Got up this morning to find that there was 11cm of fresh powder out there.  Myself and Edd headed on out to Whistler mountain.  We decided to hike up Pikas trail and over into the Harmony Bowl.  We hiked up to the avalanche marker and made fresh tracks into the gorgeous powder.  It was really great powder in there.  We headed on down towards the Harmony chair, but it wasn't open so headed straight to the Emerald chair and back to the hike.  We hit the fresh powder again, once again making fresh tracks.  Brilliant.

At the top of Emerald this time we decided to hit Ratfink and some tree runs.  We good but already tracked out. Around again, we headed further round and dropped into the trees above right of harmony.  Good, but still needs a lot more powder.  We decided to wait in the Harmony lift line and wait for it to open.  We lucked in and only had to wait for 2 minutes.

On the way up Harmony we decided to hit the Horseshoe 6.  As we got around to it there was two skiers scoping out the drop in.  Myself and Edd were really cheeky and did not wait.  We dropped straight in.  I hit a hard lump almost straight in and tweaked my bad ankle.  The run out however was great.  We headed over towards the Gun Barrels.  It was quite moguly here, and I tweaked my ankle even more here as I hit a big mogul before seeing it.

At the top of harmony we decided to head over into Symphony bowl.  I kept to the left and hit a rock head on and flipped.  Tweaking my ankle yet again.  Now my ankle was in real trouble.  As such we only made a couple runs down symphony before heading down the saddle and into the ski out.  Edd had work to go to and I just couldn't board any more.

Lets hope that my ankle is a bit better for tomorrow, as it is quite swollen at the moment.

Start Time: 09/02/2009 08:14:37
End Time: 09/02/2009 12:25:31
Duration: 04:10:54
Total Distance (approx): 53.8km

After some excellent advice from Will (the landlord and Level 3 instructor and park instructor) I headed straight to the Blackcomb Terrain garden and practiced my lines again and again, and built my knowledge of the jumps.  I went around the park four times just getting my lines right and pulling some straight airs with grabs, in order to get to know the park.  On the run out back to the Solar coaster chair there is a hit at the side which allowed me to pull a Half Cab (front-side 180) which I was really starting to dial down.

After these four runs Rich met me up and we hit the terrain garden together for a couple runs.  This time however I was starting to pull switch 180's on the first kicker, but still pulled the straight airs on the second.  All the time hitting the rails, boxes and benches on the way down, and continuing to hit the Half Cab before the chair.

After this we decided to hit the "Blue Park".  Oh my god!  Even the medium jumps are HUGE, especially the landing and run outs which are extremely steep.  You also had to hit each of the jumps almost straight lined!  I did however manage to hit the landing on each of the jumps but one.  Even that one I hit the transition but wasn't lines up correctly, but still managed to ride it out (eventually).  We then rode into the super pipe.  The first ride in the pipe wasn't so good, but not too bad.  I tried to remember the advice my regular riding buddy from the UK gave me (MDO), and tried to keep my front leg a bit straighter.

We headed around the blue park again.  I had a much better run this time.  Also this time I had quite a good pipe ride.  I was much higher up the transition and felt much better in the transitions.

After a spot of lunch we hit the Terrain garden again for a re-warm-up.  This time we decided to throw more spins in this time.  Rich landed his first 360 and I managed to land a really nice and floaty switch 180.  So we then repeated the run out, and again I was managing to spin on the hit and land my Half Cab.

We again went into the Blue Park.  This time Rich tried to pull a 360 on the first big jump.  He didn't quite manage it but it was a really, really good try! For myself, I hit everyone of the jumps on the way down, hitting the transition really well (on one I was leaning a bit too forward and nose pressed the landing for about 3m, before getting it down!) and just scorched through the park.

On the way up again we got a call from Chris, who had headed up Whistler Gondola.  So myself and Rich jumped into the Peak2Peak and headed over.  There was only time to charge down to Garbonzo, hitting loads of hits and jumps over rollers, before we had to ride down.  Myself and Rich decided to ride the "Ski Out" to Bayshores where the house is.  I have to say that it was very interesting sketchy and extremely narrow in places.  I will have to be much more aggressive in riding it next time, now that I know the exact route.

