 Poster: A snowHead
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| davidhammy wrote: |
I love looking at other peoples holiday/ski photo's, have you any of either your or a close family member's wedding? That would give me something to do at lunch time.
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Sorry no.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Kiroro has to be the next big thing (unfortunately). Particularly with the direct bus from Hirafu. Still, can't wait 6 more weeks.
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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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I rate Kiroro highly , but it's not for everyone.
It has a wide variety of uncrowded pistes with excellent grooming, and whilst it has more snowfall than the Niseko Resort Area the off-piste areas are heavily treed.
There are fewer wide open slopes than Niseko United and Moiwa.
As long as you go there knowing what type of terrain is available you'll have a ball.
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DAY 13 : TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2013
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Actually it was more like -20 cm at MQ with overnight rain washing away what little base there is at my place.
Still it keeps the shovelling down.
It rained all day.
Miserable.
DAY 14 : WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2013
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
The rain turned to snow just before dawn and whilst it came down healthily for a little while, once the sun came out what had fallen at village level quickly melted away.
It's much cooler this evening, with a clear sunset.
It could be icy out there first thing tomorrow if we don't get any snow overnight.
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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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It was already pretty icy for my walk back home. Had to watch my step a few times.
But, on the bright side, the clear weather did make for some great picturing:
Spoiler
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Nature can be such a b$stard at times 
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DAY 15 : THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER 2013
4 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
I woke to a decent covering around the house and on the roads, with the snow set in for the day.
Met up with Greg Heptonstall at 10 am and spent the morning in Hirafu helping Greg to get his ski legs for the season.
Continuing the theme from Kiroro a couple of days ago, this is the trail map at the top of the Hirafu Gondola.
Normally by mid-season you can't ski under the sign.
After Tuesday's rain and last night's freeze I wasn't expecting much out of today but I was very pleasantly surprised with today's conditions.
Minimal crunch underneath rapidly accumulating powder.
We skied down to Hanazono 308 for a coffee at 2pm through knee deep untracked powder.
At 308 we bumped into my new neighbour, Crested Butte, Colorado local Susan Mol.
Susan's over for the winter snowboard and ski bumming, and today she was on her skis.
Turns out the very unassuming Susan was 2009 Freeride World Tour Women's Snowboard Champion
http://vimeo.com/4533751
Came home at 5pm to 12 cm of dry, light powder on the deck and it's been coming down at a steady 1cm/hr since.
Hirafu and Hanazono should be great tomorrow.
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| Mike Pow wrote: |
| Hirafu and Hanazono should be great tomorrow. |
That's what I'm hoping. I've got a day off so will be exploring the slopes of Hirafu, rather than the bars which has been the past few night's duties...
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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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Bah humbug. Currently stuck in Nagoya airport waiting for my transfer, which looks in all likelihood to cancelled due to hooligan like weather in Sapporo. Must be well dumping up there...
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Yeah it's been pretty wild, heavy snow and strong winds. Hope your flight makes it up here!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Hope you get in Ordinary Skiier.
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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 16 : FRIDAY 13 DECEMBER 2013
25 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
As of today 220 cm (87") has fallen at MQ in Higashiyama
Skied Hirafu and Hanazono with Ian for the first part of the morning and he was really getting a handle on his balance points in deeper snow on his new centre mounted twin tip skis.
It was knee deep with the occasional mid-thigh deep patch of creamy powder. The wind had got at it a little over night.
Great turns to be had.
By 10 am the visibility had gone and the wind had started to pick up.
The grooming in Hirafu and Hanazono was of a poor standard today and with the flat light conditions I was suprised there weren't bodies everywhere.
Met up with Greg at 11am and he and I skied through to day's end.
Got home at 4pm and spent 90 minutes shovelling the wind blown snow around the house.
First big storm of the season.
12 cm has fallen during the day and it's raging out there at the moment.
Some flights into Chitose have been cancelled due to the wind.
Tomorrow could be epic or it could be a windblown suffer fest.
Time will tell.
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Wind and snow have been pretty interesting for the past few days. Not too bad though - still got out to the bar. Priorities and all that.
Mixed day today, mostly snowy with some gusts but every now and then the clouds parted:
Spoiler
Night skiing also started today in Niseko Village, nice way to download from the stresses of teaching 6yr olds all day!
Spoiler
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You know it makes sense.
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Early days yet thedrewski.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Despite being in Hirafu for nearly 36hrs, I still haven't skied due to a persistent ankle injury, but luckily my hotel room has its own private onsen overlooking the Family run.
Today I was forced to watch my missus ski from afar as I soaked my outer self in hot spring water, and my inner self with Japanese craft ale.
All in all it was a damn fine day!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Not skiing at the moment due to a broken hand, but we spent the weekend at Lake Toya. Lots of snow around Rusutsu on the way back, and tons up here in central Hokkaido.
Incidentally Mike Pow, had lunch today at Maccarina having seen it in your reports last year. Great meal!
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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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Great to hear you enjoyed Maccarina.
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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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| Ordinary_Skiier wrote: |
Despite being in Hirafu for nearly 36hrs, I still haven't skied due to a persistent ankle injury, but luckily my hotel room has its own private onsen overlooking the Family run.
Today I was forced to watch my missus ski from afar as I soaked my outer self in hot spring water, and my inner self with Japanese craft ale.
All in all it was a damn fine day!
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The power of positive thinking Ordinary Skiier
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Mike Pow, wow! Somewhat more impressive than the boilerplate in Verbier on Saturday... May just have to pay Hokkaido a visit this season!
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looks amazing Mike.....but is that a  sticker atop Greg's helmet, or is admin in for some fun 'intellectual' property litigation?
