21st March 2008
Morning broke over Yotei with the gift of another sublime Spring day, this one maybe the best so far. A gently warming sunshine in perfect concert with the most delicious cool breeze afforded the village atmosphere a ripe fecund crispness not found during winter. This breeze gave little indication of its stronger counterpart on the peak that closed the top lifts and Hanazono for a short period this morning. But this afternoon all lifts are open, the groomed runs are looking the best they have for weeks, and there's even a hint of new fresh forecast for early next week

photo:Altus

Fubuki

18th - 20th March 2008
Spring time aint so bad after all....a soft light breeze, overcast skies and the rain drenched mush of the last week has set into a nice soft surface. There's still an abundance of snow out there so don't give in to the temptation to call this one over - sure it isn't powder but the groomers are cranking again and look nicely populated. Fingers crossed for a dusting overnight and with temperatures forecast to drop over the next few days we'll be able to squeeze every last bit of juice out of this season yet...

photo: Altus

Fubuki

15th March 2008
Perfect weather yesterday, for ducks - lots of rain washed away any hope of hitting even the groomed runs. This morning the hill is drenched and shrouded in heavy fog keeping out of bounds gates closed and rendering off piste detours dangerous. Warm air temps and a sodden mushy surface is the unfortunate reality. Beers at 10am? Can you do that?

Fubuki

12th March 2008
A perfect windless Spring day and a fresh dusting last night see conditions much improved. Village temperatures are mos def warming up by the day but up top the chill is still apparent keeping solidity in the base. Forecasts offer some hope for the coming days with promises of flurries but the search for deep virgin fresh may have to be delayed, at least until later this week....

Fubuki

11th March 2008
The warm temperatures of the past week have brought the first rains of the year, not ideal for skiing but hey, it's been a great season and if i'm honest, conditions are about the same as they would be during the height of an Australian season. So the show goes on....just be careful today, ski patrol reports a major full depth avalanche from cracks formed in steep slopes are possible so be warned if skiing off piste!

Fubuki

9th March 2008
We've all made peace with the arrival of Spring as warm and sunny skies again predominate (although you never really know in Niseko). The extended DPT family hit the groomed runs in another attempt to wring all they could out of these mountains before jetting back to reality in Australia later this month. Boarders are trying skiing with Lucas (pictured) leading the way in his true style: no hesitation, no fear!

The future has arrived for Jess, Steph and Marissa who are packing up and heading for greener pastures - thanks for everything this season - gambatte!

Fubuki

8th March 2008
Blue sky mining on the hill today where once again groomed options are the only ones going. The trade off is the gorgerous Spring sunshine bathing Niseko right now. Roadways are slowly becoming visible as even the ice base gradually ekes away. Although it's been only a week since the last substantial dump, the warmth and cloudless skies have made it seem like a thousand centuries. So to the bars and restuarants we go.....

Fubuki

7th March 2008
A hill freshening layer fell last night making this morning's riding on the groomers sweet and even providing some off piste action. Temperatures and wind conditions are hovering around zero creating conditions that would be considered by any other resort in the world as sublime, but the spoilt child that is Niseko, being used to only the best, will never be completely satisfied without the deepest of virgin fresh. We don't have that right now but its never far away. Besides, the groomers are still rocking and the mild early Spring air creates that lifegiving ambience too easily buried in the deep drifts of winter.

Fubuki

4th March 2008
The forecast fresh hasn't materialized but the crisp Spring morning, super fast groomers and deep set panoramic views are a substitute i'll happily take, for today anyway...

All eyes are fixed on the satellite photos for any indication of which way the recent wildly fluctuating 'bi-polar' weather patterns will sway. Regardless of the snowfall though, the air temperature is warming up offering delightful sunlit afternoons around the village and burnt sky sunsets still visible through the panoply of native silver birch trees until after 6pm. Then take advantage of the outstanding cuisine on offer - pirana tonight!

Fubuki

3rd March 2008
The sundrenched groomers were especially quick this morning and those rising to take advantage were well warmed up by the time the slopes were slushing out late morning. And it was that Springtime slush and sun combination that greased the party wheels as the DPT caravan rolled on to the park for the latest in a series of ski-jump matchups, and more than a few cold Oly’s were cracked amongst the non-combatants as the sun dipped behind the trees. The forecast 10-20cm in the next 24 hours will freshen up the hill making yet another early morning assault mandatory.

Fubuki

2nd March 2008
Boom! 35cm just like that...

