Nicks Hakuba Blog

2008/2009 here we go!!!

2008-11-24T18:40:00.000-08:00

The season has begun.

Well winter is here in Hakuba Japan. After watching the snow fall for 3 to 4 days, it was time to hit Happo for the opening day. Woke up early, packed the car and got to Happo. We were 4th in line not bad really until, we figured out that Ben forgot his boots! I got back into the car and back to the house. Luckily this being Japan and all, our spots in line were saved.

The Gondola opens and the first 4 people walk into the second gondola! So Ben and I walked right into the first gondola and up we went. Got to the quad and within 5 minutes where Marc (noboard in hand) Joined us and the lift spun up and took us up. I love catching the first chairs of the season. It is something that is just so important to me! You get this special feeling and you can feel the envy and energy from everyone. Knowing the snow would be deep I pointed it straight off of the lift. Down the groomed and into the main pitch. Perfect powder, on a really supportive bottomless base. The Chairlift screaming and cheering as I do the Hollywood line under the chair. Big turns but not super fast, I wanted to enjoy my first run! Man it was fun 35 degrees bottomless blower.

Up the lift for round 2 and we are wondering “where is Marc”? We look over and see that he had No-boarded Kurobishi. Now that was a something to see. We had already told Marc that we were going to hit that second run. So it worked out perfectly. He was pretty stoked at the bottom. On to the skyline and ski the face. Not so deep here but wide open and fresh. Cut around to the lower half that always fills in and it is thigh deep heaven again. Get to the bottom so charged up and see just my own single line. Marc comes ripping on the no-board and looks solid. Half way down he pops a small air and cant hold it together. No problem right??? Wrong he forgot to leash the board. The board makes 3 perfect ghost ridden turns, catches major air then nose dives into the pow close to me. Marc stands up and the snow is at his waist. So for the next 10 minutes Marc rolls down the hill. Lesson learned It think.

After waiting for 10 minutes a few skiers came down. I had a plan to get first tracks top to bottom and I wasn’t going to be snaked. So I ditched Marc and headed to Sakka. Thigh deep and a nice pitch playing with the natural features that were still around. Got to the bottom satisfied the terrain wasn’t big or crazy just somehow the moment was perfect!

The Twins!

2008-05-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

So it has been long over due for an update. We have been very busy getting ready for our new twins to be born. On 21st we introduced Tyler and Maya to the world. Tyler was 2507grams and Maya was 2376grams. They are both small and are in incubators. The kids though are doing well and they should be coming home in early June.

Tyler

Maya

Touring with the PM gear Brokers

2008-04-17T22:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jeff and PM Gear I got hooked up!

I have now been touring the new Broker prototypes for about a month. As far as I know I am the only one consistently touring on these skis. The tours that I have done have varied from 30 minute quick accents, to full day, full on touring.

My set up
Broker carbon prototypes
Marker Duke Bindings
Skin Col Tex (they suck)
Boots Techica Diablo

This is not the lightest set-up. I prefer performance to climb ability when conditions are good enough to still get into the bigger lines.

The skis
The Broker Carbons are very light for an 110plus waist ski. So light in fact, that I only really feel the weight of the really heavy marker bindings. I quite enjoy the lightness of these skis. They are light, yet have lots of power and energy. The soft tip allows the ski to plow through soft snow with ease. The rest of the shape then takes over and drives the ski down the hill. Breakable crust is also very enjoyable, as this ski does not dive. Of course the lightness of the ski is not good in debris or super hard cruddy conditions, but that is survival skiing anyways. One thing that I have always found with rockered skis, is that you start to get into the back seat. This type of ski generally pushes you up and back. The Brocker skis ski more like a traditional ski and allows you to keep that traditional balance point. I feel this is very important, as we switch from rockered skis back to our traditional skis during the touring season, you don’t have to fight to regain your balance point.

Climbing with this fat rockered ski is much easier than climbing with other rockered skis that I have tired. Other rockers tend to have a bow shape vs. the Brocker only has the tip rockered, then light camber. This allows the skin to make maximum contact with the snow. This stops slipping and allows the skin to glide more naturally across the snow. I feel that this rocker ski is the best rockered ski for touring on the market today. I would love to have a second pair mounted with freerides!

If you have any questions about the skis please ask. Like I said I think I am the only one that has toured full time on these skis.

Time to Hike a bit!

2008-03-18T23:26:00.000-07:00

After many days and nights begging Dan to come ski with me, it finally happened!
We hiked above Happo and did 2 lines over 2 days. The first line was a 1300 meter decent. The second line was a 1100 meter run. A mixed bag of wet snow and spring the first day to light dry wind blown powder the second day!
Great day out there and I was very glad to be able to get Chuckles- AKA Gandalf
out there too. I really owed him from the week before. You see, he picked us up after every sick line we did that weekend and that just isnt fair. Had to be fair and show him a good run or 2.

This that with some big lines thrown in!

2008-03-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

You have to love spring when things get super stable!
You can run some of the bigger stuff and there is a ton
of sunshine. Went Skiing With Jer, Mark, Trent and Matt.
Got some really nice photos and the snow wasnt have bad
either!

Just some Powder pics!

2008-03-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

Thought Id link a few pics up from my guests they took some great shot all week.
Thanks to mark, Hugh and Pat for the pics.

Happo a Tree riding report!

2008-02-24T23:16:00.000-08:00

After sitting out Saturdays skiing to have an onsen with baby Hannah, I really wanted to go for a ski on Sunday. I met my good friend Janus on Saturday night and wanting to keep the group small we hatched the Happo plan.

