seemore 66 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Yeah I would be happy watching Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 22, 2013 Author Share Posted February 22, 2013 DAY 99 : THURSDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2013 18 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ What started out as a calm and snowy morning filled with expectation soon turned in to another wild one at Niseko Hiraphoon. Swinging Monkey was the highest lift running and the wind had turned the powder to porridge in Miharashi, Kona Yuki and the old lift line. Much better turns were had in 'Desperation' and Hanazono would have been the pick in Niseko United today. Called it quits early and enjoyed a great lunch at Prativo in Higashiyma. Snowing hard as I type. Hopefully Kiroro will deliver tomorrow. Link to post Share on other sites
Dunga 1 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Those barriers are in nearly every snowboarding movie that is shot in hokkaido. I'm sure they look like more fun than they are in real life. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 23, 2013 Author Share Posted February 23, 2013 DAY 100 : FRIDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2013 24 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ As of today 1404 cm (553") has fallen at MQ For my 100th day on Fantasy Island and my 75th day on snow it had to be Kiroro. And Kiroro did not disappoint. The place was deserted with powder everywhere. Which made it very disappointing to see guiding companies from the Niseko Resort Area leading customers under ropes to access the goods. Quite frankly they should know better. Ian in 'Hangman' Faceshot Friday Part Deux (Ian in green, yours truly in blue) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF2WcsaICFQ Link to post Share on other sites
pdoull 2 Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 Great Vids Mike! A while back I was going to ask if you took video footage but my question was answered. It seems like your free skiing with mates - not working which may have something to do with more vid? This year I only visited Kiroro for quick visit but with your recent footage will definetly have to go back (and prob hire a guide - hopefully to show me some of those spots you get to ) It was snowing very hard (great snow but poor vis) when I was there so very difficult to explore safely. What would the traverses/ walk outs be like - (for snowboarders)? Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 Great Vids Mike! A while back I was going to ask if you took video footage but my question was answered. It seems like your free skiing with mates - not working which may have something to do with more vid? Thanks Rucky Inu. I've taken video of myself and my students throughout the winter. Ian is a mate and a student and the person who I ski with most over the course of the winter. And the most proficient, as can be seen from the latest video. This year I only visited Kiroro for quick visit but with your recent footage will definetly have to go back(and prob hire a guide - hopefully to show me some of those spots you get to ) It was snowing very hard (great snow but poor vis) when I was there so very difficult to explore safely. What would the traverses/ walk outs be like - (for snowboarders)? Wise choice. You can get into a lot of bother if you don't know the terrain and the ins and outs. The tracks out can be tricky on a board - a few boarders were walking out yesterday - but if you're prepared to go fast through narrow spaces then you'll be ok. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 DAY 101 : SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2013 13 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ After yesterday's epicness it was back to Kiroro for more. And there was plenty, even on a Saturday. Ian warming up in 'Walk in the Woods' The hold Hokkaido powder has on us Saturday Sonar Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 Cool Mike nice vids Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
Dunga 1 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Awesome video again Mike. EPIC jealousy at the moment :-( 1 week of Japow this year was just not enough for me. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Thanks Dunga. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 DAY 102 : SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 4 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ A day off snow and a trip to New Chitose Airport to pick up my college friend Andrew, who's over for a week's skiing. We last skied together in 2006 when I was working at Keystone, Colorado. We got back to Higashiyama just before the snow started and it was coming down thick and fast. Dinner at Soga on the way to Niseko town was delicious and a great introduction to Hokkaido cuisine for Andrew. DAY 103 : MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2013 17 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ After a good night's kip Andrew was raring to go skiing. For his first day on snow in 3 winters we chose Rusutsu. Perfect to get mileage under his feet with wide open, deserted groomed runs. He really took to my syle of teaching and by day's end was venturing off the groomed runs and in the trees. And on a pair of Volkl 724 skis (114-74-101 in a 163cm length). Rusutsu Rush Hour Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 26, 2013 Author Share Posted February 26, 2013 DAY 104 : TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2013 38 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ 32 cm of dry powder fell in the space of a couple of hours yesterday afternoon and last night's 'Nighta' was one for the ages by all accounts. Under clear skies Ian, Andrew and I headed to Kiroro today to see what had fallen there. Kiroro is quiet at the best of times, but today it was deserted. Andrew and Ian on the Yoichi #1-A Course After yesterday's excellent progress Andrew kicked it up several notches today, getting to grips with the powder. In the AM we lapped the Yoichi #1-A and Yoichi #1-B courses with Andrew getting more comfortable in the fall line, standing taller each run, and becoming more patient at the start of the turn. And in the PM we skied the Nagamine area and POWDER ZONE before finishing with two laps in 'Walk in the Woods'. From tentative boot top powder to relaxed waist deep turns for Andrew today Ian skiing 3pm untracked Before I managed to film the inside of my backpack and fill up the SD card I got this footage of Andrew enjoying the early sunshine Special K Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 They won't let us play the last vid due to copyright but as always nice photos Link to post Share on other sites
