unknownSun Feb 13, 2011 12:43 pm
I was lucky enough to be dragged (kicking and screaming) from Chamonix to Japan a few weeks ago.
After a 27 hour non stop journey from Chamonix to Niseko, Hokkido we went night skiing for 3 hours
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I probably look a little tired.
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Wandering home the snowbanks were proof this place has seen quite a bit of snowfall
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Next morning all the way up to the top, Quad to triple to oldschool single
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Then hike to the top
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The back bowls were quite expansive
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The next few days there was some tree skiing
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Some hiking for turns
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Some drawing of S's
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Some more hiking in the trees
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I met a few snowboaders
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And saw a few views
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Before heading back to Tokyo to take the Shinkansen
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To Nozawa Onsen in the Nagano prefecture
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Where they use hot water to clear the roads
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And cook the veg
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And ski some very untracked snow,
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Make snow angels
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And meet local wildlife
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They do get a bit of snow on their lifts
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So they cover the escalators
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And then be a tourist on the way home at the Tsjkiji Fish market
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And catch a gimps of Mt Fuji for a future ski tour
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unknownSun Feb 13, 2011 12:44 pm
Niseko was quiet enough that you could get fresh tracks every day if you were prepared to hike and search a little.
But Nozawa Onsen has probably 100 midweek skiers, 5 of whom ski off piste
unknownSun Feb 13, 2011 1:46 pm
Nice! I have never thought about going to Japan, I have to admit. But this looks interesting.
It looks like all the snow falls in Japan?
The local wildlife, was that a skier or a snowboarder?
unknownMon Feb 14, 2011 11:01 am
I don't think of Japan when I think of snow or skiing. Looks fantastic!
unknownMon Feb 14, 2011 1:14 pm
Japan is amazing. Can't wait to go back.
It's on the top of my list.
unknownTue Feb 15, 2011 1:42 am
unknownTue Feb 15, 2011 1:42 am
A Kamoshika, or Japanese Serow, related to dear and antelope. Looked more like a wild boor. This one was 100kg+
They are officially herbivores, but there was a rumour that they would eat those lost in the backcountry.
We were skiing a 45 degree slope and I think we were reasonably safe in avoiding being lunch
unknownTue Feb 15, 2011 6:10 am
500+ resorts. Quite a few resorts of euro (bigger than anything in the usa) size!
unknownWed Feb 16, 2011 11:50 pm
Fly me twice around the world, it still looks amazing!
Great photo's Tom - shaking down new skis by any chance?
unknownThu Feb 17, 2011 1:22 am
I'll be in niseko in 10 days
Nozawa is great. Tree runs off skyline course! I have had a run down through the trees there with 2 kamoshika running down beside me!
unknown
Richuk
I traded 2 pairs of skis for this trip. The Freeloaders changed everyone's (well everyone who skied them) perception of fat skis.
They turn way easier than the lead sleds made by some, still navigate a piste without feeling like a pair of serving trays and for those who hadn't tried a real fat ski before - FLOAT
I was bashing around on an old pair of Bouqetin proto types from 2 years ago - a real reminder they need refining.
Falls
Yup most runs off skyline, The Kamoshika I saw from dropping in gondola side of the same valley. Had some nice runs off the far (skiers left) ridgeline as well. Enjoy
Say hi to Big aussie Phil if you meet him in the woods
unknown
Very cool - are you going to post trip reports on your new website?