The shock on Sunday morning in the lodge was that everyone was going to Happo too! Shocked really! Knowing that the mountain was only going to open up 1/3 of the terrain do to wind. We had to start thinking early. Top that off with every other mountain opening up almost nothing and you get a very busy Happo morning.
Ended up being me Janus and my old friend Damon today. I did ditch my SJ buddies (sorry guys, but heck you ditched me for a whole month!lol :laugh: :o :laugh:)

The plan was hatched and after a bit of stunt driving (thats a whole other TR) we made it to Sakka right at the opening. I felt like I was back in Canada on a Powder day! Locals and mates were everywhere! I turned to Janus and said man we are going to have to think fast today!
Got off at the top and headed into some great thigh deep trees! sick turns and considering Janus hadnt made a pow turn in more than a year he did well! (He is a ripper actually so when you are good it come back fast)

Then it was time to start thinking... Think about where to go to get fresh tracks. Also figure in the wind which people werent doing to which I say "thank you". After 6 runs of bottomless, uncrowded powder we met up with stunts and Dan to do a run. Great pillow line which to my surprise everyone let me do first! Sick I love going first! Pillows and face shots.

Got off the chair and went to a steep short line that had a few tracks, but heck it was a transfer line. See the key point of the day was to get in where the crowds were then get out! Had some pizza to recharge the engines and back out we went. I thought maybe my favorite trees in Happo had been hit, but nope, not at all. 1pm and not a f>>>>>>ing track period! Lets say that again, 1pm and no tracks. This on the day all the locals came out to play! The first line was insane pillows and an open gullie. The second line was as many pillows as you wanted! The third liene was really only pillows. Then a 4th was a long ridge to pillows and the last line was just a bunch of pillows. Never once crossed a track nor even saw an old track. Finally called it a day at 4:30 just spent and done riding sick pillows! My best day inbounds at Happo in a long, long time!

A very good WEEK!!!

2008-02-21T22:38:00.000-08:00

Well a great week just came and went with some of the sickest turns of the Season. Got to ski with so many people that I wanted to ski with too over the weekend.
Pat, Matt, Becka, Mark the list goes on. Got some great pictures of people all week too. Ill let the pictures do the talking this time!

I hope the pictures did the week justice!

Riding with Becka and Matt.

2008-02-17T22:34:00.001-08:00

Went riding with MAtt and his girl up into my favorite hiking trees. Stable snow meant that we could Ski some pretty sick lines. Did my favorite pillow line in trees and then hucked my favorite rock drop. Too bad I was only taking the pictures and not getting them taken this time!

Bigger lines!

2008-02-17T22:26:00.000-08:00

Finally a few warm days brought a day of stability to Hakuba. We have been getting snow and super cold temps for about 3 weeks now. Avalanches all over the place with a few deaths had me running scared silly. Compound that with a faceting Ice layer and other faceting layers though-out the pack. It was high time to pray to the gods for some warmer weather so that we could run the bigger lines. Well after 2 days of warmish winds it was time to check the snow pack.

At the start of the day, the idea was to dig a pit and more than likely turn back and ski the ridge to the resort. I have turned away many times this season. To be honest I think it is best to have turning back in your mind this season. As we got into the alpine we could see about 20 tracks through some of the 35 degree terrain. Nothing was sliding so I started to think, that maybe we could actually get to ski.

Got to the top of Happo and quickly climbed to the top of the "Za Mix" area of Happo. Prefect sunny weather and about -2c in the high alpine. Dug a pit and found a bomber snowpack much to our surprise. Still layers about but the faceting had decomposed enough to be consistent. Right then I knew I was going to ski the line and I started to get flashbacks from last season....

The last time I was standing up on this line in such prefect weather was with Kina Picket and Billy Poole. They were running lines for Nomads with another crew made up of Bryce Philips and Will Burks. I remembered how stoked everyone was to run new lines in such prefect weather. I remembered Billy going balls to the walls with a huge grin, and then hucking a rodeo 7 off of a rock like it was a walk in the park.

As I got ready to ski the line I got fired up. I wanted to ski that line faster than I ever had before. In a way, I wanted to let out the stress of work, the snow pack from hell and the sadness I felt out on that line. I also wanted to show Billy, that by having to opportunity to host and ski with him for that week, made me a better skier.

As I committed myself to the line I found a focus that I had not felt in sometime. I dropped in and in less than a minute of focus and speed I was in my safe zone. Amped, amped is what I felt, amped like I never have been before. It was like 100 kilos flew off of my shoulders on that run. I felt the passion for why I ski again and why I love to push myself even as I get older. Thanks to the crew that came out on the day, Kev, Mark and Chuckles.

Showing db the best trees

2008-01-30T22:57:00.000-08:00

The Snow Pack had me running scared so I went up with db and his bro to check out some cool trees that I really like. The pack looked crap but it held fine. The next day however the pack was very unstable and sliding everywhere. Was a great day really and we got to understand the snow a bit better.

Getting a little bit of pow!

2008-01-24T22:03:00.000-08:00

What can I say the season has had its ups and downs. The ups have been really good and the downs well they were icy and lets not talk about that 6 days.
Im going to let the pictures do the talking and hope they give you enough stoke!

All picture were taken by Marc Durand and are copyroght protected please.
Me Taking some air into Oshidashi bowl!
A fun deep chute!
Hauling as fast as I could!
Ian Miller loving Japan
Where is Ian Miller!
Biggest powder carve of my life!
Me loving my favorite backside trees!
Ben loving the BC of Happo!

Long over due blog "The Storm"

2008-01-20T22:14:00.000-08:00

The lodge is really keeping me busy these days. I can hardly even find time to ski let alone post some pics. Over the new year we got hit hard by snow. So hard that my snowblower just died trying to keep up with the amount that was falling. The biggest storm in years and I was reduced to watching it from the sidelines!
Some shots pre storm and during the storm.

Deeper than i thought it was!

2007-12-16T22:58:00.000-08:00

After watching this Storm for a week as it built up power and began to come in, you just new it was going to be big! The moisture in the air was unreal. On Friday morning after a day of rain, on came the snow. The first 30 to 40 cms down low had no chance to stick. The ground was wetter than the rainy season. On the snow fell though and into Saturday the snow was trying to stick but was still fighting a losing battle.

