TPS Ski Japan 2010

All home safely, albeit after an arduous haul home. Most were up bu 6.30am Monday to finish packing, shower and have breakfast. The bus arrived, was packed and departed Rusutsu not long after 9.00am. It was a 2 hour bus trip the Chitose Airport, were an hour and a half was enjoyed perusing the airport market and shopping precinct. Our first flight to Seoul was a mere 2.5 hours where we again have a little time before the 11 hour haul to Melbourne departing at 6.00pm.

All connections worked perfectly and with varying degress of sleep, we all arrived home safely Tuesday morning.

Again special thanks to Mark Cook and Neil Heron who facilitated this fabulous trip. All that’s left to do now is to organise the photos and start saving for 2011!!  Have a great year everyone.

Final day skiing and half the team were up early in eager anticipation, knowing the snow had continued to fall through the night. The other half of the team lay silently exhausted in bed, hoping their aching bodies would overrule the call of the clear blue morning sky and fresh powder!

This last day proved to be a most fitting conclusion to a fabulous skiing fortnight. The sky remained blue and the views were mountain to sea and snow as far as the eye could see. Groups again set off via the access “Grondola” or the “Gondla” as the locals liked to call it, to the Heavenly and Steamboat areas of Rusutsu. With the marvellous visibility, lots of off piste exploration on the way and fresh tracks on almost every run, getting to the back gullies and runs was as much fun as being there. Most teams skied through to mountain close, stopping only briefly for a quick lunch.

Sam in most trouble with his failure to adhere to Trina’s “jump” instructions, Wayne stealing everyone’s freshies, the youngsters really showing their speed, talent and enthusiasm, Neil demonstrating slow motion Tele Marking in snow that was deep enough to slow him down on even the steepest runs, Peter and Campbell in photographers heaven – except they couldn’t get anyone to stand still long enough to focus their camera for a shot, Todd who made the ultimate sacrifice – left his family to ski with the “boys” during the afternoon still finding freshies on every run and Helen and Mary-Liz-Jo finally settling on a tune to ski to, so as to maintain their rhythm. Craig and Greg were the quiet achievers, with their success given away by their broad and persistent grins. Andy was found alone, in among the trees enjoying the beautiful solitude with his camera, until the teenage group of some 14 swept past in a flurry of powder, flash and whooping! This was a “most excellent” final day to what has been a sensational trip that has disappeared all too quickly.

Dinner was again an enjoyable, tradition Japanese fare, with unfortunately lots of packing to follow.

Special thanks, again, to Cookie and Mr. Neil-san for their organisation, support, welcome and enduring optimism. Memories of recent glories and the dreams of next year will help us all survive the 14 hours of air travel that awaits. Until 2011…

Team up early for breakfast that included egg & bacon, spinach, salmon, cuttle fish, rice and miso soup. The snow continues to fall, there is metres of the stuff. We are slightly worried that the shorter members of our crew may disappear into the powder! We arrived at the access gondola as it opened and headed off towards the Steamboat area. Snow continued to fall. The groomed runs had 30 – 40 cm of powder built up and off piste it was at times knee, waist and shoulder deep. At least 6 times I had the powder snow flowing up and over my head, as did the others as drifts or holes appeared to swallow skiers without notice. For powder hounds it was Heaven on a Mountain. After lunch the snow began to ease and at about 2.30pm the clouds broke and the sun shone through. Skiing through the trees into the gullies was an absolute treat. At -10C the snow simply brushed off, which is just as well, as there were many head plants, face plants and the occasional snow depth exploration. No skis lost for too long although the potential was ever present. Most of the team have ski tracers and these were essential today. This was a fabulous day skiing and we head out to full buffet dinner this evening full of expectation and anticipation for our last day on the snow tomorrow.

No photos nor too much narrative as we have no internet at the pension and I will attempt to download from the Resort as we visit this afternoon.

Has snowed continuously and heavy. Today is transfer day as we pack and head to Rusutsu. Chain gang to load the bus and chain gang at the other end to unload the bus, all in heavy snow.

