welcome to niseko, welcome to Gentem Stick land. Taro Tamai is not only a snowboard legend, Taro-san is also a snowboard shaper. he shapes the kind of snowboards that is very close to surfing in the mountains. i’m riding one and it feels so natural under my feet.
i have no idea how snowboards work. i just leave it up to the experts. this board supposedly suits me best, so this board is what i’ve been riding every day. i love it!
one day of full fun in the mountains cost 3900 yen or $34.
yesterday was THE DAY! everybody told me the conditions were a perfect 10 out of 10. the best day this year and i couldn’t have been happier hearing that. chest high powder everywhere. it was like surfing a big wave and it felt so good throwing big powder sprays! they say i’m lucky, and this time i think i really am. we were one of the first guys to snowboard down this mountain. grown men screaming down the hill in excitement!
Tokura-san rips. i can’t believe he is 66 years old! omg, he’s super healthy and super young hearted that sometimes i feel like we’re the same age. surf in the summer, snow in the winter. what an awesome lifestyle. and what a great inspiration.
we have 3 guides guiding us around. the best in niseko. the best courses we go, and the best snow we get. i’m a firm believer that if you have a great guide, you will have a great experience.
my roommate Kenjiro-san carving up the powder.
it was only my 3rd run and Osamu-san asked me “Kirby, are you ready for the trees?” i said “yeah, let’s go!” it felt so good weaving in and out of the trees. pure nature and pure adrenaline.
this was our last drop. my legs were tired, my body aching, but there was no other way down the mountain. off the course and off the rocker. vertical drop into the biggest snow valley.
Tokura-san always takes the best track so i just follow him.
going full speed down the mountain holding the camera in my hand. then taking a big wipe out. head over heals three times as i finally stop. it’s like wiping out at waimea bay. a feeling i love so much.
big party tonight and i’m back on the road tomorrow. destination unknown. have a wonderful day.
