March Powder
Mar 09, 2010
What’s not to love about March?!
Fresh tracks every morning – six inches a day or so in the old money, cold enough to help conditions stay pretty good, and views like this top it off… Gotta be happy with that!
There might not be too much left of the season but what is left is reminding us that this truly is a special place. One major US resort (I won’t mention names as I’d hate to embarrass Vail) put out press releases and blogged up their “BIG SNOW” day this season – they had 14″ (35cms) over two days and felt the world needed to know about the epic conditions. Ho hum. Just another day (or two) here in Spring!
Get amongst it while it’s good as these conditions won’t last forever – local golf courses will be open from next month – but while the pow is here make the most of it.
I know I will…
Posted by: Chris | category: Out there... | Tag: Comment: 0
Hilton’s Ren impresses
Mar 09, 2010
I so enjoyed dinner at the Hilton Niseko Village that I forgot to pull out the camera until it was all but done! At least the delightful dessert shown above had yet to succumb to my appetite.
Sitting at the end table at Ren, poised over the top of both the Gondola and Community chair, is a wonderful place to eat. It may well be the best seat in town, and it was made more impressive by last night’s windless, cold snowfall – with each flake proceeding in genteel defiance of Mr Newton’s supposed Law. It was mesmerising.
The first course arrived and drew my attention back to the table, Taraba – a local Hokkaido delicacy also known as King Crab – has that effect on me. Delicious. More dishes followed, in there somewhere was a wonderful Nabe also featuring crab (zuwai-gani this time), prawns, tofu and veges; a very nice sashimi moriawase; grilled fish (karei) with daikon and lemon; and steamed rice with crab among others.
And then to top it off the dessert as shown arrived and I finally remembered the camera! The Azuki Roll on the left was very good, so too the Wagashi in the middle, but the crowning glory was the tart Yuzu Sorbet, complimenting the other two wonderfully.
If you have the opportunity and are looking to sample a range of local treats then I’d highly recommend Ren. You’ll find it on the second floor at the Hilton Niseko Village.
Spring has sprung
Mar 02, 2010
March.
Stick a fork in it. It’s done.
As far as visitor number are concerned the season is pretty much over – over course that doesn’t change the fact that we get the best weather of the season in March and still get some great snow. We’ll probably end up with three really good pow days this week, with bluebird in between. And fewer and fewer people each passing day tracking them out… Not that I’m complaining.
The turns this morning were great, a bit sugary down low but fantastic just off the top, and the views from the peak were as good as you get. Spring is one of the best times to be in Niseko for all those reasons. And if you were in town yesterday & today you’d already know that. Tomorrow & Friday both look like powder days…
March… up the top, turn and go.
Posted by: Chris | category: Out there... | Tag: Comment: 0
2010 Toyota Big Air
Mar 01, 2010
The international contest circus rolled into town – or at least close to it – last week with the 14th edition of the Toyota Big Air. This event is one of snowboarding’s biggest, and it’s big in every way. First picture this: At more than 40m the top of the ramp in that picture is about the same height as stacking the two tallest buildings in Hirafu on top of each other. The prize money of more than USD $100,000 doesn’t include a brand new, top spec Toyota Prado which the winner receives, and if you’re serious about winning you better have switch 1080s fully down and 1260s waiting to pull out if required. Yeah it’s big. More than 22,000 screaming fans stand out in the snow for up to eight hours to be a part of this, and it’s worth it.
To see what these guys do for a living is amazing, and remember that this is a super-hard landing from a less than ideal take-off, with little warm up and a mountain of pressure. They truly earn their money.
For those that fell in the early rounds at least there was the after party to ease away the aches and forget about what might have been. The riders – only just old enough to drink, or not even – found a warm welcome in the aLife bar where the fans didn’t seem to mind where you finished. Much fun. For the record, Vancouver Silver medallist Peetu Piroinen won and he deserved it, with defending champ Eero Ettala second.
If you are ever in town for one of these events it’s definitely worth making the trip down. Maybe tie it in with a side trip around Sapporo and out to Otaru to round out the shopping and cultural side of things.