The mountain on the other hand was winning and the turns were knee deep everywhere. Called it quits early to get some work done and to watch it keep snowing. By 9pm on Saturday I could have used the snow blower to clear off the roof fallen snow, I should have done that! Off to bed at 12 pm and the snow was still bucketing down,by this time the snow had won the battle with the ground, about 10cms was sticking. Woke up at 6am and my parking area was a mess! no less than 40 cms, over my gum boot height! rushed to clear some snow to let the cars out but, with a full lot you cant really clear snow.

Into the car and off to the hill. With conditions this deep you have to make it to the gondie on time. Everyone was there diz, kuma, wiggles, rye dog, jer and J mates everywhere. A look around and people where thinking top to bottom! How many storms can open a whole ski resort in 12 hours! This one did! Up the lift and the snow was actually too deep to ski. The pitch had to be at least 35 degrees or you had to follow someones tracks to get a run of speed.

On my first run I planned on haul ass speed and fly into the powder tips up! all was going well until the cat track lips got me. I lawn darted into the snow and was stuck for about 5 seconds not being able to breathe. Got my self righted and tried to make some turns. With the speed all gone and 100 or more cms of fresh I was beaten. waist deep on pontoons! that is very very rare that those skis can get waist deep, standing still. I got about 10 turns in and then got back to the lift. My 2 mates Jer and rye dog ran into trouble too, so lucky for me they waited. Rye dog said and I quote,
"Its going to have to be 50 degrees to ski this properly".

Another lap down this time watching the cat tracks a bit better, I got about 20 turns that blinded me every other second. Then near the lift I had to push downhill just to get to the lift. 20 degrees and I'm stopped dead trying to push down the hill!

Choose a steeper area this next lap and things are working better. a few more tracks means, that you can use someones tracks to get speed. Unreal waist deep pontoon powder "PONTOONS"WTF"!

So that's it, I need something steeper cause I want to eat this siht! On to Kurobishi and oh what a choice! 40 plus degree drop in means speed. I forget to close my mouth and that's it I'm choking, (no joke) In the white room, I don't see a thing until the pitch rolls to 35 degrees. I cant scream cause if I do Im going to eat the farking snow and choke again. bounce off of a few pillows sor t of but heck, I wasn't getting even 10 cms of air in this much snow.

Onto the Skyline. It took us 15 minutes to push into a ski able section. Man though it was sick when we got there. Enough pitch, Just under the waist which made for better speed. The lower steep section had us fall in love. Every turn a face shot every turn sicker than the one before. did another lap before heading to the bottom.

I had skied to the bottom the day before, 5 cm base and utter crap. I had expected to damage the pontoons but I didn't touch bottom once. Unreal run cause you always knew that you had enough speed to ski.
That is now 4 decents top to bottom for the season nabbing first tracks the whole way!

Hannah says thanks to everyone and to Yanik!

2007-11-27T19:09:00.000-08:00

So my little girl has been negected lately. With all the work that we are doing to the lodge we just dont have the time to play with our little Banana. I decided to get her outside with me while I raked the front and backyards. She really liked it and loved riding in the wheel barel.

Lucky enough we had a good-bye party for a good friend Yanik. That menat that 18 people would be around the house. Hannah loves people so it was perfect for her and she was able to get alot of stress and energy out of her system. A few falls and bumps but she needed the play time. Thanks to everyone and to Yaniks wonderful food.

I got first tracks on Happo!!!!!sorry.

2007-11-27T18:59:00.000-08:00

Get up to the bottom of Happo and park the car. Dan gets out and stands in line at the gondola while FT and I bring all gear up. The powder hounds were out in force. The 2 of them wait in line for the gondola while I wait in line for tixs. While waiting peeps in line started talking about what the conditions were gonna be like and everybody was in high spirits anticipating the upcoming turns. Met up with a few peeps from Shizuoka who left at 2am and another group from Niigata who came down for the day as well.

The only thing wrong with Friday, apart from FT sleeping in and making us get 2nd gondola, was FT’s arse! It freaking honked. I swear to god I almost gagged once we got in and he ripped one. It was the most horrendous stench my nose has had to endure…and he did it 3 different times. I was scuba diving for air hunched over in the gondola with my nose and mouth at the top vent trying to breathe…I thought Dan was going to pass out his face was so white.

The ride up offered us some nice views of Happo, 47, Iwatake, Tsugaike, and the Northern Alps.

The snowboarders ahead of us didn’t have a chance to get first tracks since they had to strap in…FT blew by everybody like a cheetah on the hunt getting to the goods that Usagidaira delivered. I don’t even think he turned going down it while Dan, on the other hand, was like a kid enjoying turn after turn to the bottom. After his 200th turn he finally got to the bottom by at which time he found FT and I to already be heading back up to the top. We took another run at Usagi before jetting over to the other side for some more bottomless turns before the masses headed there. We had 1st tracks on every course we hit and had, on the top half of the mountain, fresh, bottomless tracks all day.

Next we headed off to the right of the Virgin Café under the lift. FT was intent on getting the perfect fall line and suggested hiking but all I could think of was “F-That!!” and traversed as far over as possible before ripping it under the lift. I had the first track down and couldn’t stop heading over to the skyline that I just kept going not knowing whether Dan and FT where with me or not.

The first part of the Skyline was a bit windblown but after the hump it opened up to more bottomless turns. There’s nothing sexier than looking back at your lines when nobody else has been there…especially with the conditions we had Friday it was magic.

Only bad thing about getting down to the Skyline was that no lifts were running meaning we had to ski it all the way down. Some places were fine, some were epic, but the closer we got to the parking lot the more sasa grass and rocks we were hitting. We were giggle ling like a bunch of girls hitting rocks and getting knocked about at the bottom of Saka. We skied until we hit cement at the parking lot officially de-virginating our rock skis. We then walked back to the gondola and headed back up for some more lines.

