Tomorrow, I’m off to Japan after taking care of business in China. A few more meetings in Tokyo and Osaka (amazing one can travel by train for a day trip between these two cities), then Hakuba. This trip was originally planned with both Hakuba and Myoko. But forecasted weather has caused me to beat a retreat to higher ground. I’ve been watching for a few days. The amount of precipitation, and I have to say precipitation, not snow (maybe it’s called wintry mix?) has fluctuated, but not the warm spell. I arrive January 23, to higher temperatures, something that has been a fixture in the forecast, one with a freeze level that, depending when I look at the forecast, will result in rain at all the resorts in both Hakuba and Myoko. The only escape is to stay higher up. Here’s what it’s been looking like at Happo-one. Mid-mountain would be about the top of many other resorts,
The top is more promising, but note freeze level.
As I see it, my choices are:
1. Staying in the upper reaches of Happo-one, Hakuba’s highest resort
2. Skin up above Tsugaike, then ski down through the potential rain at the end of the day
3. Run over to Shiga-Yakoteyama, the highest resort in Japan.
The latter is a schlepp. Skiing through rain is unappealing. Being able to download in Happo-one’s gondola sounds just right.
What an interesting start to an annual pilgrimage for Japow. But, that’s not all. All of Japan has been experiencing its worst year for, I’m told, over 75 years. I’m told backcountry tree lines are clogged with uncovered shrubs. Exits to roads have patchy cover. Hence, again, my retreat to Hakuba where alpine and sub-alpine backcountry terrain can be had. My plan now is to do some backcountry skiing higher up and hopefully do some training in resort. I recently decided to go for a PSIA Level 3 certification and need to go over the Standards and understand better what Examiners are looking for, both in Teaching and in Skiing. Instead of a skiing with a guide in Myoko, I’m looking for an Examiner in Hakuba, and skis.
Yes, I need to rent skis. Mine are 186 109’s fully rockered, high radius backcountry powder skis. Won’t be much fun making onpiste short turns and skiing bumps, and now maybe hardpack. My boots are ISO 9523 non-WTR, non-Gripwalk AT boots. I’m on the hunt for a carving ski or all mountain ski to rent that has MNC bindings. The only thing I’ve found so far are Rossi Hero GS-type ski with Gripwalk compatible bindings. If a better option cant be found, that’s the fallback. At least the boots will fit. Who needs release anyway. Aren’t they called bindings? What are the chances, finding skis with 70-90 width, mounted with compatible bindings? BTW, I’m looking for help in identifying what bindings models are MNC. There’s the Salomon MNC’s, the Marker Sole.ID models, what else?
This trip will be challenging, in a different way. But, it will also be different and interesting. Guide-willing, I might take a stab at brush skiing. There’s already one highlight of the trip. I’m meeting up with another Pugskier, @Eleeski and his wife and son! How cool is that? We were planning on doing an offpiste tour together on the 23rd. Instead, we’ll ski together in-resort, up high, at Happo-one. They are luckier, arriving earlier, in time for forecasted snow, before the warm spell comes in, on a base that’s been nice and cold. And, luckier yet, they’ll be skiing that snow at Hakuba Cortina which, for some reason, usually gets more snow than other resorts in the valley. Eric, see you soon! Report and pictures please!
The top is more promising, but note freeze level.
As I see it, my choices are:
1. Staying in the upper reaches of Happo-one, Hakuba’s highest resort
2. Skin up above Tsugaike, then ski down through the potential rain at the end of the day
3. Run over to Shiga-Yakoteyama, the highest resort in Japan.
The latter is a schlepp. Skiing through rain is unappealing. Being able to download in Happo-one’s gondola sounds just right.
What an interesting start to an annual pilgrimage for Japow. But, that’s not all. All of Japan has been experiencing its worst year for, I’m told, over 75 years. I’m told backcountry tree lines are clogged with uncovered shrubs. Exits to roads have patchy cover. Hence, again, my retreat to Hakuba where alpine and sub-alpine backcountry terrain can be had. My plan now is to do some backcountry skiing higher up and hopefully do some training in resort. I recently decided to go for a PSIA Level 3 certification and need to go over the Standards and understand better what Examiners are looking for, both in Teaching and in Skiing. Instead of a skiing with a guide in Myoko, I’m looking for an Examiner in Hakuba, and skis.
Yes, I need to rent skis. Mine are 186 109’s fully rockered, high radius backcountry powder skis. Won’t be much fun making onpiste short turns and skiing bumps, and now maybe hardpack. My boots are ISO 9523 non-WTR, non-Gripwalk AT boots. I’m on the hunt for a carving ski or all mountain ski to rent that has MNC bindings. The only thing I’ve found so far are Rossi Hero GS-type ski with Gripwalk compatible bindings. If a better option cant be found, that’s the fallback. At least the boots will fit. Who needs release anyway. Aren’t they called bindings? What are the chances, finding skis with 70-90 width, mounted with compatible bindings? BTW, I’m looking for help in identifying what bindings models are MNC. There’s the Salomon MNC’s, the Marker Sole.ID models, what else?
This trip will be challenging, in a different way. But, it will also be different and interesting. Guide-willing, I might take a stab at brush skiing. There’s already one highlight of the trip. I’m meeting up with another Pugskier, @Eleeski and his wife and son! How cool is that? We were planning on doing an offpiste tour together on the 23rd. Instead, we’ll ski together in-resort, up high, at Happo-one. They are luckier, arriving earlier, in time for forecasted snow, before the warm spell comes in, on a base that’s been nice and cold. And, luckier yet, they’ll be skiing that snow at Hakuba Cortina which, for some reason, usually gets more snow than other resorts in the valley. Eric, see you soon! Report and pictures please!