Japan Powder Camps

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Skiing was the order of the day today.  It was interesting conditions due to the rain the previous day and the high winds also, but the snow was dumping and it was nice and cold.  Perhaps –10 to –15 with the wind chill.  The Academy coaches led us over the mountain to access areas that they knew hadn’t been exposed too much to the wind.  They headed into the trees there to the best snow. 

We found pockets of powder between the trees and had some great fun weaving in and out of the Silver Birch.  Skills for tree skiing were the focus of the day and it was impressive to see the way everyone turned out at the end of the day.  There was a bit of tree hugging in the beginning and some extremely hilarious moments.  However, the technique by the end of the day was looking tight and everybody was exhilarated at the end of it. Steve said it for everyone when he ‘That was awasome, that’s the best days skiing I’ve ever had’. 

Mt Yotei, the dormant volcano sitated in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park was visible today in breaks of the falling snow.  The wind was blowing the smell of sulphur in our direction.  It was a pretty sight but quite something else on its odour!  Tony was eager to get a picture of Mt Yotei with blue sky and it teased all day, but ‘Holiday Dad’ did it.  (Note: Annie and Tony are known as holiday mum and dad on the Academy courses because they look after everyone so very well!!)

Everybody worked hard and headed back to the hotel.  After a video analysis session, everybody headed out for a touch of night skiing.  It was quite cold but nice none the less.  A couple of foxes were seen on the snow casually walking around like they were used to the skiers.  I managed to film one of them in the morning which I was really happy with. After another delicious dinner, a quick drink at the hotel bar and then straight to bed.  Night night.  

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at 10:40 pm and is filed under Japan powder Camps 09. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.