On January 2021, 1, I took a picture at Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaido.Participating in the shooting were Hiroshi Amami, the captain of Downchill, who represents this area, who has been fascinated by the sharp carving turns many times in FREERUN magazine, and the snow pressure operator who has been in charge of grooming Rusutsu for 7 years. Mr. Masashi Kubota.I would like to convey the charm of Rusutsu through a session of a craftsman who finishes the finest grooming barn, which is especially attracting attention in Japan, and a slipper who draws a beautiful line on the barn.
Photo: Neil Hartmann & Jimmie Okayama
Edit: Gaisu
Rusutsu is a slope where anyone can enjoy and feel good
The Hokkaido field that every snowboarder living in Honshu longs for.Among them, the candidate site that you want to visit once during the season is the Niseko Rusutsu area where you can enjoy dry snow, which is not an exaggeration to say that it is the best in the world.The author is also fascinated by this area and visits every year.Not to mention the charm of Niseko, Rusutsu Resort, which is located on the Pacific side of Mt. Yotei, is now quite hot.
Of course, this slope has been a popular resort nationwide with many fans of riders and snowboarders in Hokkaido, but the fun has doubled since watching the down chill crew cruising this slope live. ..Yes, this was one of the best carving paradises in Japan ...
First of all, I would like to ask the captain of Downchill, Hiroshi Amami, who participated in this shooting, about the charm of Rusutsu.
"Rusutsu is a slope that anyone, regardless of level, can enjoy and feel good, whether it's advanced, intermediate, or beginner. The powder is good, and the forest is full of pleasant trees. Besides, that wide grooming Carving on the barn is the best. The reason is that you can trust the technical strength of snow compaction. There are 3 mountains, so there are plenty of course variations, and you can meet the scenery that you can ski on any mountain. And Lake Toya. Because the Pacific Ocean is near, there are various snow qualities. When heading from Chitose Airport, Rusutsu is in front of Niseko, so it is also attractive to be closer. Also, because the sunny weather rate is high, as a skier like me in the local area You can rely on it. It's all-round! "
Actually, on the day of shooting, it was just before the strongest cold wave came, so only the morning one in the cloudy weather where the snow breeze did not get worse was the game.However, that expectation was brilliantly disappointing, and miraculously a sunny day appeared.
"It's no wonder today's sunny days. But Rusutsu is prone to that miracle. It's raining in Niseko, but there are many days when the weather in Rusutsu is completely different depending on Mt. Yotei and Mt. Shiribetsu."
Niseko and Rusutsu are about 40 minutes by car.Even with this sense of distance, the weather in each area may actually be completely different.That's why the locals exchange information every morning to find out the best conditions.Then, I always asked about the routine when sliding in Rusutsu.
"If it's the first group at 9 o'clock in the morning, there is a pattern to get on the quad from the east and aim at the back of Isola, and everything depends on the flow of people. Rusutsu is interesting in every course, so if it's sunny, head to Heavenly But if everyone has gone there, it's okay to be in front of you. The movement may change a little depending on whether you are in the lead group in the morning or in 1.5th place ... On the contrary, it will start from 9:XNUMX. If it happens, it's probably better to turn it from the East. I'm always behind the scenes of people's psychology (laughs). "
So that's it….Depending on the situation, there seems to be a fairly deep reading course choice every morning in order to aim for a vine as much as possible.Let's hear the charm of Rusutsu's favorite course "Isola's Steamboat A", which was mentioned in the interview of FREERUN magazine before.
"A is long and comfortable, and there is a slope so it can flow moderately. B is also quite popular! Both are refreshing if the weather is nice. Heavenly as it is. The direction of the light is good there."
On the contrary, where would you aim for powder?
"I like Heavenly Sawa, and I also like the uncompressed snow course of Isola A and B. The accompanying A Sawa and B Sawa are actually hidden ... I like that kind of detail. Depending on the condition, this slope has a north side, so snow is good, and the way the wind enters and the way the snow collects differs depending on the terrain, so it feels like judging while looking at the situation. Even with powder, "I like it even if it is too deep. "I don't have it, I'm", and sometimes it doesn't float depending on the person's board. I don't really like snow that doesn't float, so "Where's a little thin?" I wonder if I can find such a powder spot. "
A line that connects with a single stroke while making a detour
From here, let's return to the main subject of carving.If you slide while tracing behind them, you will find various discoveries and learnings.Even small terrains and slopes that are usually casual can be a perfect "terrain = play spot" from their point of view.So how is it interesting to see the terrain of Rusutsu?Or how should we play in the terrain?I got some advice about that.