What an awesome days in the park!  More to follow tomorrow...

Start Time: 06/02/2009 10:08:00
End Time: 06/02/2009 16:29:25
Duration: 06:21:25
Total Distance (approx): 90.9km

Today was a day for going fast.  Well, before the slopes got too chopped up!  I just simply charged around the mountain building my self confidence over the slopes at the higher average speeds.  Harmony was especially fast today.

I headed for lunch at about 11:30 and when I finished and left the roundhouse Rich gave me a call to say that he was on his way up.  I headed on up the Peak chair and over into the Bagel Bowl.  The bowl was extremely disappointing as it was fully crusty and hard packed.  I headed on past Big Red and onto Garbonzo, then down and over to Emerald.  Despite putting in three different lifts, I was still waiting at the 'light board' for Rich.

We simply then headed on around the mountain looking for some fun areas to ride, and ended up in Symphony for a couple runs.  It was just too choppy, so we headed on over to Harmony and hit the main run down a couple times as it was fast and fun.

We rode around for a while longer and planned to head down to Creekside to buy some sushi for dinner.  However, we were mucking around too much and riding switch and throwing in some 180's that we missed the last turn that would have allowed up to get to Creekside.  We tried hitting a couple tree runs to try and get over but it wasn't happening.  We did however see people getting the Garbonzo chair and chanced it, as it was after 15:40.  We were in luck, and this time headed straight down Dave Murry all of the way to the bottom...without stopping.  Good day.

Start Time: 05/02/2009 09:24:09
End Time: 05/02/2009 16:00:17
Duration: 06:36:08
Total Distance (approx): 99.3km

Another amazing day on the slopes.  Early start again and headed out to the slopes with Edd.  We headed up the Creekside Gondola and straight over to Garbonzo via the BMX track.  Much nicer today on the BMX track.  We hit a couple runs, waiting for the Harmony and Symphony runs to open up.  When Harmony opened up we headed down the Harmony ridge for a little and then hikes up a small ridge and dropped the steeps into Hidden Chute.  It's quite a steep slope and had already been tracked so it was a little difficult to get a rhythm going.  At the bottom, both myself and Edd hit some really hard avalanche debris.  I banged my left ankle, and Edd flipped!

We headed straight on up Symphony chair and decided to hike the Flute.  We had a look at the whole ridge and ended up heading down the Flute Shoulder.  Turns out to have been an excellent idea.  The turns we made were so powder filled and our tracks were the only tracks in there.  The lines were so blinking sweet, powder filled and fast.  Once we got back to the Symphony chair and after a very quick discussion, we were again hiking the Flute Bowl.  Again we hit the Flute Shoulder.  No-one had hit it in the mean time, so it was still only our tracks, and because there is a lot of terrain to hit we laid down yet more fresh tracks.

By now it was quite late and Edd had to head off to go to work, so that left me at the bottom of Symphony.  I headed on up and rode down and over to Harmony chair and around to the Round House as I really needed a drink and some lunch.

After lunch I headed on over to Blackcomb over the Peak2Peak.  My intention was to hit some runs and I then ended up in the Terrain Garden.  Today I was getting some good straight airs, but with a lot of grabs.  Managed that quite a few times before the last lift.  Headed on straight down the mountain and closed out the day.

Start Time: 03/02/2009 08:21:40
End Time: 03/02/2009 15:52:04
Duration: 07:30:24
Total Distance (approx): 97.9km

Today I finally took the plunge and bought some backcountry safety gear.  With all the off-piste riding, tree runs, hiking and general avalanche risks I thought it was time.  This is what I bought:

Ortovox D3 Avalanche Transceiver

Weight: 247g

The triple antenna system on this digital beacon allows precise, pin-point location of signals. Display uses three direction arrows, numerical distance LEDs and multiple burials indicator.

• Carrying system includes cover and elastic straps.
• Single button twists to change from transmit to receive.
• Earphone jack (earphones not included).
• Dimensions are 130 x 80 x 25mm.
• Nominal range is 40m.
• Normal battery life transmits for 300 hours, receives for 40 hours.
• Uses 2 AA batteries (included). Battery strength indicator.
• Meets European Standard EN 300 718.

