
DAY 95 : SUNDAY 02 MARCH 2014
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 13 of the Royal Visit
After a week of no new snow, glorious sunshine, and freeze-thaw conditions across the Niseko Resort Area, colder temperatures and light snowfall returned this morning.
Nerys & I headed to Niseko Moiwa where the groomed runs were hard packed, consistent, and great fun on narrower profile skis.
The 2-5 cm that fell during the day made the turns on Shirakaba slope surprisingly good.
A layer of velvet like snow covered the sun and wind baked off piste slopes and a lighter touch resulted in smooth turns top to bottom.
The mercury is set to drop all next week and snowfall is forecast for the next six days, with Thursday 06 March looking like the pick of the days at this stage.
Get ready, winter's not done just yet.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Selfishly, here's hoping for the snowiest March on record...
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
, but you can see the quality of the powder.
