Volume 8 - What about an employee and equipment appreciation day? DISCUSS THIS FEATURE HERE 6th March 2003 Page 1 of 2 (page 2 here)

The first day of each month in the resort industry is always significant, as both guests of winter resorts and employees of them seem to experience a change of mind frame. Here in Japan, November 1^st is recognized by Snow Japan as the start of a new white season, December 1^st signals the opening of some resorts, January 1^st is of course New Years, while the same day in February may be characterized as being perhaps the peak of the powder season. What about March 1^st? My choice for this day would have to be an employee and equipment appreciation day. Why? Because friend or foe, both the hardware and software involved at winter resorts have their limits tested daily, with only the best of both making it into the next white season. As most of the hardware and software will once again be displaced in a couple of months, this volume of the setting journals is dedicated to all of the staff and equipment working at winter resorts…
　　　

　　
To continue with the analogy first mentioned in volume 6 of the setting journals, “Why don’t we open early?” that opening a full sized resort is very similar to the process involving an airplane taking off, I’d like to introduce you to the possible chief steward of the cabin, or the mountain in this case.

　　
One of the main members of the Arai Ski Patrol hails from Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture. Though his name is Hironori Hamajima, he prefers just to be called “Hammer”. One of the first times I met Hammer I broke into the rhythm of MC Hammers song, “Can’t Touch This” and continued this tradition each time I saw him. Now that Hammer has been at the resort for several seasons, I only sing the song when he shows his face back at the resort each December. Hammer has continued to lessen the cultural divide in Japan between the Japanese and other Nationalities through both his fluent English and caring nature. Each winter he serves up the mountain daily to guests and likes to go telemarking on his days off. In the summer, he takes groups of native English speakers living in the Nagoya region white water rafting. Though Hammer has suffered through many of my English lessons, I do not feel that his efforts have been in vain as he has applied his experiences at work in Japan towards several successful overseas trips to Alaska and the like.

It is funny how things work out in life, I remember meeting a guest in Tokyo a few years back who said that he would only come to ARAI if his family could receive lessons in English. Though at the time ARAI did not offer such lessons, I knew Hammer could speak English, so was able to hook him up with the guest and it worked out well. This year, ARAI has also employed several native English speakers to teach such lessons, but behind the scenes I was very worried about their living accommodations at the dormitory. How would they fit in with the Japanese staff? Surprisingly well, as Hammer roomed with our snowboard instructor from Vancouver. Together, they seem to have gotten along very well and both have won in my opinion.

  
Though ARAI has 47 skiable hectares, there are also another 55 hectares called “conditional zones” found at the upper elevations of the slopes. These conditional zones are opened only when it is considered safe to do so. There is one conditional zone that encompasses Kohgenashi peak (which was opened on the morning I caught the chair up to the summit).

Naturally, the powder hounds jump at the chance to lay some fresh tracks and do not seem to mind hiking up the peak to do so. The hike up takes about 15 minutes to half an hour, but it is worth every minute of effort to both enjoy the view from the top and enjoy some virgin powder. Trekking up to these peaks is a lot of fun, and there is even a chance to see some wildlife.
  

　　
Actually, I ventured up the Kogenashi peak with Mr. Ko Tanaka (see volume 3 of the setting journals, “A Matter of Life & Death”) a few years back and really enjoyed the spectacular views of neighboring Mt. Myoko. That day we were not alone however, as approximately 10-15 of the locals were also in snow shoes up on the peak. It turns out that at the time a bear had been sighted in that area and the local tradition is to go hunting for it. What I found interesting was that the 15 locals (mostly elderly gentlemen) only carried one rifle, which was wrapped in cloth. Once the bear is taken, the villagers bring it down to the village neighboring the resort and make “Bear Stew”.

I’ve never actually tried Bear Stew, but can say that I have had the opportunity. ARAI offers staff lunches and the chef offered Bear Stew once a few winters back but there were few takers. When the locals catch a bear, it is a great excuse to have a party and naturally the president and other board members of the resort are invited down to join in the festivities. To be frank, I’ve heard that Bear Stew is an acquired taste, so fortunately at the festivities described above there is always lots of Japanese Sake and Beer flowing to wash the stuff down with.

On the day I ventured up the hill however, I had to pass on hiking up to the peaks as I was on a mission (For those of you that are interested in hiking up to the peaks, going up with skis or a snowboard is fun, but another way is to set out from the peak of the lifts in snow shoes and accompanied by a guide). To accomplish my mission, I needed to ski down the hard-packed groomed runs such as the one in the photo below:
　　

　　
Not that I minded so much. It was nice to get out on the slopes and take some photos. Besides, for me I enjoy the hard packed groomed runs the most. I think that one of the reasons why this is so is that I have learned how much work goes into preparing and setting each groomed run (see volume 2 of the setting journals, “The Primary Concern”). Having participated in the grueling work involved in setting up a mountain each morning over a season, the title for this column (the setting journals) on Snow Japan came to me naturally.
　　

　　
What exactly was the mission that day? To visit the Half pipe at ARAI....

Page 1 of 2 : Continued here