G3 AviTech Shovel

Weight: 760g (Std)

This is a strongly-built shovel; the connector tube and blade have been heat-treated after welding to relieve residual stresses and produce a rugged shaft-to-blade interface.

• Blade is made from 6061 T6 aluminum.
• Silver anodized aluminum shaft.
• D-grip handle for easy grip; it features a unique ice axe loop attachment point.
• Handle and blade are red for easy location in the snow.
• Dry-stash compartment in handle.
• Multiple slots in the blade allow easy attachment to pack, rigging an emergency rescue sled with skis, or rigging as a deadman snow anchor.
• Available in two versions: ultralight short or longer telescoping handle.

Black Diamond Quick Draw 230cm Carbon Fiber Probe

Weight: 212g

Lightweight and easily packable, this ultra-rigid, large diameter carbon probe has speed bullets for rapid assembly. The velcro closure on the stuff sack pulls open quickly so you can deploy it in just seconds.

• Made of light, tough carbon fibre.
• Marked every 5cm under clearcoat.
• Ideal for professional use.
• Diameter is 1.3cm.
• Packed length is 44cm.
• Assembled length is 230cm.
• Includes stuff sack.

The day started early and proved to be a good idea.  I woke up to find that the forecast was wrong at saying 1-2cm, but instead was 14cm.  Great!  I headed on out with Edd and we headed on straight up Whistler and over to Franzs.  We tore up the powder and it was the best snow of the season for me so far!  At the bottom of the Franz chair, we dropped immediate left into the trees and had more deep powder, but in the trees.  It was quite a job in there as all of the turns and bumps meant you had to be really aggressive in order to get those turns in and not hit the trees or huge bumps.

After that I took Edd to the BMX track that Chris showed me the other day.  We were the first to hit the track and as such it was a bit difficult to keep your speed.  However we both loved it, and intend to go hit it again in the future.  I did intend to hit it as a late run in the day but that didn't happen.

We headed on up Garbonzo and then headed down upper Dave Murray.  It was quite good but a bit tracked already.  We then headed on over to the other BMX track that has a BIG drop at the end.  It was better than it was the other day and much easier to ride.  Near the bottom of it however, as I went into one of the burns, I clipped a rock and flipped.  No damage to me or the board, thankfully.

We headed back up Big Red and then headed over to the top of Emerald and hiked up the cat track until we met the avalanche signs (as Harmony wasn't open yet).  We then dropped some really sick powder lines down and past Harmony.  We rode past Emerald as the lines were huge.  So, back up Garbonzo.  We again headed on down Dave Murry but the lines were really tracked, but still some good powder to be had.

Once again we headed back up Big Red and then did the little hike up past Emerald again for more lines.  This time the avalanche signs were higher up the cat-track so it opened up some more terrain.  It didn't fail us, as we put down some really good lines in there again.  This time, we noticed that people were waiting at the Harmony chair and decided to give it a try.

We arrived at about 11:20, and unfortunately the lift just did not look to be opening up for Edd, so he had to head down as he had work to go to.  After the usual snowball fight, the chair eventually opened at 12:10...it was just SO worth it!  I immediately headed down Harmony Ridge and straight into the McCools Couloir and simply dropped straight into it, no messing...I must admit that the time I spent in the air I was a little surprised at just how long it was.  No idea of just how big the drop was, but bigger than my normal.  I put in a few turns, and I triggered a small slab avalanche.  Thankfully as I was one of the first on Harmony and there was no-one below me, there wasn't and problem.  So I maxed it down to Harmony again.

At the top of Harmony it turned out that the Symphony chair was open and so I headed down Burnt Stew trail (couldn't see a darned thing as it was quite wet and the snow was sticking and meting on the goggles...no matter how much you wiped, you were limited for visibility).  There were so many un-tracked ways to get down.  So I did it again, and again and again.

On the fourth time, I hit the line for the lift, but it had stopped/broken down.  For ages (and again the usual snowball fight) everyone waited, and waited.  However it just wasn't going to go.  So everyone who was there (about 300 people) had to take the hike out.  Not good.  I was knackered already, but to have to hike out really took it out of me.

