Niseko

[Markopolo]

Yotei last thursday
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/mark1811/P1080194.jpg

[24]

is niiiice... how much?

[Legolas]

sigh. I wanna go baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccccckkkk

[karen97]

graemlins/snow_cool.gif

[Dippo]

Originally posted by Legolas:
sigh. I wanna go baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccccckkkk Me too. I was there this time last year. Only saw the mountain like that for about 5 mins the whole 10 days I was there. Too much snow is barely enough. smile.gif

[foncusmaximus]

looks sweet ! im hiking it in four weeks time with a guide and sum local buddies from niseko( weather permitting) :D

[Markopolo]

another ??
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/mark1811/P1080208.jpg

[24]

who doesn't love a twin-single chair? those crazy Japanese...

[Markopolo]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/mark1811/P1080199.jpg

[Polaris]

but why eat Pizza in Japan Marko!!!!!! :rolleyes:

[Markopolo]

Teenage children polaris !!!! They are a different species ! If ther had of been a Maccas there they would have wanted cheeseburgers !! Mind you the oldest one (18.5) will eat sushi and sashimi until he can't walk !!
(addendum: one night the +1 and I had dinner together at a Ramen place......they (the kids) found a hamburger place just up the road......there dinner cost more than ours ! :D

[Polaris]

Originally posted by Markopolo:
Teenage children polaris !!!! They are a different species ! If ther had of been a Maccas there they would have wanted cheeseburgers !! Mind you the oldest one (18.5) will eat sushi and sashimi until he can't walk !!
(addendum: one night the +1 and I had dinner together at a Ramen place......they (the kids) found a hamburger place just up the road......there dinner cost more than ours ! :D Don't take them to Hakuba then!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:
Macca's on the hill!!!

As far as the addendum, we had a similiar experience in Hakuba but not only was the *attempted western food* more expensive but absolute crap as well!!!

When in Rome...............

[Markopolo]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/mark1811/P1080204.jpg

[karen97]

Ohhhhh my! that is nice graemlins/snow_cool.gif

[Markopolo]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/mark1811/P1090210.jpg
Kani Ramen !!!!

[Fresheez]

Originally posted by Legolas:
sigh. I wanna go baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccccckkkk ditto. graemlins/penguin.gif

[ssar]

An interesting website - Niseko Avalance Information - apparently pretty useful:

http://niseko.nadare.info/


From there in Niseko, the past few days:


Thurs 22 Jan:

"-9℃, no fresh snow at the base.
Benkei cape 6m/s SSE, 1m wave height at Kamui cape.
The wind at 1500m is relatively mild as the pressure gradient over the Sea of Japan is shelving; 12.4m/s northerly at the peak at 6:30am, and Hirafu patrol reported a 15m/s SW wind with low visibility.
This wind is making the cornices and snowdrifts sp****ly develop, however a shallow (20cm) surface slab avalanche has been reported from Higashi-One (east ridge), and similar slides are likely to happen in slopes around 1000m covered with soft wind effected slabs (snowdrifts) on top of Jan 21st layer.
Yesterday’s tracks are remaining below 1000m, do not seek fresh lines in Mizuno no sawa or Yu no sawa, both designated strictly off limits area by the Niseko Rules. If you do, your lift pass will be confiscated and may also lead to a serious accident.
South-easterly wind will pick up in the arvo.
Make sure to be well prepared before you step out of bounds, no control, no patrol and no sweep are performed outside the resort. You are responsible of your own actions in the backcountry.
Peak gates will open at 9:30."


Fri 23 Jan:

"+2℃, rain at the base. 27m/s N wind at the peak at midnight then calmed down below 20m/s through the morning. 10m/s SSE with strong gusts at Benkei cape, +1℃ with 25m/s SE, wet snow storm at 1000m Hirafu.
Cracked slopes below 600m involve potential of full layer avalanche due to rain penetrating through to the ground level.
Due to humid/heavy snowfall, surface slab slides (up to 30cm) are also to be considered in slopes around 800m.
Soon, snowdrifts will drastically develop above 1000m and avalanche hazard will rise significantly.
Development scale will be completely different depending on slope direction and altitude; most dangerous are the leeward ones.
During storms, these slopes get rapid snow accumulation, leaving the slabs unstable, and its heavy weight can be a factor to stimulate deeper weak layer (such as Jan 17-18th) leading to a bigger avalanche.
It is very concerning to see tracks in Haru no taki or below Niseko Village Gondola, these areas are strictly off limits, never to be entered, including Yu no sawa, and they are for a good reason.
Random tracks left repeatedly would evolve to serious accidents.
All gates will be closed.
Going to the swimming pool would probably be the best option today."

(Love this: "Going to the swimming pool would probably be the best option today." -- hahahaha)


Sat 24 Jan:

"-12℃, 20cm of fresh snow at the base.
17m/s W at Benkei cape, 3m wave height.
Hirafu patrol reported a relatively mild wind at the peak with 40cm of soft snowdrift.
The snow surface below 600m has been refrozen after yesterday’s warm temperature and formed a 5cm crust.
The snow temperature gradient around 1000m is also steep, which formed a notable hoar layer (Jan 23rd layer).
Snowdrifts will develop with today’s westerly wind and avalanche risk will rise in places such as Annupuri Osawa cornice slopes and backside Higashi-One, as well as in strictly off limits areas; upper Yu no sawa, Haru no taki and Mizuno no sawa.
Predicted scale is up to 60cm thick.
Soft slabs are more likely to collapse as they are more sensitve to stimulation.
Numbers of slides has been reported during the avalanche control operation in Mizuno no sawa.
All gates will be closed. Avalanche risk is very high.
Do not duck ropes, and beware of frostbites."