This morning's riding was a throwback to January and mid February madness as deep virgin filth was everwhere apparent and there for the taking. Hirafu was the pick and has recovered beautifully from the effects of recent Spring like sunshine; the hard crusty sunbaked shell of mid week has been well covered by yesterday's flavour - reports of this season's demise have been greatly exaggerated; seems like we’re getting a lot of snow this spring....

photo - Altus (the HD master)

Fubuki

1st March 2008
On cue, just as the locals confidently predicted, heavy dumpings are hitting Niseko this morning improving conditions greatly from the hardening landscape of yesterday. Outside of a few warm-up laps, we ended up spending the majority of our morning hiking "the park" where highlights included Jake with a back one on - 180 off and a cab one on - back 360 off, while Jimmy stayed it putting a pretzel on the end of a back to front board slide change up - nice. By afternoon the hill was freshening up and March is again looking full of promise.

photo - Altus

Fubuki

29th February 2008

Tempratures are creeping back towards zero, Hirafu's narrow streets are slushy with running water, and those heading up the hill today may need to pack some zinc cream. Such indications of seasonal change are undeniable but locals are again warning gaijins against jumping to conclusions. Word from those with the inside knowledge is that March will see bluebird skies remain but in conjunction with the cyclical return of wind free dumpings, starting with a front coming through tonight and a predicted 6-10cm tomorrow.

Photo: Altus

Fubuki

27th February 2008

Stong winds, tsuyoi kaze in the local vernacular, is the story of the day so far. The falls have been promising but not to the extent that last weekend's storm damage can be immediately overcome. So on the groomers we stay and to the parks we go. I'm sure I'll have fun as I always do when I strap in but that powder is just so damned addictive - i'm jonesing like a junkie - but patience young jedi, constant falls are predicted for the next six days and with the easing of winds all moutains will be open, moonscaped runs will be pillowed over, and all will be forgiven.

Photo: Altus

Fubuki

26th February 2008

All the fresh snow that fell the past few days was ripped into oblivion courtesy of the hurricane force winds that blitzed us over the weekend. This meant the riders had to step it up. Ripping this kind of terrain in Niseko pow is one thing, dealing with a wind-scoured moonscape is quite another. Some were able to adjust; some got adjusted. As for today, with visibility down to less than a metre, adjustments of a different type are required. New coverings of fresh are quickly becoming apparent with heavy falls hitting now, and moderate falls are predicted to continue throughout the coming week.

Photo: Altus

Fubuki

25th February 2008

Due to the weekend’s enforced inaction the slopes are still untracked, the snow built up on the trees, everything is white and crusty, pillowed, cold and heartwarming. Steamboat valley in Rusutsu, and the East side of Moiwa, being receiving basins for the huge amount of the weekend's blown powder, will be the pick of the bunch today. Other areas although crusted up with a windpacked layer are still well worth the effort. Early on the fog elevated as the sun appeared behind Yotei, the clear skies relieving the intensity of the past days offering panoramic views for early morning aficionados.

Fubuki

24th February 2008

Extreme hurricane force winds of 25m per second up top and almost that down in the village have necessitated military planning just to go and get breakfast. For those brave enough to consider skiing be advised there is zero visibility and an extreme avalanche warning in all areas today, assuming lifts open at some point. Hard as it is to believe, as wind and horizontally blown snow lash against my window, tomorrow is forecast as a relatively calm day, so the fathomless powder that's been building for days will be ours!

Fubuki

23rd February 2008

Lashing winds and heavy snowfall being blasted horizontally throughout the village is making visibility difficult, let alone navigation, and as for skiing? you better pack a parachute....the silver lining to these enormous clouds is that the mountains will remain untracked and bulging with powder until the winds subside, at which point the time for a rendezvous with nature's most sublime gift will again be nigh. Lifts are barely cranking today and visibility on the hill is minimal at best.

Fubuki

22nd February 2008

We've received an interesting cross section of possible offerings from Mother Nature's menu in the past 48 hours. A nice if not abundant powder covering from Thursday night, Friday morning sunshine, then mist and fog, and finally wind. I'm glad i made the most of the Spring like ski conditions of the past few days cause wild winter weather, courtesy of an immanent collision between a large continental high and a deep pacific low, will bring huge volumes of snow, and perhaps the unfortunate correlative of high winds, to Niseko over the coming week.