Eventually got onto the Harmony chair and blindly made my way down the saddle, and straight down the mountain.  On getting close to the top of the Creekside gondola I contemplated taking the gondola down.  I just couldn't face myself if I did that so took the run down.  It was really knackering as the snow further down was really sticky and heavy.  Was glad to get down save and sound.

Start Time: 02/02/2009 09:04:37
End Time: 02/02/2009 15:33:16
Duration: 06:28:39
Total Distance (approx): 41.0km

Myself, Chris and Koko had decided to go to Sanosaka today.  However, it also turned out that Wayne, Sandra and Mitch with Adrian also wanted to go, so we all got a lift and rode together for most of the day.  The powder and crowding over in Sanosaka was unbelievable.  It was also a cheap day for men on a Wednesday.  You have to take quite a few lifts and runs over and over to get through all of the three different mountain resorts.  The powder was really nice, deep and fresh.  We could have run all kinds of powder lines all day.

Mitch took us up and into a tree run that was just off a closed piste run (apparently this run has been closed for about 20 years, because of an accident all those years ago!).  The tree runs were so full of powder and you could choose your lines through, as long as you have loads of confidence.  Must admit that my confidence wasn't as high as it has been through the trees but is was all good.

The last run of the day was the best.  It was a really long ride down to the bottom and practically straight.  We all just pointed our boards down the slope and just went for it.  Really fast, if a little bumpy.  I'd recommend for people who come to Hakuba to go to Sanosaka often, as it was empty and had loads of powder runs to take.

Headed out for a ride on Saturday as the snow had been falling all night, and I also had a forced day off in the week.  I decided to head on out over to Happo One as I hadn't been there for a while.

The weather was atrocious with full blizzard and white out conditions.  I got all the way to the top and couldn't see a thing.  I knew where I wanted to head and gingerly made my way over to "Sky Line".  At the top of Sky Line I headed to the very right and found what I was looking for.  On the very far right there are some brilliant tree runs.  With the threes there it also provides better visibility as there is a contrast between the snow and trees.  My confidence in my riding made for the tree runs to be much faster and a lot more scary .  I basically hit the same run again and again taking different lines through the trees.  I did actually clip a few trees on the way and cause a few snow slides (but in a very safe and controlled area!).

The weather and my now well worn jacket conspired to me calling it quite an early end to the day.  After 13:30 I was soaked through.  I headed on down the mountain and stayed in the Happo One Ski School to dry off a little.  By the time I dried off I was just simply too tired so called it a day.

Hike in the morning.  Myself, Chris, Koko and AJ went straight on over to Goryu and straight to the top of the mountain.  We had decided to hike to the top of the Goryu mountain, which we proceeded to do.  It was a very, very hot day today to do a hike and it was a tougher hike than the last time.  The view from the top however on a blue-bird day made up for that fact.  I headed off first, followed by AJ, Koko and Chris followed up the rear.  The ride down this time was more fun, as I pushed it a little more than the last time.  Everyone had a good ride however, and AJ said that his heart was really beating through the exilaration (he hadn't done anything like this before!).

We headed straight on down to the Escal plaza by going the straight route down the mountain.  It was nearly lunch time and we had only technically managed one run .

After lunch we put some runs through the Iimori park.  I was getting more confident on the first jump and was getting to the point of not scrubbing any speed off.  My rail, pipe-rail, and other jumps were all riding well and I was even tempted to try the 'drum tap' jump, but chickened out and jumpy popped the air instead.

After that we headed on over to Hakuba 47.  Whilst on the hike I had noticed that there was an extra out of bounds, through the trees run that we could take that leads onto the green cat trail.  So we headed on over into it and experienced some absolutely great 'silk like' powder through the trees.  There were now some big drops back down onto the cat trail, so they were a bit knarly to undertake but still great.

We then took some runs around Hakuba 47 and also through the park.  The park has been completely re-shaped from the last time I went through and the jumps had gone from a good decent size up to massive.  Had my first big crash on the first jump.  Came in switch and had planned to do a front side 180.  Just didn't spin enough and landed a 90 and ended up going face first down the transition "scorpion" style.  Still, no damage done.

