Mike Pow
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Posts posted by Mike Pow
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DAY 70 : WEDNESDAY 05 FEBRUARY 2014
4 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 3 with the Banks family, and today it was just Tim and me at Kiroro.
Boot top powder on the fringes of the groomed runs to start our day, and then it started snowing.
By day's end it was knee deep on the groomed runs, and considerably deeper in the trees.
Fastest accumulating snow I've experienced.
Tim made big changes today transitioning from killing the momentum and acceleration at the start of the turn with an exaggerated pole plant and an heavy edge set to standing taller & light accelerating through the start of the turn square to the skis.
Tim
Kiroro Ram Jam
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Hopefully a good way to spend a work day though
See you soon
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DAY 69 : TUESDAY 04 FEBRUARY 2014
5 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Day 2 with the Banks family, and today we headed to Rusutsu.
Glorious sunshine. Dry, light, boot top powder. And quiet slopes.
Fabulous.
Tim and Jackie on Isola Mt with Lake Toya and the Pacific Ocean in the background
Jackie
Tim
Tim, Jackie, Claud and Dougy on Isola Mt with Lake Toya and the Pacific Ocean in the background
Tim
Jackie
Claud
Dougy
Tim
Dougy
Jackie
Claud
Rusutsu Blue Skies
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Great vid Sand.
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30 cm and counting at MQ in Higashiyama.
Over the head in Kiroro today.
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DAY 67 : SUNDAY 02 FEBRUARY 2014
3 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
The quad at Niseko Moiwa had been on wind hold the previous three days and with 62 cm of snow in that time Tracy, Jack, Menno, Davey, Elko and I headed there bright and early with high hopes.
We weren't the only ones with the same plan, and I've not seen queues that big there before.
The quad was running slow, the line up took about 15 minutes, and when we got to the top we found that the wind had smoothed the powder to a consistent, creamy texture with about boot top penetration.
It was fast though and there were untracked lines to be had for most of the day.
Not as deep as we had hoped but we all had a ball.
DAY 68 : MONDAY 03 FEBRUARY 2014
8 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
As of today 1006 cm (396") has fallen at MQ in Higashiyama
Today was Day 1 with the Banks family - Tim, Jackie, Dougy and Claud.
Expecting large Chinese New Year crowds in Niseko Hirafu we drove over to Niseko Hanazono to start our day.
It was a good call with quiet slopes all morning and untracked turns in the trees after lunch.
Mixed snow conditions in the trees with spongy powder sandwiched between soft light powder on top and a crusty base below.
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Welcome and have a great time
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UPDATE : SATURDAY 01 FEBRUARY 2014
Yours truly enjoying the Rusutsu powder
[VIDEO]
[/VIDEO] -
you like that run Mike
You may have to share it in a few days though
Always quiet, always delivers
Enjoy
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DAY 66 : SATURDAY 01 FEBRUARY 2014
33 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Unfortunately the high winds that have beset the Niseko Resort Area for the past four days persisted, closing the top lifts until late in the afternoon.
So Tracy and I headed to Rusutsu to escape the wind.
We managed that and more. Much more.
Rusutsu was excellent with deep powder all over the resort and snowfall throughout the day.
Tracy
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DAY 65 : FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 2014
12 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
January saw 498 cm (196") of snowfall, the 4th highest total in the eight winters I've been collecting data.
The highest total was in January 2011 when 600 cm (236") fell.
After an hour or so of sunshine first thing this morning the heavens opened and snow and cold temperatures returned to the Niseko Resort Area.
17 cm has fallen at MQ today and it's still snowing heavily at the moment.
High winds once again closed the upper lifts but the wind speeds are forecast to lighten tomorrow.
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DAY 64 : THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014
17 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
With high winds still affecting the Niseko Resort Area closing the top lifts and forcing everyone down the mountain, I headed to Kiroro with Frank, Melanie and Ian.
It was Ian's first day back on snow since he injured his knee and it held up well on the groomed runs on the lower mountain.
The upper lifts were closed in Kiroro too, but with great terrain on the lower mountain and nobody skiing it Frank, Melanie and I skied untracked powder all day.
