This story was written by Yuji Akiyama
Translated by Yumiko Mori
Although as most of you already have known that I am working as a Guide based out of the Canadian Rockies, recent increasing popularity of "Japow" -Japanese powder snow-has been kept me busy in carrying out a couple of Japan tours. Usually it starts from the middle of January.This post is for some of you who are interested in the behind the scenes of those tours.
●Tour A
Period: Jan 21st to 28th (8 Days)
Location : 4nights in Hakuba and three 3 nights at Nakanoyu at Kamikouchi
Guests : 8(4 Canadians and 4 Americans) All skiers
Course: Wakakuri Ridge, Mt.Hiyodori from Tsugaike Kougen,Kamijyou,Mt. Oonagi, south and north face of Mt Abou,Mt. Yake to Kamikouchi via Nakahorizawa
Conclusions :
To my surprise, Hakuba had significantly less amount of snow in this year and this had made me worried up until the begging of the tour. Fortunately two days before our trip started they got 40cm of fresh snow to start and then 60cm,30cm and 20 cm respectively for the following days. Also all the participants for this tour are all experienced skiers so we didn't have any problems due to the skill discrepancies.
●Tour B
Period : Jan 29th to Feb 5th (8Days)
Locations : 4 nights in Hakuba and 3 nights Nakanoyu at Kamikouchi
Guests : 8(3 British, 2 Swiss, 3 Belgian)
Course:North of Cortina, Traverse from Tsugaike Kougen to Norikura Ski Resort via Mt.Hiyodori, Happou Ridge, Mt. Oonagi, North face of Mt. Abou and Sightseeing at Hida-Takayama(Due to the down pouring rain at the mountains)
Conclusions : Since we just successfully completed previous tour that was blessed with heaps of powder snow, our team went on the second tour with a great deal of confidence. However we were welcomed by a much warmer weather at Hakuba this time and realized that this had changed the quality of the snow into more damp one. It was like creamy textured power rather than the light and deep powder that I expected like the initial tour. I know this might be inevitable situation especially in Japan. We experience tons of snow all the time during the winter, the quality of those fresh snow wouldn't remain for such a long time. Luckily the frequent snow often pile up on those old ones and refreshes but within a nice and warm day the quality of the snow changes drastically.
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| Piled up snow on the sides of the street |
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| Introducing members of the tour A |
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| Sneak peek of a Japanese Inn's room |
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Shirouma Inn at Shirouma
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| An hour of Becon lesson on the first day of the tour |
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| Powderrrrr!!!!! |
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| Leaving Hakuba for Kamikouchi |
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| Used two cars, one if for guests and the other is for the luggage |
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| Lunch at a Soba noodle restaurant |
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| Japanese full course meals everyday |
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| Beautiful tranquility in Japanese forests |
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| After dropping guests at Matsumoto, two Guides enjoyed themselves as a tourist |
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| Tour B's meeting |
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| At Mt. Oonagi |
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| Fantastic weather on the day of Wakaguri Traverse |
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| Japanese beech tree soothes you after long days of skiing |
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| We chose this place as a Guide meeting's location |
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If you see yourself as an adventurous person, try this Natto- Fermented soy beans
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They all bought Japanese Mountaineering Quality Brand "Montbell" Jackets
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| Went for sightseeing on the last day of the tour (Hida-Takayama) |
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| $70 Hidagyu Lunch set |
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| Experimenting on various sakes night after night... |
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| Trying Japanese traditional Inn's house coat |
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