Hokkaido Road Trip
In mid-February we led a trip for a handful of north-americans and for a group of euro’s as well. Since they had similar skiing abilities, a similar itinerary, and they all got along, we ran most of the week side by offering the flexibility of having three guides to manage the whole group. A win-win for everyone.
We started the week around Niseko/Rusutsu, giving the crews their free-days to explore and get their feet under them. For the first Niseko Backbowls day, we scored a fresh 20 cms, and a whole-lotta sun, which had a significant impact ont he snow for the following day. The crew, wasn’t satisfied with finishing the day out at Goshki Onsen, so we made the hike back to Niseko for a final run into the Moiwa backcountry.
We hit the road the following morning for a trip to Kokusai, which turned out to be a really fun day. The snow was bountiful and the crew was keen to keep moving, so we ended up lapping the goods through the slack-country. With a night out in Sapporo for the ice-fest, and a trip to Teine the following day, we hit Sapporo as good as you could, not to mention the fresh 40 or 50 cms at Teine and the fact that we were on the 5th chair in the morning.
We hit the road that night, blasting up to Kurodake through the snow, sleet, and slush, but it was certainly worth it. Kuro was looking really good, with the peak holding the best snow on the mountain. We had perfect blue bird and still conditions to charge the peak and made a rare summit on one of Hokkaido’s highest peaks before dropping in on one of the best top to bottom runs on the island.
Due to high winds, we split the next day heading to Kamuii for a quiet day down below the alpine. We still scored some fresh snow, but the warming temps had done its damage to the snowpack. We finished the trip out at Furano, for a fun day beating around the mountain, checking every spot we could think of for the freshies.
Reflecting on this trip, it is hard to remember each turn, but the overall stoke from everyone definitely stands out in my mind. There were days on both sides of the trip where the conditions weren’t epic, but the optimism and drive to continue looking further for pow paid off even right to the very last day in Furano. I had never met such keen bush-wackers, no north facing gully or ridge was left unridden in our quest for pow.
As with all ski trips, you can’t plan the weather, so having good friends surrounding you regardless of the situation is essential to prevailing. I was impressed by this pathological optimism and ability to see the big picture.
Thanks for a great trip, enjoy the photos.
Peow Peow Peow
Check out this video by some of our guests a couple weeks ago. Ya – we know what you’re thinking – fortunately we get to shred it daily.
Win a FREE trip to NISEKO…for FREE!
Just follow the easy instructions below:
- Go to the Green Leaf Niseko Village Facebook App and create a killer Niseko styled winter postcard. See here – www.facebook.com/NisekoWinterHoliday
- Submit your postcard and they will choose one winner based on the number of “Likes”, originality and creativity of the postcard
- Make sure you do it before the 28th of Feb, 2011
- Sit back and wait for the good news to arrive that you have won!
What you and a friend get if you win:
- 4 days, 3 nights accommodation in Green Leaf Niseko Village
- 3 day ski pass
- Round trip from Malaysia to Hokkaido
- Coach transfers to Niseko
- Powder-filled grins from ear to ear!
Power Trip Deuce Deuce
The second Power Trip of the year was blessed with about a meter and a half of freshies leading up to departure and blue skies for the following week. Toby and I agreed that we had never seen better weather from nearly all the stops on the trip, making it memorable for the whole crew, which included Theresa and Nick from Scotland, Conny and Gunner from Scandanavia, Nina and Simone from Austria, Mikel from Holland, John and Brent from the USA, Kiwi Josh and Rich the token Ozzy.
The first day was a classic Niseko backbowls day, though the crew established themselves as seriously hardcore as we were unable to both take a lunch break and shred 3 peak laps. Toby and Yuya took off for a snack run as the crew set off on a slow ascent of the peake at 1:45. Colin picked up the chocolate, and made it to the top in double time for the Goshki drop and beer/onsen finish. Everyone was starved for the Okonomiyaki dinner and by this point were bonding like old friends.
Rusutsu the following day delivered some of the deepest snow around as well as the start of the blue skies and high pressure system. The road run capped the ski day and by 4:30, the crew was gassed and beered up for the road to Tokachidake.
Waking up in Daisetuzan National Park is an experience for any true ski bum as you are within minutes of touring to some epic terrain. Not a puff of wind spoiled the morning and Colin was greeted with a waist deep trail cutting mission, but it was certainly worth the trip.
The traditional Japanese cuisine may have not been a huge favorite for the crew, but the onsen was approved as well as the access to Asahidake the following day. Once again blue skies and mild temperatures were the go and Toby was even able to take a crew on an exploration mission to unlock some of Asahidake’s best terrain.
The trip to Sapporo was quick as the roads were clean and before you knew it, the crew was getting local in one of Suskino’s best ramen alleys listening to dirty rap and hip hop.
