Every year, they hold a snowboarding tour in Niseko.Snow bumThe organizers of this tour were there last season (23/24).Introducing our thoughts and topics.
TEXT & PHOTO BY OBA SNOWBUM
Niseko generally refers to the area that consists of ski resorts around Mount Niseko Annupuri, including Hanazono, Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri, and Moiwa.
Last season (23/24), I visited Niseko Grand Hirafu on a tour in mid-January. Last season was a warm winter, and there was a lack of snow anywhere from December to early January. Niseko was no exception, and I heard that there was little snow until early January.
There was a lot of snowfall in the middle of the month, and when we visited it had returned to normal levels, and the temperature was around minus 10 degrees, so the snow was amazing! We were greeted by unpacked snow, which is a little different from the snow on Honshu, and clear skies on Mt. Yotei.
This time, we were once again accompanied by Gentemstick rider Takanori Nagata, and the group of people who had been there for a few days already had a taste of the deep powder. There was no new snowfall on the day we arrived, but we were able to enjoy a spectacular free run with a view of Mt. Yotei, and thanks to Nagata's guidance, we were able to enjoy the remaining powder.
A local guide who is familiar with the daily snow structure is essential, and a guide is essential if you want to make your trip to Niseko meaningful.
Niseko was the first ski resort in Japan to set boundaries between on- and off-piste areas, and has a set of rules known as the Niseko Local Rules. Gates are set up outside the ski resort in each area, and the gates are opened and closed with safety management. There is also a rule that you cannot go under ropes to ski outside the ski resort. In addition, at the very least, you must wear a helmet and a beacon to pass through the gates.
Although the forecast for the next day didn't call for much snow, it started falling in the evening, and by morning about 30cm of snow had fallen, delighting our tour group with this unexpected Niseko magic.
I arrived at the Ace No. 7 Lift (Center Four Lift) boarding point at 40:2 in the morning, and although I expected there would be a long line, I was able to line up around 30th place unexpectedly, and I began to look forward to the opening.
Today, we aim to attack the peak. After smoothly catching the lift, and of course equipped with helmets and beacons, we set off hiking up to the peak.
The conditions were a bit shaky that day, with the clouds just barely clearing, so I waited until the visibility was a little better to drop in. Compared to 25 years ago when I was staying there, the number of skiers has increased and it's become harder to ski on untracked slopes, but I was able to make some big turns on the best snow that day.
As we descended into the Hanazono area, we came across a luxurious Louis Vuitton tent in front of the Park Hyatt, which was built a few years ago, and were surprised to see that a global luxury brand has also taken an interest in this ever-evolving resort.
At dinner time, Japanese people tend to stay at lodgings that include meals and so rarely go out at night, but the vast majority of inbound Western tourists eat dinner and go out drinking, and there are already lines at Hirafu's izakayas and restaurants by around 18:00 p.m.
Even as the night deepens, many people are out drinking, and Hirafu looks lively and different from the daytime. The food stall village is also well-stocked, and we bought some beer from a food stall and enjoyed it overseas style, despite the cold.
Finally, what surprised me most was that the Ace No. 2 Center Four Lift will close after 38 years of history and be replaced with a new gondola.
This high-speed quad lift, which is seldom suspended even in bad weather and covers a distance of 1.7 km, is a little sad for those of us who have used it to go around the Super Course on pouring rainy days, but by changing to the latest 10-seater gondola, transport capacity seems to be increased by 1.5 times.
With this level of transportation capacity, even if there is a waiting list of 200 people, the service will be able to turn around faster than before, and this will likely eliminate the negative issue of long queues for gondolas in recent years.
Niseko's evolution continues.
The season is finally starting.
What will Niseko be like this season?
Cooperation: Niseko Tokyu https://www.grand-hirafu.jp/winter/
Tour implementation: Snow Bum http://www.snowbum.jp/
Takanori Nagata guide:https://nisekopleasuretours.jimdofree.com/