Fubuki

20th February 2008

Freezing temperatures, the brightest of sunny skies over perfect groomed runs, that's what we awoke to this morning. No fresh snow but gee it's hard to complain looking out from DPT headquarters at the sundrenched slopes at the base of which are bars and restaurants filled with the most colourful skiers and boarders from the world over. Soak up the UVs while you can cause heavy clouds pregnant with powder are on approach. For now though, hiking through the chisenpuri backcountry then soaking in an onsen at day's end seems the ideal way to prepare.

Fubuki

19th February 2008

February's schizophrenic weather patterns bringing either sparkling sapphire blue sunshine filled days or monumentally heavy pukeings are keeping us all on our toes. The sunshine phase right now, where groomers and park sessions are the default options, is due to end tomorrow night when blizzard conditions bringing powder heavy off-piste action back into play hit Niseko. So it's time to carb up with a large plate of udon noodles from touzanken in preparation for phase two, due to hit hard on Wednesday night....

Fubuki

18th February 2008

The return of bluebird skies today with proponderous quantities of snow still covering the hill provides a luscious detour for Niseko's mountain faithful. Sparkling sunshine allowing a penetrating visibility into Niseko's far reaching mountain panorama is worth the price of an airfare alone. Late February and March are shaping as sure bets with long term forecasts warning that a premature return of skis and boards to storage ill-advised.

Fubuki

17th February 2008

High altitude strong winds have closed the upper reaches today affording us the time to take stock of the remarkable experiences of the past couple of days, born of the best powder conditions in the world. Blessed indeed is how we all feel. From the tree runs of Hanazono to the Annupuri bowls, from Higashiyama's 'superstition' to the peak, it's been two eternal days where i've felt myself transcend the physical plane into the realm of the metaphysical, something i've read accounts of but never thought i'd experience. Maybe hit the skidoos this afternoon!

Photo: Altus

Fubuki

16th February 2008

What a difference a couple of days, and 70cm, makes! This morning's session was so prodigious that now, basking in the afterglow of its power, i feel bulletproof. At times it felt as though the powder was bottomless but in reality it was merely chest to neck deep. One moment encapsulated the colossal nature of the day: Craig san (pictured), DPT's resident telemarker, wiped out, badly busting his lip and nose and without even pausing to wipe the blood from his smiling face buckled up and was off, not for medical attention, but back up the hill: bulletproof!

Fubuki

15th February 2008

Niseko has been blasted with half a meter in just 24 hours but such was the strength of yesterday's winds only the bottom third of Hirafu was deemed safe enough to open. The ace up the sleeve however, was Rusutsu where all lifts were open by 11am. Conditions were so insane my heart was racing like a cardiac patient from the moment we buckled up. Seasoned boarders in our group accustomed to decades of sublime conditons across the globe rated it as "the pinnacle of their snowboarding life". Hirafu is fully operational again today with up to a meter of virgin up top.

Fubuki

13th February 2008

At precisely 6.05 this morning blizzard conditions returned to Niseko like the prodigal son, ashamed of having been away so long. But our North Westerly friend that picks up and transports the sea of Japan to us, converting it on route into snow, is often times a double edge sword. So, sure we got (and are getting) a good dumping but with high winds that are due to increase as the day goes on rendering most peak lifts inoperable, an exploration of lower altitude runs is the go; and as for tomorrow - January redux! Beware of flat light and avalanche warnings today.

Fubuki

12th February 2008

The encouraging heavy early evening falls yesterday promised much and delivered...about 5cm. There seems to be a battle of wills being waged high in the stratosphere between Helios and Chione, the sun and snow gods, with neither getting the upper hand. The blustery conditions today are restoring some slopes with about 30cm of wind drifted fresh. All eyes are on the front blowing across Western Hokkaido and until then, for boarders at least, it's back to the park.

Fubuki

11th February 2008

The first signs of the predicted and highly anticipated blizzards to come appeared with a series of light early morning flurries teasing us with promises akin to those offered by nefarious street side Roppongi spruikers. Until these predictions come to fruition the only place we'll get untracked lines is the top of Yotei. Hanazono park action provides a viable alternative for boarders as we all scan weather reports for indications of treasured North Westerly winds that'll dump a sequel to magical January conditions all over Niseko bringing an end to Mother Nature's mid season siesta.

Fubuki

10th February 2008

I won’t lie to you, after another starry night, no fresh. Sure you can still hit the groomers, and the creator’s light is beautiful as it glistens off the mountains, but we’d all trade that in a second for even a taste of what hit Niseko last week. So with powder boards at the ready all eyes are fixed on Monday when forecast freshness will provide our collective salvation and return Niseko to its deeply powdered natural state.

