Niseko Updates

[spaz]

I figure many snowatchers will be keen to get regular info on conditions in Niseko.

They come from emails I receive on an almost daily basis from the owner of HotShots who has an internet cafe, photo and video shop in Alpen Ridge, 30 meters from the base of the Family Chair and offeres coffee and food as well as the best powder images and personal DVD movies. plug for the boss smile.gif

Sat 12th Dec; "The Café opened yesterday for the first time this season. We sold a few coffees, hot Milo, Paninis, and locally made carrot cake. We are up and running. Next Wednesday, my coffee supplier is installing a 1,000,000yen coffee machine because he believes me when I tell him we will sell heaps of coffee.

There is supposed to be a hundred and fifty bookings arriving today. The forecast is for a warm weekend and then snow. The town is fully booked for Christmas and bookings are really good after that so it will be another busy season.

The shop is ready for business and I am ready for powder. Hopefully it will happen soon. There is no snow on the main island of Japan so we are doing well in Niseko. So far, I have been skiing the groomed in sunny and cold conditions. Weather has been perfect over the last two days for taking pictures which can be seen on www.hotshots.net.au (http://www.hotshots.net.au)

Another Japanese winter lies ahead with lots of adventures and hopefully lots of powder!"

[spaz]

Sat 12th Dec no.2
"Marc (The Barisa and my favorite from Thredbo 2009-spaz) worked at Avalanche and now he is doing a great job here.
It is raining today so am not on the mountain but doing stuff in the shop.

....but mountainwatch.com is installing a webcam right in front of my shop. That is pretty cool. Christy Dowling is doing daily snow reports on “the daily flake” and implied to me that she was happy to stick her reports on as many websites as she can. I did some skiing for her on the Thursday report."

[spaz]

Mon 14th -
“After 2 sunny days and one day of rain, the cold air and snow came into Niseko on Sunday with snow forecast for the rest of the week. Let’s hope the forecasters are correct because we need it. Of course we are better off than on the main island where there is no snow yet.”

[foxpuppet]

have you ever thought of doing the season over there too spaz? hire of helmet cams would go off the hook i reckon!

[spaz]

Was planning that this year, maybe next summer. With my small clan it's a big thing to organise.

[Crystal]

Looks like lots of snow around there at the moment...yay

[Hammo]

Another 30cm last night,they are getting pumped at the moment which is good to see!

[spaz]

Repeat Hammos post for each day since..

"It has been snowing 4 days non-stop in Niseko. Never saw anything like this last year. A week ago it was pouring rain on a bit of snow and ground. Now, we are in a winter paradise but still need lots more snow to cover up all the best places I like to ski."

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/RandyinNiseko-Dec2009.jpg
This is Randy Wieman - Owner of HotShots, who is an expert at delivering SDS

[spaz]

Brings a whole new reason for hating your boss!

[foxpuppet]

yeah...mind the shop while i go run some "erands"

[Crystal]

very nice

[ozgirl]

My friends are on a bus to their house in Niseko right now and just email a photo from their phone. They are in a total white out and you can't see the road in front of the bus.

v jealous.... what i would give for a white Christmas right now.....

[Crystal]

My friends are on a bus to their house in Niseko right now and just email a photo from their phone. They are in a total white out and you can't see the road in front of the bus.

v jealous.... what i would give for a white Christmas right now.....

tell me about it...a few more sleeps for me

[foxpuppet]

6 hours to go
cheerio all

[spaz]

Mon 28th Dec
"It is raining right now in Niseko. Waiting for a cold change!!"

[spaz]

3rd Jan
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture30.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture29.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture28.jpg

5th Jan
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture26.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture27.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture25.jpg

[SA]

Sick.

[Snowie Meli]

:):cool:

[Crystal]

Snowing here right now :)

[foxpuppet]

11/01/2010
THE DAY...i dont have time to post much info, but the pics should speak for themselves....