Dunga 1 Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Yeah I got the blocked msg too. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 Thanks for the feedback guys. How about this version? Link to post Share on other sites
Dunga 1 Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Worked this time! Awesome! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 Great. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 DAY 105 : WEDNESDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2013 5 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ A great day at Niseko Annupuri with Andrew and Ian. The groomed runs were fast and smooth and the powder in the trees and out of Gate 7 was creamy, spongy and very enjoyable. We had the buffet lunch, and for dinner another excellent meal at Ezo Seafoods in Hirafu. Crab, Oysters, deep fried Smelt, grilled squid, salad, rice, and tempura vegetables. Delicious. DAY 106 : THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2013 6 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ February brought 395 cm (156") of snowfall with snow falling on 23 of the 28 days. The biggest 24 hr snowfall was 38 cm (15") on 26 February, and this was the snowiest February in the seven winters I've been keeping records. With the wind picking up as we breakfasted, Andrew and I headed to Kiroro. It snowed all day with the turns getting deeper and deeper each lap. High winds closed the gondola and the Nagamine lifts early but there was plenty of skiing on the lower mountain. Big changes for Andrew today. He was far more comfortable skiing the crud and powder, balancing with the pitch of the slope and showing patience at the start of the turn allowing the platform under his feet to develop. By day's end he was skiing mid-thigh to waist deep powder in 'Walk in the Woods'. One Step Closer Ian joined us for dinner at Maccarina, the 1-star Michelin restaurant in Makkari. This was my third visit this winter and each time the experience and food has been superb. Andrew The first course The local Makkari delicacy of lily bulbs poached in milk & garlic was on the menu last night and it was wonderful. Octopus Beef & pork andouille sausage Venison Ian Andrew Ian 1 Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Nice vids and photos Mike Andrew improved dramatically God your good Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 Thanks seemore, I'll pass on your thoughts to Andrew. I gave him the info but he was the one moving his feet and balancing with the mountain. Link to post Share on other sites
Whitebear 1 Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 It's great when you see someone go from being tentative to confident in brilliant snow. My kids friends are starting to come over each year now, and a with the right gear and bit of coaching they suddenly just rip into it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Definitely Whitebear. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 DAY 107 : FRIDAY 01 MARCH 2013 11 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ Happy St. David's Day (he's the Patron Saint of Wales) For Andrew's last day of skiing we returned to Kiroro hoping for more of what we had on our last runs yesterday. Unfortunately the North Wind had other ideas making the powder heavy and slabby and dislodging medicine ball sized chunks of snow from the trees which lay in wait ready to take you down. And down I went, executing several "double over the handlebars to where the hell are my skis?" manoeuvres, including one at the end of the last clip on the vid unfortunately. There were moments of brilliance on the lower mountain but when the upper lifts started closing concentrating today's skiers and snowboarders to the terrain off the Yoichi #1 Express and the Center Express the powder soon got trashed. Trashed being the operative word as the groups of back seat banana skiers over from the Niseko Resort Area created bombholes slamming on the brakes trying to get the tankers through the tighter trees. And the guiding companies leading customers under ropes past 'KEEP OUT' signs is getting out of hand and taking the piss in my opinion. There's more than enough off-piste terrain available without the need to duck the ropes and wind up the Kiroro patrollers, unless you're a lazy snowboarding "guide" that is. The wind finally won and the mountain closed at 3.45 Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke? Andrew, Ian & I had dinner at Yosaku yakitori restaurant in Hirafu. Fabulous grilled meats and poultry, edamame, and tofu with quick and cheery service. Well worth a visit when you're in the village. DAY 108 : SATURDAY 02 MARCH 2013 15 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ As of today 1513 cm (596") has fallen at MQ We left for New Chitose Airport at 4.30 in the am for Andrew to catch his 8am flight to Tokyo and then on to Edinburgh. The airport was closed last night due to high winds but the drive in this morning was calm and clear and he took off on time. Great to ski with Andrew again after a seven year hiatus, and great to see the progress he made after only five days of skiing. Many thanks to Ian for joining us on the slopes, skiing with Andrew at Annupuri, organising our dinners and regaling us with Niseko tales, and loaning us the Contour POV camera to capture Andrew in action. There's a blizzard raging as I type with the wind forecast to hit 80 kph. Thankfully Andrew got away before it started. A good day to kick back and watch movies. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 DAY 109 : SUNDAY 03 MARCH 2013 9 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ After yesterday's all day blizzard I wasn't expecting much from Kiroro today. A day of groomers and the odd patch of non-wind affected snow maybe. I love it when I'm so wrong. The first couple of turns of each pitch were wind scoured and firm but once over the rollover the snow invited you in. And we accepted that invitation. Ian and I skied with Hamilton and Nick today and 'Hangman' was rather nice Nick making waves Hamilton Ian Nick Ian Link to post Share on other sites
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