Hakkoda-san at last.

Finally got to Hakkoda-san on a pretty good day. Face shots, Rooster tails and bottomless turns at times.   This mountain is definitely a bit tricky as one wrong turn and you'll end up hiking your way out a gully or ravine in waist-chest deep powder.  On this day we stuck to the front side of the mountain but the possibilities are endless with the Ropeway  access to the surrounding peaks just a short hike away. More to come from Hakkoda as I plan on spending quit a bit of time up there in the coming months.

Ropeway (Tram)

Burton Mountain Festival at Niseko Village

If your in Niseko, Japan in the coming weeks check out the Burton MNT Festival running from the 9th through the 17th of January.  The snow looks amazing up there right now according to Neil Hartmann Biggest storm every blog! 

Okunakayama-Kogen Round 1

Welcome to old world Japan riding. Went down to a local resort just about an hour and half away called Okunakayama-Kogen. Takanori-san and Mukai-san picked me up at 7:00am and by 9:30am we where getting face shots and giving high fives.  Okunakayama is pretty small resort so NO Gondolas, NO high speed quads, just two man chairs that are probably from the early 70's.  I love these kind of resorts because, less people equals more powder for you and me.  Most of our day was spent lapping an upper powder zone which seemed to get better with each run the further we got off trail.  It was a bit tricky though as not all the  foliage has been filled in by the snow so we really had to weave in and out of the bamboo shouts.  Overall the most fun I have had riding in Japan so far. Thanks Taka and Mukai for taking me!  It will forsure be a local favorite for me in the coming years.  "Chooo- Yabai"

Okunakayama-Kogen Round 1 from Paul Vanderheiden on Vimeo.