Posted by: Chris | category: Out there... | Tag: Comment: 0
Snow playground now open at SunSportsLand !
Feb 18, 2010
Come try the snow slide and snow boat/ tube rides in a play ground at SunSportsLand in Hirafu !! Traditional Japanese and western snowshoes are also available.
The playground is open to everyone, locals and tourists, for free !!
No on-site staff stationed in the ground. Children under 6 yrs-old must be attended by adult.
Date : until 28th March, 2010
Time : 9:00 ~ 16:00
Admission : Free
* we do not prepare any skiJK, pants and gloves,, etc. Please come in with warm clothes.
Inquiry : Niseko Promotion Board (SunSportsLand) tel 0136-21-3232
Posted by: makiko | category: Uncategorized | Tag: Comment: 0
Vale Bar & Grill’s Brekky Buffet deal
Feb 08, 2010
Your mum used to tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and who am I to argue!
￥1500 will get you this great all-you-can-eat brekky buffet deal down at the Vale Bar & Grill. Bacon, Sausages, Eggs, Hash browns, mushrooms, toast, cereal, pastries fruit etc etc. Wash it all down with their selection of fresh coffees available separately and you’ll be fuelled up and ready to charge the slopes all day.
The brand new VBG is a stylish addition to our local restaurants and definitely worth checking out! If you have an opportunity check out their lunch or dinner as well.
Hmmm…
Feb 08, 2010
Just about the only the I can think of wrong with this picture is that I’m behind the camera instead of laying down a turn or three up on these fantastic hills.
You have to be prepared to hike to experience Annupuri’s beautiful north eastern face with its Higashi-one and Jacksons areas, and the north face of Iwaonupuri as well, but the turns you earn with the hike will be amongst the sweetest you’ll ever experience. Hire a qualified and locally experienced guide, read the daily avvy reports at niseko.nadare.info; be properly prepared and ride smart.
Posted by: Chris | category: Out there... | Tag: Comment: 0
Snowboards as Art
Feb 08, 2010
Over at Moiwa’s Kanronomori Hotel you’ll find this gorgeous installation of snowboards displayed as art.
If you haven’t been over that way, Kanronomori is worth a trip. Spend an afternoon sliding Moiwa’s powdery and deserted slopes, then nip down to Kanronomori hotel for an onsen and a good meal, before you take in the live music (nightly from 7.30) Buses run regularly, check with your accommodation service for details.
Posted by: Chris | category: Uncategorized | Tag: Comment: 0
Outstanding value… Hanayoshi Sushi
Feb 08, 2010
Offering outstanding value and some of the best food in Niseko, Hanayoshi should be on everyone’s list of places to visit while in town.
The amazing seafood salad (Kaisen Sarada) will impress anyone, and it only gets better. Recommendations include the “Nigirizushi” plates, starting at “Yuki” then proceeding thru “Tsuki” & “Hana” up to the chef’s special selection; the grilled Hokke; and the grilled fish with miso (Miso-aji Ginmutsu-yaki?).
It’s pretty hard to go wrong with Hanayoshi, and I take all my O/S guests there for a reasonably-priced, but delicious Japanese meal. Expect to pay between ￥2000 – 4000 per person, plus drinks.
Hanayoshi is located in Niseko town, so you’ll have to organize a ride over there. Your accommodation provider will be able give you details on the best way to get there – but if you make the effort you’ll be glad you did!
Ainu Cultural Event
Jan 27, 2010
Close to 200 people enjoyed a great evening at the Ainu cultural event at the Kogen Hotel last night.
The event included displays of traditional arts and crafts, but most attention was giving to the traditional prayers, music and dance of Hokkaido’s native inhabitants. The very multi-cultural crowd was on its feet by the end of the night, joining in the dances as the tempo climbed.
The Ainu, like so many traditional cultures around the world, have fought a long battle for recognition for their unique and proud culture, and the participants were very happy to be able to share their culture with such an international crowd.
Posted by: Chris | category: Uncategorized | Tag: Comment: 0
