Mike Pow 52 Posted January 2, 2013 Author Share Posted January 2, 2013 DAY 49 : WEDNESDAY 02 JANUARY 2013 20 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ Most of the new snow fell before nightfall yesterday evening but there was still plenty of powder to enjoy throughout the day. I spent the first part of the morning with John Pidgeon and Louise Siganto skiing the wonderfully groomed pistes of Family and Sennoki in Niseko Hirafu. The deserted Sennoki green course from the Ace Pair Lift #1 After Monday's dust on crust John let his skis run on the soft groomers today. John skiing Sennoki in the sunshine Hope I'm making shapes like that at 86! Louise hadn't been skiing for quite a few years but after a couple of laps on the Family run she found her feet and more importantly the confidence to embrace the acceleration at the start of the turn. This gave her the time to stand tall and relaxed, to balance with the mountain, and transition from a gliding wedge to parallel skiing. Louise warming up on the Family run "Are you sure I should be accelerating?" Almost there Happy Days John and Louise on the Family run After the mid-morning ultimate chocolate and coffee break at The Vale I made laps of the King Hooded Triple lift skiing Center and Rinkan with Graeme, Jack, Tim and Annie. Jack skiing Rinkan Tim skiing Rinkan Annie skiing Rinkan Post a very late lunch Graeme skied home and Liz joined us for more laps off the King Hooded Triple lift. We called it a day as the light got flat and the storm clouds rolled in. Snowing and blowing as I type, tomorrow should bring more powder. Link to post Share on other sites
blu 3 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Mike, how's the crowd at the moment ( Mirharashi & Strawberries)? Great photos as always. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 Thanks blu. Haven't been in to Strawberry Fields this season. Miharashi was deserted earlier in the week. Busiest place is King Bell restaurant. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 4, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 4, 2013 Great stuff Mike. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share Posted January 5, 2013 Great stuff Mike. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 Posting on Mike's behalf -- some technical issues! ---- DAY 50 : THURSDAY 03 JANUARY 2013 21 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ We had hoped to ski over to Niseko Annupuri today, but with the top lifts closed all day due to high winds we concentrated our efforts skiing the Center 4 and King Hooded Triple chairs of Niseko Hirafu. Graeme, Liz, Tim, Annie & I were joined today by Annie's friend, Annie J. The day started sunny and warmer than yesterday with great boot top to knee deep powder in the trees between Center and Rinkan. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 Graeme was in full flow today lapping Center, with forays in the powder. After elevenses at King Bell we were joined by Annie J's mother Louisa, Mary Jeanne H, and her daughter Mary H Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 (to be continued!) Link to post Share on other sites
anything 6 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 we're on to you Mike. your secret super-hero identity is David. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 ha ha Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 We're experiencing a very odd issue here, trying to work out what the problem is. May be posting a few test posts.... Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 Tim was flying in the powder and launching any bumps he saw. Pretty impressive seeing as he's got one arm in a case (broken bone in his hand) and he's skiing with one pole. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 And this was the day that Liz trusted her skills and just let her skis run free in the powder Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 Mary H soon got the hang of the powder, transitioning from the gliding wedge to parallel. She was also wearing what has to be one of the coolest ski jackets on Hokkaido Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 Annie J ripping it up Annie W flying through the powder The girls taking a well earned rest A fabulous day on snow. And with the snow coming down it'll be more of the same tomorrow. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 DAY 51 : FRIDAY 04 JANUARY 2013 15 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ As of today 700 cm (276") has fallen at MQ The top lifts were still closed due to high winds, so John, Graeme, Liz, Tim, Annie & I drove round to Niseko Annupuri to ski John's favourite area of the Niseko United. The weather was very changeable throughout the day, going from bluebird to driving snow to gusting winds and back again in minutes. John took a couple of runs to get used to the limited visibility and mixed snow conditions under his skis - groomed, crud, powder - and when he was more patient at the start of the turn he was off. Graeme joined Liz in the powder and the trees for the first time, and over the buffet lunch admitted that he even enjoyed it! Tim, Annie and I lapped the trees skiers right of Paradise, dropped under the quad, and headed out through Gate 7 where we found the best turns of the day. Both have improved tremendously this week and are starting to feel very comfortable all over the mountain in all conditions. Tim skiing the Gate 7 terrain at Annupuri And the one that got away. Sorry, next time Tim. Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 We're experiencing a very odd issue here, trying to work out what the problem is. May be posting a few test posts.... We are on to you David, covertly building your post count in a secret deal with Mike Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted January 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 6, 2013 Too much time on my hands, I think. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 DAY 52 : SATURDAY 05 JANUARY 2013 21 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ What a fantastic last day of this session with the Wikmans and John Pidgeon. Spent the first part of the morning skiing boot top powder on the Family run in Niseko Hirafu with John. He found his feet after the second run and then proceeded to let his skis go. No pictures unfortunately as it was snowing too heavily, but the best I've seen him ski. Family Ticket Office at Niseko Hirafu Liz and Annie joined us for hot chocolate and coffee at The Vale, and when John called it quits for the day after three more runs Liz, Annie & I made our way over to Hanazono to meet Graeme and Tim for lunch. On the way down to Hanazono 308 we dropped off Silver Dream to find some powder Annie working it off Silver Dream at Niseko Hanazono Liz getting knee deep off Silver Dream at Niseko Hanazono Then lower down we hit the trees Annie Liz On our way back to Hirafu we dropped in to Waterfall and skied the best snow of the day. And the girls skied their best turns of their holiday. So far! Annie in Waterfall Liz in Waterfall We took one ride on the Hirafu gondola and then cruised home via Onsenzawa Liz cruising the Onsenzawa ridge at day's end Annie cruising the Onsenzawa ridge at day's end Mother and daughter back at base after a day to remember And to cap it off Mt Yotei put on a show Link to post Share on other sites
Dunga 1 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 That light in the last few photos is just WOW! Awesome shots Mike! Keep up the good work. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 Thanks Dunga. Got to take the chance whenever it comes. We don't see the sun much in these parts. Link to post Share on other sites
Dunga 1 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Thanks Dunga. Got to take the chance whenever it comes. We don't see the sun much in these parts. When we were there this time last year, the sun came out for a whole total of 30mins ;-) I almost didn't have enough time to get the camera out to catch Yotei in its fleeting appearance! I still can't get over the "fresh tracks" that we got fairly consistently after lunch due to the sheer amount snow falling... Keep up the good work! Link to post Share on other sites
pdoull 2 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Can't agree more with Dunga. Inspired every time I view this thread to get out there and enjoy the snow as much as all the people in the photo's. (Which put my ipod classic scenery images to shame) Link to post Share on other sites
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