Niseko Avalanche Information - 2011.02.23

Grand Hirafu: Top - 395 Bottom - 200 Niseko Village: Top - 390 Bottom - 200Annupuri: Top - 350 Bottom - 220

All gates scheduled to open this morning, peak gates 2 & 3 at 9:30. Seek for ski patrol’s advice at the gates. Annupuri peak 6am: -8℃ and SSW13m/s wind. The southerly wind that started blowing from yesterday is slowly picking up. There is no new snowfall and the slopes are tracked out. Sun-exposed slopes surface are re-frozen during early morning and are in a difficult condition for skiing. Be careful and remain in control. The temperature is forecasted to rise above 0℃ at the base of the mountain again today. Beware also of glide-cracks (crevasses) that are hardly noticeable from above. There have been few reports of avalanches occurring from Feb 18th layer (1000m NE and NW slopes of Mt. Yotei). The surface snow density and weight is increasing due to the sun-effect and high temperature. Similar conditions avalanches are still to be considered, especially in south facing steep faces and other slopes where distinctive snow-layers are still present.

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.

Amazing Contest in Niseko Japan

THE BEST WINTER OF YOUR LIFE

想像を超えるような楽しい冬をニセコで過ごしませんか。
スキーやスノーボードレッスンでスキルアップしながら賞品(金)を手にしニセコでの冬を満喫してみてはいかがでしょうか。
このキャンペーンの勝者はニセコ花園のリゾートアンバサダーとして2009-2010冬季シーズン活躍して頂きます。

内容

* スノーリポートビデオを日本語で毎日行う
* 週刊ビデオブログの作成
* シーズンを通してプロのスキー＆スノーボードレッスンを受けスキルを上げる
* プレゼンテーションスキルの向上
* リゾート及びスポンサーのプロモーション
* 多くの楽しい人たちに出会える
* 自分を磨き英語のスキルアップ

賞品

* 花園リゾートの顔としてリゾートアンバサダーになって頂きます
* 賞金100万円
* NISS⁺の指導の下スキー/スノーボードのレッスンを受けられます
* K2からスキーもしくはスノーボードが提供されます
* BURTONからウェアを提供されます
* フォーシーズンズホテル丸の内東京宿泊券（2泊）
* ニセコフォトグラフィーからシーズン中のフォト/ビデオアルバム“Your Winter”をプレゼント
* シーズン中Lavazzaコーヒー及びSoyjoyプレゼント
⁺日本ハーモニー・リゾート(株)の主催するスキースクール Niseko International Snowsports School

HANO SLOPESTYLE PRO #4 – PRESENTED BY QUIKSILVER

HANAZONO STOMPING GROUND, NISEKO, JAPAN
¥200,000 PRIZE MONEY UP FOR GRABS
MARCH14th 2009

EVENT SCHEDULE
Entries close at 4pm Friday 13th March.

NOTE:- a maximum of 60 men SB + 60 women SB, Skiers and Grommet’s will be taken, so please be quick to enter to avoid disappointment.

Saturday
March 14th. 7:45am 9:00am Registration & Bib distribution- Hanazono Restaurant
9:00am 9:15am Park/ Course Inspection (Side slipping only, no fast riding)
Warm-up 9:15am 9:55am Park/ Course Open for Training (Speed/ Landing Checks etc.)
10:00am Riders Meeting (Riders Area, bottom of Hanazono Stomping Ground)

QUALIFYING 10:30am – 11:30am Heat # 1 (Womens SB + All Skiers)
11:40am Heat #1 Qualifying Results Posted at Riders Area
11:40am – 12:40pm Heat # 2 (Mens SB)
12:50am Heat #2 Qualifying Results Posted at Riders Area
12:50pm – 1:20pm Park/ Course Open for Training (Speed/ Landing Checks etc.- Final
Qualifiers Only)

FINALS 1:30pm – 1:40pm Women SB Final- “1st Run”
1:42pm – 1:56pm Men’s SB Final- “1st Run”
1:58pm – 2:08pm Skiers Final- “1st Run”
2:15pm – 2:25pm Women SB Final- “2nd Run”
2:27pm – 2:41pm Men’s SB Final- “2nd Run”
2.43pm Skiers Final- “2nd Run”
4pm Presentations- Outside “Hanazono 308”

*Note – all times are subject to change according to competitor numbers, weather and course maintenance.

*Note – Riders area will be set up at the base of the park – please check this area for updates to event information.

LOCATIONS
Event registration FUSION Retail Store- Hirafu, Hanazono- Hanazono 308
Stomping Ground Event
Event presentation Hanazono 308 – Outside

DIVISIONS
Open Men Snowboard Grommet SB Boys ENTRY FEES 2,500 yen
Open Women Snowboard Grommet SB Girls
Open Skiers Grommet Skiers

FORMAT

* Riders will be split into 2 heats which will each run for 60 minutes
* Heat #1 Skiers & Female SB
* Heat #2 male Snowboard
* Top 6 Open Female SB & Top 4 Female Grommet SB + Top 6 Open Skiers & Top 4 Grommet Skiers
will advance to the Finals from Heat #1
* Top 10 Male Snowboarders & Top 4 Male SB Grommet’s will advance to the Finals from Heat #2
* Finals will consist of 2 judged runs with their best scored run only being taken for final placing
* Riders will be cleared to drop by the starter only.
* Lowest Bib number will drop first at start of heat. In the finals, start order for the 2nd run will be reversed.

