 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Great photos Mike Pow, but nothing compared to the snow on Pen-y-fan  . I'm hoping to spend a few months skiing in Japan next winter, and Kiroro looks like a decent option; are there any near-by towns with good accommodation and transport links? Otaru looks like a possibility, but it's 50 minutes by bus.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Mike Pow, Snow looks amazing. Enjoy!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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^^^ +1
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Keep some snow back for the rest of us
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forgive my ignorance, I am out in Niseko on the 30th Jan, is Kiroro close by??? On a seperate lift pass??? feckin miles away or what 
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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.
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kitenski, kiroro is separate, an hour from Niseko by car from what I've heard. I'm heading out tomorrow and there until end-Feb and planning to hire a car for a few weeks at the end of Jan beginning of feb and would be up for sharing trips to resorts around Niseko for those prepared to contribute to the costs of the car
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thebongolian, when do you arrive? I'm gonna be at the airport to collect a mate coming from the UK arriving around 16.30.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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MagSeven, I get to Sapporo on Friday evening. Spending Friday night in town then heading down to Niseko Saturday am.
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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.
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Mike, do you have kids and a wife?
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Thanks guys.
Teaching full time at the moment, so falling behind in days.
But slowly catching up.
More to follow 
And no kids or wife russ e, but a very understanding girlfriend.
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You know it makes sense.
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| ArseCaptain wrote: |
| Great photos Mike Pow, but nothing compared to the snow on Pen-y-fan . I'm hoping to spend a few months skiing in Japan next winter, and Kiroro looks like a decent option; are there any near-by towns with good accommodation and transport links? Otaru looks like a possibility, but it's 50 minutes by bus. |
There's nothing like Pen-y-Fan pow, but Hokkaido is a palatable back up.
Otaru is the nearest big town, but it's not that near. With a car it's a doable 'commute'. Sapporo Kokusai and Sapporo Teine are both 45 mins from Otaru too. And the Niseko Resort Area is about 90 mins.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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If you are looking to come to hokkaido for a few months, the best place to stay is Niseko. From there you can access the 5 local resorts very easily, resorts such as Rusutsu, Kiroro, Teine and Kokusai are all easily accessable by car. Within 5 hours drive you can allso access the great terrain in Daisetsuzan. The main reson for a prolonged stay in Niseko rather than the other resorts is the range of accomodation available, and easy access to restaurants bars, onsens (hot springs) and local ameneties, with the slopes right on your doorstep. Niseko has some very good inbound terrain and backcounrty acess is marvellous, the more with a great deal of hikeable mountains for those who wish to go further afield
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Poster: A snowHead
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+1 to captainofpowder's advice.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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DAY 3 : FRIDAY 30 DECEMBER 2011
360Niseko reported 7 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-30-december-2011/
Woke to a cold and clear sunrise at my cabin in Higashiyama, my home away from home this winter.
A Room With A View
But by the time I met with Hirafu village homeowners and regular visitors to the Niseko Resort Area the Banks and Wikman families from Brisbane, Australia the clouds had rolled in and we skied the first day of their lessons under greybird skies.
After 6 months off snow (a year for some) it was a day of finding your feet and balance on the groomed runs of Hirafu.
http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/winter/en/index.html
We had lunch at the King Bell restaurant - roast pork slices in miso ramen for me - and in the late afternoon Tim Banks and I took a run into Miharashi for the first time this winter. Creamy, windblown pow with most of the sasa and brush buried.
Met up with Ian M after skiing and we called in to see Cezar at Niseko Pizza's new location in the J-Sekka building. We couldn't leave without a bite to eat and a glass of vino, and the caesar salad, large bianco pizza, and sangiovese wine were all delicious.
http://www.nisekopizza.jp/en
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Thu 5-01-12 15:33; edited 1 time in total
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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?
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Finally, back in Hokkaido, very glad that our flight landed ok at Chitose, despite the snowstorm. Great time in Vietnam, but two weeks away from the pow is enough for me! Got a few more days off, so its Fri - Teine, Sat - Kamui, Sun - Asahidake, Mon - Rusutsu, Tues - Niseko.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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MagSeven, I'm out end of Jan for 8 days, are you still around then???
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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That's a sweet little tour MagSeven.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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DAY 4 : SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 2011
360Niseko reported 14 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-31-december-2011/
I met the Wikmans and the Banks' at the bottom of the Ace Family Chair, and after an hour or so of skiing the groomed slopes of Hirafu we headed over to Hanazono.
It was a cold, clear day interspersed with frequent squally winds that made the mercury drop quickly and bitingly. The tree lined runs of Hanazono afford protection from the wind and are a good choice on days like this.
At the end of Silver Dream is the Jib Park, and when the sun came out Tim W, Annie, Claudia, and Jack headed in
Tim W in the Jib Park
Annie in the Jib Park
Claudia in the Jib Park
Jack in the Jib Park
After lunch at Hanazono 308 - Pork donburi (pork slices, poached egg, bean sprouts, rice) for me - we headed to the nose of Waterfall to acquaint ourselves with the powder.
