Showing posts with label deep powder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deep powder. Show all posts

Friday, November 5, 2010

Secret Powder Tips by Nigel Abbott - Leg Power & Core Strength

So how do you get your body to this level, I go to the gym to several times per week to increase my strength and mountain bike regularly to improve my power and endurance.

One thing that I have learned during my 35 year skiing career is that leg power and core strength will ensure you can ski with power and grace, it will also make it so much easier when you hit the slopes for your skiing holiday. This way you can enjoy your skiing from day one without suffering too much fatigue or burnout, which normally occurs from day three onwards.

Core strength is a result of strong stomach, lower back and oblique muscles and is your base from which your legs can extend and retract.

Similar to a dual suspension mountain bike which has a very strong frame (core strength), the wheels (skis) are attached to a suspension system (legs) which allows for independent action to absorb the terrain. This is no different to skiing where your upper and mid section act as the base from which your legs can operate the function of pressure control, that is the movement of extension and retraction.

This image perfectly demonstrates a strong core that has the upper body in an upright position and the legs almost fully extended to drive pressure through to the skis. The upper body is stable and quiet, thus allowing for real power to be exerted with the leg muscles and to resist the forces.
A strong mid section will give you the best chance to keep your upper body quiet for a smooth flow down the hill, which results in graceful skiing. There is no difference when you are skiing powder, you want a quiet upper body so your legs be can extend away from your body and then retracted back under you to suck up the pressure. So how do you get your body to this level, I go to the gym several times per week to increase my strength and mountain bike regularly to improve my power and endurance.


Thursday, February 11, 2010

Light winds today in Niseko and a top up of fresh overnight. The crazy and amazingly big Bag Jump opened yesterday

17 lifts are up and spinning. Temperatures are down to -13 with a top of -6 degrees. Going back country ensure you have required avalanche safety gear and check at lift stations for gate status. 

The forecast suggests light snowfalls right into the weekend. Register for the Half Pipe competition this weekend at fusion stores or visit skihanazono.com

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Just went down and checked out the Hanazono Bag Jump in Niseko Japan

Hanazono Stomping Ground is excited about the opening today of the new BAGJUMP at the bottom of Stairway to Heaven.. Its A 15m x 15m cushion of air and you can get some crazy AIR. Make sure you bring your Helmet and if you ski... No Poles.... Just jump on Hanazono lift 1 and head straight down Stairway to Heaven in Hanazono Niseko. Go past the Half pipe and its about 100 metres past the entrance to the Stomping Ground. Check it out its so so much fun..

The Bag Jump will be up and running today by 11am in Hanazono Niseko

Temperatures have dropped and we have seen a dusting of fresh overnight.   Winds from the northwest should be generally light around 10 -15km/hr.
Around the mountain: Adventure Park activities and the Terrain Park are open. 17 lifts are spinning. Temperatures are down to -14 with a top of -5 degrees. Going back country ensure you have required avalanche safety gear and check at lift stations for gate status. 
The outlook suggests light winds and snowfalls for the next few days.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Want to ski and board the deepest powder... Check out the great packages in Niseko


Browse details of available accommodation in Niseko and filter results to suit your preferences.
http://book.skihanazono.com/nhr/search.jsf

Check out the great packages on Lifts, Lessons and Rental Equipment

A beautiful morning in Niseko, we should see a some snow falling later this afternoon

17 lifts are up and running. Adventure Park activities are open. West southwesterly winds are forecast to be around 10 to 30km/hr. Gates and Terrain Park open around 10am. 
Winds increasing slightly tomorrow, decreasing Wednesday and light snow is suggested for the next few days.

Going back country ensure you have required avalanche safety gear. 

Saturday, February 6, 2010

A consistent fall of fresh snow this week, overnight we had another 15cms at the base in Niseko

Its currently -15 degrees C with wind chill down to -27 up top today.
Adventure Park activities are open. 17 lifts are up and running in Hanazono/Hirafu with some top lifts possibly closing later due to wind gusts. Northerly winds tending northwesterly are forecast to be around 25km/hr and reaching 45 later in the day. Gates and Terrain Park open around 10am. Going back country ensure you have required avalanche safety gear. 
More snow is expected right into next week with some heavier falls due tonight. Chat with us about the snow on Hanazono in Niseko Japan Facebook page or on twitter. 

Friday, February 5, 2010

15cms fell overnight adding to the 400cm base we have at Hanazono 3 in Niseko2 here

Temperatures are still very cold around -12 here at the base right now and wind chill down to -33 degrees today.
Around the mountain: Adventure Park activities are open. 17 lifts are up and running. Westerly winds are forecast to be around 20 to 35km/hr. Gates and Terrain Park open around 10am. Going back country ensure you have required avalanche safety gear. 
A change has come through which has seen winds increasing and some heavier snow falling right into tomorrow. Chat with us about the snow on Hanazono in Niseko Japan Facebook page or on twitter. 

