For full story and pics pick the January issue of Transworld Snowboard magazine.
Niseko Webzine brings you news from Niseko Japan how we see it, not how other Niseko business owners want you to see it! We hope you enjoy Niseko Japan
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Kevin Pearce, Nicolas Muller, Mason Aguirre, Mikkel Bang & Jake Burton do Niseko
For full story and pics pick the January issue of Transworld Snowboard magazine.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Are You Ready?
Official Opening - Saturday 22nd November 2008.
Just to get you a little pumped here is one of the greatest movie trailers ever! Enjoy!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Beyond Niseko
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Hirafu First Runs
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Niseko Could Be A Ghost Town This Winter
Friday, October 24, 2008
Car Danchi drives to Niseko
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Snow To Reduce Global Warming?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Niseko & Furano Ski Camps
You better check out the Warren Smith ski academy.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Tanner Warming Up For Niseko?
So what does Tanner get up to in Summer? Check him out getting his thing on!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Traffic Controller of the Month
Sunday, October 5, 2008
100 Top Ski Holidays
Well maybe not with quality of the photo used, Niseko's major drawcard afterall is POW and the photo used does not really capture that it in all its glory, well except that statement under the photo, But aaawwwww it does look pretty.
To anyone from the UK or anyone that is looking for a Niseko holiday, contact Japan Ski Experience, they are based in the UK and know there way around Niseko and Japan!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Snowboard Soundtracks
I thought it was worth sharing with all the Niseko Webzine followers because if you are anything like me you always find funky old tracks and remixes on snowboard vids iPod worthy, or other MP3 device if your an iPOD hater.
So get over to the site and check it out, find all the names of all those tracks you like on all your favorite snowboard vids so you can load them up on your iPod or MP3 player ready for your next Niseko session.
Check it out - Snowboard Soundtracks
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Not Ready To Let Summer Go?
The destination: Tokachi - http://www.mtbhokkaido.net/
The Plan:
- Depart Friday 17th October from Hirafu
- Ride 18th Saturday followed by BBQ & beers
- Ride 19th Sunday morning then return to Hirafu in the afternoon with the survivors
Let the crew of NisekoMTB know if your in by Friday 3rd October.
Also if you have a vehicle capable of carrying bikes and people and are willing to use, please let Martin know - you will be compensated.......... in more ways than one!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Niseko Snow Report
Ok, so it might not be want everyone was hoping for, but it is snow!
A light dusting of white gold has landed on Mt. Yotei on Wednesday 24th September, 2008, after a noticeable change in the weather to highlight the official end of summer!
You might have to look pretty close to see it but it is there, we promise!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Powder TV and Shaun White
So we got some abuse for letting our readership know what we thought of the Shaun White interview from certain people, without naming them you can figure it out if you read the original post, but before you do, here is another quote from an unsatisfied viewer of the Shaun White interview.
“so ahhh….this interview is pretty shocking! has this lady ever done an interview before? maybe someone should let her know there is a difference between having a caffeine buzzed conversation and interviewing one of the best sports people in the world.” See post for yourself here
You can read the original post by Niseko Webzine here - Niseko.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Keeping In Touch In Niseko
It has been a problem in the past with people coming to Niseko with families and friends to use Australian UHF-CBs and New Zealand PRS radios. For those of you that do not know, the use of these devices is highly illegal in Japan!
Most people have thought that they are above the laws and ignored the notices that have been placed at airports and around the town in English to make you aware of the laws in the past. However, the issue is gaining more attention from authorities as the level of incidents with foreigners increases from being stupid and disrespecting the local community.
Prior to last winter season kicking off the level of security that was enforced on winter tourist increased dramatically, this year could see a search of all baggage to uncover these communication devices. I am sure everyone has seen boarder security and seen the consequences when airport customs finds something they shouldn't!
To get around the communication issue in Japan, find out if you can use your mobile phone on the 3G network or rent/buy a prepaid mobile for a cheaper option from IXSM Travel (www.ixsmtravel.com/)
As a guest to Japan it should be pretty simple as respecting the local laws regarding these devices in Japan so do NOT bring them fools!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Niseko Cycle Week
Check out the latest event to be hosted in Niseko - Niseko Cycle Week
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Niseko and Beer?
Want to know what the hell we are on about? Read this article here
Niseko Night Session
Photo was taken by Shelly Johnston, thanks for posting it on the web Shelly, love your work and hope to see you back in Niseko again this year.
