DallaSnowfinder #005 - Sapporo Kokusai

January 30, 2009
I woke up later than usual today because it was mostly clear and sunny and Sapporo Kokusai only received about 10+ cm so I wasn't in a huge hurry.  This would have been an excellent day for hiking into the backcountry however, I was riding solo today so it wasn't a good idea plus I don't know the area well enough yet.  There's plenty of other areas at Kokusai that I do know about after riding with Ryuta, Hidez, Yusei, Jiro, and Yoshiko last season.  So I hit up one of those spots.  No surprise that only one other person had been there before me.  It was almost 11:00 am.   So I carved it up in there for the rest of the morning and called it a day.

DallaSnowfinder #004 - Teine Highland

January 21, 2009

Welcome to Teine!

My apartment is just 40 minutes from the Teine Highland parking lot.  Its a great place to go for some early morning turns if you have to work in the afternoon or evening.  When I go to Teine, its all about the backcountry area.  Although the backcountry courses are short, those cascading valleys are spilling fluffy white powder all over their edges.  On really big snow days, such as this one where Teine received 40+ cm, I like to take it into the trees as the landscape in some parts just looks alien.

DallaSnowfinder #003 - Kiroro Snow World

January 18, 2009

Kiroro Snow World is just that - a world of snow.  Kiroro claims to get the most snow in Hokkaido and with a seasonal snowfall of between 9 - 13 meters, it is quickly becoming one of Japan's most popular resorts.  Kiroro also has one of the longest courses in Japan stretching 4 km.

An overnight powdering of 25+ cm made this another picture perfect day.  I highly recommend the steep tree runs, accompanied by sudden drops and small chutes.  A true thrill ride.

DallaSnowfinder #002 - Rusutsu

January 14, 2009

This place is just awesome.  Spread across three peaks, Rusutsu has enough terrain to keep you entertained for days, if not a week or more.  I experienced the best powder conditions of my life here last season when a storm dumped 70+ cm overnight, then allowed a little sun to poke through just as I arrived in the parking lot.  The fact that I arrived at all is a miracle.  Big ups to Masa for getting me there safe!

While this seasons first trip to Rusutsu was not quite as epic as last season, Shane and I still enjoyed  25+ cm of fresh powder on the day.

DallaSnowfinder #001 - Chisenupuri

January 12, 2009

What a great way to start off my '09 snowboard season!  40+ cm at my secret powder paradise known as Chise.  Epic tree runs and no lift lines!  Perhaps it's the smell of sulphur rising into the air from a nearby hot spring, following  you up the lone chair lift, that keeps the masses from chewing up all the powder before noon.

This is also a great place to bring your snowshoes as Chise is surrounded by two tree-less peaks just waiting to be scared up by first tracks.