<> You know the worst smell you have ever smelt? Times that by about 10 and that’s how FT’s arse was that day in the gondola…That Japanese bloke is going to go back and tell his friends how much gaijin really do stink after that episode…

Back to the top of Usagi and we meet up with Oyuki Kigan and Kumapix plus some of their J-mates for a few runs down Usagi and Virgin. Virgin Café run under the lift again I just couldn’t wait. FT and Dan unclicked and were bootpacking it up to the top of the run “cuz they didn’t wanna traverse” so I just said screw it and traversed over. I guess they thought the same thing cuz they ended up clicking in and dropped in just after me. Once again, only a few tracks down the Virgin and from the top of the Virgin to the bottom of the Skyline, I just let it rip. Didn’t stop, didn’t look back, and ripped it as fast as I could. Got 2 nice airs of the cat tracks on the Skyline and the 2nd hit was big enough for a grab. FT saw me fly on a different part of the skyline bout 3 meters or so but this hit was the one that I remember…just one of those days where everything clicks. And for me, it wasn’t my deepest or steepest day ever, but my form was on and I, for once, know I ripped it up and there’s nothing more satisfying than that.

We traversed around for some more untracked goods and were never disappointed. Dan was in the mood to take as many turns as possible, FT went over the handle bars several times while hitting pillows, flying up banks, and getting some sick airs. He also opted to join the Canadian Airforce by hitting the pillow just towards the bottom of skyline and launched over 6-7 meters I’m guessing. All in all, it was one of the best “First Day’s” I have ever had. Light, dry snow, powder whores out in force, some of my best mates to share it with, and a 3 day weekend made it magical. Not only that but also onsens, beers, food, Yanik’s Sayonara Party, etc… We did take some pics but many didn’t come out that well. And, besides, some days you just cant be bothered with it anyways.

My pics are at home so I’ll post them tomorrow.

Day 1 – epic

For more pics check out this album on my facebook account
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1738974&id=890405050

Some snow and a big Thank you.

2007-11-11T21:41:00.000-08:00

I had a good weekend thanks to friends helping us get some much needed work done in the lodge. Dan Risa and Laurence thanks heaps for everything. The up stairs bathroom is back together with a new paint job and a new floor. I really like it and it will be so easy to clean now. After this weekend I feel less tense cause I know we can get it all done.

The new lawnmower was a great investment! Picked up about 1 garbage bags full of leaves in less than an hour. I love easy clean ups I saved a day of raking I think. Still have to deep rake but it wont be nearly that hard now!

Also had some now take a look at this shot I took from my car this morning.

Always searching for new trails

2007-11-04T22:08:00.000-08:00

Always hunting for new trails the crew headed out for a well known trail that I had only heard about. I can`t say that it is a secret trail cause the older riders have been riding it for years.

A great ride and one of the longest in the valley. Steep the whole way with even a set of stairs to run down. bottomed my forks for the first time ever on the trail too.

Now I have to find the next new trail!

A 7am start

2007-11-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

Got up this morning to hit the Trail with Jason for the first time. the guy rides super fast and was blowing me away right off the bat. I basically just went at my pace not trying to kill myself.
Jay is a good rider and been around the Hakuba block.
A cell phone pic of Jay blasting down the trail!
Me eyeing the drop in, a little bay fat on those cheeks.
I made it but crap those guys climb better than me.
Great little view that I never get sick of.

Dropping in

Thanks Stevie for the pics.

Its good not to be sick!

2007-10-30T00:20:00.000-07:00

After thinking I was going to die with a bad cold it was great to finally have some energy to get out there and do something. Saturday was a rain day so we just wrote that off and did painting.
Sunday was gorgeous! Sunny skies great temps and a Halloween party! Hannah got dressed up as a bunny and was cute as a button. Many photos and even 2 crazy rides down the Goryu ridge to scare me silly.
Hannah post party saying "I like this boot but I wont wear it today"!
Outside of the party, its a bad shot of my girls!
Stew flying down goryu!
Me with some halloween spirt and stew in the background.
Hannah just chilling
Hannah after loving some soup, Man does she like soup!
On the drive to work on Friday part of the Tateyama mountains.
The Hakuba Baby boom!

Babies in fully get-up!

Biking, Painting and a warm fireplace

2007-10-23T05:13:00.000-07:00

Had some of my best mates up this past weekend to paint and do a little biking. I was feeling a bit under the weather so I skipped a Sunday ride. We had our first snowfall of the season up in the mountains too. Also had a some frost on Sunday morning as well

Got to re-painting the kitchen because the new flooring has arrived in Tokyo. Now we just have to get that flooring laid and the kitchen will be ready to go. I always find that at this time of the year it is really rush rush rush. Get all that you can get done within your budget and then let the guests take over your place. Man I love the winter here I was so stoked when I saw the snow. I called at least 5 mates! Anyways enjoy the pictures please.

Steve and I clibing at 6:40 in the morning.
A little view from Aoni with the snow
The view from our backyard
A little bit of downhill on an unused Olympic road. Great single track above this.
The first frost of the year!
Dan the man putting on the first coat.

Aoni the shizzle!

2007-10-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

Aoni is one of the best rides in Hakuba. Wall rides, jump, tunnels you name it Aoni has it.... It also has the 30 minute hike but heck it is worth it!
Here is me riding a banking.
Steve just flying down through the endless banks.
The stinky tree tunnel man that tree smelled like cow poop!

Steve climbing about 10% of the way up and man what a view!

In Aoni Village a protected Village with old Thatched roof houses. The tin on the roofs is to protect the Thatch.
Steve pondering the next 5 minutes of the climb.
Another stellar View!
I dont know how old this is but it was a cool little picture. You can actually see the Japanese writing on it. The course passes on the riders right but I will always ride through this little Gate.
Great ride I cant wait to do it again only faster next time.

5 am plus a ride Later after selling a pack!

2007-10-15T06:54:00.000-07:00

Had to work on Saturday but still wanted to head out for a ride. Steve ever willing and ready to go said heck 5am ill be up a 4 anyways so lets try. Grab the headlamp and giver is what i said and thus the weekend went from there.