Check out Shelly's photo here
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Niseko Summertime
Monday
- 6pm Soccer - Sunsports Land. All Welcome!
Tuesday
- 6am Road Bike Ride - Meet at Kutchan Station. Cruisey ride through the potato fields. Beginners welcome.
- 6pm Touch Rugby - Sunsports land. All Welcome!August 12th-24th Minamo Photography Exhibition - Shapes and Colours of Half-moon Lake (Hangetsu-ko) - Lake Toya. Details: www.toyako-vc.jp/
Wednesday
- 5.30pm Mountain bike JAM - Meet at SunSports with your bike and 100 yen for some MTB fun in the forest - info:Niseko Mtb
Thursday
-6am Road Bike Ride - Meet at Kutchan Station. Cruisey ride through the potato fields. Beginners welcome.
- 6pm Touch Rugby - Sunsports land. All Welcome!
- 8pm Darts Competition - The Brick. JPY 500 to play, winner takes all. All Welcome!
Thursday
- Saturday, August 14 - 16 @ KyogokuKyogoku Furusato Festival @ Sanjou dori Shoutengai (Kyogoku town)14th 10am - 9.15pm, 15th 10am - 8.45pm, 16th 4pm - 8.30pm. Bon Odori were originally a religious ceremony held to send off spirits, but they have become local festival for entertainment. Inquiries 0136-42-2111.Friday6pm Soccer - Sunsports Land. All Welcome!
For the rest of the dates and times on what is happening in Niseko check it out here
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Niseko Playground
His crew checks out Tomamu and of course Niseko!
You can see the trailer of the film right here - Playground
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Mtb Dirty Wednesday
The word on the street from the organisers:
The D sen will be in top condition after the sweltering temperatures over the last couple of days. COME enjoy an early evening blast on:- Wednesday- 17.30 at SunSports- 100JPY for the BONGO fund Keen Ken has been out with his whipper snipper working on an extension. let us know if you have a sassa slashing implement and a will to use it. we have about 500m more track to clear.
ALSO Niseko Cycle Week - www.nisekocycleweek.com - check the program and make sure you are around that week.
Ride while you can!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Fatal slip from ski lift
Julian Fine's family stressed that he was doing nothing reckless when he fell from a ledge at the Portillo resort, north of Santiago, on Tuesday.
Read full story here
Monday, July 21, 2008
Japan Ski Holiday Specialist
Well there are now some new kids on the block that truly are Japan ski holiday specialists! Experience in the snow holiday industry and years of living all over Japan gives these guys the knowledge and experience to deliver a true Japan snow holiday that will blow your skirt up!
Do yourself a favor and check em out!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Kaku Cafe Jazz Night, Kutchan
Friday, July 11, 2008
Could It Be A Wet Weekend
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
WhoTurned Off Their Lights?
During the two hours of darkness the Niseko Webzine crew took time out and enjoyed a walk around the village. We lurked in the shadows and darted from roof top to roof to spy on who was destroying the world. It is safe to say the majority of houses that had lights on are occupied by the western community of Niseko!
Monday, July 7, 2008
G8 Summit Kicks Off & Hokkaido Turns Green
We hope you support the efforts of the G8 Toyako Summit and help the environment that lets us indulge in the powdery goodness!
TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Kutchan Jazz Festival
Everyone has had time to recover from the Northern Fox party and now it is time to slip into the cool groove of the Kutchan Jazz Festival!
After a week of super summer conditions and rain this week, we can only hope that the man up stairs is a fan of Jazz!
Enjoy the Kutchan Jazz Festival this weekend!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Mountain Bike Weekend In Niseko
Its going to be a great weekend of mountain biking so show your support and get on Saturday & Sunday to check it out!
Saturday - Practice day
- Grand Hirafu, Center 4 Lift.
- NisekoMtb.com & Black Diamond Lodge dirt jump session and BYO BBQ & beverages!
Sunday - Race Day
- Grand Hirafu, Center 4 Lift
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Niseko News
Niseko Is The Place It All Happens!
Tonight is the night of the Niseko Utari Music Festival at The Northern Fox! All we can hope for is that they have their shit together for tomorrow tonight!
White Bear Pension also looks like they are playing host to a local soccer club this weekend that is in town for a training weekend! White Bear Pension is located right next door to venue for tomorrows music festival - hope they don't plan on sleeping tonight! Go party next door boys!