Annie enjoying her first foray in the powder
Jack in Waterfall
Claudia in Waterfall
Liz in Waterfall
Jackie in Waterfall
Tim W in Waterfall
For the last hour or so of daylight Tim W, Tim B & I played in the Hirafu powder. Tim W had been working hard on his stance and balance all day and was showing marked signs of improvement by days end
Tim W on the fringes of Furiko
Tim B on the fringes of Furiko
After an excellent day on and off the groomed runs Tim W, Tim B & I enjoyed an Apres-ski drink at Herbie's Umbrella Bar on the former Scott Hotel site between the Alpen and King base areas.
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| Mike Pow wrote: |
And no kids or wife russ e, but a very understanding girlfriend. |
Daddy please don't say those things!!  We miss you! Please come home. Mommy says you love snow more than us...
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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.
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| kitenski wrote: |
| MagSeven, I'm out end of Jan for 8 days, are you still around then??? |
Yep, I live here! Apart from Tokyo Marathon weekend in late Feb, then an insane 4 day trip to the UK 1st weekend in March, I'll be around!
Actually got some decent time off work now so getting around to a few more ski hills.
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The eagle has landed. After 36 hours on planes and in airports I now find myself in a hotel in Sapporo. Bed is calling but I might try to make it our for a beer...
Heading to Niseko tomorrow morning. Skiing from Sunday. MagSeven, sadly doing an avalanche course on Tuesday and Wednesday as it'd be good to meet up. Hopefully another time as planning to explore up Furano, Asahidake, Kamui way in a few weeks.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I was going to ask how you get the approval to go to Japan every year and making me very jealous!
Now I know that you sneak out for a loaf and some milk and come back 5 months later
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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.
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DAY 6 : MONDAY 02 JANUARY 2012
360Niseko reported 2 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-2-january-2012/
A greybird, windy Grand Hirafu day with the Wickmans and the Banks'. Great skiing in Hirafu and Hanazono.
DAY 7 : TUESDAY 03 JANUARY 2012
360Niseko reported 5 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-3-january-2012/
Another greybird, windy Grand Hirafu day with the Wickmans and the Banks'. Great skiing in Hirafu and Hanazono.
DAY 8 : WEDNESDAY 04 JANUARY 2012
360Niseko reported 19 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-4-january-2012/
With a healthy fall of new snow it was time to hit the trees in lower Rinkan and the Shirakaba & Center courses off the Ace Pair Lift # 3 at Grand Hirafu with the Wickmans, the Banks', and new arrivals Giles and Georgia.
Annie in Rinkan
Claudia in Rinkan
Tim W in Rinkan
Jackie skiing Shirakaba
Georgia skiing Shirakaba
Tim B skiing Shirakaba
Jack skiing Shirakaba
Graeme skiing Shirakaba
DAY 9 : THURSDAY 05 JANUARY 2012
360Niseko reported 31 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-5-january-2012/
LEGEND OF THE (NO) FALL
31cm of light powder for the Banks' last morning of skiing before they headed out to Breckenridge, Colorado, USA but high winds and driving snow kept the Ace Quad Lift #2 and Hirafu gondola on slow or hold for most of the day.
We decided to call it quits at 10.30 am and enjoy elevenses slopeside at The Vale Bar & Grill but not before we put six laps down the Family Run.
I had the pleasure of riding the chair with, skiing with and teaching the patriarch of the party John Pidgeon, who at 85 years young is my oldest student.
John had his first taste of skiing at Mt Kosciusko, NSW, Australia in 1947, staying at the original chalet.
The ski day would entail hiking up the slope in leather boots with skis strapped to his backpack, one run down, lunch, and one more ascent & descent in the afternoon if you were feeling energetic!
I know how you feel John after three winters skiing The Brecon Beacons National Park. Thankfully I was able to ski down in my Dynafit TLT 5 Performance boots and not leather boots.
John enjoying the Ultimate Hot Chocolate at The Vale Bar & Grill
The Gang at the Vale Bar & Grill
(l-r) Claudia, Jackie, Graeme, Giles, Georgia, Annie, Jack, Liz, Tim B, John, Dougie
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Can't really see how well he's skiing in those shots, there's way too much snow  looks like great fun
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Poster: A snowHead
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Neilski
DAY 11 : SATURDAY 07 JANUARY 2012
360Niseko reported 24 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-7-january-2012/
We started off in Hirafu and then Liz, Graeme, Giles, Georgia and I made our way over to Annupuri.
Fabulous conditions on and off the groomed runs at Annupuri, but if Niseko United has any aspirations to become a truly international winter sports destination then the links between Annupuri, Niseko Village and Grand Hirafu need to be improved. Dramatically.