Not many pics Just one on Sam near the trail head. I had a great ride thanks Sam you shouldve come to Aoni the next day.

Ok I work 2 jobs.. My school 50th!

2007-10-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

My kids are great... Here is a photo blog of the 50th event that they produced and put on. Yeah we helped but heck they did a great job and it was flawless.

Pics are coming

Getting Colder

2007-10-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

The nights are getting colder here in Hakuba. Woke up to a crisp 5degrees Celsius this morning. The drive to work was amazing though, so much condensation rising through the air. Aoikiko lake had stringers of evaporating air floating onto of the lake. I wish I had time to take a photo but I was a bit rushed today. I did take a quick rushed shot of Tateyama.

Riding with the Banking Boys

2007-10-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

After a good morning ride on the new bike I needed to get back out there again. Jeff and Alex were in town so it was great to get them onto one of the DH courses around town. Alex has no fear and progressed pretty quick. Give that guy time and he will rip.
Great day up there we should have brought lunch instead of just water.
Alex the kid improving all the time.

Jeff doing the pensive

Jeff breaking the pensive
Thanks for the BBQing and great wine guys, come back anytime.

Riding the New bike!

2007-10-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Got the new bike the night before and im impressed. I felt that I rode so much better today. Today we did a shuttle up because our Japanese friend just cant climb Minagata really. I prefer to climb it as it is great exercise. The course was in top shape so good actually.

There she is the Schwinn Rocket, Man I finally stayed close to Steve on the course that was fun!
A little bike shot kinda poosing for the camera.
Hlemet cam boy man he loves that camera
The Daily shot of the young model Steve

At the Imorii Shrine after a nice ride. The rice is slowly being picked which doesnt look as pretty as before. Great day with at least another ride planned.

Climbing out of the fog

2007-10-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

It was cold this morning! Honestly about 5 degrees this day wow! The cloud level was at 850 meters so Hakuba was right in the clouds. Because we were in the clouds it felt really wet. After climbing 100 or more meters we broke through the clouds and it started to feel a bit warmer.
The sun poking through the trees below made for a good shot. The best model in the world Steve makes the picture look so much better.

After we got to the top we saw the view into town. The town was covered in clouds and the ski was bright blue and perfect. Almost like heaven up there today .
Steve above and me below trying to look like a serious biker.Hakuba Yari and Shakushi mountains, I have skied the triangle shaped Yari but not Shakushi yet. Have to get my friends Damion and Jer to attack Shakushi.
Steve admiring the view

Me on my last ride with the hard tail. We had a short life together but it is filled with great memories that got me hooked on biking again. The red rock now passes onto Ben "oyuki" may it bring you nothing but stoke and pleasure Ben San.
Got the banker boys to do the Goryu course, might have been a bit hard for them as it was their first and second mountain bike rides. They did fine actually.

All in all a great start to the weekend.

The weekend Blast

2007-10-01T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Weekend Started off great but then took some twists, turns and falls. I am selling off a ton of my gear at the moment trying to get rid of stuff that I frankly just don't use. I Have gotten rid of about half the stuff I should get rid of but,,, there is still more.

On Saturday the morning ride was good and bad. On the top section at Minagata, I went balls out on my bike and felt great. The bottom section is getting harder for me now because I am getting faster. As I get faster, I am out growing what my brakes can handle going into the corners on technical downhills. I had a good fall because I over broke in one corner and had my leg pulled back. On a good note Steve got some nice shots of me. I'm really happy with the pictures thanks steve.

I had a few guests and a friend staying with me on Saturday night. While I was waiting for them, I just kept thinking I want to get back out there and make up for a sloppy morning ride. People were late to buy things, I was slow and it wasn't until 5 pm that I got on My DH rig and rode hard out to Goryu. I was going to ride the technical 5 minute DH ridge. My DH bike has some problems in the gears and etc.... but once it starts going downhill you are given a sweet ride. Pushed the bike up the hills to get to the course and with about 15 minutes of grace before the course got too dark I started my ride down. I always ride this course on my hard tail, I do this because I have to climb up to the top of Goryu which isn't fun on the DH rig/bike. The ride is always a pure nervous ride as the Hard tail bike really doesn't like all the roots on the course. The DH bike though just glides over all the roots, I must say I enjoyed the ride a lot because of this. The goal of the ride was to get the bad taste out of my mouth about the morning ride and boy did I ever! No falls, no feet down, prefect braking power and timing. I know that equipment doesn't always make you better but, on a course like this you are much better off using good gear.
Back home to meet my friend drink a beer and head to Tony's for some food. I owe Tony a 6 pack at least.

Minagata meadow section after my fall so really not feeling good.
I love this picture!
The bottom of the Goryu course ends at a cool old shrine with really old trees!
The top of the Goryu course, you can access it right in front of the Escal plaze entrance.

The old cross country course section on the Minagata ride I like this section alot as well.

The sports Blow out

2007-09-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

Sports equipment clear out.

Ok I’m a bit of a gear freak so I need to clear out some gear to get my new bike.

Kayaks for Sale
Necky Vibe short boat kayak. I bought this for 80000 yen last season but have become more of a mountain biker recently. I'd like to get 70000 obo for the boat. I can do a total package for someone out there as well that includes everything you need to start paddling.

Dagger gradient Kayak SOLD

Wener Kayak paddleThis paddle is almost unbreakable. It has been used 3 times only and is a super strong paddle. It is worth 40000 yen in Japan. I would like 20000 obo.

Mec wetsuit This suit is 3mm SOLD

Skis and ski gear.
Various Fat skis with bindings skis over 100mm in the waist and prefect for the Japanese powder in this area. All skis come with bindings and have been well cared for.

Atomic Powder cruise 190cm long 105 waist 20000 yen or obo.
Atomic Deep powder SOLD
Atomic powder cruise 165cm long 110 waist 20000 yen or obo (has been painted)
Volant Spatula 188cms long 125 waist reverse camber ski 40000 yen without bindings 50000 yen with bindings.