Photo: Altus

Fubuki

9th February 2008

Driving West toward Rusutsu from Sapporo evokes a sense of familiarity that’s at once comforting and slightly disquieting. It’s been years since I last passed through the area, and that was just for a short one-day ski trip. But now, observing the surrounding moutains and its centre piece Mt Izola unfold in the windshield through a vale of falling fresh, I'm transported instantly back through the years, a slice of my life flashing vividly through my mind. But I’m not here to re-live old memories, only to forge new ones, and with Niseko in the midst of an epic season that should be easy. The snow is doing its darndest to break through the cloud covering with occasional flurries promising the blizzard conditions that are forecast to hit hard on Monday.

Fubuki

8th February 2008

It matters not where you ski today, conditions are rather the same across Niseko: blue skies, a soft cool breeze and sugary snow owing to a couple of days of resplendent sunshine. Thursday night's predicted fresh dumpage didn't eventuate, much to our chagrin, but as one door closes another opens, in this case to the Sapporo Snow and Ice Festival!

Falling fresh has begun dusting Niseko as our bus was leaving for Sapporo at lunchtime today, a precursor to predicted much heavier weekend dumpings.

Fubuki

6th February 2008

Really generous late afternoon falls yesterday topped up the mountains and provided plenty of hot and heavy moments during last night's hastily arranged runs. DPT skiers and boarders, needing no encouragement, were strapping up at the first sign of what turned out to be a 20cm douching in just a few hours, returning with split watermelon grins as the power was finally cut just before 9pm. After the glorious bluebird action of the previous days the returning snowfall has adrenalized the entire area. You'll wanna stay tuned because there are some big things looming on the immediate horizon.... real big.

Fubuki

5th February 2008

DPT 'welcome drinks' nights at the luxurious J-Sekka bar restaurant continues to be an event that's the highlight of every week. The excitement generated by the combination of newly arrived guests and the perpetually 'up for it' DPT staff creates an electric atmosphere which is only increased by the beauty of the pukeing snow visible through Sekka's hugh windows.

There were faces from all over Australia in the warm and plush confines of the lower bar downing the local brew, chatting with DPT staff, the atmosphere filled with uproarious laughter and the snippets of a thousand conversations. See you next Monday night!

Heavy falls forecast for mid to late week as the winter rolls on.....

Fubuki

4th February 2008

If you’ve done any kind of resort hopping you’ll know that every place has its own unique flavour. Some give off that dismal ‘consumer nightmare’ spiritually bankrupt odour that make you wonder what in the hell happened to Western culture. Others provide a passageway into unimagined places, strange and exciting, filled with unchartered terrain, while some places, as soon as you set foot on that local snow immediately tell you, ‘Yep, this is the spot’. Niseko is one such spot. Unexpectedly crystal clear blue skies have canopied the Niseko area this morning with similar blue bird days expected this week.

Fubuki

3rd February 2008

I should warn you that it is DEEEEEP out here. Deeper in fact than any of us have dealt with in a long time. I really don’t know where to begin with this one. I am basically on the verge of ripping all my hair out and running screaming into the mountains! I showed up this season with sky high expectations confident that i was about to experience something that would ruin the rest of my life cause I’d end up in an perpetually unfulfillable quest to top this. By the looks of it, I was right! A high pressure system to our West and a pair of lows to our East and North are likely to combine and provide us with continued falls throughout the early part of the week.

Fubuki

2nd February 2008

With everyone frothing over yesterday’s prodigious conditions today had a tough act to follow. Still sore and still on my 'omfg that was amazing' high I made my way to the ace quad this morning still pondering yesterday’s in-Shred-ible conditions. On the way up there was an energy that surged through the DPT vans and as we unloaded our skis and boards the feeling was palpable. Minus yesterday's extra cover of fresh we knew to make a beeline for the upper reaches this morning to get the best of it, which is what we got - another sublime encounter with nature.

Fubuki

1st February 2008

Simply gobsmaking! This morning had it all: benevolent powder gods having dumped waist to chest deep fresh, sunny skies, low wind with high visibility. Providing the best conditions we’ve seen for the past week only total exhaustion was an acceptable excuse for cashing in your ski chips today. Even the humble bandana returned triumphantly, adorning a squad of riders well shielded from the wrath of Mother Nature. Neither wind nor snow could penetrate such a meticulously folded shield of cotton and polyester. Satellite images indicating continued falls until at least tomorrow evening!