Will be an interesting time ahead, let's hope it all consolidates, and heaps of fresh dry powder falls across the entire area over the coming few weeks.

[ssar]

I have heard that these runs are worth checking out (with care, for the more capable snowriders, anyway):

Recommended Niseko Ski runs:

- Strawberry Fields

- “Explore the gullies off to skiers left of Hanazono - out the upper and lower gates. When you hit the track that goes along the bottom of the gullies you have to walk out.”

- “Explore the runs off the two lower gates in Annupuri. One is skiers left near the base station of Jumbo Pair Lift #3 (be aware of the Stictly Off Limits bit) and the other is skiers right above the gondola. Both bring you out at the base of the Gondola.”

---

Any other runs ppl may recommend, who have been there etc?

[ 15.02.2009, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: ssar ]

[SA]

Exit Hirafu gondola, turn right and hike 1 min up the hill. Tree runs from there down.

[Dr D]

Originally posted by SA:
Exit Hirafu gondola, turn right and hike 1 min up the hill. Tree runs from there down. Feels like 10 mins when the snow is deep. ;) But it's worth it.


Last year :(

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u277/Dr_D_photos/IMG_0312.jpg

[SA]

It's the ultimate bat fastard's powder run :D

[Xena]

SDS on full tilt here! Looks too good.

[Legolas]

and again...I wanna go baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.

We were here this week last year.

Valentines day in Japan is very very funny.

The tradition is that the girl buys for the boy on Valentines (like because the boys are SUPPOSED to always be coughing up for the chick :rolleyes: ).

Sapporo was rockin with chocolate! oh and that funky little super quirky lunch spot just below bell hut...what was it called...

oh, and the pow...the pow the pow the powder.

sigh

[ssar]

Re: Food / Restaurants to try in Niseko:

I have heard the following is worth checking out whilst there, perhaps:

“Bowl of Soba / Udon / Ramen noodles, and Kani or Crab Ramen at Hanozono are good value”

Niseko Restaurants/Bars to try:

- Rin
- Ice Bar in Hirafu Village near Full Note Pension & Seicomart
- Abucha 1st Japanese Izakaya & Bar
- Zhivagos
- Senchou - Good seafood, quite traditional
- Yummy's Pizza
- Yuki Bar
- Little Noodle House near the bottom of the main street
- King Bell Hut BBQ

Kutchan:

- Nihonbashi in Kutchan - Authentic Japanese

---

Thoughts?

[Donza]

Kani Ramen at Hanazono.
Worth the flat groomer.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr185/donza00/japan2006188.jpg

[Donza]

They even serve Horse. :cool: :cool:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr185/donza00/nagfeedingjapan-1.jpg

[Xena]

Food looks yummy!


(except the horse, of course!)

[foncusmaximus]

hiked peak this morning.
the trees halfway down were waist deep bottomless pow. smile.gif

[Legolas]

Originally posted by Xena.:
Food looks yummy!


(except the horse, of course!) of course

[Donza]

Unless that horse is

[Legolas]

big agreement here on that.

Ssar, Pods recommended a restaurant called Bang Bang to me and we did get there.

Firstly, it is not cheap, but it is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo worth it. The food was fantastic. They have grades of salmon and wagyu and a range of sakes to taste from all over Hokaido and Japan. Also awesome wine list.

Dessert of orange sorbet and milk jelly were just delighful.

But you do need to book well in advance, so call now!

just found this review BANG BANG's
One of the most reputable restaurants in Hirafu. Bang Bang features fine 'yakitori' which is Japanese for various meats, vegetables and seafood grilled over hot charcoal, seasoned with traditional sauces. Salads, sides, sashimi are also popular at this restaurant. Highly in demand in winter, don't be slow on reservations as it can be fully booked days, even weeks in advance.

Style: Japanese Location:Hirafu Cost: Med-High Hours: 5:30pm - 11:00pm
Reservation: Highly reccomended Phone: 22-4292

The other one that was highly recommended was Ichimura. Something to do with Tetsuya so my ski instructor told me. Meant to be a flash night too though.

The little bakery on the corner near seikomart is great. We picked up goodies there each day. I think it is part of a-bu-cha

[ 19.02.2009, 09:31 PM: Message edited by: Legolas ]

[foncusmaximus]

airport closed canceled flight!!!!!puken snow big time.
back in Niseko now. what a crap day.

several hundred aussies at airport freakn out.
most if not all flights are full tomorrow. some till wednesday.

guess im riding pow for an extra day or so.

i even said i wish it would stop snowing.....wash my mouth out.
graemlins/snow.gif

[ausi ski bum]

Gee what a problem to have, it even snowed here in Beijing yesterday.

[foncusmaximus]

most of the lifts are shut. due to winds.
DOH! stuck and cant ride.

[Legolas]

dang!

Exact same thing happened to us on the same date last year!!

You could tell the Aussies who had done it before. They were all just snoozin on their packs, ready to leap when called.

I remember watching them de ice the wings and clear the runway, only to have to go back to the start by the time they got to the end.

sigh...I'd happily be stuck there, because it would mean I had just had a ski holiday in Japan!!

[foncusmaximus]

ended up being a blessing. went ridnig at rusutsu saturday and it was sweet.

chitose airport was a mad house sunday!!

[ssar]

There have been some wicked pockets of powder snow lately - we have hit some genuine (wind-driven) face shots, and some great powder runs through the Annaupri bowls and around upper Hanazono.

Sweeeet.

[skimax]

bang bang is noice.