After the amazing snowfall earlier in the week we we able to finally make it out for first tracks. This year instead of heading up Grand Hirafu decided to take a different route and opted for Niseko Weiss next to Hanazono Niseko.
First tracks – setting off, 10 November 2016
As it absolutely dumped on Kutchan last week and Thursday the 10th there seemed to be plenty of snow and Weiss seemed like a good option. In addition to this Hanazono recently cut back the courses in preparation for Cat Skiing and this video inspired us to take a closer look.
Hanazono local Shouya Grigg from Sekka and Zaborin joined us for the mission. We set off around 11:00 and it took us around 2 hours to get to the top of the cleared section in the thigh to waist deep snow.
A hard slog, 10 November 2016
The run down was perfect for a first run for the season in bottomless powder. As the snow had some down quickly it was a little difficult to get as much speed as we would have liked but still had an epic run.
Take 2
The next day the weather was perfect and as we had already put a boot pack in decided it was worth another shot. With the freezing temperatures overnight -10 in Kutchan the odds were the snow would be faster. This time around we were at the top in half the time and scored and unbelievable run down – speed was not an issue!
The next day, 11 November 2016
Blue bird conditions, 11 November 2016
Niseko Weiss First Tracks
Niseko Weiss – First Tracks, 10 & 11 November 2016 from 360niseko on Vimeo.
Photography and Video by Glen Claydon Photography – Snowboarder Shouya Grigg