Ski uniforms
MEC 3 ply gortex Jacket green, size largeThis jacket is great and warm if you layer right. I bought this Jacket 5 years ago to stand up to the minus 25 weather I had to face in Northern Canada. The jacket needs a gortex wash and spray and it is ready for the season. 10000 yen obo. I bought it big to really layer under it.

Fila Snowboard Jacket Great resort jacket,SOLD
Various Ski/Snowboard pants various sizes3000 yen each.

Still in the package Smith prodigy ski goggles with battery fan build in.These go for 25000 yen in Japan, great for powder days as the goggles cant fog up with the fan on. I’m selling mine for 10000 yen obo.

Avalanche ortovox F1 beaconsBeacons SOLD

BikesSpecialized Hardrock SOLD

Cortina med bike frame bought this to build up for the wife but I think it is over kill for her. You would have to build up the bike but the Frame is super strong and a great hard tail frame to build around. 20000 yen obo.

Some things can be shipped and some gear can be picked up and some gear can be shipped. Prefer for people to pick up the gear because it is always better to see gear before you buy it. That said I will ship the gear but all sales are final. Pictures will be posted tonight when I get home. Nickpm me if you want an email addressOr call me at 0261-858-112090-1147-8741

Im in Hakuba

2 Days with the web design team

2007-09-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

Had George and Izumi up to talk about the website and try to make them see why Hakuba is such a great place. They work really hard and were snapping pictures within 30 minutes of walking through the door.

Look them on the normal Minagata morning ride and they were stoked. They did really well and we all had a great time.

George snapping some pictures so you can actually see me for a change.

Coming home after a nice wet ride. Goryu in view.
Chilling out with a view of Goryu before a ride!
Trying to find new areas near Iwatake
Riding through Iwatake just enjoying a relaxed ride.

Free meat and Soba, plus a jump event.

2007-09-23T01:39:00.000-07:00

After a rainy ride and some Coffee it was back out to enjoy some family time with the kids. Hannah my little girl was away for a few weeks visiting the family before the busy season. Wow kids grow so fast, she is running, smiling and pretty much becoming a toddler. We had a good time eatting lots of free food.

Hugh making a funny face.
A jhs stucent flying high.
Steve with the quote of the day! Man this is good soup!
My messy baby
Papa and Hannah
Steve, Mia, Hugh and Hannah making Soba.
Me destroying the soba.
Our fat noddle soba, Steve thought it would taste better that way.
Cut those noddles Mia! Hannah watches as papa makes sure that no one cuts off a finger.
A person flying high

Another kid flying high

The Magic Mushroom tour.....IN THE RAIN!

2007-09-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

Another day another ride. A bit slick so I took it really easy. I had a bit of a crash 2/3's of the way down but it was nothing cause i was going at only 70% and on the brakes. Steve shouted great photo chance so I snapped a shot of him riding by a perfect mushroom. Take a look!

I think that if you ate that mushroom you might actually find the yellow submarine that the Beatles were singing about! Great ride and will head out to the Evergreen event later on tonight.

Another day another Minagata ride

2007-09-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

Some nice Sake at Steve's house the night before led to another early morning ride. After fixing the bike the night before, then breaking it then fixing it again I went to bed. Woke up in the morning, had a cup of coffee and waited for Steve. Steve was a bit surprised to see the hard tail ready to go I think. Super glue, self tapping screws and a hacksaw is what the bike needed I told him.A stunning day really so glad to be out in the cool morning air. I had to take this shot I only wish that I had a better camera. Really thinking about a Nikon upgrade.
Although the bike was fixed the derailleur was not set right for the new chain. The chain kept slipping which was very annoying. Steve got up 60% fixed which allowed me to actually climb up the hill rather than walk. Thanks Steve, maybe one day ill buy a good bike. What a prefect day! Too bad we didn't have enough time to really enjoy the view.

My mug I love taking shots like this. You can just make out Goryu in the background.

Steve flying down the trail. Actually I didn't have the camera on sport mode but I like the color of the picture.

This one of my favorite sections on the ride. Once you drop in here the course is a scenic single track that is quite fast. It was a bit slick with morning dew but it was still very fun.

Sweet Rider sunday day 2

2007-09-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

I must say that I had great time. Met some cool people and improved my biking skills 2 fold. The only problem now is that I ride much faster and crash harder. It was very hot but that made the course perfect for 2 days.

For the rest of the pictures check here
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54631&id=890405050

James jumping
Matt banking at the bottom

Steve running the wal
Chris showing us up per usual
Yanik on the Wall
Andrew with a great wall ride
Andrew again.
and again
Yours truely on a wall ride of my own
Chris about to fly

MTB sweet rider Jam wicked time

2007-09-16T03:12:00.001-07:00

What a sick day 1 at the mtb jam! Met some great guys and gals and got to ride with Andy a bunch as well. Great conditions I rode 12 laps non stop and was dead at the end yet still wanting more!

For more pics check my facebook page here.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54224&id=890405050&page=2
A great view for my first run!
Chris A sick rider who just had so much more skill then me.

This feature was great a fun wall ride and prefect! First time I could ride it without it being wet.
The shot is of Chris.
Andy showing me up riding a bridge feature.
Andy getting in a little bunny hop wall ride!
Andy enjoying the bank!
You actually pick up speed at the end of the bank which is so much fun!
Great day I cant wait for tomorrow.

An afternoon ride in the heat!

2007-09-15T03:12:00.001-07:00

Man it was hot today. Had to go to work to cut the school grounds with the kids. After that we played some Ringette, which they called (Floor hockey). It was fun the kids were pretty good actually. On the way home I knew I wanted to get on the bike. Called Mitch but he was too busy so called Steve hoping that his kids sports day would be finished. So at 3:30 pm we got on the bikes. Went up Minagata again and did our favourite course. We do it too much but its so long and today the conditions were prefect! Steve with Some northern Nagano Mountains.
The View was nice so we went to the top before our ride. Looking at Goryu with some nice sun rays.