Early Start
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs184.snc3/19155_1352325887456_1210651024_1065657_202800_n.jp g

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs184.snc3/19155_1352326207464_1210651024_1065662_5336562_n.j pg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs164.snc3/19155_1352326567473_1210651024_1065667_141770_n.jp g

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs184.snc3/19155_1352326607474_1210651024_1065668_832033_n.jp g

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs164.snc3/19155_1352326687476_1210651024_1065670_3932573_n.j pg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs164.snc3/19155_1352326847480_1210651024_1065672_2667226_n.j pg
I got out from behind the lens for this one
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs184.snc3/19155_1352327007484_1210651024_1065676_1759179_n.j pg
Nighta

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs164.snc3/19155_1352327167488_1210651024_1065678_2161383_n.j pg
8pm
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs164.snc3/19155_1352327207489_1210651024_1065679_19675_n.jpg

[Snowie Meli]

It's belting!!! :) Can't wait for Japan!!! I think Hakuba is getting some nice snow today also:):bounce::outtahere:

[SA]

Niiiiiiiiice. 8 dtg

[Hammo]

Good work Foxpuppet looks awesome!! Less than 1 month to go for me!!

[foxpuppet]

high avie danger today...not headin out BC as planned....
40 cms thurs
30 cm fri
45 cm last night
booyah

[The Frog]

Great photos!

[foxpuppet]

what about these then Mr Frog? ;)

after a well earned but albeit silly move to take the day off riding yesterday (i heard some epic lines were had all over) we decided to do a bit of peak hiking today. once in the morning dropping from mt annupurri peak down fujiwara no sawa to hanazono 308 for a quick break...then traverse to annupuri side to meet the crew for lunch. then at 225pm we headed out gate 2 up the south peak, down to mt annupurri the peak was deserted so we dropped into kozan no sawa.... the weather lifted, blue sky and golden snow as the sun was dropping made for a great run down and high fives all round at the bottom enjoy some of the pics...vid up soon. ( if i can stop riding long enough to edit something)

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/6956/dsc1679w.jpg Timo Koskinen

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/snow-japan-photo-galleries/banjobiwan/banjobiwan_8.JPG Timo Koskinen

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/snow-japan-photo-galleries/banjobiwan/banjobiwan_9.JPG Marika Ranta

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/snow-japan-photo-galleries/banjobiwan/banjobiwan_10.JPG pause

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/snow-japan-photo-galleries/banjobiwan/banjobiwan_11.JPG Marika Ranta

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/snow-japan-photo-galleries/banjobiwan/banjobiwan_14.jpg Timo Koskinen on white gold

Thanks to marika for these shots...i got out from behind the lens finally!

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/snow-japan-photo-galleries/banjobiwan/banjobiwan_13.jpg Yours truly

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/snow-japan-photo-galleries/banjobiwan/banjobiwan_15.jpg

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/snow-japan-photo-galleries/banjobiwan/banjobiwan_16.jpg this guy was prepped for the BC

[spaz]

:cool::inlove:

[The Frog]

nice pics.

[SA]

Nice shots foxpuppet! Conditions permitting, how about a few runs on the 29 or 30th?

[foxpuppet]

I would have for sure SA but we leave on the morning of the 26th.

plenty of fun to be had out there though. enjoy it while your here.

[SA]

Ah, no worries, maybe next time!

Enjoy the remainder of your trip.

[Fresheez]

Sweeeeet shots. I like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:biggrin::happy:

[foxpuppet]

i am shutting my eyes this morning so as not to see the r r r r ain

[spaz]

Uploaded yesterday
[img]YouTube- Randolph & Ralph - Niseko 2010[img]

[foxpuppet]

pfft skiers.... haha, no it still looks great...i'm just a little sore that i'm not still there.:cry:

[Pini Pow Pow]

Awesome day today in Niseko, 40cm of fresh and faceshots galore. a couple of pics i managed to snap of the terrain outside gate 2.

Anyone around for a ski? i am here in niseko till Thursday.