We then headed on back up to the top of the mountain so Chris and Koko could pick up their backpack.  We were all feeling pretty beat so we headed right to the top and walked around the cat-walk to our favorite powder field.  We all just straight lined it all the way to the bottom without stopping once.  Really exhilarating, especially given the speed we were getting. Speed is your friend!

Then end of a tiring but great day. 

Today got of to a real slow start.  Let's just say that yesterdays "couple of beers" turned into some 10 hours of drinking!  *ugh*  I did however get up and dragged AJ on over to Iwatake on the 09:30 bus.  First time for either of us over at Iwatake.  What I can say is that whilst the runs are not very long, they are very wide and open, and there is a load of jibbing to be had all over the place.  Also because of the Japanese mentality of following the rules rigidly, there was loads of powder to be had for us less rully   It's also a perfect resort for those beginner and novice riders with its wide open terrain.

The day started off with is simply cruzing down the slopes looking for hits and powder stashes.  Ideal hangover riding.  We then proceeded to take runs all over the place and I believe that we managed to ride the complete mountain.

We also hit the park in Iwatake.  I do however have to say that given the level of the average rider over there at the time the park was way to big in it's hits.  The very first jump has a very long table on it, and no matter what I did, and riding straight lined from the top, I couldn't get past the knuckle.  The spine however was in great conditions and I made some good hit's from it, along with the bench and rails.  Unfortunately AJ did manage to fall off the rail and bang his head, nothing serious though thank goodness.  We went around again, but it had effected his confidence a little so we decided to hit some more runs.

We simply made our way around the mountain looking for interesting features to hit and powder to ride.  There was just so much to be had!  We even took a ride in switch all the way down one of the upper slopes and practiced our 180's.

Eventually however, the hangover and tiredness caught up and we caught the 16:20 bus out of there.  I might have to go back to Iwatake later, especially when there is another big powder dump, as there is just so much that has not been touched (but we would be breaking the rules!").

Powder, powder, powder!

There was a huge dump over night.  Some 20-30cm, and as I was up and early I had the best of it.  Myself, Chris, Koko, Dan and Louka all got the bus over to Iimori.  We arrived so early that the lift wasn't even open!  We shortly got up on the lift however, and the powder was just so deep and sweet.  We made lines through the trees, piste and just everywhere.

The Goryu gondola wasn't running to begin with, but that was no problem as we made the most of the Iimori side, until we saw the gondola start to move.  As such we headed on over and caught the line quick enough so that we were only a few gondolas from being first.

Up top however, it was obvious that there was a load of gusty wind and the top lifts weren't really running.  Again, this did not really matter as we just hit everything we could.  There was a really good double drop pillow hit near the top of the gondola that I managed to hit with good confidence and speed. Magic!  We did as much of the top as we could, riding is some bottom-less powder.  Even the mogul runs down to the base were great and you could really hit the bottom bowl with a lot of speed and just crash through the snow (with loads of weight on the back foot to counter the deep, deep snow).

After lunch the winds were really getting up and the guys had all decided to call it a day, as the good stuff had been tracked out.  I decided to give the gondola another go on my own, and was glad to see that the run over to Hakuba 47 was open, so I took it.  A mistake!

Hakuba 47 at the top gets the wind really bad.  On the way down the double black diamond the wind was so strong, and whipping up the snow so bad that I was getting battered and couldn't even see the board on my feet!  I had to stop there for a bit, as I really could not see a thing, and in the moguls and near the trees it's not a good thing.  I also stopped because a woman had lost here ski in the deep snow and was there on here own.  I stayed until she found her ski and then carried on.

I spend the rest of the day just going up and around all of Hakuba 47 and also the park.  I am really starting to like the park in 47.  The snow in parts was so deep, but wind swepped that you could be in waist deep powder on second and then on scoured ice the next.  After a few hours of taking a battering with the wind, I decided to call it a day...but what a day

Woke up this morning with a might headache.  Probably through dehydration.  I had drunk about 4 liters of water yesterday but probably still not enough, given the altitude and all the exersise.  Unfortunately it stayed with me all day.

