Night Skiing

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

Our Japanese ski tour has exceeded all expectations, perfectly balanced with backcountry skiing, hot springs, sushi, ramen, culture, kind people, luxury , ski bumming, and perhaps the highlight of the trip, night skiing. We thought we were having fun until we checked out the night skiing at Niseko’s Grand Hirafu and it brought a whole new meaning to having fun. It was so wacky, we all had so much night energy, as if we were at a raging party, and we just sessioned the deep pow feeling our way through the Japanese trees. We would be cruising around the woods, snow falling from the sky as if god were just dumping it, trying not to suffocate on blower face shots and all of the sudden a loud woman’s voice would come on the loud speaker and like out of a horrar movie would rap out strange Japanese sounds that would echo throughout the snowy night. All we could do was laugh and keep shredding. It felt so good to just ride and not worry about shooting. I felt like a little kid again (oh wait, I am). We hit up night skiing a few times and always had a blast. It always seemed to puke snow during our night sessions, giving us free refills all night, gotta love it. Check out these shots from our night sessions.

Although it is hard to see, Cardamone hits the spot. Photo: Gabe Rogel

whats going on? Cardamone getting phat face shot. Photo: Gabe Rogel

Jumping out of the tree I climbed up. Photo: Jacqui Edgerly

some tree climb jibbing. Photo: Jacqui Edgerly

YA, this is how much fun we were having, Gabe and MC.

Lap after lap.

Cardamone scrubbing one out. Photo: Gabe Rogel

gasping for air inbetween face shots. Photo: Gabe Rogel

A rad fun crew, Me, SOnja, MC, Jacqui, Gabe and Will behind the camera.

Cardamone trying not to hit the tree. Photo: Gabe Rogel

Blingin! Cardamone's freeheel steeze. Photo: Gabe Rogel

Threading the needle. Photo: Gabe Rogel

Just the tip, thats how Will likes it. Photo: Gabe Rogel

One more lap before we hit the crepe stand. Photo: Gabe Rogel

Just when I thought the day couldnt have gotten any better, it did. Photo: Gabe Rogel

When its not dark or dumping, which is rare, actually it just happened once or twice, this is the view.

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The Secret Zone

Sunday, March 1st, 2009

The Sweetgrass film crew had been saving this super secret sick zone for Cardamon, Jacqui, and I. After skiing and shooting “one turn wonders” on short Hills I was beginning to wonder why I left my backyard elk mountains to fly all the way to Japan, but I was reminded as I dropped into my first line and slough poured down on either side of the spine I was on and like a freight train rumbled into the creek below. This gem zone is down right burly, with 1300 vertical feet dropping 50+ degrees into a freezing creek and blower pow sloughing fast to the valley floor. We were pretty scared at first and approached the runs with respect and caution, but after getting comfortable with the area and its dynamics I was able to open it up and truly express my skiing style. Our first day there was amazing but I knew I could have charged harder. We were stoked on the shots, footage, and experiences we had but we hoped that it would dump again and then become blue so we could go back and get after a bit harder. As we only had a week left had only seen spots of blue our entire trip the chances were slim, but by some miracle nature worked with us and dumped a fresh coat of blower on the steep spines. We returned one day and the lines were ready but our bodies were tired from no rest days and the sun never poked through so we onsessioned (sessioned the onsen or hot springs) the sweet hot springs that were perched across from the dream like ak spines with Japanese trees holding the hill from eroding into the creek floor. Rested and recharged we returned early the next morning to blessed with a fresh canvas in which we painted our masterpieces on run after run. Knowing what to expect and with time to mentally prepare I was able to let loose and fully surf gravity. The first run was epic, with blower pow, and as the day continued the sun baked the snow and it became heavier and started slough hard like a mud slide. As our trip is coming to an end and we have had a bunch of fun days and great experiences I have understood that my whole life is worth living just for that one day, just to be able to express myself and dance in the moment with nature and gravity, Namaste!
Here are a few shots that will hopefully better portray this amazing experience.

onsen meditation

MC checking out the snowpack, it was about 20ft deep.

Marie Claude Larivee from BC nailing it. Photo: Will Cardamone

Am I in Japan or Alaska? Photo: Gabe Rogel

The healing waters of the secret zone onsen.