Thursday, February 4, 2010

So much snow in Niseko, around 30 up top and face shots off the groomed runs

Around the mountain: Adventure Park activities are open. 17 lifts are up and running with gates and The Hanazono Terrain Park opening around 10am. Going back country ensure you have required avalanche safety gear.  Wind chill is down to -29 with a top of -10 degrees at the base. Westerly winds should be around 20 to 25km/hr. The outlook for snow this week is looking fantastic. Temperatures are so cold that having some -20 wax on your skis or board wouldn't go astray.

Want to have a chat then check out Hanzono in Niseko Japan facebook page.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

We only had another 20cms here overnight. Fresh powder nearly everyday. It's going to be deep off piste.

17 lifts should be spinning through the day.
Wind chill is down to - 35 degrees with a day time high of - 12.
Westerly winds should be around 20 to 35km/hr.

Winds are forecast to increase on Friday.  Snow should keep falling for the remainder of the week with temperatures staying below -13 and -20 up top.

Hanazono your ultimate Niseko experience.

Deep super dry n light powder snow in Niseko now

Deep Backcountry Powder skiing and boarding in Hanazono Niseko... temps are extremly cold this week so the powder is so so dry n fluffy...

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The snow just keeps on falling in Niseko, over 15cms overnight with more up top and in the backcountry.

Around the mountain: Going off piste ensure you have all required avalanche safety gear.
All lifts and the Stomping Ground Terrain Park should be up and running.  
Wind chill is down to - 27 degrees with a day time high of - 9.
Westerly northwesterly winds should be around 15 and 25km/hr. 

Snow is forecast right through the week with temperatures down to -22 tomorrow so make sure you rug up.

The Freestyle Series Half Pipe Championships are on next weekend to register visit www.skihanazono.com 

Have just been checking the snow depth at the base in Hanazono Niseko - 225cms

The snow just keeps on falling in Niseko, over 15cms overnight with more up top and in the backcountry


Monday, February 1, 2010

It was a brilliant weekend in Niseko, events and fresh turns in the sun yesterday

We had over 10cms overnight at the base with plenty more falling up top.  Around the mountain: Adventure Park activities are open. Most lifts should be up and running with gates and Terrain Park opening around 10am. Wind chill is down to -26 with a top of -8 degrees. West northwesterly winds should be around 20 to 30km/hr.
Snow and extremely cold temperatures are expected over the next couple of days making for good dry powder falls.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Hanazono in Niseko Snow Depth at 800 metres above sea level is 345cms

Hanazono Ultimate Niseko Official snow depth on the 31st of January in Hanazono at 800 metres above sea level is 345cms... The Base at 308 in Hanazono is 200cms and the backcountry snow depth off Mt Annapuri Peak East Face is 400 cms plus. So much snow this season in Hanazono and the Pow is so so light and super dry n fluffy.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Its a calm beautiful morning in Hanazono and we had 25 cms of fresh overnight in Niseko

The Kissmark cup kicks off this morning in the Stomping Ground Half Pipe in Hanazono Niseko. 17 lifts are up and running with gates opening around 10am. Wind chill is down to -22 with a top of -5 degrees. Westerly winds tending southwesterly should be around 15 to 25km/hr. More significant snowfalls are forecast to begin late Sunday.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Checking out the snow depth at the base in Hanazono Niseko Japan


Samara is checking out the Base snow depth at Hanazono 308 (which is at 308 metres above sea level) in Niseko Japan.....





















8.74 metres = Total Fresh Snowfall since lift operation began on Nov 21st

8.1 metres =  Total Fresh Snowfall in Niseko from Dec 14th to Jan 17th

Compiled from Niseko Now! Daily Resort Snow Report on snowjapan.com

There should be some good skiing and boarding up top today in Niseko.


The outlook suggests light snowfalls right through the weekend with moderate winds which is good news for the Kissmark Cup and Hokkaido Half Pipe Championships on here at Hanazono this weekend. 17 lifts are up and running with gates and the terrain park opening around 10am. Wind chill is down to -20 with a top of -1 degrees. Westerly winds should be around 15 to 30km/hr.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

another 15cms of fresh here at the base in Hanazono Niseko with more falling up top.

Going back country, ensure you have all required safety gear.  Avalanche risks have occurred and high knowledge out there is imperative. Visit the link on skihanazono.com. front page.  Adventure Park activities are open. Lifts are subject to wind conditions today.  Wind chill is down to -32 with a top of -9 degrees. Westerly winds should be around 35 to 50km/hr.