OPEN ARMS (Open your arms and feel!)
ROAD TRIP in NEW ZEALAND Text by Motoki Ushiyama
TheOpening
Human beings are luxurious and skated on such good snow every day during the season, but as time goes by, the desire for snowy mountains increases and they are looking for the next snow.
That being said, this summer I was surfing in the tide.It's been 10 years since I've enjoyed the life of not chasing snow to do summer, but at the end of summer I decided to chase winter after a long time and let's go on a trip to NZ in the high season. I think.
For me, it was a training place where results were required in the past in NZ, and in shooting, I had to leave a video instead of flying to a glacier with a helicopter at a cost ... There were many things that were limited in a sense. I don't remember slipping freely on the slopes.
There will be shootings and board tests on this trip as well, but I'm going to enjoy the winter breeze while looking at the scenery for the first time in a while, without feeling as rugged as it used to be.From Shinshu via Australia to New Zealand, 9500 km south.I've been excited about Kiwi Style for the first time in more than 10 years, as if I met a nostalgic companion.
1st Day
At the end of August at the end of summer, I left Shinshu, which was getting a little chilly, and headed for Narita Airport.
The baggage to bring is one board case of bread bread.Pick up a heavy case at the airport and go to the Cantus counter.Recently, it is said that the overcharge of the luggage to be carried is becoming noisy, but the four boards and several books inside the board case add more weight.I was wondering what to say, but with the help of the oneworld group status, check-in was completed without any problems.
I boarded the plane, left Narita at 20:30 on time, and had a meal on board ... Yes, I slept soundly and woke up two hours before arriving in Sydney.It is really helpful that the time difference is small at night.Transferring in Sydney, New Zealand headed to Queenstown.
As the plane approaching from the west sea descends, a nostalgic NZ-like sight spreads under the window in the early afternoon light.
Snow shining on the south slope of the mountaintop.The green meadow below it.Connecting between them is a deep and intricate valley carved out by glaciers and large and small lakes filled with water.I can't help but be thrilled to see this scene.
Pick up a rental car at the airport and start driving to Wanaka about 100km north.
Although the plane was delayed by DELAY for an hour, I made a slight detour and headed for Route 1.
I ran as if I was enjoying the scenery, checking the ranch where sheep were released, the white shining peaks, and the flow of the river.
2nd day
After making a simple breakfast in the kitchen and eating it, I left the motel while watching Lake Wanaka, which was dyed by a pleasant sunrise after 7:00, and headed for the meeting place with the cameraman.
The navigator of this NZ project is Isamu Kubo.Although he is a professional snowboarder, he has photos of professional riders from all over the world.While running a snowboard school in winter, he is a strong man who has been skiing in the snow of NZ for XNUMX years in summer.
Snowboarding for the first time in three months, new tools, and heading to the mountains with excitement for each and every thing ... Because of this crush, the season in is irresistible.
Today is CARDRONA.From Wanaka, head south on Route XNUMX and turn right to climb the unpaved bumpy road.This is Kiwi Style. When I missed it, the car got higher and higher.When snow appears right next to it, the magnificent land spreads below.Looking up, the slope of CARDRONA over a large mountain floats in the blue sky.
The new boots are still stiff but have a nice edge.The new board will not grow unless you get in a little more.Still, it's been unleashed for snowboarding after a long time.After slipping into the big NZ wilderness without thinking, I feel comfortable and tired again.
3rd day
The weather is perfect.There hasn't been any new snowfall in the last few days, but the snow conditions are excellent and the grip is particularly good.At that time, without knowing what was about to happen, I was purely paralyzed by the glow of the morning light of CARDRONA.
At that time, shooting was proceeding smoothly while choosing a location ...
A skier who couldn't control from behind rushed into me waiting for the start signal from the cameraman.The opponent is a big man, and it is quite overspeed.No matter how much I look like a wrestler, there is a heavy sense of discomfort in the hips and buttocks that have been shocked.
Is it okay somehow? ??I proceeded to shoot, but I couldn't step on my right foot anymore.
When I got on the lift after getting down to the bottom, I was so numb that I couldn't sit on the lift ... I was numb without a joke, and there was a strange me who moved on the lift.
When I had a doctor see me at CARDRONA's medical center, my nerve numbness was affected by the impact of a bruise, so I had to rest and watch the situation, so I got a painkiller and went down the mountain.
Even though I was hurt in the mountains and my right leg was numb ... I was once again impressed by the beautiful scenery of NZ that spreads under my eyes, and my heart was numb.
4th day
Unfortunately, day off. It's also a journey that happens.
Both severe and sharp pain hit the right hip, leg, and toes without recovery more than expected.
I asked the cameraman Kubo to go to the mountains and take his favorite pictures with his sensibility.
I lie down on my bed and rest, reading a book I brought like a mountain.
Then, while stepping on the accelerator with your numb feet, head toward Beacon Point, lie down on the shore where you can see Lake Wanaka, and spend time watching the mountains.The sunshine included the kindness of spring
The streets of downtown Wanaka have changed a little from XNUMX years ago, and new shops have been added to make it lively.Even though I became Urashima Taro for a while, there was a town where I could see the nature that was the same as before and the calm and laid-back softness of the city of Wanaka.