After having a great ride down Minagata we decided to try and find the elusive Goryu Trail. Here is the start it was a wild ride super technical and really fast. One brake miss and you will go mach speed.

Sorry I forgot my camera so I used my cell phone.

Ms Newmarch and Ms Kowal

2007-09-12T23:42:00.000-07:00

My good buddy Kyles wife Lynn. She still looks great pretty much the way I remember her when she was only 19 or 20. Reysa and Keagan their beautiful kids.
Hannah and ryesa man they were/are good playmates.

My work place

2007-09-12T23:37:00.001-07:00

My work place has some great views. Today we had an Art day and the kids all went outside and drew pictures. My job was to sit there and make sure that no one came and hurt the kids. Had a good time just sitting on my arse for 3 hours watching them paint and laugh. The view of the local mountains isnt bad either. Mount Jonan didnt want to pop out of the clouds but it was still nice.
Yuji on of the best baseball players at school drwing a tree and laughing about it for 3 hours.

Every Gaijin in Town

2007-09-09T03:31:00.001-07:00

Aoikiko Lake it cleared enough to get this shot, went for a short swim after this.

What a day! Went riding with Steve from 6am to 8am up and down Minagata. Great ride almost prefect course. Then came back and chilled with my 2 girls before they went back to Kyoto.
After dropping off the girls I was bored so I decided to go for ride number 2. I rode up and over Sanosaka and over to the downhill course at Aoikiko. Met Karey and Koji there and proceeded to show them how bad my MTBing skills were. Got a little sun shower and then we got a cool rainbow off the lake.

This is me at near the top of sanosaka after the gravel section
After the Downhill I wanted to take a swim. The weather wont be nice for much longer so I jumped in. still about 25 degrees so nice temps. On the way home I did Bennett's old trail from the side top of Sanosaka. Didn't ride well but after 50ks of biking Im not surprised. On the way home I saw/met Troy, Sakiko, Albert and fam twice Stewart and family twice. I saw a good portion of gaijin in town!

A great day

Good look Babe in Kyoto!

6 am start with a 40 plus minute climb

2007-09-07T18:49:00.001-07:00

Another ride with Steve the man I envy for retiring so early in life. He had kid duty fro 8am so we went out for a fast climb to slick downhill ride. I was beat at the top of the course man was that a climb! The sweat was pouring off my cap! We didn't have time so a phone call to get Hiro to cover Steve's kid duties in case we were late and off we rode. The first picture is of Steve dropping into the downhill course. We choose this one to link up with the old cross-country course and get a 25 minute ride.
Steve flying into the meadows 90% finished the run
The top of the meadows it was slick!

Got a nice shot from the old power line that was or wasn't built!
The view from the top before the meadows! You can see the shoulder of Goryu there and the rice paddies which will be harvested in about month. I gotta get me some fresh koshi hikari rice off of the farmers!

Great ride as always I was the slowest but Ill never give up. The hard tail is a great climbing bike but it isn't the same on the Downhill. Lots of sliding and the mechanical disk brakes aren't as nice as the hydraulic ones that are on my Downhill bike. Same time tomorrow I hope if we don't get too drunk.

BBQ and morning Coffee

2007-09-03T23:27:00.000-07:00

After a good ride and 5 hours painting it was time to head to the community BBQ. With the manager of spicys chefing up a feast of pretty much anything we all feasted like pigs. With draft Ichiban beer to wash things down it was a good time. Got to chat with many neighbours which is good of course too, but man do they get drunk!

After an early bed time I woke up at 6 with a good view of Happo. Decided to drink my coffee and enjoy the mild morning before driving down the road to teach for the day.

Its going to be hard driving down to teach in the middle of winter but thems the breaks. At least I have 50 days of skiing to look forward to.After coming home Hannah was a little restless so I thought id get out with here and play. We are just so busy and she is a bit stressed with nobody to play with. We gave her a 30 minute bath. The girl loves baths, she loves the water. Hannah scares me cause she loves the water too much. We had a fun time playing in the bath making funny faces.

explore explore- with kKen and Steve

2007-09-02T04:18:00.000-07:00

Paint and Biking that was the name of the weekend. Steve the keen biker that he is was ready to go on 2 early rides. 2 early rides that saw me brake chains 2 days in a row.
The first day we would head into the Iwatake woods. Just as we were about to go in Ken-Chan and old student showed up. Showed Ken the Trails and he was stoked. Ken is one of the best skiers in Hakuba and also just an all round good kid.

After that Steve ad i Hit up the Tsugaike to Iwatake Trail. The access is to hard to fine but its a great trail. For about 100 meters there are steps. Freaking hard riding on a hard tail. That said I suck at biking.
Sunday saw us head to Sanosaka to hit the improved Downhill course there. First had to the wife to bring another bike as I snapped chain number 2 for the weekend. Steve looking into the course saying fukc that is steep.
get to
Me crossing the bridge on the way back. A good weekend ride for sure.
Met Ken-chan at our local area BBQ and he was so happy to ride with us. Ken is a great kid he even brougth a beer home from the BBq for his old man!. Now that is a good boy.

Back to painting!!!!!!

MTB with Mitch #2

2007-08-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

After spending about an hour trying to get Mitch to wake up we finally got it on and went up Minegata for a Little Downhill action. We had my wife drive us up to save time and off we went.
Mitch knew about 5 trails up at Minegata and I only know 1 or 2. So Mitch took me to the start of a few trails to give me some beta. Mitch riding past with Goryu in the Background.Mitch up at the Lavendar farm showing me how to get to one of the harder trails up at Minegata. He says that there are stairs of rocks on that trail. Might not be ready for that but I am willing to try.

Mitch at the main trail head starting point at Minegata. You can se the trail from the parking area.Mitch flying down the trail. Mitch is such a better biker than me. My bike is way better than his but its not the bike its the rider. I love the start of this trail cause its a nice sloping single track for about 1km. You get really warmed up before the steeper Downhill sections.

