As already mentioned, the cat and mouse game with the Ski-Patrol has become more difficult - and the cat has actually won again. The spoilsports from the Ski Patrol are now hiding and waiting for hours for mice if they have to. Very annoying as an entire ski area is now no longer accessible for me and I particularly like the forest runs there. According to unofficial sources, a previously liberal area even wants to ban and strictly control everything off-piste from next season. In many places in Japan, the people in charge simply don't understand what we freeriders want?
Tuesday was then a photo shoot with a couple of guys from the USA. Lots of fun and great professionals in front of the camera. It rained on Wednesday and Thursday, so we had time to laze around a bit and take another trip to the snow monkeys near Nagano. Some of the boys went on the slopes anyway and reported sadly poor conditions.
On Friday there was a little snow and so at least the somewhat noisy "Dust on Crust" skiing was possible again. This was followed on Saturday by a snow package that was announced as 20 cm but was then delivered with 65 cm. Once again, it went from super bad to super good and super cold within 48 hours. That's Japan!
Sunday was another glorious day, so it was time to get a grip on our fear of avalanches, which we had been carrying around with us for a week. We ventured onto the big lines and thus into the region of the big avalanche that happened there just over a week ago. Two snow profiles before the first descent increased our confidence again and we enjoyed four fantastic descents. We had to talk our colleague, who had triggered the avalanche eight days ago, into going there again. He couldn't sleep properly for days, but after today, the freeride world looks a little better for him too.
The next few days promise lots of sunshine and no fresh snow until the big warmth and the big rain come on Thursday and Friday. We're expecting the worst and are working on plan B, which is to flee to the far north to Hokkaido to enjoy the super light snow there while it rains heavily in Hakuba.
More pictures of my 8th week in Japan in the gallery
Country and people
Sorry, I can't think of anything at the moment. If you have any questions, just use the comment function and I'll answer them at the next opportunity...
Text: Patrick Fux
PS: The professional skibum Miles Clar can be seen in the action photos. You can find the link to the interview, which is well worth reading, below...