I don't need an accident, but depending on how I think about it, this is also a good time.
I want to return to the snow tomorrow, but I can't go crazy ...
5th day
Waking up in the morning ... Well, I had a pain during sleep, but dull pain remained in my lower body and when I moved a little, sharp pain still came.
I don't know what kind of posture is the easiest (tears)
One day the trip became a leisure activity, but the trip is always an adventure for men.
In the early morning when the mountains seen from Lake Wanaka are dyed in the morning sun and turn pink, I saw the sharp peak of Mt, Aspring 3027m, and while raising my mood, I put a board on the car and headed to the cameraman.From my long experience, I know that I can't take good pictures just by feeling, even though I say that I feel a lot when I overcome the challenges.Seeing Kubo's worried face, I decided to take a rest today.
If you decide to take a rest, don't overdo it.On such a day, while watching a real raccoon on TV, I prepared a curry for dinner while slowly frying chopped onions with an inseparable knife.The place of my game today was the kitchen.
6th day
The end of my stay in NZ.Take painkillers and head to TREBLE CONE today.This ski resort spreads out on a mountain road around the corner of a large rock where the First Human Giatrus seems to come out in the ancient times.
The road to the ski resort is followed by a wild gravel road that looks like a rally championship.
Although there are only two lifts, it has the largest area on the South Island.It seems that the mountain that can be seen from the front and the mountain behind it are raised further to the sky.
The condition of the compressed snow is perfect.But my slip isn't enough, and although I'm cheating, I manage to slip.I climbed up to the summit ridge next to the peak and got some cuts, including a back shot that slipped down towards Lake Wanaka.It's a non-slip condition, but I'm a professional.Some cuts have to be left.
Well, let's put it aside, there are many delicious wines in NZ.So on the way back from TC, we took a detour to RIPPON Vineyard, where the vineyards spread out in the best location. I opened the Cellar Door and bought the recommended red wine.Aged in Central Otago overlooking Lake Wanaka, this one will be drunk last night in NZ.
7th day
Today is the last day of skiing on the Wanaka base. I was worried about whether to use TC or CARDRONA from the morning ... Because both are wonderful mountains, I can't decide, but considering the contents of the board test, I chose CARDRONA, which has many middle slopes.Your body isn't in perfect condition, and even if it's subtle how much you can test the board, you can only value the intuition you can feel at any time.Today is the last time I can shoot with Kubo.Testing basic board performance does not require steep slopes or unnecessarily high speeds.If you take a closer look at the board on a gentle slope, you can see what kind of profile the board has.The "feeling" felt at that time is often correct.
I got off the mountain and had my photos organized and left Wanaka.
This time, take Route 86 to Queenstown.The wild pass ran through the ups and downs and the blue sky, the best part of driving in NZ.
The city of Queenstown, though not as much as Wanaka, was also much more developed than it was when I came here before.There is a food court in the basement of the shopping center in the city, and when I visited there a long time ago, I often ate dinner here.Today I met up with the staff who came to NZ to practice skiing and ate in a nostalgic place as before.
8th day
Ask NZ for snow in search of a winter that never ends.And Wanaka and Queenstown are cities where people with dreams come together. Based on Queenstown, there are mountains of Coronnet peak and Remarkables.I was planning to go to Lima today, but I had numbness in my legs, so I took a day off away from the snow.
It's an aerial walk on the Skyline gondola while walking around the city.Last time, I flew a paraglider in tandem from here.Even though the cityscape below has changed, the scenery far away from here hasn't changed at all.It's breathtakingly beautiful.
The more you drink, the more wine you have at that time.The red color of Wanaka produced by the temperature difference between day and night and the wind from the lake is incredible.It was delicious ~~ (^^ ♪
9th day
To return to Japan via Sydney, the plane climbed between narrow mountains and took off for Australia.I'm glad I came to NZ for the first time in a long time, and I want to come again next year.
I felt like I wasn't slipping enough because I couldn't slide enough in the bruise, but I wanted to spend more time on the slopes.Besides, the time that flows through this country and the kindness and grandeur that nature gives me really feel good.
"OPEN ARMS" People, Sports, Culture and Travel
The more interested you are, the more new discoveries you can make on your journey.You can't get it without jumping out on your own.
On the way back, the stars seen from the window of the 10000m airplane were shining strongly through the window.
NZ is a place where you can really see the stars.
While watching the light of the TC snow-packed car on the shore of Lake Wanaka, I remembered the excitement of looking up at the starry sky and watched it ... I fell asleep again.
Profile
Motoki Ushiyama
Born March 1965, 3 in Nagano Prefecture
Phase 1 Pro Snowboarder
Motoki Ushiyama Professional Snowboard School (Kawaba / Karuizawa Snow Park) Representative
Several wins in professional games.With the Japanese titles won as a professional, I will spend my days challenging the world.
Masters W-CUP SL has a record of 15th place.
After retiring from the race in 1998, he has been active in events, tours, etc. in addition to media activities such as TV, Radio and DVD.
He also develops and sells Konayuki Snowboards.
SPONSORS
Konayuki Snowboards,CHIEMSEE,DaKine,FLUX Bindings,Von Zipper,X5 footgear