Fubuki

30th January 2008

Owing to yesterday's 3.45am rise and hike to Yotei's peak there wasn't a member amongst the DPT expedition party without extreme muscle fatigue - just the way we like it! No rest for the wicked as, on cue, the heavens have opened late this morning offering pukeing freshness that's forecast to increase over the next 48 hours. It made me long for a return to the place where I seek refuge, a place that extends to all that lies outside of our man-made buildings and cities.

Fubuki

29th January 2008

The current high pressure system over the Sea of Japan bodes well for those into groomed runs under sunny skies, conditions likely to predominate for the next 24 hours, but powder hounds will have to cool their engines until Wednesday evening when heavy falls are due to blanket Niseko's four sisters once more. In the interum, the chance to scale the peak of Mt Yotei under blue skies was just too tempting to resist.

Fubuki

28th January 2008

Niseko is a vast frozen land from November through April offering loads of ski and snowboard action; Young and old alike layer up and abandon the couch to hit the Niseko’s slopes, streets, and parks. Whether you’re coming in on the backside of a snowstorm, chasing snow across Honshuu to shoot city rails, or riding in one of the area’s great regional events, you’ll be in the land of 10,000 riders once you reach Hokkaido.

The chances of blizzard conditions are minimal at present but blue skies and post shred coldies are a righteous substitute - for a couple of days at least.

Fubuki

27th January 2008

With all the resorts rolling, pipe sessions happening and countless good powder days under our belt it’s easy to forget the anomaly of late December. With the Christmas snow dearth a far and distant memory, 2008 has come out swinging with a series of combo punches that has left Niseko’s slopes covered in a blanket of natural snow blessing resorts from Annupuri to Hanazono with the most sublime of conditions. It snowed through most of the afternoon and there are reports of continued dumpings throughout Sunday and early in the new week.

Fubuki

26th January 2008

After a few laps on the king hooded triple lift, a quick hike out the backcountry access to grab some pow and a snack at the Annupuri hut we decided to check out some other terrain. We stumbled across some misty tree runs punctuated by natural jibs, gaps, pillow lines and transitions, and then were able to hook back over to Strawberry Fields on our way down through the magnificent Miharashi Panoramic. Next we hit up the Hirafu Godola and there it didn’t take us long to work out a fun line of slashes and hits to keep us occupied until the end of the day.

Fubuki

25th January 2008

If you’re like me and you haven’t checked out Niseko Moiwa for a while you’re in for a surprise. Just 15 minutes drive from Hirafu this resort that until recent times was only known to locals has emerged as a world-class ski region. It offers, need we say, deep powder snowfall, over 48km of fresh ski runs, and a devastating natural environment. With the snow gods cooperating and continuing to drop metres of fresh over the entire area, Moiwa is another jewell is the Niseko crown.

Fubuki

23rd January 2008

Mother Nature has offered up enough cold temperatures to unleash this winter in all its glory so the sunny morning that greeted early risers today provided a chance to rest aching muscles fatigued from the constant boarding and skiing schedule that January’s amazing weather has demanded. So now, with an approaching low making a beeline for Niseko, relax while you can and prepare for more snowstorms in another day or so.

Fubuki

22nd January 2008

Hokkaido’s west coast weather systems decided to nap through late December but the locals, offering that knowing smile to unduly concerned gaijins, knew to never underestimate the power of the Siberian North Westerly, Niseko’s most trusted co-conspirator. Now as January unleashes storm after storm with more of the same forecast most will be begging for spring by February. Miharashi was the pick of an outstanding bunch yesterday. Chest deep!

Photo: Roscoe (thredbo ski bum) Skier: Brett Harries (thredbo ski patrol)

Fubuki

21st January 2008

Warning - Coming to Niseko renders every other ski resort in the world a disappointment! Is it possible to become ‘powdered out’? I must admit to secretly hoping for some respite from recent stella conditions to allow my body at least a little time to recover. I know my own weakness - if the choice is to push the body beyond its limits or forgo opportunities such as those January 2008 has lovingly presented, well, that's no choice at all.

Photo: Altus

Fubuki

20th January 2008

Just when we thought it was safe to take a day off, with satellite images indicating a lull in snowfall and day breaking with dawn’s golden sunrays seeming to confirm this forecast, an extreme celestial puking caught us all off guard. Grabbing our freshly waxed boards to the peak we headed, the excitement generated by the unexpected falls puncturing our weariness. It’s easy to push yourself beyond the pain threshold with conditions as relentless and sublime as these.