At the bottom of the course I asked Mitch if he had seen Stew's house yet. He had not seen it so we rode 2 minutes out of the way to Stew's. After hanging out at Stew's for less than 2 minutes the man himself drove up, funny. Stew, his wife Yoko and daughter Nene (cutie) bought a 92 year old house and gutted it to the frame. They will rebuild the house and parts of the frame in a sort of Japanese Fusion style. I think its going to look sick! some of the Mtb bike trails actually end at his house! Can you say beer time loud enough after a sick ride? Anyways as I write the foundation is being laid.

Hannah and Papa at the Lake

2007-08-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Lake Aokiko has been in fine form as of late. Prefect hot weather has really warmed up the lake. The day before I was down at the lake with Mitch and thought that my little girl Hannah would love the water. Hannah loves water, she loves water so much that it is scary.
The lake is super clean but a bit rocky on the bottom. It is hard for me to carry Hannah without my water shoes so we used here blow-up sit toy. We swam and played spin the Hannah! LOL
Hannah looking at mama on the dock. The dock isnt used anymore and the person that used to use it left 3 complete (old) wind surfing kits.
There is my little girl loving life and trying to swim. I might have a National champion.
Everyone had the same idea as us as well. Jason and his girl were there., Steve and his kids for the second day in a row, Andy, Dan plus 4 friends and Timmy his better half and daughter showed up. In all I spent about an hour in the water swimming and playing great day.

Painting after a biking

2007-08-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought that I put in a good ride a friend out did me 8 fold. The guy road from Nagano to Hakuba about 120 kms here and back. Missed him by about 5 minutes too as we were late getting back. The day was just too nice to camoe home on time. Got to painting the enterance or genkan in Japanese. Somehow the enterance got missed in last years big painting mission. Hiro moved all the stuff out and off we went... srot of. The shoe box was warped and wouldnt come out! about 30 minutes of thinking produced nothing other than just push it back into place.... for now!
Im actually a good painter and enjoy it. I maybe should do it instead of teaching English, lol.

Biking with Mitch

2007-08-25T05:51:00.001-07:00

After starting some fires to burn some grass and tree branches around the house I got on the bike and rode with Mitch to Aoikiko lake. We did a mix of trails and pavement to get there. When we got there we ran into Jon having a picnic with Evergreen guests.

Mitch riding by the lake. Aoikiko is one of the nicest lakes in Japan.
Looking out towards thecheap Downhill course. Its 500 to 1000 yen a day for access and rides to the top of the course.
The lake was so warm... well at least the top meter was warm. We had about a 20 minute swim. After getting out Steve and his kids showed up just as we were talking about him.
On the way back we did a climb 1/3 up sanosaka ski resort onto a DH single track. If you climb higher you can get a sweet run down. Great little ride and swim.

Minagata revenge

2007-08-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

This time I would not miss the course! I asked Steve to join me for a bike ride. Steve is a good mountain biker so I knew we could figure things out.

We got super lucky and met Koji-san up top who was leading to Evergreen clients on a Down hill tour. Koji pointed out the course and off we went. For me the course was a bit scary but I’m still new to this crazy Down Hill stuff. Not scary enough to never do it again cause I’m going back soon.

After a bit we grouped up and Koji showed us the original trail. The trail was more single track than down hill. My bike didn’t like the single track climbs but it loved anything with a bit of decline.

Thanks to Steve for putting up with my slow climbing bike and to Koji for showing us a sick area.

Mountain Biking with Dan!

2007-08-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

So I’m back on a Mountain bike after a good number of years just riding a bike to work and back. Hakuba has quite a few really good trails but they can be tricky to find as I found out.
I got some beta on the Minagata Downhill course so we tried to head up and hit the course.
The key word is tried!

Dan was in fine form and loving being back on a back again. Last summer He rode coast to coast in Canada and since that ride he just didn’t feel like biking. Dan being Dan though he was back in form within 2 minutes.

Dan was so far ahead at one point I screamed at him to stop. We then proceeded to climb 2 private mountains, meet one lady with the worst breathe I have ever encountered and still have a ball.

We found quite a few cool easy fire road climbs and easy Down hills. Not exactly what we want to ride but heck it was fun.

Fact though my Downhill ride climbs like a pig!

Korenge

2007-05-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

The tour was supposed to head way behind Mt. ShiroUma but,,,, as things turned out that just couldnt be done. We went with plan C and toured behind Mt. Korenge instead. This by all means wasnt a let down.Ive always wanted to ski Korenge's North facing spines and chutes. A sick area that will have to be skied again for sure.

As it turned out the snow wouldve been dangerous for our planned route down shakushi. Too much of the old snow from the week before that still had not slid of of the faces.

To Bruno who hopefully can do one more tour thanks for coming out I had a blast. I wish that you would stay but Im happy that you are moving on to bigger and better things.
Not a bad plan C

My first line of the day!

Sunsets at 2300 meters are nice.
Jer finding a sweet hole again Maching away from a sluff slide man what a line

I like this pic cause it shows both of my lines from the weekend. Look close and youll see where I dropped into a steep face chute thing. I dont know what to call it but nice.

Big phat open spring corn! Dont put the boards away come out and freaking play!

The last powder day of the season

2007-04-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

I love skiing it is by far my favorite thing to do in this world. We got really lucky in April and had a foot of fresh snow on a spring soft layer. This made for some really bottomless turns that allowed us take some very good pictures. My good Friend Marc has become a trusted man behind the lens. On this day we headed out to Mumezawa about 1 to 2 hours climb off of the back of HappOne ski resort.

I the spring you only ever get one run we decided to play around a bit more. We built a little jump but the landing wasnt as good as it looked.

After that we all decided to try and take a shot on a certain feature. I saw this amazing slash chance and Marc took a great picture.
As always there are creeks to cross in the spring. Ben, Jer, Marc and I had a fun time building the bridge of rocks. It is deeper than it looks!

Thanks boys!