Learn to Ski or Snowboard in Australia for $1

Melbourne (VIC), Australia - The Snow Australia Club, operated by the Australian Ski Areas Association (ASSA), is launching a program to learn to ski or snowboard across Australia for only AU $1.

Mt. Hotham

The one day package includes the use of beginner lifts and a beginner lesson for skiing or snowboarding and will be redeemable at Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass, Selwyn Snowfields, Mount Buller, Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Baw Baw. Lake Mountain will also participate in the one dollar promotion offering something special for people who do not wish to ski or snowboard, including resort entry (value AU$40 per vehicle) and a cross-country ski lesson package including a 90 minute lesson, all day ski rental and a trail pass.

The program requires registration at www.snow-australia.com between August 21 and August 27. You then have from September 12 to 18 to redeem your voucher at the resort of your choice.

ASSA officials acknowledge that the program is designed to combat growing competition resulting from a flood of marketing from New Zealand’s ski resorts in Australia.

Secret Powder Tips by Nigel Abbott - What is Active Pole Planting?

There are three key skills to a great pole plant.
1. The foundation of a great pole plant starts with the position of your arms, they should be held at least hip height and within the field of vision. Arm positions have varied over the years depending on what is happening with the teaching styles, but if you look at a racer, they are always striving to drive their arms forward....why? Because that is the path of travel.
Arms should be held relaxed and quiet to ensure your upper body remains quiet, this will also give your legs a powerful and stable platform to work from.

This is a fine example of perfect arm positioning, note the effect this has on his upper body.




2. Next is your pole straps and they and should always be worn correctly. Firstly, the hand is inserted through the strap and then you clasp the grip with the strap between your thumb and forefinger. This gives you a swing point or a hinge that allows the pole to be swung out and controlled by your fingers with minimal effort. Try practising this while you are standing still and see how smooth you cam make the action and how far you can reach the pole ahead of you. Remember, the only movement is coming from the wrist.
3. The last skill is related to where you actually plant the tip of the pole into the snow. I always say "plant it into the future", that being somewhere towards your ski tips and in the direction of where your upper body is facing. If you are on steep terrain, then you will be planting well down the slope to aid with turn initiation. It is important that once your hand moves past the point where your pole was inserted into the snow, you don't drop your arm, this will maintain a quiet upper body.
A great pole plant will help you with:

• A quiet upper body.
• A stable platform to initiate your turn.
• Good timing and rhythm with your turns.

One thing that I despise is a lazy pole plant and comes in many forms. It is a good habit and will help your technique immensely if you aim for a perfect pole plant every turn. This is a good example of a quality pole plant in POW.

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

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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

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

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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

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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.

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

http://nisekopowderconnection.reslogic.com/

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

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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. 

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

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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. 

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

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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. 

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

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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.

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Funny faceshots of powder in Hanazono Niseko

Haruka powder tubing in the Hanazono bowl...

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.