Neil, Helen, Glen, Gail, Craig, Greg, Jacqui, Marg & Ken braved the heavy snow to night ski on an hourly ticket, the rest of the troops visited the Rusutsu resort & Seco Mart. Pension is traditional Japanese. Futon beds, Japanese meals etc. The youngsters are not quite up with the program but at least giving it a go.

The snow is really heavy and has not abated for the past 24 hours. Tomorrow it will be awesome.

PS no internet connection at this pension, so will download when visiting the resort.

 Blizzard set in about 8.30pm last night and snow continued over night dumping some 60 of fresh. This morning -15C and the wind died to almost nothing as the sun poked through between 10.00am and midday. Exceed all expectation. A group headed for Moiwa and the bulk to Hanazono. Deep powder day was enjoyed by all.

Mary :-“Today I chose not to go to Moiwa, and I missed my best skiing buddy Helen. But next time I come I will visit Moiwa. Today I skied Strawberry and Blue Berry fields because the weather was best a Hanazono. I had a need to capture some powder. Campbell was out with the camera and got some great shots of the kids jumping off the built launch pads at the “park”.  Leaving Niseko tomorrow my best skiing was in the sun, skiing Blue Berry Fields and yesterday trying to follow Neil down off piste at Higishyama. Hi also to Julie H for the message – enjoy the sun and the waves. Hi also to Brit and Imie from Hannah. Also thinking of Mary at Canadian Bay. Hope you can all be here next year. (PS. Mary makes a great nurse!)

Perna family attracted an adolescent following again. Group size grew to 20. Marg managed to assist. Group stayed together although Quentin arrived back at the lodge without his buddies who were still on slope looking for him. A couple of phone calls and all was well. Wayne hogged the freshies but did manage to get a great video of Trina through the powder at Waterfalls.

Dinner tonight was famous boiled water fondue and tomorrow morning we pack early for transfer to Rizitu. While it still continues to snow there is great anticipation among those who have skied at Rizitsu. The others do not yet fully appreciate what is to come. Tonight a group have headed out into the snowy conditions for last minute shopping. Hopefully more tomorrow if the internet connection is available.

Chris’s birthday – 17 today and now the proud owner of a pair of Chopsticks – Vokel Fat Skis.

No snow over night, first time for a week. This morning -8C and the wind kept the maximum low all day. But 3.30pm a dark cloud front had moved in and the snow soon followed, small and light to begin with, but large flakes later. We are all anticipating a heavy dump and the possibility that conditions may turn really windy tomorrow. None the less, skiing was enjoyed on piste with the desperate trying to hunt out some un-tracked. Skiing was essentially at Annupuri before lunch and then after Hilton Buffet – all you can eat lunch, we skied Higashiyama. This side of the mountain was out of the wind that was whistling around at the summit. Mostly the groomers were skied and made more interesting as individuals fought each other to ski in front of the Helmet Cam. Of course the girls organised themselves into a synchronized ski line and won the award for “Most Photogenic!” Neil managed to attract the attention of the photographer by falling over every time the camera was pointed in his direction.

 For some however the going was tough this morning with a number of the team, including the Perna Family sleeping in. Sam essentially declaring himself the “Messiah” and “On the seventh day I rested!!

Ken has recovered from his ordeal with the creek yesterday, but elected to visit Kutchen, where his daughter Sarah discovered a pair of “must have” Roxy Twin Tips. (That will teach him!)

Dinner was “out” tonight but the Kutchen team bought back an absolute banquet of Japanese taste sensations. Others, who ate at the Hilton, opted for a lighter repast.

Jacqui’s visit to the Seco Mart after light snow and all of her ski gear, almost ended in a strip tease as layers of clothing gathered and caught as she tried to get her fleecy top off. By the end to this ordeal the male staff Seco  Mart were prepared to pay for her items!! Marg also disgraced herself by also setting off the lodge fire alarms in a futile attempt to light a fire. The original purpose to warm us all ended with all windows, doors, vents and fans open… to the point where Wayne headed outside to get warm.

Mary still refuses to add to this blog, feigning busyness of some type or another.

8.45pm – Stop Press, Blizzard has arrived, 30 knot wind, heavy snow. Here it comes!! 

