…has been a strange one. For the first few days it did not deliver like expected. Although we still managaed the deep, delicious and blower in the preserved and reserved areas. The actual hill and common zones were still crufty with crunk and ice. Strangely it just seemed like it only snowed in the less obvious zones. That ended last weekend when it snowed a good 40cm over night in valley and blanket all of the hill with much more.
We made a brain busting decision to go to Sakka as the winds were shaking the house. When we arrived only one other car decorated the parking lot and the chair was not running and not a chair was hanging from the line. We waited and struggled with the decision made, I got a call that the Gondi was running. Oh well can’t win them all. That was until the Sakka chair opened and the Gondi shut at the same time.
Sakka slayed as good as it could with very little crowds for most of the day. As it turned out most never made the journey over and reported less than a stellar day. Other resorts never even opened the upper powder accessing chairs. Sakka was all time. Blower and so deep. Joe and Ulla found out why I live here… One of those days.
During this last cycle the mountains have been dropping its walls of snow like nobody’s business. Giant class 2 and 3’s have been dropping behind the clouds and during the heavy snow storm. It wasn’t until the skies broke for a bit that the damage showed. Luckily the weather went warmer for a half a day then snapped back cold. As the clouds broke and sun came out. It would seem as the nasty layer with the meter of snowfall over the week started to get a grip. Steep north facing lines were visited during the storm and after, they turned out to be insanely good.
It has been reported that the recent cycle has been rare and one of the nastiest the town has scene. During one run after the Silkwoods an Oji met us the bottom of the exit. With a smoke dangling from his lips he recalled when the Silkwoods slid in 1981 and took out 2 condo’s near the base of the slide path. We actually joked about it the day before as we rode by a home at its base. Weird times in the mountains with such a fine line between heaven and hell.
Joe and Ulla are in town and it has been some good fun riding with the ambitious Joe Lax. North face pillows and the Silkwoods have been in all time form, one run in the Silks was really silly. Treading through sensitive terrain and seeing the mountains come to life has made for an interesting and rewarding time.
Not a lot of media as the snow has been heavy and riding has been nonstop.
Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, about one hour before being lost in a snowstorm driving down the wrong road. Fun times.
Air Lax bashin’ some bush.
This was during the storm, the sluff scene was pretty special.
Joe respects a good pillow line and felt the need to show his love.
I respect a good photo and decided to shoot this one out of focus.
Next day was at Cortina where Matsumodo once again proved why he is my mentor.
This is at Sakka Chair on Happo where our new friend waited with us for first chair. He says to us in a cute Japanese accent “My name is Beer Skier”.
A day later Mount Jindynesia was pumping. Every crocodile hunter in town was out grabbing a white wave.
A nice Happo staff member in a red outfit waited to greet them with honor. He greeted about 40 of these snowwave riders.
Ulla’s first line down the Silkwoods.
The snowbanks grew a few feet during the storm.
This is Bender(note the tree up top). Bender deceived us and made me realize I am soft and rocks are hard. That steep doesn’t just mean steep and can mean flat. And good size airs to flat can be landed with a wheely bar but wrists and ankle will not appreciate the lesson.
We rode these in shaded light but at 1pm they go happy time.
Joe drove his old Mazda from Pemberton, he brought some snow for this rail he wants to hit.
Joe Tahoe does some powder dance on Sakka.
Here Joe takes on off the head. Volume required.
The Leafs also got Dion Phanuf. What a week.
Mangetsu owner and maker of my favorite chicken wings Gaku-san, also took to it.
This blog is published by Ian Millar. Ian currently lives in Hakuba, Japan. His path is tracked with 15 years in Whistler British Columbia, publisher of modestbike magazine, Editor in Chief of Mountain Biking magazine, managing editor at Noboard magazine as well a freelance graphic designer, writer and photographer. His current employer is F-Stop Gear where he is also a part owner.