The powder was a little heavier than normal, but there were plenty of light turns to be had.
Frank
Melanie
Frank
Melanie
Frank
Melanie
Frank
Incoming
Great to meet and ski with you guys, safe travel back to Whistler, and hope you get some snow soon.
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Graduated university at 27 and spent the next winter working in Ellmau, Austria as a Chalet Boy. Cooking, cleaning & running the chalet for the season.
Did Resort repping for UK tour operator Inghams in Big Mountain, Montana for two seasons and Park City, Utah for one season.
Trained to become a ski instructor at Kicking Horse, BC, Canada and after two seasons there spent one season in Civetta, Italy and one season at Keystone, Colorado.
Came to the Niseko Resort Area in December 2006 and aside from a season and a half back home in Wales been teaching here since.
Love it.
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Dumping in Higashiyama but blowing a gale too.
10 cm already this morning.
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DAY 63 : WEDNESDAY 29 JANUARY 2014
19 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Solo to Niseko Moiwa today and it was a waiting game for the wind to die down and the lifts to start spinning.
But patience was rewarded handsomely.
The double chair B opened at 9.35 am and there was creamy boot top powder to be had on the front side and knee deep with the occassional face shot in the trees.
The Japanese Army Mountain Division were out in force practicing their alpine skiing and synchro skiing skills on narrow touring skis with light telemark bindings and army-issue leather boots.
Very impressive.
The quad opened at 12.35 pm and for those who stuck around the upper mountain offered a spongy base with chunky and light powder on top. Untracked lines and face shots galore.
Unfortunately I filmed the inside of my pocket all the way through lunch and had no space left on the memory card.
Doh!
But there's plenty left for Thursday.
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DAY 60 : SUNDAY 26 JANUARY 2014
2 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Wild winds kicked in around 11 am closing most of the lifts in the Niseko Resort Area.
Glad I sat this one out.
DAY 61 : MONDAY 27 JANUARY 2014
8 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Another day off snow, but a far more hospitable day.
Lighter winds and light snow falling throughout the day.
DAY 62 : TUESDAY 28 JANUARY 2014
15 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
As of today 914 cm (360") has fallen at MQ in Higashiyama
I spent the day skiing Niseko Hirafu and Hanazono with Whistler, BC, Canada locals Frank Salter & Melanie Jones.
Whistler's hurting for snow at the moment so Frank combined a work trip to Honshu with some turns on Hokkaido.
The single chair and the higher backcountry gates were closed all day which kept the majority inbounds in Hirafu and Hanazono.
We warmed up in Miharashi which was well tracked and choppy, and then moved on to Tetse's, 10 Turns and The Cuts in Hanazono.
Untracked, knee deep creamy powder was the order of the day and we took it gladly.
After a couple of laps in Legend of Shinya and Blueberries we headed back over to Hirafu and found the day's best snow in the Waterfall area.
So we lapped it for the remainder of the day, finding some deeper and lighter stashes.
Melanie
Frank
For dinner we went to Little Red Momiji's Sake and Gyoza bar on Momiji-Zaka St.
A very laid back dining experience with couches and low tables replacing the usual dining table and chairs.
We had the best edamame I've eaten, fabulous gyoza, and a belly pork and rice to die for.
Very highly recommended.
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DAY 58 : FRIDAY 24 JANUARY 2014
1 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Spent the morning at Niseko Annupuri with John Pidgeon and Chris Morton.
First time skiing with John this winter and it's always a pleasure.
Chris, John's son-in-law, and I skied together two winters ago and it was great to see that what I'd passed on had stuck.
Great buffet lunch and then we met up with John's daughter Di, her & Chris' son Fraser, John's grandson Jack and family friends for a fabulous dinner at Ezo Seafoods.
John's favourite.
DAY 59 : SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 2014
0 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
Back to Niseko Annupuri with John Pidgeon and Di & Chris Morton.
Ski Heroes
As a young boy growing up in the valleys of South Wales I had three ski heroes.
The 1976 Olympics Men's Downhill champion Franz Klammer, Kirk Douglas in the film 'The Heroes of Telemark', and Action Man.