"It's easier to make a detour to the terrain by shaking it sideways than to go vertically from the top to the bottom. Rusutsu has a lot of terrain swells, so it seems to be interesting while making a detour. I think it would be interesting to find a line and play with one stroke turn as much as possible. It's an important detour. It's not too fast and it's fast sideways (laughs). Is it Rusutsu's snow pressure, after all? "
The author has also skied on the slopes all over the country, but I feel that Rusutsu's snow pressure is incredible.It goes without saying that the snow quality is good, but the quality of the morning grooming burn is not perfect.What is the most reliable grooming burn for Hiroshi Amami?
"I'm the type who feels Yuki-chan (← snow) with my whole body (laughs). If I hit a potato (← lumpy lump of snow) while carving, I would say" Itte "or rarely point (laughs). I've never been in a snow-packed car, but I'm slipping while thinking, "It looks like it's difficult to make such an oblique place flush with each other," at the seams of the grooming burn. But actually, the grooming burn here feels good. It's okay to leave your body at all. After all, Rustu can slide comfortably. Is it good snow, good snow car, technical ability? Of course there are differences in technology depending on the person, but maybe Masashi-kun and other operators I think there is a “snow love” of these people. Today's grooming was also the most comfortable. ”
Be conscious of beautiful seams
Another guest who rushed to this shoot is Mr. Masashi Kubota, who has been working as a Rusutsu snow-packing operator for 1 years.Of course, he is also a genuine slipper, and he seems to be skiing in Rusutsu almost every day after work.It's the craftsmanship of the operator that I'm curious about, but first I'll ask what kind of schedule the day is working on.
“Grooming snow goes to work at midnight to warm up and inspect the machine, hold a meeting within the team for about an hour, and then divide into East, Isola, and West teams. Rustu enjoys 0 course variations. However, 1% of the courses are grooming courses, and the remaining 37% are uncompressed snow courses and bump slopes. This season, we will work with 7 cars, 3 in East and Isola, and the rest in West. The actual working time is from 11 o'clock to about 8 o'clock. After that, the groom is handed over to the patrol, the slope is checked and the slope is opened to the customer at 1 o'clock when the business starts. Become"
Rusutsu has such a vast field.It's amazing that we're working on snow to the last minute of skiing on the slopes.Then, Rusutsu hears that the snow compaction has a good reputation, but what kind of place are you particular about when doing the snow compaction work?
"We are particular about snow compaction, and we aim to create a slope where you can draw beautiful carvings by matching the steps and seams of the course and terrain, and you can play on the wall on the side of the course. By cleaning the joint of the next running car, the carving of the skier can be smoothly connected with one beautiful line. It depends on the course, but it is a snow-packed car. In some cases, several cars will go through to finish the course, and in other cases, one car will finish. The operator is operating to maximize the performance of the snow-packed car while checking the snow quality of the day. After all, if there is a step in the compressed snow, it will not feel good when slipping, so I do the grooming work carefully so as not to feel the difference as much as possible. "
Snow-packing craftsmen work from midnight to morning with all their heart.He says that the most important thing is to determine the snow quality and technology, but what kind of technology is needed from a professional point of view?
"Hmm ... I wonder if this is just an experience ... After that, it's a sensuous feeling. I don't really think about it with my head. It's like I don't think about grabbing a glass with my head. Whether or not the snow can be finished ... I can't say anything (laughs). "
Finally, I would like to ask Mr. Masashi about the charm of Rusutsu.
"It's a course with many variations, and it's attractive that you can enjoy uncompressed snow and grooming burn. Powder snow, grooming burn, and the scenery. I think that the connection between the course and the lift is a good place."
Overwhelming course variation and high-quality grooming burn.Still, Rusutsu has the best snow quality and the widest burn in Japan.This season has various influences, and it is a special season where you can skate the burn with no buddy like ever.Whether you've been there or not, when you go to Rusutsu, remember their story and enjoy the beautiful, seamless grooming barn as much as you can.
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