Got up this morning and discovered that there was loads of fresh snow on the ground.  So obviously made an effort to try and get out there earlier.  Didn't quite succeed, and again got the 09:30 bus.

The new snow fall was really nice light powder.  The bad news was that it had fallen onto yesterdays choppy runs, and as such it was very, very quickly quite hard going.  It was also snowing all through the day, and currently at 21:00 here is still snowing, if some what rather pitifully now.  Let's hope it's snowing better up the mountain.

Like on any powder day, you can't stop for anyone and you have to try and find those lines quickly.  As there is very little off piste allowed here in Happo One, nearly all the fresh tracks were taken really quite early.  However as the snow was falling all day, things soon filled back up again, only to be ridden again.

I spent most of my day looking for areas where there wasn't the multitude of the weekend warriors.  And also on the look out for more terrain.  I also made a considerable effort to make sure that my technique was good today.  Earlier in the day it' didn't start off great, but those snow legs soon came into their own.  I was soon riding the chop better than I have ever done.  My angulation and inclanation was nearly always spot on.  This made for some really successful riding, as I charged through the chop and powder with less effort and more style than previous.

I must admit that I spent most of the day riding to be what I have found to be the best run in Happo.  I took a couple runs over one side above the ridge and in the trees, but it was hugely tracked out and really quite icy in places.  The other side was quite moguled.  It is something I do have to say about happo, is that there are a lot of moguls around the place.

I ended up going down this really nice cat track and ended up at the far right (looking at the piste map) of the resort where I had lunch.  With my iPod video, I find that whilst eating lunch, I can also watch part of a movie.  Todays movie was the start of Pirates of the Carribean. 

After lunch I just headed back up to my favorite run (need to remember the name of the thing and update this blog entry!).  Did that for a while, headed to the top of the resort, did a few runs there and was heading down the left most run when I decided that my legs had had enough for the day.  So I continued down to wait for the bus.  Unfortunately I had missed the bus by a couple minutes and had to wait a while for the next one.  Thankfully there are heated cabins that you can wait in.

I earlier posted that I was planning to go snowboarding for Winter 2008 in Hakuba, Japan.  Well, it's all booked!

My current work contract finishes on Friday 25th January.  So, on the Friday night I plan to go out on the piss with friends.  To fly to Japan takes 12 hours and you arrive the next day due to the time difference.  So, rather than flying on a Saturday and arriving on a Sunday, or traveling to London on a Sunday I thought that I would leave departing the UK until the Monday 28th.  I fly out with Virgin Atlantic on the Monday 28th to Tokyo-Narita airport and arrive the next day.

I've always, since I was a kid wanted to visit Tokyo.  This is the perfect opportunity to do so.  So, I've planned for a couple nights stay in Tokyo at a hotel near Shimbashi station.  I plan to do some of the usual touristy things, and more specifically since I am a geek who likes to drink I'll be going to Shinjuku for the gadgets and Roppongi for the nightlife.

Then on Friday 1st February I'll be heading to Hakuba where I'll be staying with Mitch who runs a backpacker hotel called www.snowbedstravel.com for 28 days.  Man are they cheap, and they come extremely highly recommended from "Rodo" a friend of mine.

You should check out the snow reports for the resort.  Oh my dizzy aunt, there is so much snow.  In the last 3 days there has been some 300cm of snow!

Then when the sad day comes on Thursday 28th February, I'll start heading back to old blighty.  It would be too much trouble getting from Hakuba easily and making the flight, so I decided to stay in a hotel near Narita airport for the night then fly the next day, the Friday 29th February.

Again, because of the time zone difference I'll arrive back in the UK, still mid-day on the Friday 29th February, just in time to go out on the piss with friends again

Let me know where you are going for this winter, or if you are heading over to Japan around the same time, let me know as I'm always willing to meet up.

I was browsing around the small set of Web sites that I frequent, when I came across an article on the BBC that detailed how a man who skied nearly 200ft down the longest escalator on the London Underground.

He launched himself down the 196ft (60m) escalator at Angel Tube station and filmed the stunt.

You can watch the video here.