I've been lucky enough to meet and chat with Franz Klammer in a Ski Club of Great Britain bash, and he's a true gent.
After my first winter season working in the Austrian Alps and watching the Greg Stump movie 'The Blizzard of Ahhs', Scott Schmidt, Glen Plake & Mike Hattrup were added to the list.
I've been fortunate to meet all three and all three are great guys - Scott Schmidt and Glen Plake at Big Mountain, Montana, USA in 2001, & Mike Hattrup at Niseko Moiwa last season.
I even got to ski powder with Glen Plake at the end of season employee ski day at Big Mountain where he performed one of his party tricks by opening a bottle of champagne with the edge of one ski.
At the top of the mountain.
In the same year I skied and partied at Big Mountain with Bill Johnson - the 1984 Olympics Men's Downhill Gold medallist from Sarajevo - when he was attempting his comeback prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics.
And in 2005 I spent a fantastic day at Vail, Colorado with the 1984 Men's Olympic Slalom Silver medallist from the same games, Steve Mahre.
I Was taught to instruct by two wonderful people. The late Colin Young at Kicking Horse, BC, Canada and Annie Black at Keystone, Colorado.
They all make my list.
To that list of heroes I add John Pidgeon.
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!
At 87 years young he's still learning, laughing and floating down the mountain.
He's the first to the bar, and the last to leave.
A gentleman and a scholar.
John
Already looking forward to next season John.
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UPDATE : THURSDAY 23 JANUARY 2014
Finally got the camera alignment right. Third time's a charm!
Thursday Is The New Friday Part Three
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Thanks OzOzOz.
Feeling good
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UPDATE : THURSDAY 23 JANUARY 2014
After playing on the fringes it was time to hit some steeper lines.
I didn't check the alignment of the Contour camera so this vid will give you a neckache unless you flip your computer 90 degrees or set your phone / tablet to screen lock and flip 90 degrees.
Thursday Is The New Friday Part Two
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Are u ever over at Teine, Mike?
Yesterday was good, temps were pretty high so the pow/snow was heavy and a little wet but we were scoring mostly fresh lines through paradise all day and the snow was nice n creamy
Never been, but going to try to hit it this coming week with new snow.
Thanks for the intel.
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DAY 57 : THURSDAY 23 JANUARY 2014
12 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ
With Ian temporarily incapacitated and other friends working it was a choice between a day off snow or skiing solo.
Easy choice and I was on my way to Kiroro.
When I got to Kutchan I was last in a line of 5 vans packed with skiers and snowboarders heading out of the Niseko Resort Area looking for deep turns.
They all turned left to Kiroro and I changed plans and headed straight on to Kimobetsu and over Nakayama Toge pass to Sapporo Kokusai.
Sapporo Kokusai is a small but perfectly formed day resort close to Otaru and Sapporo which sits on the backside of Kiroro Snow World.
Unfortunately they're not linked by lift, but you can tour between the two.
I've always got the goods here and today was no different.
Didn't get on the gondola until 11am and the blazing sunshine of earlier had turned to mixed cloud and sunshine.
But looking out of the gondola window I could see a couple of skiers and snowboarders skiing gut deep powder in the trees and acres of untracked.
Got off the gondola, clicked in and made two massive schoolboy errors.
Schoolboy Error #1
I didn't check the alignment of the Contour camera so the first two vids of the day will give you a neckache unless you flip your computer 90 degrees or set your phone / tablet to screen lock and flip 90 degrees.
Schoolboy Error #2
I headed straight into the untracked Kokusai sidecountry skiers right at the top of the gondola.
Took me 15 mins to put the track in and then when I was ready to drop in to the pristine powder I found the snow was too deep for the pitch and ended up poling and breaking trail downhill for 45 mins until I got back into the ski area.
I met a Finnish skier on the gondola later in that afternoon and he told me his friends had done the same but ended up taking 2 hrs to get out.
Back on the gondola, this time I headed to the fringes of the pistes and found plenty of deep and light powder.
Thursday Is The New Friday Part One
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Thanks tonijusto.
SR : HokkaidOH! 2013/14
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Thanks seemore.