PRIZE POOL Total Cash Pool of ¥200,000
Men’s Snowboard winner- ¥70,000
Women’s Snowboard winner- ¥60,000
Skiers winner- ¥70,000
Grommet (1994 or later) Boys / Girls- Quicksilver Products

ENTRY
Download Adult Entry Form
Download Junior Entry Form
Fusion @ Hirafu
NISS Desk @ Hanazono 308
NHR Office – Phone 0136 21 6655 Fax 0136 21 66 57
events@harmonyresorts.com

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 12.03.09

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First tracks will be amazing this morning. The last 24hrs has seen wintry conditions return once again.  The resorts have been blanketed in powder snow overnight. Visibility will be variable with snow continuing in the morning and a  mostly cloudy day ahead.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 11.03.09

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Scattered snow showers started to fall at around 11am yesterday becoming heavier overnight. Snow has covered the resort and there was around 15cms to wake up to here at the base with more falling up top. Temperatures were below zero overnight. Moderate westerly wind conditions may see some top lifts closed. Wind chill should see temperatures down to around minus 23 up top with a maximum temperature of -4 degrees at the base.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 10.03.09

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Yesterday was a partly cloudy day and we had some snow about the peak overnight. Generally light winds this morning should see most lifts spinning with winds are likely to increase this afternoon. Freezing level is at 400 metres and should drop to 0 by this afternoon. Wind chill should see temperatures down to around minus 16 up top with a maximum temperature of 1 degree at the base.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 09.03.09

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Strong winds over the weekend have eased off and it should be a great day of skiing and boarding. The terrain is compact on groomed runs and wind swept in some areas. The Terrain Park is in top condition with competitors practising for Saturday's Hanazono Slope Style no 4. presented by Quiksilver. All runs and lifts are expected to be up and running. Wind chill should see temperatures down to around minus 11 up top with a maximum temperature of 2 degrees at the base. Visibility is variable.

Niseko Hanazono TV : Wild Bills restaurant review

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Samara Tanton samples some of the amazing Tex Mex food & cocktails at the famous Wild Bills restaurant in Niseko Japan...

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 03.03.09

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There was no sign of spring yesterday except some sensational sunshine in the afternoon. It was a chilli night with over 10cms settling at the base. The terrain is powdery overall and visibility is variable with low cloud at times. Light west south westerly wind conditions around 15km/hr should see most lifts operational with the Stomping Ground Terrain Park open by mid morning. Wind chill will bring temperatures down to around -18 with a maximum temperature of -2 degrees.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 02.03.09

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A bluebird day yesterday for the first day of spring with fresh snow falling the past 2 evenings.  We had around 10cms here at the base overnight and snow is still falling.  The terrain is around a foot in depth off piste, powdery and compact on groomed runs.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 28.02.09

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I love Niseko. We have had some great days of fresh to wake up to.  The terrain is a little tracked out this morning. However with some more snow on its way we should hopefully see these areas filled once again. Most lifts should be up and running for the week with the Stomping Ground Terrain Park open mid mornings. Average temperatures are forecast to be around -9 and increasing to -3 mid week. Wind chill will bring temperatures down to -20 up top.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 27.02.09

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Temperatures were below zero overnight and we had 15cms here at the base. The snow keeps on falling so the terrain is powdery and yesterdays tracks are being filled.

All runs, lifts and Terrain Parks are expected to be up and running.  Wind chill should see temperatures down to around minus 17 with a maximum temperature of 0 degrees at the base. South westerly winds should be around 30km/hr and gusting up top.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 26.02.09

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Another magnificent day out! Fresh tracks were found yesterday with a clearing in the afternoon for great visibility. There was a dusting overnight and it should be a mostly cloudy day ahead with snow falling.

Below zero temperatures overnight and we should see a minimum of -13 with a maximum of -5 degrees today. Wind chill will bring temperatures down to -23. Visibility is variable with low cloud at times.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 25.02.09

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Temperatures were below zero overnight, and the terrain is fresh and powdery with over 20cms falling last night. However a little heavy on the lower part of the mountain. All runs, lifts and Terrain Parks are expected to be up and running. Wind chill should see temperatures down to around minus 16 with a maximum temperature of minus 1 degree in the village areas.  Westerly winds should be generally light this morning at around 15 to 25km/hr. Visibility is variable with low cloud. Going off piste, have required safety gear and respect the Niseko rules. Patrollers are working hard to keep you safe so for updates and gate status check with patrol and lift stations.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 24.02.09

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Great conditions in Niseko with snow forecast to fall throughout the day.  Temperatures were zero overnight, and the terrain is powdery, tracked in some areas and compact on groomed runs.   All runs, lifts and Terrain Parks are expected to be up and running.  Wind chill should see temperatures down to around minus 16 with a maximum temperature of minus 2 degrees.  Westerly winds due south westerly should be generally light this morning at around 20km/hr and possibly reaching gale force by this afternoon.   Visibility is variable with low cloud at times.  Going back country in Niseko, have required safety gear and respect the Niseko rules. Patrollers are working hard to keep you safe so for updates and gate status check with patrol and lift stations.

Niseko Hanazono Snow Report 23.02.09

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The terrain is powdery and compact on groomed runs. North north westerly winds  conditions around 15km/h should see most lifts spinning across all resorts and the Stomping Ground Terrain Park open by mid morning.  Wind chill will bring temperatures down to around minus 21 with a maximum temperature of  -5 degrees.   Going back country, understand what is potentially dangerous snow and  how to use required safety gear.  Avalanche hazards a very considerable from the past storm and wind.  For more detailed information, gate status visit niseko.nardare/info or check with patrol.

Hanazono Niseko Hokkaido Halp Pipe Championships

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