By this point, most of the crew tucked in early and made the right choice, since Kokusai was going off the next day. Nearly 50 cms of fresh snow plus a heap of sunshine.
Teine closed up the trip and by this point everyone was ready for a break. 6 full days of skiing and road tripping is enough to zap anyone. We still got some great turns and Toby rounded out the trip with a 1500 meter run from Teine highlands down to the city of Sapporo where the crew was handed a familiar beverage. That night went off at Hinodehampo and everyone replenished their fluids with liquid courage.
A great trip and awesome crew! Hope to see some of you guys back here next year!
Iwanai Cat Shredding
Cat-skiing, Cat-boarding, Meow-meow-meow boarding anyway you want to put it, it is pretty sweet. Chairlifts are lame, cats are cooler than dogs, and fresh pow wins it all.
On this trip, a crew of Scandos, Aussies, and Canadians grouped together to check out the spot. All were greeted with a unique experience, some great turns and a Tabehodai (All you can eat) Lunch.
Black Diamond can book private cats at anytime, so feel free to get in touch if you get the itch – you know the number.
Power Trip Numero Uno
The allure of deep dry powder, Japanese cuisine and culture was the theme of 2011’s first Power Trip. The 12 person crew hailed from the USA, Canada, Scotland, Australia, and England and the three guides from New Zealand, USA, and Japan respectively.
The team took right to the program of going to bed late, getting up early and skiing bell to bell on some of Hokkaido’s best terrain and snow. Mother Nature decided to cooperate as well, dropping over two meters of fresh by the opening night of the trip.
Day 1 took us to Rusutsu, a powder haven about 45 minutes from Niseko. Toby and Colin led each crew to the best lines; ensuring quality turns in the absolutely bottomless pow – I am talking waist deep at every turn! With a cold beer in hand at the end of the day, everyone had a powder eating grin from ear to ear.
The second day was a Niseko play day, and with half the gates open, there was plenty of terrain to explore. We even went the extra mile for a quiet and delicious lunch at Moiwa. After a full day of shredding, we packed up the vans and navigated the 5-hour drive up to Furano for the second leg of the trip.
The sun decided to poke out on the third morning so we took advantage of the fine weather window and drove to Tokachidake for some of Hokkaido’s best backcountry. The hike was difficult, but everyone got some quality turns and a well-deserved onsen at one of Hokkaido’s highest onsens. An okinomiyaki dinner rounded out an excellent backcountry trip.
We rode Furano on the fourth day and tracked out all the best lines for early season. You know its good when you bump into the Car Danche crew in the woods too!
We jumped in the vans that night and headed down to Sapporo for the final leg of the trip, stopping at Sushi Train!
Kokusai was our first stop which proved to be an excellent choice due to its deep wind blown pow. We had to punch lines into all the terrain, so the going was a bit tough in the morning, but by the afternoon, the traverses were set and we were able to run hot laps. Toby got local on the dinner too taking the crew to one of Sapporo’s secret soup curry spots, which proved to be a favorite with the team.
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The final day at Teine was cold, but delivered some great snow as well. With a lower base, all the drops and hits were even bigger and the crew did their best to hit everything in sight. The final run of the trip descended down into the city of Sapporo where everyone was greeted with warm vans and cold cans of Sapporo. The final night was spent out at one of Sapporo’s best Izakaya spots and the crew ate and drank all they could for the two hours of open drinking.
All in all, it was an epic trip and everyone went home stoked even with a major hangover. We felt a bit bad for the lawyers on the trip who had to work their whole flight home. See ya next year!
Matchstick Productions Teaser
Check the Matchstick footage. Top secret Hokkaido locations shot via BDL.
Sandbox Films Teaser – Now You Know
These guys came ’round for a while last year and put together some killer clips from Japan. Make sure your check out the full length film this year.
Salomon FreeskiTV
Salomon FreeskiTV S04 E12 Japan
Classic Japan Skiing by the professionals. Sammy Carlson, Dane Tudor, and Mike Henitiuk are in Niseko, Japan challenging what’s possible on skis in pillows and powder. Dane steps onto the ‘Stairway to Hell’, one of the boldest lines we’ve ever seen.
Land of the Rising Sun
Tokyo is an unusual place for the ‘westerner’ – at least at first glimpse. The silence of the 6 AM monorail, the plethora of unlocked bikes in the city, the Tsukiji Fish Market, the 14 million people bee-boppin around, Pachinko, Akihabara, life sized animae, sweat in a can, coffee in a can – I mean the list just goes on. As I prepare to depart for this trip, I can’t help but reflect on this view of my 8 hours in Tokyo in January 2010.
Affuera Vida
Black Diamond Tours 