Hi Mum, Thanks for the message and thanks for the great present. – Chris

Light snow continued over night. This morning -8C, but warmed to about zero by midday. Today is the official rest day. Team had options that included train trip to coastal town/city of Otaru, Ski new resort nearby called Moiwa, ski Niseko with the Headley family, or rest at the Full Note Pension.  An eventful day at Moiwa, as it was full of trees and powder with a couple of lifts. A few scary incidents on the cat tracks out of the treed area, but everyone had fun especially the boarders. (Tom)

Hello to all those back in Australia. Yes…. we miss you….. but that doesn’t mean we are ready to come home. It didn’t take long before the group in Moiwa was wishing they were home in bed. The group, tired from five days of exhausting powder skiing found it hard to keep up the pace that was set in the previous days. However, we made the most of our opportunity to tear through the untracked powder that was kindly left for the total of 20 people skiing Moiwa. Not one of us could believe that there were so few people at the resort. There were a number of amusing and scary stories added to the collection and many were left aching after a hard (half) days skiing. The local Onsens work wonders for those who are sore and tired. The snow is continuing to fall as what the Japanese consider ‘light snowfall’ and heavy snow is expected in the upcoming days. The trip looks like it is only going to get more intense throughout the week as the snow continues to bucket down. (Callum)

Report from Otaru:  

After 5 days of extraordinary skiing the muscles were crying out for a rest day. So today 20 of us headed off to Otaru for the day.  Thankfully Neil had arranged a 9.00am departure by bus to Kutchan and then the train to Otaru. A very civilised departure time especially as the number of pieces clothing and equipment needed for a rest day in Otaru was considerable less than for a day’s skiing.  The train ride to Otaru was in the local train coming from Oshamanbe a two carriage electric train that meandered through the snow covered country side. Giving excellent views out of the front window of the snow covered tracks and surrounding snow covered hillsides.  On arrival at Otaru we were treated to sunshine on the snow covered streets a beautiful sight. The local bus took us to a fascinating shopping precinct to be greeted by the steam clock and then a meander through a street full of unique and very different types of shops. The first being the music box shop, full of new and  antique masterpieces. Then off to the cake shop for heavenly treats of chocolate éclairs, and green tea flavoured chocolate. Yes green tee flavoured chocolate.

The class blowing stores were also amazing. Emma and Hanna blowing their own glasses.

Some of us managed a walk to the Port and watch the shipping coming and going through the snow covered Walfs. Others explored more shops and of course some great Japanese food was consumed by all at the usual amazing noodle bars quant Japanese restraints. Great rest day was had by all.

D

Dear Mum, I am fine. Skiing is good. Food is good. I went off a big jump today… it was fun! I went high. Sorry for not phoning… connections are not good!  I miss you.                                                                 Signed: All Boys skiing in Niseko.

Another 30 cm of snow over night and continued snowing throughout the day. Blue sky breaking through every now and again. Temperature still -10 on the mountain. All teams headed straight over to Hanazono again skiing Strawberry Field Blueberry and tree line through Legends of Shinya. Lunch was late at 308 Hanazono. Tonight has been spent checking out some absolutely awesome pictures of skiers through the powder. So many magazine quality shots. Neil calls it a Hero Day! Ken has trotted out his Goldilocks Day quote again… Not too hot, not too cold… but just right!

Even the groomers have had 20cm of fresh over them!

Crashes?? Yes well there have been many… tree stops, bump crashes, tired lay downs and of course Neil’s famous tip cross over. Hannah had a huge altercation with a bush, becoming a human tree decoration with pink ski tracers adorning the shrub. Cookie elbowed out by Craig, Wayne attacked by ninja tellie marker after crashing into snow bank at huge speed and spreading himself across a large area, Peter who laughed his way through the whole day claiming at every opportunity “How great is this!! Ha Ha Ha Ha!” Ken who skied well and strong through the morning without whinging that something hurt! Mary is now to be known as Liz or Helen, Jo or pretty much anything else you want to call her… just don’t take a photo of her!!  Peninsula School is now well known all over the mountain as the kids insist on skiing in animal suits.  