The mountain bike crew headed by Nisekomtb.com commander (Martin) was out in the trees today adding some nice corner features to the D-sen track. The new feature will have you railing one of the last corners at mach 10!
Good luck to Martin at tomorrow’s downhill race in Teine, just outside of Sapporo.
Niseko will be hosting its own race on the last weekend of June, more details to follow!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Niseko News
Niseko Utari Festival
When: Sunday 22, June 2008
Where: The Northern Fox, Niseko
Cost: Advanced tickets 3,000yen
At the door 4,000yen
The Line Up & Times
Open - 16.00
Live 3 - 16.30
Live Charaves - 17.30
Live GOMA - 18.30
The Sun Paulo - 20.00
dachambo - 21.30
Cro-magnon - 23.00
DJ QLIONE - 24.00
DJ TOMO - 01.00
Close - 02.00
Hope to see everyone there! Should be a great night!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Niseko News
Niseko & G8 Summit
A police technician dispatched to Hokkaido for the Group of Eight (G8) summit meeting in July has been arrested for sneaking into a women's bathroom to take photos of a bathing woman, police said.Read full article
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Niseko News
Niseko Lift Ticket Prices
One of the major draw cards of taking your snow holiday in Niseko is the inexpensive lift tickets, you know, besides the massive amounts of powder snow, Japanese food and culture and the short flight times from Australia and other Asian countries!
Lift Ticket prices for Niseko for the 2008/09 season maybe going up in price! One thing that you need to keep in mind, they will be not even close to the cost of a lift ticket in Australia ($100 dollars a day is ridicules!) In fact the lift tickets for Niseko will only be going up 8%, so a 1 day lift ticket might get to the equivalent of $60AUS, yes, we said might!
Really it is surprising that people still go to the snow in Australia! Expensive lift prices, very poor snow conditions, over priced accommodation, massive crowds if it does snow and over priced food and beverage prices, should we continue?
Our message to the blog world that loves snow – “Come to Japan!”
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Niseko Gets Environmental
Of course this a step in the right direction for the Niseko environment and the environment in general of course! It does seem that a lot more of an effort should be made to protect and improve the amount of negative factors that affect the environment considering the people of Niseko rely so heavily on environmental tourism.
So how will this affect you?
Well when you come to Niseko on your next snow holiday, consider bringing your “green” shopping bags from home, or buy ones to use here, or maybe even use the boxes that are provided at the supermarkets, but whatever you do, DON’T USE PLASTIC BAGS!
If you don’t use plastic, Mother Nature will of course reward you with nipple deep snow conditions for everyday of your holiday in Niseko!
We just hope you’re not a midget, nothing against midgets; we just want deeper snow than the height of midget nipples!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Niseko Getting Crazy!
To showcase the Asparagus of Niseko of course you need a free testing day at Niseko View Plaza weekend markets. During the summer months this is the place to get all your fresh fruit, vegetables and rice straight from the farmers.
So how was the Asparagus? Well it was as good as a vegetable could get, until you drown it in Japanese mayo, all of a sudden it was the most delightfully tasting thing you could experience! Hahahaha
You can see the excitement overcoming the lady as she tastes a snippet of Asparagus ecstasy!
How a piece of wood changed world history
Below is a extract from one of the articles that we have found today:
How a piece of wood changed world history.
Many times someone doing something a little different and having his or her ideas catch on has changed history. The pasteurizing of milk to prevent spoiling and contamination is a perfect example. Snowboarding was also the result of someone doing something a little different.
To view the full article please follow the link - How a piece of wood changed world history.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Japan Rail Hokkaido Going Green
This hybrid form of transport has been developed to save on resources used in Hokkaido railway; often services in Hokkaido are extremely underused as the island only contains approximately 6% of the country’s population.
This is also a step in the right direction to help preserve one of Hokkaido’s major tourist attractions – winter! We hope more companies in Hokkaido will take a step in the “green direction” to help preserve the unique environmental conditions that brings a new way of looking at life after experiencing their first powder turns!
Niseko Hilton Official Opening
The official open date is to be July 1st to the public and should prove to be a major draw card for international visitors looking for a first class one stop hotel experience. This will also affect not only the winter traveler but also the summer travel market to the Niseko as summer facilities are right on your doorstep, including, one 18 hole golf course, dirt buggy course, hiking trails and other assorted activities.