Fubuki

19th January 2008

Since January 1st Niseko has been blasted with meters of fresh snow and in such a hyped up environment people who give up “normality” to live on their own terms, dedicated to the pursuit of powder, and singularly focused, at least for the winter, on the pure joy of mapping hidden trails of virgin snow, are quickly made aware of the secret to longevity: learning to “let go”....

Photo: Altus

Fubuki

18th January 2008

One of so many highlights from yesterday, a spectacular day from start to finish with waist to chest deep powder of the lightest most finely granulated type covering all mountains, was a hike to the peak and some seriously steep turns on the way down. We kicked off a big inbounds slide and maintained the rage through the miharashi panoramic where conditons were such that those who experienced it will forever have it burned onto their memories. It just keeps getting better!

Fubuki

16th January 2008

Niseko is the kind of area that, in spite of all its epic qualities, or maybe because of them, can be tricky to figure out on your own. With a little traversing and a good local hook up there’s so much killer terrain to be found: tree lines, alpine feeling peaks, tight chutes and high speed open terrain – and we’ve got world class powdered snow, and plenty of it. Scanning weather radars early this morning I noticed yet another - is there a scratch in this record? - dumping heading Niseko’s way.

Fubuki

15th January 2008

The Niseko ski scene sometimes seems like its own universe, especially during periods as we’re now experiencing: day in day out dumping! The sheer volume of snow seems to provide a protective covering insulating all of us from the problems of the outside world. Bottomless light powder can do that - and expect more of the same for at least the next three days as our northwesterly friend continues to bring the flavour.

Fubuki

14th January 2008

Thanks to January’s relentless dumpings it’s been a productive last few days in Niseko; the Annapuri bowls, Higashiyone, Strawberry Fields, Hanazono, and some of the lesser known runs (which will remain nameless) have been getting a thorough working over. Yesterday the DPT team found a clear cut area just off Miharashi and sessioned pillow lines and drops for the better part of the day. Today we settled in the terrain littered amphitheatre of Annapuri. Every conceivable angle (and some hitherto unimagined) were captured as we lapped lines stepping it up every time.

Fubuki

13th January 2008

Most of you have heard, seen or read about how much quality snow Niseko has received (another 20cm overnight with heavy snow clouds lingering over the mountains this morning), but let me tell you nothing compares to experiencing it - each run more exhilarating than the previous. Rising on an epic blue sky morning knowing that you’ve got a superabundance of time ahead and a challenging assortment of runs to enjoy floods your system with endorphins and reminds you that life is best lived neither worrying about the past nor pondering the future but in the moment.

Fubuki

12th January 2008

Who needs a powder day when In Niseko you get a powder season? It has been snowing practically non-stop since January 1st with almost a meter and a half fallen so far in 2008 and as you can imagine, the conditions are phenomenal. Check out the picture on the left…..if this doesn’t leave you frothing you're best to trade in your skis and head for the equator.

Fubuki

11th January 2008

It’s amazing what 20cm of snow will do, when it’s on top of a base of 130cm that is! Mother nature got over her Christmas blues in a hurry and since new year's eve no one could have asked for anything more. The weather has been beautiful, the powder chest deep, the temperature just right, the scenery stunning, and the skiing? well, you can draw your own conclusions.....

Photo: Altus

Fubuki

9th January 2008

The snow is falling fast and furious, 20cm have fallen in the last 24 hours and forecasts are calling for continued snowfall throughout the day. Don't miss your chance to be a part it. Check out the ‘your hosts’ option on the ‘services’ tab on this site for details of this season’s DPT Crew who’ll be taking good care of you as we celebrate 18 years of epic conditions in Niseko.

Photo: Altus

Fubuki

8th January 2008

I could go on and on about how ridiculous the snow is right now in the Niseko area and how caught up i am with life in these spellbindingly beautiful mountains but you don’t need to know more than the essentials: it’s been puking for the past 10 days to this very second and the prognosis is for the epic epicenter to remain directly over Niseko. Opposite is one of only a few photos taken, but to be honest I was too busy slaying powder with friends to shoot many photos...

Fubuki

7th January 2008

Maybe you’ve heard this admission before, maybe not, but the truth is, I can't cope with the intensity of life in Niseko; the parties, the restaurants, the resorts, the pensions, the bars, the culture, the snowmobiling, the onsens, the constant stream of new faces from all over the world, and on and on….you see, all I really need is an escape to Niseko’s mountains on days like today to enjoy the endless dumpings of the finest granulated powder (another 20cm overnight) to live out my winter days to the fullest.