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu10/Pini_Pow_Pow/IMG_1213.jpg


http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu10/Pini_Pow_Pow/IMG_1219.jpg


http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu10/Pini_Pow_Pow/IMG_1220.jpg


http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu10/Pini_Pow_Pow/IMG_1227.jpg

[Bear]

Noice.:biggrin:

[SA]

Very nice out there today. Maybe some pics later ;)

[spaz]

3/2/10

i just paid _._ on the ___ broadband account. We will sort it out later.
Thanks for putting the __ __ through.

it keeps snowing over here. just amazing.

randy
hot shots photography & video

:ninja: hey boss, I don't think I'll be doing another summer in Thredbo :adolf:

[whatajoke]

Those pics are aweseome foxpuppet and pini pow pow!

[Legolas]

Very nice out there today. Maybe some pics later ;)

heh hem

[Pini Pow Pow]

another awesome day out there today.

here are some faceshots from footage i got holding my gopro camera.


http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu10/Pini_Pow_Pow/faceshot1.jpg


http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu10/Pini_Pow_Pow/faceshot2.jpg

[SA]

Love that first shot!

[spaz]

Very good!

It's the older GoPro is it, not the HD?

[spaz]

Yesterday
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture14.jpg

[SA]

Awesome!

[The Frog]

What the point on having nice graphics on your skis if you can't see them.

[spaz]

:big_laugh:

it's like underpants Frog and powder is like skis clothing. In Australia our climate means we have to only wear our underpants.:tongue:

[spaz]

More photos you don't want to see.

13th Feb
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture7.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture8.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture15.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture17.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture18.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture4.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture5.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture6.jpg


:cold:

[SA]

:cool:

[ozgirl]

I wanna see those photos Spaz - I will be there in 2 weeks!!!!!

[spaz]

It's just started. Niseko is expecting this storm to be the dump off the season up to 150cm.

[ShellFish]

Are you serious??? Dump of the season??? Hope we'll be be able to get in - we fly out tomorrow-destination Niseko!

[ozgirl]

Woooo Hooooo!

There in a week Monday (Hakuba first)

See you there Shellfish!

[Podlettte]

yep a mate who's there for the season says this weekend mostly today and tomorrow are forecast to bring 1.5m, needless to say there is a buzz in the air over there right now hoping it comes off

[spaz]

PHOTOGRAPHER:throwball: working???
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs215.snc3/22267_344312944186_601599186_4771277_7532467_n.jpg
not sure what date this was taken, possibly yesterday

[spaz]

Yep - yesterday

Alistaire
http://www.snowatch.com.au/forum/[IMG]http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture42.jpghttp://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture42.jpg

Tim
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs215.snc3/22267_344311314186_601599186_4771272_4786011_n.jpg

[ozgirl]

Spaz is that Tim I met?

[Legolas]

is it as good as the pics look oz?

[Podlettte]

She's no in Niseko yet, she's in Hakuba

[ShellFish]

Yep... yesterday was as good as the photos look except that it was blue bird day... fresh snow with sunshine...:happy:

[spaz]

Spaz is that Tim I met?
Yes, and he pops in here as tim93

[spaz]

Just got off facebook with Tim,
Today is icey, don't know if he means Thredbo icey or Niseko icey
But yesterday was bluebird.

That's the second blue sky day within 2 weeks:eek:, must be global warming.

some from yesterday
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture45.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture44.jpg

[spaz]

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture46.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture47.jpg

[Jahoota]

I always laugh when some in oz sez "we had heaps of powder at perisher/thredbo/baw-baw etc today". :big_laugh: One look at this thread tells you they have nfi.... :snow:


Keep them pics a coming! :biggrin:

[spaz]

Randy left Niseko today, it seems you can get to much powder.
It has been snowing for the last 3 days.

Last Friday

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa27/spazo77/Japan%20HotShots/Picture21.jpg

[spaz]

A video Randy is working on from footage taken in Niseko this year.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzMvZbLqbQI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzMvZbLqbQI%3C/a%3E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzMvZbLqbQI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzMvZbLqbQI)

[Xena]

Definitely on the list for 2011/12.

[Silverwitch]

That Video is amazing Spaz...Thanks for sharing!