We hope that they invest in using the ski hill and area into building extensive mountain bike facilities, tires crossed!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Kutchan Jazz Festival
Advanced tickets are on sale now. Ticket Prices are:
Advance Tickets: 1 day pass 4,800 yen*. On the day: 1 day pass 5,500 yen*.
Advance Tickets: 2 day pass 8,000 yen* (July 5th and 6th). On the day: 9,000 yen*.
*Prices include tax.
Elementary school students are free; high school students only pay half price and camping sites available.
This year has gathered another solid international and local line-up. Additionally, if you have your own band, this is your chance to get on stage yourself! View the Kutchan Jazz Festival site for futher details, under, "What's New" at the bottom of the home page.
See you there!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Dirty Wednesday
Mountain Bike Niseko
O its wednesday again! Time to get dirty after work!
Wednesday is the day that the niseko mountain bike crew meet for their mid-week dirty session! Get your work frustration out on your bike that has built up from your boss being on your back for the last few days and the rest of the week will seem like your sitting on a island surrounded by swimsuite models! ;)
Dirty Wednesday Details
The track - D-sen
Location - In the forest behind the Family lift.
What to bring - your bike!
The track is suitable for all levels and any bike. You will need to keep your flow on and be super smooth to be fast on this track.
For more info on mountain biking niseko
Monday, May 26, 2008
Niseko Summer BBQs - Round 1
After a 7 hour marathon of eating the fantastic foods that Hokkaido is blessed with and enjoying sum of Sapporo's finest draft beer, it was time to pack it up and sleep off the food hangover!
What a way to spend a lazy Saturday in Niseko!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Tragedy Strikes Niseko
Many residence feared a white water rafting accident, but in fact, a sicking death within the local community had occurred. A 29 year old female had been tragically murdered and her young baby girl was missing and feared drowned in the near by river.
The suspect was the husband and farther to the victims who was later arrested and admitted to the allegations. The husband a Napalese man who had only moved to Niseko in March of 2007 and shortly after married the deceased told police, “ She started talking about a divorce, so I killed her.”
An autopsy revealed that the death to the wife was caused by a combination of asphyxiation and shock brought on as a result of her facial injuries from repeatedly being struck with a hammer, kicked and punched to her chest, head and face.
Monday, May 12, 2008
A Green Weekend In Niseko!
A complete weekend sitting in the sun on deck chairs while enjoying a bbq with friends after spending the days riding and building mountain bike trails has never felt so good! Besides the muscles wanting to explode from not riding a bike in 6 months, however after the late Sunday afternoon onsen you feel like you could do it all again!
Bring on next weekend!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Last Lifts!
The last lift of the season has run. The gods gave us the start to the day that we needed, a perfect spring day with blue skyes shinning upon us! A super fun day on to be on the mountain with locals ripping everything in sight from park to moguls and everthing in beween!
For the last few weeks in Niseko have been an awsome time of year with the best of both worlds on offer! Snowboarding in the park in the morning and mountain biking in the afternoon! Life does not get any better than that, for us anyway!
Others have been enjoying the early opening of golf courses in the area and hiking trails have also seen a lot of early traffic! It will not be long before hiking to the top of Yotei without an avalanch pack will be possible!
Time to bust out some short action and show the world our pasty white chicken legs! You know you want it!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Hold On Niseko
For those that did arrive in Niseko this Golden Week to go skiing and snowboarding have not been blessed with the best conditions. With strong winds holding a few of the lifts from operation and heavy rain today (Monday), we can only hope that the conditions will be favourable for us all tomorrow.
If conditions continue to deteriate, this long weekend may be the last days the lifts are running for skiiers and snowboarders for the season. In the coming weeks this of course will allow for the hikers and mountain bikers to get into the lifts and up on the mountain to enjoy the green side of Niseko life!
One more day of perfect weather to enjoy the snow is not too much to ask for is it?
Monday, April 28, 2008
Shake It Niseko
What ever it is that you start to think, it is always your first thought when you live in Japan, not sure what I'm talking about?
Well my first thought was, "Is that an earthquake or tremor that is making the building feel like it is moving?"