Fubuki

6th January 2008

From the time Sherman Poppen germinated the snowboarding seed by nailing two skis together for his children to slide downhill sideways on, creating the snowboard prototype he called the ‘snurfer’ (snow-surfer), the technology of modern day boards has complexified to the current ultra high level of sophistication required for heavy dumping environments such as Niseko. Sherman couldn’t have imagined that his humble creation would morph some 40 years later into powder boards such as the ‘gentem stick’, a commonly chosen weapon of Niseko’s powder elite (and needed in the current blizzard conditions with heavy dumpings again today).

Fubuki

5th January 2008

The sun poked it’s head out this morning and cast some of the creator’s light on the surrounding mountains and even in the afternoon we were finding fresh lines. Upon ducking our heads into the mountain top restaurant Boyoso for a mid run curry fix on what could only be described as a stella powder day we found it virtually empty – for good reason: vast powder fields bathed in soft January sunlight render any detour unthinkable.

Fubuki

4th January 2008

As cyclone conditions pound the eastern seaboard of Australia, the ever reliable Siberian northeasterly has manifest pukeing powder conditions across Western Hokkaido, where Niseko is the main beneficiary. Flakes the size of 10 yen coins have been falling over Hirafu village for the past three days and are predicted to continue into the foreseeable future. So spare a thought for the snow clearing crews, probably the only ones not celebrating recent celestial pukeings.

Fubuki

2nd January 2008

The first welcome drinks session of the season where DPT staff get the opportunity to intermingle with guests was a rollicking affair. Held at the new J Sekka bar-restaurant with enormous amounts of dumping snow visible through huge bay windows the atmosphere was at a fever pitch. The anticipatory excitement of newly arrived guests, the free flowing delicious local brew, and our collective realisation that the season was about to move into high gear combined in a cocktail of enthusiasm that was infectious to all present. See you next Monday night for round two!

photo by tsurara

Fubuki

New Year's Day 2008

In case you need one

more reason to have a designated driver this New Year’s Day, here it is: continuous blizzard conditions forecast for Niseko throughout the New Year’s period! That famed northwesterly airflow direct from Siberia is picking up a payload of water from the Sea of Japan and dumping it, in the form of some of the driest powdered snow on the planet, directly on Niseko. So if you can extricate your bleary eyed selves from barstools to chairlifts, the payoff will be huge.

Fubuki

31st December 2007

The entire DPT family is finally together, Steph san having arrived in the past few days sporting the latest in ski fashion: a psychedelic polka dotted ski suit. And perfect timing too, with 12cm falling overnight and another 60cm predicted in the coming three days [meteorology as an inexact science notwithstanding]

Saturday’s wet n slushy interlude is behind us and normal service has been resumed. Being woken in the early hours by the comforting rumble of built up snow sliding off the roof is always a welcome distraction and a reliable indication of the awaiting powdered slopes.

Cautionary note: beware the powder-on-ice avalanche danger in the back country today!

Fubuki

30th December 2007

Culture Shock

There are those who arrive in Japan travel weary, jet lagged, their reservoir of resiliance a little frayed around the edges....and to be guided, in expectation of beds and couches, to their 'washitsu' Japanese style room, replete with tatami mats, futons and sliding screen doors, has been known to short circuit many an occidental traveller.....

"no culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive"

Ghandi

Fubuki

29th December 2007

The first sign that things hadn't gone to plan was the dramatic swaying of the gondola followed by its abrupt termination leaving passengers marooned in strong wind and rain high above the snow covered mountains - for two hours! Lucky they had champagne and beer on hand...or was it? An acute sense of balance and a dead eye aim for the tiny window are essential skills for urinary relief to be secured from within the gondola's swaying confines....a comic sight from below....

Slushy and windy today....nasty, but another big dumping due within 24 hours!

Fubuki

28th December 2007

In front of me a charcoal brazier glowed, it’s iron legs buried deep in the snow. A selection of chicken wings, fresh fish and warm sake were being passed around between us as night was falling and the radiance of the burned sky to our west was dissipating. Snow clearing machinery was working feverishly throughout the village ensuring road and walkways were manicured to prescribed dimensions for the following morning’s mechanized and human traffic.

Fubuki

Boxing Day 2007

Niseko’s mountain landscape tarpaulined in a sky blue dome for the first time this season, blizzard conditions having given way to radiant clear skies, has provided a rare window of opportunity for photographic aficionados. Scenes of picturesque resplendence abound in this eye of the snowstorm…….