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DoubleBombardino, it's the Smith logo.
Looks great Mike Pow, much better than conditions are here atm!
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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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Thanks BobinCH, DoubleBombardino and clarky999.
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DAY 19 : MONDAY 16 DECEMBER 2013
28 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
As of today 317 cm (125") has fallen at MQ in Higashiyama
High winds overnight combined with a rise in temperature has compacted the snow to a concrete like density at village level.
It took me 2 hrs to clear the snow around my house this morning when it only took 30 minutes yesterday.
But this is exactly what the mountain needs to solidify the base and bury the sasa.
Ian MacKenzie went up for a couple of runs early this morning and said there were still a few patches of dry, light snow where the wind hadn't got at it.
The top lifts were on hold for the second day running due to high winds, so who knows what the upper mountain has in store for us.
It rained a little this afternoon and this evening the sky is clear.
Watch out for the ice.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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 22 : THURSDAY 19 DECEMBER 2013
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Cool and grey with flat light, the perfect day to take off and catch up with laundry and movies.
This is one of my favourites shot on Hokkaido, one of Jordan Manley's 'A Skier's Journey' webisodes
Japan S03 E01
http://vimeo.com/52021164
http://jordanmanley.com/photographs
DAY 23 : FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER 2013
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
A little brighter today with good groomed skiing and packed conditions off the ground.
Took a drive to Iwanai to see what the conditions are like over there.
Needs a good couple of storms for it to be on.
Looks like the snow is returning tomorrow evening.
Not before time.
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You know it makes sense.
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DAY 24 : SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2013
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
High winds overnight continued through the morning shutting the top lifts and keeping the lower lifts on slow.
The snow is set to return this evening and I leave you with David Pulman's powder prayer from the Snowboard Wales facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/61549463747/
Now I lay down to bed,
I pray The Lord for pow to shred,
and if it's waist deep when I wake,
epic lines I vow to take!!
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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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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 updates Mike Pow. I'm jealous of all that lovely fresh snow Think I'm going to go to Hokkaido for my next trip. I've done Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen but didn't have much luck with conditions there plus would like to try somewhere different in Japan. What time of year do you recommend for the best conditions?
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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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Thanks Raven.
Statistically January and February are the surest bets for powder.
In the 8 seasons that I've been keeping records in the Niseko Resort Area of Hokkaido,
December gets an average of 350 cm (138") - more than February - but terrain can be limited.
January sees a whopping 482 cm (190"), but is the busiest month. And most expensive accommodation wise.
February sees an average of 288 cm (113") with less people after the Chinese New Year holiday and with all the terrain open.
Although March ONLY averages 172 cm (68") I've had some of my best powder days in this month. The combination of new snow and clear, sunny days is a heady mix and a good introduction to Hokkaido for skiers not used to skiing trees.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks Mike Pow. February looks like it might be a good time for me. I imagine airfares from Australia would also be cheaper as it's after school holidays.
Strangely enough in my previous two visits in Japan I've been there in January, February and March and the only fresh snow I got was a big dump in early March. Just goes to show that statistics can only help you so much when it comes to the weather.
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DAY 29 : THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2013
4 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
The cloud cover burned off early to leave another sunny December day.
This was the first day of the season when the backcountry gates opened and Glen Claydon was there with his camera.
Check out Glen's pics from 'The Peak' here
http://360niseko.com/blog/all-gates-open/
Keith Rogers dropping the knee (Glen Claydon Photography)
And if you're looking to get professional shots of you skiing or boarding the Hokkaido powder then contact Glen at Powdershots Niseko
http://powdershotsniseko.com/
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DAY 30 : FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER 2013
8 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Heavy wet snow fell around 8pm last night and then the surface layer froze under clear skies.
It made for some interesting turns in Konayuki early on with Ian and Aaron.
I spent the day on our very own Idris' Renard skis (175 cm, 116-71-100, r 17m) and Aaron was on the Idris Chamois skis (175 cm, 120-88-112, r 20m)
Beautiful handcrafted skis by Tom Greenall and his wife, Kiyoko Yamaguchi in Chamonix, France.
Tom is a fellow Welshman who's made Chamonix his home since 2001.
I first saw Tom and Kiyoko's skis last winter when longtime student Tracy came up from Tokyo in early December with the Chamois.
They made a massive difference to his skiing last season and I wanted my students and I to have a chance to try them this winter.
The Chamois is their all mountain ski and Aaron was improving all over the mountain in all conditions - piste, crud, bumps, powder. And loving them
The Renard is their carving piste ski. Maybe for Europe!
I've skied both and rate both very highly, but for the type of terrain and quality of snow we have here on Hokkaido and the way in which I like to ski it the Renard is my all mountain ski.
They turn like the Welsh weather, flex and pop through the bumps, and dive deep in the powder.
Superb.
For the full range of Idris skis please visit their web site
http://idriskis.com/
And to top off a great day of skiing, Aaron and I got to ride the Lucky Golden Gondola in Hirafu - the number 50 gondola is painted and upholstered gold to commemorate last season's 50th Anniversary for Grand Hirafu.
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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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18 sleeps to go! The slow barrage of snow is keeping me stoked  Is there a good resource for finding out what the conditions in Kiroro/Rusutsu are like? I found that last year Kiroro was getting 30-50cm dumps when Niseko was dry as the Alps.
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I use snow-forecast
http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/KiroroSnowWorld/6day/top
There are far fewer people skiing Rusutsu and especially Kiroro compared with Niseko United, so finding powder whether it's snowed or not is typically easier.
In my experience, Niseko United gets more snow than Rusutsu and Kiroro gets more snow than both of them.
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FAQ
