Mike Pow 52 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Tuesday 04 November 2008 Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area, Hokkaido Better late than never Went to bed last night and it was puking wet, heavy glop at village level. Went to bed with a smile on my face. Woke to the sound of the snow sliding off the roof of my cabin and somewhat clear skies. Walked to the Ace Family area and then onwards and upwards to the 1,000m hut for my second day of the season. 5cm of snow at the base of the hill soon became boot top and knee deep as I ascended higher. Blowing a gale at 1,000m but this will only help fill in the cracks between the Sasa. Nasty little windpacked crust mixed with a frozen crust on the convex rollovers on Center Course. Won't be an issue avalanche wise as it looks like it's concentrated to the piste areas. They'll soon be bashed and all mixed in. Skied Center Course and bounced along at a fair lick. Sinking in to boot top with the occasional pocket of knee deep. Snow was much more solid and packed (the wind) than last week. Depth was between 40 and 80cm at 1,000m with approx. 20-25 cm over night. Got to the Ace Hill and met up with local photographer Glen Claydon. Did about 10 laps off Ace Hill to the base of the King Triple lift. Glen Claydon Image Glen Claydon Image And then headed home. Was hoping to get down about half way before having to bootpack the remainder back to the Alpen Hotel, but the morning's snowfall combined with the wind created a base solid enough to support my bulk all the way to the bottom of the hill. Glen Claydon Image Happy days. Still snowing now, with more forecast tonight. Happier days ahead. Over and out. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted November 4, 2008 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted November 4, 2008 Excellent! That has just cheered me up after a long day in front of a computer! Link to post Share on other sites
shadowtec 0 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 sw33t I am planning my week long trip (first to japan) about the 9th onwads of december.... this has Cheared me up (I am buying the air ticket within the next 24 to 48 hours (I am trying to nail a trip to Sapporo via Hong Kong)) Link to post Share on other sites
moloneb3 0 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Man those pics are class!! Seems like there is a good base forming. I assume around 22nd Nov there should be enough!! I have long weekend & planning trip to Niseko. When is opening planned? Link to post Share on other sites
neversummer 0 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Send me an invite next time Mike. I'll see if I can get some time away from the Reno. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 fluffy white stuff...very nice! Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 totally stoked! Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 wow - have a shed tears of happiness Mike - Please please please keep them coming Link to post Share on other sites
Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Originally Posted By: MikePow Glen Claydon Image Early November! I haven't heard of Glen but that's a nice crisp shot. Hope to cross paths with you if you're meeting with Tsonda around NY. Link to post Share on other sites
I'm Sexy 0 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I want to be there! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Thanks all. Wednesday 05 November 2008 Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area, Hokkaido Stopped snowing mid-evening and got much colder than of late. Clear sky promised bluebird turns for today. And there were. If you could get out of bed early enough. One lucky soul did and had glorious turns on aplenglow snow. Glen and I set off around 7:45 in the am and each step upwards the sky became darker. Yesterday's tracks had disappeared, with a consistent 10-15cm of new snow over the mountain. Hiked to the top of the Swinging Monkey chair and skied the bottom part of Jumbo. Best turns of the day. Snow was still powdery. Below Ace Hill the snow became spongy, wet and slow. Still if we don't get rain today or tomorrow as forecast then it will make a great base. Glen Claydon just below Ace Hill Glen about half way down Glen into the finalish stretch Me in the goldfish bowl (fisheye lens) Me later in that sequence Glen and I. Another great morning in Hirafu. Day off tomorrow. Due to snow again Friday and through the weekend. Stay tuned. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 EDIT: It's pissing down in the village Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Great pics Mike well done!!! Make a TR about it. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Good stuff. Rain not good, but at least you are in winter mode. Still autumn here. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Thanks MikePow. Looks great. Link to post Share on other sites
Hokkaidough 4 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Otsukaresan, MikePow.... many other people making it up there or did you have for yourself? Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 4 today. 3 skiers, one snowboarder. It was packed Link to post Share on other sites
shadowtec 0 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 If the snow is like that now I love to know what it will be like in over a month's time /I booked my plane tickets for my first japan snow trip today (still looking at the hotel booking) // 9th (arrive in Niseko on the 10th) leaving on the 17th /// I hope to learn how to go toe side this time //// the slashies because I read fark to much Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 believe me shadowtec you will have your toe side perfected by the time you get back from JAPOW. Crashing onto nice soft dry POW gives a helluva lot more confidence to put it out there than crashing onto sheet ice! Just be aware the arms will ache for a few days from trying to get back up in the soft stuff. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Thursday 06 November 2008 Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area, Hokkaido Rained from yesterday afternoon through to the early hours of this morning. Torrential at times. Woke to glorious sunshine and Indian Summer temperatures. Reminded me of my forays into the snow back home in Wales. One day it's there, the next it's not. Hard to believe Glen and I made turns on the hill yesterday. Perfect day for a day off snow. Snow forecast for the weekend. And more importantly colder temps. Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Quote: Reminded me of my forays into the snow back home in Wales Thanks for sharing. Link to post Share on other sites
foreversnow 5 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Thanks for the great photo's MP I am sitting here drowling and green with jealousy. Look forward to photo's and your report on Monday after more snow. I am amazed how quickly the snow disappeared today. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 You're welcome. Hoping I get the chance over the weekend. And if not there's always 4 games of rugby to watch as a back up Link to post Share on other sites
shadowtec 0 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Originally Posted By: Mamabear believe me shadowtec you will have your toe side perfected by the time you get back from JAPOW. Crashing onto nice soft dry POW gives a helluva lot more confidence to put it out there than crashing onto sheet ice! Just be aware the arms will ache for a few days from trying to get back up in the soft stuff. Thanks for that mate.. I am a big bugger who finds it hard enough to get off his bum in the fist place (I get over it) I am in the process of booking my room at Resort House so I hope to have a great time (something to look forward to) Edit: I need a place to stay in tokyo for the night near Haneda Airport (I am thinking of trying one of those capsule hotels) Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 >I am thinking of trying one of those capsule hotels theyre great, but bring earplugs. Link to post Share on other sites
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