Fubuki

Christmas Day 2007

“…catch you back at wild bills” was the last thing I heard him say before he disappeared over the edge. Jed ‘the shred’ was not the type of guy one worries about; he knows the terrain very well, experienced and highly skilled with the snowboard, though the sign positioned at the top of the mountain warning in carefully worded ‘Japlish’ that “for a moment of yahoo in the past many people were dead’ gave me pause for thought….

Fubuki

Monday 24th Dec 07

Glissading through the finely granulated powder, transversing high above villages barely visible, narrowly avoiding a quickly passing skidoo whose modernity demonstrated the fragility, barely visible to us through the translucent haze, of another age and culture. But even traveling at more than 55kph in sub zero temperatures, sweat rolled in streams down our faces and backs. The snow and sky blended together and became a silver fog, a missing horizon in which only the sun retained its faded gold. Time for a few more runs before sunset….

Fubuki

Weekend 22-23 Dec 07

Pre Christmas Report:

* 2nd earliest season opening on record: Nov 23

* 2 meters fallen already with predictions of a record breaking season

* More restaurants and bars open in Niseko than ever before

* All lifts including the brand new Holiday 1 lift operating

Fubuki

Friday 21st Dec 07

Who are they? these disciples of unknown gods, buried in ever widening sheets of coning powdered spray; here is a spirit with strange, as yet nameless needs, a memory bursting with splintered shards of recollection – a thousand runs from the exalted heights of dimly remembered peaks, the unexcavated truths they lie beneath the snow covered Ainu land of ‘Niseko’.

Fubuki

Wednesday 19th Dec 07

My preference for wintertide: the coziness of snow covered mountain retreates, the nocturnal rumblings of clearing apparatus, the ocular splendour of slowmotion flakefalls, the clarity of thought - a catalyst to cognition, to insight....

Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius. ~Pietro Aretino

Fubuki

Wednesday 19th Dec 07

What an encounter with nature this morning aboard a squadron of snowmobiles! i'm talking 'jet skis on ice' rocketing through Hanazono hinterland, ice spray from dueling machines fogging up my goggles, taking air over jumps, hitting hairpins, fishtailing and accelerating up the straightaways, my attention repeatedly arrested by the magestic panoramic spectacle of our pristine achromatic surroundings. What a way to start the day!

Fubuki

Weekend 15-16th Dec 07

It is the season for grand openings but owing to the recent days' tremendous snowfalls, i've suffered the ultimate dilemma: a choice between spending the evening cutting swaythes of sublime passagways over Niseko's freshly powdered mountain lanscapes or acquiescing to the Faustian temptation of grand opening free food and drinks specials at the finest establishments.

"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely"

Karen Kaiser Clark

Fubuki

Friday 14th Dec 07

Big falls overnight and Hirafu village is glistening with droplets of euphoric anticipation rippling through early morning conversations in local cafes......

.....an adapted Bertrand Russell thought for such an occasion....

"The observer, when he seems to himself to be observing a snowflake, is really, if physics is to be believed, observing the effects of the snowflake upon himself "

Fubuki

Wednesday 12th Dec 07

Edward R Murrow once wrote, “The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer”, and in relation to the obvious quality of Niseko’s ski fields, prescient words indeed. The last places one explores often are those closest to home; it's amazing to think that Niseko Japan, although less so than in previous years, is still a well kept secret. Drifting down from Hirafu peaks yesterday, I was enjoying that early season detachment found on sparsely populated slopes. Rare times are these, soon to be only a pleasant memory.

Fubuki

Tuesday 11th Dec 07

The extent to which you’ll delight in Niseko is proportional to the depth of its powdered slopes, the frequency of its snowfall, the richness of its culture, the haunting spirituality of its sunsets, the biting intensity of its temperature, the overwhelming panorama of its surroundings, the transfixing zen like beauty of Mt Yotei, and the obvious qualitative difference between it and alternate ski destinations.

Fubuki

Weekend 8-9th Dec 07

Early Season Haiku

Hirafu snow slopes'

Powdered runways welcome me

early rise first tracks

Fubuki

Friday 7th Dec 07

High quality is what skiers expect in Niseko, and it’s not just the snow to which I refer; with menus complex in their formulation and frequently experimental in their flavours, Niseko’s restaurants have become the lesser known pearls in Hokkaido oysters. Dotted throughout Hirafu village and surrounding areas, these culinary wonderlands have become home to the bountiful spoils to be eagerly claimed after an eventful day’s powder plunging. For those not fortunate enough to be hip to these clandestine kitchens, fear not, the Deep Powder Tours crew will school you with all the crucial locations.

Fubuki