At 2.29pm today Niseko was shaken by a tremor! Most people would not have even felt it as it was fairly minor, but pretty weird to feel a building move no matter how small the shake!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Abu - Cha Bakery
Today in Niseko Abu - Cha bakery baked its last chocolate croissant for the season! In true Abu - Cha style they went out with a perfectly baked assortment of bakery goodness! If you are still in town the restaurant is open till mid april! They will celebrate with a half price night in the restaurant as well, you will have to visit Abu - Cha for more details.
Out of respect for everyone that visited and worked in Niseko this season, the members of Niseko Webzine exhausted all efforts to stuff ourselves to the point of not being able to walk for the remainder of the day!
All we can say is, damn it was good! It was well and truly worth spending the day on the couch out of respect to everyone!
See you next season Abu - Cha!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Jam Bar & Mina Mina = Jamina
One fee of 1500yen for all you can drink at either bar! The cost of the ticket also lets you check out some live DJs!
Start the night off at Mina Mina and then move onto to Jam Bar to pay your farewell respects to the old Jam Bar and toast the arrival of the new Jam Bar for next season! Yep that is what we said, the current Jam Bar will undergo a face lift over the summer and be bigger (not to big) and better then ever ready for you to get down with the best pizza in town!
See you at Jamina!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Niseko Night Sessions
When you mention night skiing to the majority of the snow junkie enthusiasts people automatically imagine a skiable area of maybe one or two runs that have poor lighting covering terrain that is as interesting as listening to your grandfather talk about mowing the lawn on the weekend! Not here in Niseko!
With a vast amount of terrain open to riding across the Grand Hirafu (highest point of access for night sessions is just over 1000m of altitude!), Higashiyama and Annupuri areas it is surprising so many visitors to Niseko don’t pucker up and venture out into the darkness to get amongst the night powder sessions.
If you are feeling imaginative you will be surprised at how many areas have enough light for you to ride in. Add in a full moon you have what we call the “Blair Witch Project” factor! If you haven’t seen the movie “Blair Witch Project” get with the program and go and get it from your local video store, you will get the idea!
Next time you are planning on heading out for dinner or going for a few drinks in Niseko, just think for a moment, what would the Niseko Webzine be doing right now? Where would they be riding? I wonder if they are getting sick photos? Are they balls deep or even nipple deep in powder right now? Well no matter what your question, consider going for a night session while in Niseko, you will enjoy the uncrowded slopes and epic times you and your friends and family will have jibbing around on the beginner slopes or being deep into the world famous Niseko powder!
You can always go out drinking at home after all!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Who's Been Chillen In Niseko? Part 2.
So where does the great Shaun White go to get the best powder?
To all the sceptics that think Niseko can not possibly have powder as dry as Colorado, take a lesson from one of the greatest ever snowboarders!
Niseko is the place to be!
Apologies for the poor quality of this interview, Harmony and Powder TV at their worst again.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
It's ok Terje, everyone does it!!
While recently boarding in Japan, Terje caught an edge while getting on the lift, fell and had the wind knocked out of him; later examinations in Norway revealed he had injured his shoulder.
With the Arctic Challenge just days away, Terje’s own event, has commented he does not think he will set any new world records like last year (9.8 meters out of the quarter-pipe) and will stick to basic tricks!
Welcome to our world Terje! You are still a god on our webzine!
Terje in action at the 2007 Oakley Arctic Challenge.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Who's Been Chillen In Niseko?
Over the last month or so if you have a well trained eye, you could pick many pro skiers and snowboarders ripping it on the mountain and chillen around town!
The guys from Poor Boyz Productions have been back in town to film for their new movie, as well as the Scandinavian Ski Team and the Volkl Snowboard Team, also filming for their new DVD, check out the teaser!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Northern Fox
The Northern Fox (the old Lodge Ronde entrance) is a new addition to the Niseko night scene this year and was labeled to be the live music venue for Niseko. It is positioned right in the middle of town on the 343 (main road), giving it unsurpassed amounts of foot traffic and potential for a Niseko Hot Spot!
It seems that the decision to turn the old Lodge Ronde into The Northern Fox was a late decision as renovations to the building started very late in the year. From our first encounter with The Northern Fox it seems that the renovations was the only thing they had planned as we were very disappointed with the establishment, well that is not totally true, the renovation has turned it into a great looking bar with the highest level of potential in Niseko! It is just a shame that the purpose of the bar does not match the cliental they are trying to attract!
