Due to all that is happening in Japan just now we have had to cut our trip short by a month. We are all very sad by this and our hearts go out to all the Japanese affected by this terrible disaster; such kind, nice people, they really don't deserve this but does anyone anywhere? Sadly these things are becoming common occurrence worldwide. Therefore, I think this is a good time to re-cap on what has been an amazing first season for all of us, and in Japan no less. From our crazy, random first few days in Tokyo ending in one banger of a night out, to the insanely amazing Japan POW (it's all that people say it is and more), ending in some more crazy night time shenanigans.
The early days were filled with riding one pisted run.... Inspired by a dude we called Jibber-san we started brushing up on our flatland jibbery. Gradually the mountain opened up more and more but looking from the chair lift we were all tempted to duck ropes. One morning Barry and I did just that and because I was not used to riding powder so much got stuck a good few times, once right under the chair lift. All I could hear was this whistle being blown from the sky, and upon looking up I saw a ski patrol woman! This struck the fear into me and I tried my best to get down quick for fear of loosing my season pass, haha!! Once the mountain was fully open we found it was just like one big giant playground. When we ventured off-piste or through the trees we'd have arms out in front ready to whack the bamboo aside as we rode through. This soon got buried under snow and it was weird seeing the transformation. Tree runs are what you do in Japan, something I'd never done before so was quite scared of venturing in at first, but love them now. There’s so much fun to be had amongst the trees, finding drops and pillow lines all good fun. One place in particular that has many a drop is Strawberry Fields. It gets bombed out pretty quick but oh so much fun. One of the craziest traverses through trees was in Moiwa. We thought we were lost but found one track that we followed through tight trees with tight turns, through gullies seriously hoping this person knew where they were going. Thankfully we got back safe; it was one of those adrenaline pumping moments. Steve wanted to do it again, haha!!!! This day had to be one of the best powder days for sure; first lines down through the trees, each turn spraying pow right over your head. The snow here is so light and fluffy, so it just like you’re surfing. Just sit back on your tail and flow. Such an amazing feeling. When it dumps here it means pow morning, noon and night, face shots galore. Night riding is magical riding in the dark under a flood lit mountain, and makes the sprays of pow look even more epic.
You'll have all seen the Japanese riders and how much they kill it, going huge with so much style. All the guys and girls you'll see riding the park are insanely good, really inspiring to be riding amongst these people. They’re like ninjas; just as you think they’re gonna catch an edge on a box or stall in the air they whip their board round quick as lightning zooming off to the next feature to slay. I have found a love for the half pipe, and the park in Hanazono has a big one right at the beginning of the park run. Pipe, jumps and rails all in one run, yus. You can also ride pow, piste, trees, drops and park in one run too, it's a leg burner but a good een.
Overall this has been an amazing first season with a rad crew of riders that I have enjoyed riding with very much and would easily do another season with each of them. Riding with the guys have made me become a much stronger rider and has pushed my riding so much, still finding my feet off the bigger jumps but it's getting there. Gutted to be missing out on spring riding but still got a lot of riding planned for this year so plenty of practice ahead. I would love to come back to Japan and ride with our Japanese friends Sayaka, Kyousuke and Masa to name a few. I could write a novel with all the cool stuff that's happened this season so will leave it at this, haha!!
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