Mike Pow 52 Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 La Andy's as in the red pizza bus run by Cezar? If so, yes. But now in permanet premises as Niseko Pizza. Same location on Hirafu Main St opposite the Park Hotel. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 Monday 24 November 2008 to Thursday 27 November 2008 Niseko Resort Area, Hokkaido 0cm at MQ in this period. Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday were cold, dry and sunny with hard surface conditions. Woke early this morning intending to ski but my Spidey Senses were tingling so bailed. Glad I did. Started pissing down at village level around 11:30. Still raining, hopefully snowing further up the hill. Can't see it's socked in. On a lighter and brighter note I was in Kutchan on Tuesday and drove by Asahigaoka Park. Small ski area with a disused ski jump that some brave souls huck their meat off. Doesn't open until the weekend after next but a few people have hiked it. Cool little area that would be great on a pow day. Super views of Yotei and Kutchan from the top of the lift. Must be some of the cheapest skiing on Hokkaido too. 100 yen per ride (double chair) 1,000 yen for an 11 ride ticket book 1,500 all day And a little bird told me that the Katsu-don in the 'day lodge' is the best in Kutchan. Will get some action pics soon. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 There's some x-country ski trails maintained around the back of Asahigaoka as well for those who like that sort of thing. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 that ski jump is scarey. Just right for Eddie the Eagle. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 He should come and try it out. Not looking like we are in for big dumps any time soon. Weep. Still November though! Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Been dumping this morning! Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Sorry I meant in the coming week. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Yeah aint looking great. Still todays snowfalls will top up the base more than enough to see us weather the week ahead no problem. It's still a good top to bottom early season cover. It's looking good at this stage for snowfalls next weekend. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Now back to normal programming Friday 28 November 2008 Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area What a crappy old day. Cold, raining, grey. Turned the village into an ice rink Let's move on quickly. Saturday 29 November 2008 Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area Still 0cm at MQ but at least it was sunny. Started raining around 4pm and pretty much threw it down all night. Got rid of the ice though Sunday 30 November 2008 Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area Got to bed around 2 this morning after watching Wales edge Australia in a cracker of a rugby match. It was still chucking it down with rain as I drifted off to sleep. Didn't hold out much hope of skiing today, but when I woke to silence and 6cm at the door I started to get excited. It was snowing hard and back below zero. Not by much, but enough. Grand Hirafu was deserted and the 6cm at MQ translated to at least double that all over the hill and considerably more where the wind had done its magic. Blowing a gale at times, dumping hard at others. Even had a few breaks in the weather. Skied with Glen, Charlie and Jack and once again Grand Hirafu delivered. The transformation on the hill and around the village for relatively little snow never ceases to amaze me. Next couple of days should be great. Glen Glen Jack Jack Jack October was a treat. There was a lot to be thankful for in November. Will December deliver presents by the sack full? Stay tuned Link to post Share on other sites
Greenroome 0 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Looks great. Thanks for the pics and the info, Mike. Much appreciated Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Seems like a popular place this Nisiko. I might go one day. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Not much point, it's just so flat and most other resorts in Japan get just as good snow. So why bother? Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Plus they don't speak English there. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 it's a great cultural experience. Link to post Share on other sites
ShinyDiscoBall 2 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Great pics MikePow. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Nice. Wish I was there. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Monday 01 December 2008 Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area 2cm in the past 24 hrs at MQ What a glorious morning. Prior to 10:30 there wasn't a cloud in the sky, not a breath of wind, and the mountain was deserted. Both the Ace #3 double chair and the King hooded triple were open, unfortunately the hooded shut down after one rotation. But for those of us who managed to get on, it was bloody good. The view of Jumbo from the King Hooded Triple chair Unknown rider on Jumbo Met up with Glen and we got some shots underneath the Ace # 3 chair. The first foray into the sasa and it was good. Yours truly underneath the Ace # 3 chair Yours truly underneath the Ace # 3 chair Then we took a little walk from the 1,000m hut to some stashes in Rinkan Glen traipsing through the sasa Glen playing on the pillows Glen playing on the pillows Then it was my turn to find some of the deeper stashes that had been accumulating these past couple of days Yours truly in Rinkan Yours truly in Rinkan Yours truly in Rinkan Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Yours truly in Rinkan Hopefully the warmer temps and rain forecast don't do too much damage because it's almost on like donkey kong. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Mike.......I hate you!!! Link to post Share on other sites
DumbStick 13 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Brilliant Link to post Share on other sites
durian 0 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Awesome pics, Mike and Glen. Can you please share - what settings did you use on your Nikon to capture such glorious colours? Many thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Thanks all. NewYen, I shoot mostly in 'S' and then photoshop the hell out of it to make it look presentable. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 cheat Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Smart and wise Link to post Share on other sites
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