In mid-February last month, Yukie Ueda and Mari Mizukami, who are indispensable for the Japanese girls snowboarding scene, traveled together in Hokkaido.The two met on the slopes for the first time 2 years ago, and have spent 22 seasons as snowboarders since then.There were seasons when we cried for injuries, and there were seasons when we spent time together in snowy mountains overseas.As snowboarders, the two have always felt each other's turning points.I decided to travel this time at an inevitable timing like a coincidence.
In this project, Yukie Ueda will share the memories of the six days they spent in Hokkaido, sessions with guest riders they meet in various places, the charm of Hokkaido, and the charm of snowboarding that still captivates them. The story I wrote will be delivered four times in a series.
Text: Yukie Ueda
VOL.4 ~ Mt. Furano ~
On the 4th day of the trip, go to Mt. Furano
It was a move from the morning to Furano.The daytime travel was also fresh.It was sunny, there was a snowstorm, and the road to Furano changed rapidly, and the weather changed and the scenery changed.
Road trips in Hokkaido are unlikely to be a problem due to traffic jams.Hokkaido is so big that you can keep running!I realize that.The road surface is basically snowy and sometimes frozen, but I'm getting used to driving Mari, who isn't affected by it and thrusts in with a good speed and sharp steering wheel.
At the foot of Mt. Furano, in Kamifurano, a bitter man like Yosuke Eguchi was waiting in the car.
This man, Takahiro Nakanishi, a cameraman who wears telemark skis and shoots snowy mountains.The end of our journey will be photographed by this professional photographer.I was very lucky to be caught by Hoyahoya, who returned home from the American shoot the night before.It is very encouraging that he who is familiar with the snowy mountains of Hokkaido will accompany him.
The first place I've wanted to visit for many years, Mt. Furano.I arrived a little late, so I started preparing for haste.It is a long-standing skill as a female snowboarder to be able to change to a female snowboarder who can instantly slide in the car or in the parking lot.
We wore snowshoes to climb deep snow and wore beacons (avalanche transmitters) on our bodies.Furanodake is not a ski resort, but a backcountry.Climbing the mountain after noon seemed to lack tension, so I tightened my mind while getting dressed.At any time, you must concentrate when you enter the mountain.Even with a well-known companion.
This Yamao photographer and Mari, who was accustomed to the backcountry, were a reliable presence to accompany.
At the trailhead of Mt. Furano, I passed by people who had already come down from the mountain.Few people will climb from this time.I don't think I would have gone to this timing today without the invitation of the Nakanishi cameraman.I might not have been able to come to this area without Mari.I felt how important the connection with the people who make it is to the way of spending life.
We didn't intend to climb to the top of the mountain. February isn't too long yet.It is not something that is greedy and sticks to the shape.Our true purpose was not to aim for the summit, but to "slide on Mt. Furano".
Furano-dake was expected to be sunny, but it began to snow.It's a large, very good quality snow.As this climbs, it piles up more and more.The slopes that I stepped on were so wonderful that I could feel the urge to slide down even now.
Furano-dake, where it snows deeply, feels very quiet and sacred.
Mr. Nakanishi, a cameraman, is indifferent.It doesn't seem to matter if the crew is a woman.He made me laugh with his occasional sexual harassment remarks, but in reality he was very considerate of gentlemen.Russell quickly with telemark skiing, and silently drops the snow that has fallen on the branches.You know that the branches of the tree he slipped through would get caught in the snowboards we carry.He carried a camera bag that was heavier than I had imagined and was surprised, but when he noticed it, he gave various consideration.Perhaps not because he was a man and because he was a woman, he had consideration for his companions who would enter the mountain with him.His consideration was a big help to us as we wanted to do our best to do what we could in the limited time.
The world of Mt. Furano was special even when I think back now
Snow falling in the quiet mountains.It was piled up on the trees as far as the eye could see and on our bodies.
Mari and I skated in a fantastic snowy landscape.While giving a very light and large grain of fine powder.
It took me a while to climb the deep snow, so it got darker and darker.
I couldn't stop.
I wonder how many times I climbed back.I was crazy about it.As soon as you see it, the area gets darker and the snow quality gets better and better as if it were inversely proportional.We were scaredly drawn in.
By the time we knew that the way back would be pitch black if we didn't stop around here, we were like Yama-uba.
Yama-uba seemed to be at the limit of their physical strength, and one of them fell on the river on their way home.Bitter smile
Sliding into a cold river in an unpopular mountain on a snowstorm night in the midwinter is a serious accident.However, we have been trained by snowboarding and lived to the extent that we were so happy that even that was a big laugh and more material.
When I got to the car, it was pitch black.My hair is still frozen.I was so hungry that I wanted to run into the cafeteria right away, but the appearance of Yamaba surprised the people in the town, so I bought a discounted side dish and bento at the supermarket and went to the inn for the day. I went.After being slowly soaked in Furano Onsen and thawed, we finally returned to the appearance of a human female and toasted beer in a yukata as if nothing had happened.
Two Women's Trip-Mt. Furano MOVIE-
Continue to Furano Ski Resort
Next time, one week later, "VOL.1 ~ Furano Sequel & End of Journey ~" will be uploaded.
(The content is too rich and has increased by one week. Next time is the final episode!)
looking forward to!
Click here for VOL.1 ~ Asahidake ~
Click here for VOL.2 ~ Sounkyo Onsen & Kurodake ~
Click here for VOL.3 ~ Nayoro Edition ~
★ PROFILE
Yukie Ueda
Born January 1973, 1.He started snowboarding in Whistler, Canada, and after 22 years of competitions such as halfpipe and big air, he fell in love with the backcountry.Currently, while moving to the United States and raising a 23-year-old son while continuing his professional activities, he runs a project for kids and mothers (LILKIDS & MAMA) and a camp for young Japanese people to experience in the United States (CALI LIFE CAMP). ..
SPONSOR: K2 SNOWBOARDING, Billabong, MORISPO SPAZIO, NEFF, RONIN, ZOOT, CORAZON SHIBUYA, LALALATV
Mari Mizukami
Born July 1976, 7.I met snowboarding at NEW ZEALAND, which I went to as an exchange student in high school.After going through pipes, street rails and slopestyle, he now skis mainly in the backcountry.We are holding parties (PARTY BUNNYS) and events (SHREDDING GIRLS) where snowboarders can enjoy themselves in Tokyo and in the snowy mountains after being unable to slip for several years due to injury.
SPONSOR: GNU, NORTHWAVE, DRAKE, WESTBEACH, SPY, BLACKDIAMOND, SBN FREERUN, SHREDDING GIRLS, PARTY BUNNYS Event, Akabane First Dental