DA BROG: By Joel Perna

Today was a pretty sick day. We went over to the right side of the mountain to an area that consists of about three chairlifts called Hanazono. Hanazono had super deep powder and my reindeer suit was really heavy . We hit some big jumps today with powder landings which was a relatively new thing for me. Mr. Pittard let me type some stuff on the blog just for today and I’m about to go and watch some fireworks, cheers!

Mean while it continues to snow heavily outside.

Ken has a new jacket and will no longer look like the abominable snowman after each run regardless of whether he falls over or not.

Great to hear from Donna et al. Mary Watson will have ski for you all and has promised to write in our Blog tomorrow. ( I know she promised to comment tonight but she is currently up at SeicoMart buying ice cream!)

Yahoo! 30 – 40cm overnight. Still snowing throughout the morning only started to ease mid afternoon. A few of the team swapped to “fat” skis and the trees were the target. Temperature down to -10C at Ace, although everyone skied so hard no one was cold at anytime, in fact many a steaming glove was seen in the hooded chairs! Team all skied straight over to Hanazono for a powder fix and then met for lunch at the Hilton Niseko Resort for 1500Yen Buffet lunch. Everyone ate far too much and dinner is likely to be a light affair.

Great day skiing with everyone experiencing some success in the deep. Strawberry and Blueberry tossed up deep and quite dry snow. Eddy buried himself, Jon found, what looked like a twig, turned out to be a 4m tree laid into the snow complete with full somersault, Neil admitted his “snow kiss” explaining a step over toe hold – commonly called crossing his tips! Further discussion and admissions later made  it clear he had at least two such experiences – righteously explaining that through no fault of his own, both occasions were unfortunate… Cookie on the other hand simply explained that “I fell down! Often!!” Sarah on the other hand perfected a tree stop with super fat skis through deep snow hitting the three trees at speed, hooking herself on the middle one tangling for 5 minutes until rescued.  Fraser lost a ski in deep snow and required his bestest family to walk up hill to help search for the ski, only to found by a lovely young Japanese lady 25 minutes later…  snow tracers compulsory from tomorrow and Fraser didn’t get her phone number!! Greg was bumped into creek at the bottom walk way, fortunate to be dragged out by Todd before he hit the water.

Large group headed out to Kutchen for dinner- they’re hoping to walk off some of their lunch! Another group heading out for a night ski as the visibility is 300m and light snow falling. With forecast of heavy snow over the next few days tonight may be the pick.

Great to hear from Mary et al. Mary Watson will have ski for you all and has promised to write in our Blog tomorrow.

Clear skies, no wind, 0 C to -6C, snowed on and off all day, quite heavy at times. It was a first taste of powder skiing for all today although the heavy dump still not expected until Monday. The trees had enough to cover skis for most of the time, but it was on the heavy side. Crowds have disappeared as the whole mountain has opened up. No lift queues. Team all skied a few at Hirafu and met for lunch at the Bell Tower restaurant. Most ended up at Hanazono after lunch skiing Strawberry, Blueberry or Miharashi.

Wayne: today I thanked Mark for the opportunity to ski this awesome powder, Jon, Sam and Trina for leading our group around the massive ski areas. Sam also puts his body on the line so we know it is safe to ski the area selected. I have heard many stories how great Niseko is to ski, they are all true! The first thing you notice is the quality and dryness of the snow. You can be confident you will make the turns through the trees.

Ken Pike summed up our fantastic day skiing…  “It was a goldilocks day,  not too little, not too much, but just right!”

Again action packed summary includes: Power Rangers and Rudolf visit, Sam double eject’s straight onto his head – pulled muscles in his back, Wayne loses ski in twenty cm of fresh – immediately fits tracers, Neil delights with tantalizing tasties brought back from Kutchen, Noels knee responding to treatment, Cookie caught out skiing under rope lines in out of bounds area-TWICE!!! , ToeSan gathered a jazz band together this evening and the jazz was long and mellow, Crab meat delicacy for dinner and the snow keeps falling!!! Sweet dreams for another great day day tomoorrow.

Today was a great day, there was still plenty of snow and the runs where not too crowded. At one point going down thru the trees I was knee deep in powder snow, it was something knew to me still I bet tomorrow will be even better.  Eddie.