Traditionally a live music venue is targeted at the "mass" of the demographic in a location; however, The Northern Fox has gone out on a limb! The prices of drinks and snacks of this establishment reflect a high end up market bar, for example, the devil water we like to consume is Jack Daniels with a splash of Coke; The Northern Fox charges 1000 yen or the equivalent of $10 Australian!! Yep and that is only for 1 drink!
Our next point that gets us a little upset besides ridiculous drink prices is service, if you are looking for service just do NOT go to The Northern Fox!! Sitting at the bar (as from our experience this is where you get the quickest service) our first round of drinks took in the proximity of 10 minutes! I would like to mention we were sitting at the bar and the place was far from busy with no more than 50 people inside at the time with 8 staff that we could see on the floor (yes we started to count them after the first 5 minutes of not having a drink in front of us).
So where to go?? Well if you are after an up market bar you can not go past J-Sekka! The service is first class, friendly, quick and the establishment matches the products! J-Sekka also has the advantage of having multiple restaurants on-site! Not just bar snacks that you will find at The Northern Fox! Want some live music? Your best option is to check out bars such as Wild Bills and Barunba to see what is playing at the time!!
Last words of advice - Do not go to The Northern Fox!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Niseko & Global Warming
Just about everyone knows that the easiest way for everyone to help save the world from turning into a massive pizza oven is to make sure that you turn off lights when they are not needed. How easy is that? Something this small can make a massive difference!
The surprising thing is, in an area such as Niseko that relies on the environment producing epic snow conditions to be the drawcard to attract now thousands of tourists every winter, it seems that development companies have a faily low respect for social responsibility and the surrounding environmnet that they are making a very healthy living from!
It has been brought to our attention, mainly from walking home in the early hours of the morning that one particular development company seems to have external lights that are on from early afternoon when darkness falls till morning! This seems like an excessive waste and damaging the environment that they are profiting from!
Take the future of Niseko into your own hands Niseko developers and turn off the lights on the outside of your ugly buildings! The future generations that will continue to enjoy the epic powder that is produced here will thank you for it!
Friday, February 8, 2008
The New Niseko Guide
The site has a very cool feature of being able to rate restaurants, bars, accommodation etc. so you if it is your first time to Niseko, you can have all the knowledge of a local and know the spots that rock!! ; ) Don't forget to the location map so you know where you are heading; it will save you walking the streets at night when your freezing cold looking for that bar or restaurant that everyone is rating as super hot!!
Check it out at - http://www.nisekoguide.com/
Monday, January 28, 2008
Respect paid to Japanese woman reaching South Pole on skis
Tsuzuki had in May 1998 been the third Japanese woman to climb Mount Everest, and three years ago traversed Greenland by ski.
Having departed Japan for Chile in mid-November, Tsuzuki then left Hercules Inlet in Antarctica on November 28.
Travelling with three other men including a Briton and a Canadian tour guide, Tsuzuki then skied the around 1,100 kilometres to the South Pole, braving temperatures as low as 35 degrees below zero and wind speeds of over 46 kilometres per hour.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Snow Report
no new snow over night and the rest of the week will be very little snow. But the good news is that at the end of the week the weather should get all freaky nasty and puke down! so hold on to those beer glasses at wild bills for a few nights and be ready for a nipples deep weekend!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Snow Report
A lot of people have asked, "how could it be good if it is such a small mountain?"
Well the simple answer is that you dont need a large area of terrain to be good terrain! It is about the quality not the quantity! Imagine the well know strawberry fields in Hanazono with a tenth of the the amount of people destroying your lines and multiple options when exit the chair lift!
We can only describe it as the most fun you can have with your pants on! Or if your into that type of thing ride with your pants off!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Snow Report
From we hear it was a windy day to be on the mountain! The top lifts had to close and this caused a little congestion down on the lower lifts. If you wanted it but, the powder was still there! just took a little hiking and imagination on how to find it!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Snow Report
All we can say was DAMN!! It was the goods for sure! It was well over balls deep all day long with no crowd to be seen! We thought for sure the Sapporo crowd would have made been the trip, but they didnt. A few of the staff from Niseko were spotted ripping it up in the trees and they had some pretty happy looking smiles sitting under their goggles!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Snow Report
Monday, January 14, 2008
Snow Report
The groomers had been out in the early hours and converted the piste into work of art! It was like slipping into your favorite pair of old jeans that your girlfriend, wife or mum or always hounding you to throw out, but you hold onto them!