Giles, Georgia, Graeme and Liz at Annupuri
Liz and Graeme on the Annupuri gondola
DAY 12 : SUNDAY 08 JANUARY 2012
360Niseko reported 3 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-8-january-2012/
Another snowy Grand Hirafu day with the Wickmans, Giles and Georgia.
15cm of the lightest powder fell in the first 2 hours of the ski day and set up great skiing in Hirafu and Hanazono.
John on the Family Run, Grand Hirafu when the snow was falling the hardest
Liz on the Family Run, Grand Hirafu
Giles on the Family Run, Grand Hiarfu
Graeme on the Family Run, Grand Hirafu
Liz, Graeme, Jack, and Tim W on the Family Run, Grand Hirafu
After bidding farewell to John it was time to head onwards and upwards to Center, Shirakaba and Rinkan.
Tim W skiing Shirakaba
Annie skiing Shirakaba
Giles skiing Shirakaba
Giles skiing Rinkan
Liz skiing Shirakaba
Liz skiing Rinkan
Tim W became a teenager today and we celebrated his 13th birthday at Wild Bills.
Tim W blowing out the birthday candles at Wild Bills
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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?
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DAY 14 : TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2012
360Niseko reported 24 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-10-january-2012/
The 10th day straight of snowfall in January, and the 10th day straight of shovelling the deck, the steps, the car out, and the path to the road.
My task was made a lot easier by this man
MEET THE LOVELOCKS, AND CRAIG
I met Neil, Ria, Alex, Hayden, and Craig at the Ace Family Pair Lift in Grand Hirafu under grey and lightly snowing skies, but by the time we got to the King Hooded Triple Lift the sun was out and it had gone bluebird.
I'd first skied with Neil in Rusutsu in January 2007 when he was an attendee at a conference at Rusutsu Hotel. He returned with his wife Ria, daughter Alex, and son Hayden the following winter and they've been coming back to Hokkaido every year since.
This was their first time at Grand Hirafu and they'd brought along family friend Craig for his first taste of Hokkaido powder. And they got to see Grand Hirafu at its best.
Dry, light powder all over the mountain, blue skies, no lift lines, and the locusts had already made their way to the King Lift #4 and the forced march to the peak.
The area around the Ace Pair Lift #3 and the King Hooded Triple Lift was tracked but there was still a little left for us!
Ria finding her feet on the fringes of Center after a year away from the powder
Alex on the fringes of Center
Hayden on the fringes of Center
Craig on the fringes of Center
Neil on the fringes of Center
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Neil on the fringes of Center
Craig on the fringes of Center
Alex on the fringes of Center
Ria on the fringes of Center
Neil on the fringes of Center
Craig on the fringes of Center
Hayden on the fringes of Center
Alex on the fringes of Center
We lapped this area all morning for what was the perfect start to their Hokkaido holiday.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Mike Pow, Center is a run off the ace chair #3 if I read the piste map correctly? Looks pretty good 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| kitenski wrote: |
| Mike Pow, Center is a run off the ace chair #3 if I read the piste map correctly? Looks pretty good |
Yep that's it.
Great area to transition from groomed terrain to ungroomed terrain.
Pretty consistent fall line with nicely spaced trees that gets early traffic and then is quiet once the higher lifts and runs are accessable.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Server issues the past couple of days sorry.
Normal service resumes tomorrow hopefully.
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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.
|
OVERDOSE is the next installment. In the meantime,
DAY 16 : THURSDAY 12 JANUARY 2012
360Niseko reported 14 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-12-january-2012/
Grand Hirafu and Hanazono with the Lovelocks and Craig.
Heavier powder, so we headed for steeper trees. Blueberry Fields, Silver Dream corner. Lunch at 308. Waterfall on the way back to Hirafu and then stopped early due to high winds.
DAY 17 : FRIDAY 13 JANUARY 2012
360Niseko reported 13 cm of new snow in Hirafu village
http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-snow-report-13-january-2012/
New snow overnight and heavy snow throughout the day on the Lovelocks and Craig's last day in the Niseko Resort Area. First up, Blueberry Fields, Hanazono.
Alex in Blueberry Fields, Hanazono
Neil in Blueberry Fields, Hanazono
Ria in Blueberry Fields, Hanazono
Craig in Blueberry Fields, Hanazono
And then on to The Legend of Shinya
Alex in The Legend of Shinya, Hanazono
Neil in The Legend of Shinya, Hanazono
Hayden in The Legend of Shinya, Hanazono
An excellent four days in the Niseko Resort Area, next stop for them Rusutsu.
For me, Kiroro.
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Must say I want to go Japan but am a little tied into the alps at the moment. But this thread and the pictures are top notch.
Snow looks amazing and everyone looks pro in your shots. Nice work.
I will taste the snow of Japan one day.
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FAQ
and maybe i'll even get to join in on the fun 
