Mike Pow 52 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Fantastic pics. keep 'em coming Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Interesting stuff, thanks dude Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I spent the morning over in Hanazono. No lift queues like that over there! One of the main reasons I don't ski in Hirafu much during peak season. Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 This is really good stuff. Real Journalism here ... By the way, I go snowboarding, forget about lining up whatever the snow condition is It's like waiting for an amusement park ride ... Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Jishipi those queue's are HORRENDOUS! So glad I was carving it up in RUSUTSU! Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 MB, there was absolutely nobody at Hanazono that morning. I'll upload a picture later that I took that morning specifically because it was so empty. It was actually a little creepy... Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Yeah I had fresh tracks in Strawberry Fields for most of the morning until I fell awkwardly and dislocated my shoulder again... Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Wonder why Hana was so deserted when there were so many queues at Hirafu? Were the top lifts not open? Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I think everyone made a bee line for the top and stayed there hoping that the peak would be opened... and it wasn't! Link to post Share on other sites
Jishipi 0 Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 Yeah ...think lots of people were hanging around for the peak to open which it didn't - opened today right ? Dislocated shoulder...bummer I did manage one shot in 'The Zone' skier Adrian Camp Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Originally Posted By: Mamabear Wonder why Hana was so deserted when there were so many queues at Hirafu? Were the top lifts not open? Because the vast bulk of people stay in Hirafu and they haven't a clue how to get around the mountain. Hirafu would have been the only place with big lift queues which is why I avoid it in peak season. Link to post Share on other sites
sanigav 0 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 So in a nutshell what is the best way around if you dont have a car? Is the bus service relatively logical? Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 It's very easy to ski between all areas if the top lifts are open as well. Hanazono especially is very easy to access by lifts from Hirafu. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Anyway, great pics keep 'em coming to make me jealous. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Originally Posted By: Jishipi Hey Jimmer - bet Kiroro was sweet. Hirafu was nice but i spent so much time waiting in lift lines. Check out the nightmare at Alpen this morning. Back view Clouds rolled in around 9 ish - the single chair opened and people thought the peak was on but alas not yet just gate 4 and another mega line - will be interesting to see if the resort plan on making any improvements to lifts for next season... improvements...pretty please I have never had it that bad. Thank god. Great Pics Jis. Link to post Share on other sites
roo 0 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Hi All, after reading this thread since last year I thought I would finally become a member. I'm off to Niseko in Feb (my first Japan trip) and looking at all of these photo's and reading all of the comments, I am now officially bloody dam excited! This site keeps my working day filled with jealousy. Thanks to all who posted pics and made good reading. Keep it up. Link to post Share on other sites
Jishipi 0 Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Thanks very much - i was using a wide angle lens which made it look a bit worse than it really was....but it was pretty bad. Not much happening right now here in Niseko windy warmish and no snow overnight - a few groomers perhaps. Link to post Share on other sites
Jishipi 0 Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Just realized who the mystery skier was i shot back on the 19th ! Long term Niseko local Mr Ian Mackenzie. Didn't recognize him with the new helmet Lookin' good. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 He got his Christmas powder poncho early this year Link to post Share on other sites
sanigav 0 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 2 metre base looks fantastic, excuse my noobness but how is niseko measuring up to previous seasons so far in relation to snow quality/depth? Looking good for the coming month? or perhaps under the standards of some of you locals? Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 It's been pretty good. The last three seasons average temps have been higher and there was less snowfall. So although a little late in starting conditions have been mostly good and at times about as good as it ever gets here. There's been a bit of a break from snowfalls this week which is not great but a decent system looks like it might start moving through on the 12th with plenty of snow to follow it. There's certainly been much bigger years in the past but we're on about average at the moment in terms of total snowfall. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Jishipi... duties, man! More pics! Link to post Share on other sites
Jishipi 0 Posted January 10, 2010 Author Share Posted January 10, 2010 After a while off the Mountain decided to try some back country fun and headed out to Iwaonuppuri. The weather was ok on the way up with patches of sunshine and the snow was ok in some areas and very wind affected in others but great to be out on the mountain hiking. As we ascended the weather turned - super windy white out conditions. Descending from the peak was a case of picking your way down and with the white out conditions was pretty disorientating. After the first pitch the visibility improved and we were able to lean into our turns a bit more. The final pitch down back was sweet - nice and steep with a decent layer of fast dry powder. All in all not epic but great to be out there working for some turns and the best part.....hitting the onsen afterwards ! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Looks rubbish Link to post Share on other sites
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