Off-piste was still very wind blown after the last few days, however, the snow always gets caught somewhere! If you know the gullies around the resort you would have had no trouble finding balls deep POW to play in and the Niseko Webzine crew had no trouble finding it! We attempted to get pics for you guys to check out, but due to the amount of snow you can not see a thing! Sorry!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Snow Report
When we checked our weather station this morning it showed us that it had snowed a little over night and was looking like it would continue to snow for the majority of the day. It is puking down now as i write this before we go for a night session!
We managed to get some quick pics today, finally!!! The conditions are not the best but it shows it is deep and that is all that matters!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Snow Report
If you know where to look, you could escape the winds and enjoy the benefits of wind blown pockets of white gold!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Snow Report
No new snow overnight that is worth measuring. However the groomers had been out during the early hours of the morning and turned the smashed powder into perfect corduroy! Another day to get into the park!
Tomorrow should bring some wild weather with high winds. We hope it will be followed by heavy snowfalls!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Snow Report
Reports from the guys that we have spoken with told us that it was another epic day!
20cm approx fell in the village overnight was the report from our very highly sophisticatedly technically advanced weather report system. We will reveal the system to the world soon!
Old School Outwear Compition
We hope you have been out on the hill in the last few days and been ripping the powder to shreds!!!Over the last few days we have seen some very impressive old school outswear combinations on the hill, so we have decided to start a little photo comp!
Whoever can snap a quick pic of an impressive old school outwear combo will win endless amounts of praise from the Niseko Webzine community! At the end of the season the entire Niseko Webzine community will be asked to vote on a winner, who ever has the most votes wins!!
Place your photo's on the Niseko Webzine Facebook gruop , you will have to join the group if you have not already (see the Facebook icon on the right side of the page)!!! Under the discussion board you will see the header "Old School Outwear Compition". That is the place to post this years old school outwear fashions!!
So get out on the hill and start snapping those pics and post em up! Lets see what old school fashions are rocking the hill this season!!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Lessons - Who To Use?
In our our eyes, the choice is easy! We recommend using Pro-Powder!Trever and his crew provide world class ski and snowboard lessons, you are guaranteed that all his instructors are qualified!!!
Unlike a few other companies in the area! You will be ripping the powder up like a pro in no time!
Check them out - www.pro-powder.com
Snow Report
The morning woke and it had continued to snow all night by the look of the amount of snow keeping our car in the garage for an extra 30min until we got it dug out! Anyone now a snow clearer that will work for empty beer cans??
Screw the story! You just want the snow report?
All we have to say is:
SWEET MOTHER OF GOD!!
The resort had bogus reports of 10cm, in the village we thought 15-20cm and on the mountain it was a well over balls deep, id almost give the nipple deep rating!! Almost!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Snow Report
The Niseko Webzine crew thought they would make the most of it and get up on the hill anyway, the options were to get the backcountry gear out and head to the peak or a few of the other top secret spots around the area or get the short sticks out and make our way to the park; today the park won the Janken (Japanese version of paper, rock, siccors) match this morning to the delight of the lazy part of the crew that dont like strapping on the snow shoes!
It was a perfect day for the park, the groomers had been out and the jumps were looking good, rails looked pimped, the snow was fast and still soft to make those f"#$ ups a little softer on our quickly aging body!
After a few hours of getting back into the spin of things in the park, the weather turned back to Niseko style! It was PUKING down again!
Back to our humble abode to watch some crazey Japanese TV and eat ice cream while the snow gods got their funk on! A few hours later and nearly 20cms of fresh in a few hours the weather cleared and it was time to get on the mountain for an arvo/night session!
GOOD TIMES!!!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Snow Report
Another solid snowfall overnight has left us with some work to do this morning to get the car out, it looked like between 20 - 30 cm again and still snowing.
We really need to apologise to your readers, we originally planned to take more photos for our snow report, you know what they say, a picture is worth one thousand words, or something like that. We will try a lot harder for the rest of the season to make this happen!! If anyone has any pics they would like to contribute to the reports, please email them in to us at nisekowebzine@gmail.com with the date and the location or resort if you do not want to give away your secrets!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
It started to snow in the early hours of the morning and puked down for the majority of the day! Reports of 10cm by some are totaly rediculas! We measured about a foot of snow when clearing the driveway this morning to get the car out and another solid 20 or cm at night to get the car back in!!!!! Should have got a higher 4wd!
