As Niseko Hirafu awaits winter and the first snow fall of the 2012-13 season why not take a look back at some images from the first snowfall in Hirafu village and first tracks at Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu.
2008 First tracks with Mike Richards AKA “Mike Pow”, 4 November.
Mike enjoying some early turns, 4 November 2008
Mike enjoying the morning, 4 November 2008
Mike heading down Alpen course, 4 November 2008
Jumbo turns, 5 November 2008
Mike Kokutai, 5 November 2008
Mike slicing his way down Kokutai, 5 November 2008
2009 First snowfall in Hirafu village, 31 October
First snowfall in Hirafu village, 31 October 2009
First snowfall in Hirafu upper village, 31 October 2009
The old Hirafu Gondola, 31 October 2009
2009 First tracks with Jess Ripper AKA “Iron Man”, 3 November.
Hiking up for first runs with Jess, 3 November 2009
A Grand Hirafu staff member taking the easy way up the mountain, 3 November 2009
Jess flying down Kokutai, 3 November 2009
Yeah baby, 3 November 2009
Diggin’ deep, 3 November 2009
Alpen course, 3 November 2009
2010 First snowfall in Hirafu village, 26 October
First snowfall in Hirafu Village, 26 October 2010
First snowfall in upper Hirafu Village, 26 October 2010
The beautiful Mt.Annupuri, 26 October 2010
2010 First tracks with Nick and Paul, 27 October
Nick and Paul hiking up Sennoki for first tracks, 27 October 2010
Nick and Paul Alpen course, 27 October 2010
Nice shot, 27 October 2010
Eyes on the prize, 27 October 2010
Paul, 27 October 2010
Nick – Kokutai, 27 October 2010
Early powder, 27 October 2010
2011 First snowfall in Hirafu village, 15 November
Hirafu Shrine in Izumikyo first snowfall in the village, 15 November 2011
2011 First tracks, 16 October
First tracks posse, 16 November 2011
Woodly catching a snowball, 16 November 2011
Sam flicking around some powder – Kokutai, 16 November 2011
Thorsten taking it easy down Kokutai, 16 November 2012
Stu all smiles – Kokutai, 16 November 2011
Ben mixing business with pleasure, 16 November 2011
Marika enjoying the moment, 16 November 2011
Marika heading down Kokutai, 16 November 2011
Nikabe, 16 November 2011
Hotdoggin’ Nikabe, 16 November 2011
Alpen, 16 November 2011
This morning was wet but the sunrise cast a beautiful orange light through the village.
Sunrise over Mt. Yotei from Sunsports in Hirafu, 1 November 2012
A pot of gold in Hirafu? 1 November 2012
Rainy morning in Hirafu, 1 November 2012
Still waiting for the first snowfall in Hirafu Village this year….check out the Kutchannel’s popular First Snow contest to see when people are expecting the goods!
Please bear in mind that hiking and then skiing the resort with minimal snow is inherently dangerous. 360niseko.com does not condone riding the resort on minimal snow pack and anyone who does hike the mountain before it has been officially opened does so at their own risk.