Cardamone flying like an eagle. Photo: Gabe Rogel

I love my life!! Photo: Gabe Rogel

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Deep pow, sushi, and hot springs in Japan.

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

Skiing has brought me back to Japan. After spending 6 months living in a small town on the north island when I was 8 I have finally returned to Hokaido, in search of the islands mythical uber deep pow, good food and some adventure. I am accompanied by Jacqui Edgerly, Will Cardamone, and Gabe Rogel, and we are meeting up with Sweetgrass Productions to do some filming. The Flight was long and draining and luckily we were picked up by old friends and taken back to Shimukappu, the town I lived in and went to school in while my father was making a Photographic book on the four season of Japan. Communication was hard and we had no idea what we were doing, the best care was taken of us and we enjoyed the adventure. The people showed us a new meaning of kindness and joy and treated us to amazing sushi meals and hot spring excursions. After a few days of luxery chillen we met the film crew at an Onsen (hot springs lodge) deep in Hokaido’s tallest mountains. It had previously rained and then became freezing and started dumping. The skiing was pretty good but variable with the rain crust underneath. The cold temps ofter drove us back to the comfort of the hot springs. The snow caked trees were breathtaking, like a scene from a fairy tale. The clouds blocked us from really seeing the high mountains and we left for Niseko where the Sweetgrass crew is living for the season. We crammed into their small apartment in true ski bum style and quickly made friends with everyone the right way, with some drinking games, sake limbo, and then a rowdy dance party. Over the next few days we skied some fun pillow lines, checked out the ocean, and night skied at the resort. Night Skiing is the shit!! We had so much fun shredding around at night, the snow was deep and only got deeper every run. Niseko is a rad resort, especially with deep snow. More to come soon, stay tuned.

This Photo was on the wall of the School that I went to 15 years ago and includes all the students.

trouble

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P Dubs come to Aspen

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

The Powder Whores finally came to Aspen to do some filming. Will Cardamon, Chris Erickson and I had a blast showing them around and exploring some new terrain. After a huge dump the sun came out and the snow stabilized and we got after it. I am worked from hiking all over the place and am resting before the Telluride World Qualifier this weekend. Check out these shots from the past few days, photography thanks to Tony Prikryl.

It was a long skin but well worth it

working my air steeze

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Backyard Shralpin

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

With a long high pressure the snow stabilized and we were able to get out in my new backyard and do some exploring. We skied some rad lines that I have been looking across from highlands at for a long time, and they were sick!

Photographer, Tony Prikle

Ski in Ski out access

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A few of my dads shots

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Since my father passed away a few years ago we have been working to edit his photography. We have a garage full of slides and are slowly but surely getting through them, trying to find the best ones and be creative with them. Here are a few of his famous shots. Enjoy!

Everest

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5.14 Mountain Goat

Saturday, January 24th, 2009

Check this shot, pretty unbelievable!! Much can be learned from the Goat.
I wish I had taken it.

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Elk Hunt

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

After an epic bow hunting season without a harvest I kept hunting and finally had success. I shot my first elk using the rifle that my dad passed on to me after he died. It was an amazing experience and now I have a winters supply of the best meat out there. The elks energy and strength will pass through me and help me ski better and continue to make the most of my life! Enjoy these shots from my hunt.

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Here are a few telemark jokes

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Cloudveil made a funny edit from my skiing and great jokes, check it out.

A few telemark jokes

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Deep Pow at a secret colorado cabin

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

The skiing in Colorado has been off the hook so far, it didnt stop snowing all of dumpcember. I have been busy getting my ski legs back and have been slacking on the bloggin. I have now had my fill of pow turns and am felling strong and hope to keep up with the updates.

Here are a few shots from a recent pow session at a rad and remote cabin, these lines were dropped 15 ft off the front porch. Yes, it was a dream cabin.

I am hangin out in Aspen, getting after some backcountry lines I have been looking at for a while, until the World Freesking Tour starts in Telluride on February 5th. After that I will be travel to Japen in search of deep powder, sushi, and hot springs. Stay tuned for frequent updates from my travels.

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