You could ski or ride anywhere today and have a sick day! Make sure you have the face mask on and light lenses in the goggles as the light was flat for most of the day. If you suffer from motion sickness try using rose lenses as they seem to reduce the effects. We recommend Electric Goggles! You get a free rose lense!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Consider today the calm before the storm! We hope you got out there and worked on the goggle tan, you may not have another opportunity for a few months!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Snow Report
With the weekend crowd arriving tomorrow it is expected to be a busy day on the mountain. Avoid the main areas and the peak times around the Gondola and center 4 if possible.
If winds are high the places to check out will be Rusutsu due to the great tree skiing and the large resort area always makes the weekend crowds seem a lot smaller then in Niseko.
Get Your Shit Together For Niseko
Firstly their mountain guides at in the firing line. They were seen guiding a group of approximately 8 egger skiers and snowboarders around the mountain, this of course is great to show them around, but at the time they were taking them straight down directly under a lift line, so what is wrong with that? Well, after the mountain orientation is over those 8 guests will assume that this is ok and continue to ride and ski under the lifts for the rest of their holiday, if they get away with it!
In Niseko, it is a request of the resort that you do not ski or snowboard under a lift, to the point that the resort will take your lift pass if you are a repeat offender in a dangerous area! But why? In Niseko this is extremely dangerous; with the high snow fall the area can receive in a short time period, it can bring the heads of skiers and snowboarders in contact with dangling skis and boards from the passing lift above!
"So how did you get injured on your snow holiday to Niseko?"
"I got a ski to the head because I thought it was ok to ride under the lifts!"
Due to the lack of respect or education the mountain guide has of the rules of the resort, you will look like an idiot to your friends!
Secondly and lastly (for the moment), the fools that you have behind the wheel of some of those work pick ups really need to be pulled into line! After a long day on the mountain the Niseko Webzine crew were taking a short walk up to Lawsons to grap a few snacks to get ready for the afternoon of not knowing what to do, when around the corner came a vehicle at excessive speed sideways!! After some quick Chuck Norris like evasive actions, we had managed to jumped out of the way and into the snow bank to avoid being clipped by this work pick up!!! At the time the driver and the passenger thought it was a great by the look on their faces, massive grins and laughing!! Just so everyone knows, I'm all for drifting action, but there is a time and a place!! The narrow streets of Niseko are NOT the place!!
To finish our experience with this company for the day, we had to avoid being run into by them again, this time we were driving. They decided that they would back out onto the street without checking for other traffic, hold on, sorry, my mistake!!!! They could not check for traffic as their rear window was totally covered with snow! A good sign that it has been snowing! But have some concern for the rest of the community! What if little Jonny was walking up the street to go to Lawsons at this time and got backed over while on his school holidays in snow paradise??
I know it is all "what if"!! But they should not need an accident like this to happen before they get their shit together for the community they live in!!!
So who are they? Well they are sk#@#$an.com
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Snow Report
The pick of places were the back bowls of Annupuri with some super deep and untouched areas that would the most seasoned professionals needing to change their underwear! The other pick spot was either side of the Mt. Moiwa peak! Moiwa would have to be the best value for money to POW ratio on the planet!! Approximately $25(AU, for all the ozzies) you can get a 4 hour lift ticket. You will feel like you have the resort to you, your buds and the lifties!! Great spot to get those perfect photos to show all your friends at home what the Niseko area has to offer!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Snow Report
With snow still falling tomorrow and the next few days should be epic times! The weather patterns expected to hold over the next few days with more snow falling.
Make sure the skis are fat and the boards are long!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Snow Report
Well it was a great start to the new year with 20cm of the white stuff falling from yesterday afternoon to this morning.
Even with the new snowfall, please be carefull!! under the fresh snow is a bullet proof layer of hard/compact snow and ice from the poor conditions over the last week! With the low pressure system trying to strenghthen, we should see the temps dropping and more snow starting to fall! Then we will be back on track for the rest of the season!
You should also note that avalanche warnings are in place for areas at the base of any valleys! Please be carefull and make sure you have the right safety gear!!
New Years Celebration Hirafu Style
It is always a great show, live Jpop band, fireworks, sake, deep fried food, skiers with fire torchers coming down the hill and snow falling!
You will not find a better combination! Sorry I did't get more photos to do it justice!