japan2012

Steam Boat Restaurant

Sophie in deep.

Skiing Day Ten: Monday Jan 16.

Early morning start this morning. We were on buses before 8.00am and on our way to Rusutsu. Snowing heavily as we left but we were not sure how much had fallen over night until we arrived. Treed areas completely fresh, no tracks from previous days, must have had at least 20cm overnight. Most of the treed areas gave up to mid knee depth. In drops it was deeper, but the quality of snow was superb. Very light and fluffy, an absolute delight to ski in. Visibility during the morning was good enough, the cloud lifted and the snow eased for about an hour around midday and then a wind change with heavy, heavy snow set in at 3.00pm.

All groups found fresh untracked powder. Isola Gullies had some work, but the ridges were still giving a clean run late in the day. Mick and Dave found a lower ridge and skied top to bottom without crossing or seeing another track, it was 3.30pm! When asked about how they went, everyone has just smiled broadly. It has been a fabulous day of skiing.

With everyone accounted for ( Dave gave everyone a fright as dark was descending and Craig A was given a ride on a snow mobile!) most headed for the Rusutsu Hotel Onsen to freshen up before buffet dinner at  restaurant “Oktobafest”. Food was sensational and everyone had a ill and a half after a solid day skiing. Boyz gave the desert bar a real work over, Quentin is the soft serve champion of the World!

Another great day in deep powder snow paradise – Rusutsu!

In summary: Tod buried and lost a ski… but this year he managed to dig it out. Tory skied hard with The B Team all morning but was eventually broken. Dave swapped groups looking for an easier ride, but everyone as charging and he regrouped with The B Team for the best, last runs imaginable. He then got himself lost! Helen is now a tree line powder hound. She did however hit branches at speed and wacked her face, fat lip and bleeding. She didn’t stop however until she had ripped the chute! Jacqui is on the mend as the meds kick in and is keen to ski tomorrow. Sarah and Sophie skied with brother Dan and impressed him with style,
persistence and resilience. He couldn’t ski them off!  Although Sophie managed to tree park with a leg either side, stuck. Many other outs and duffs. Tyrie gets the award for Greatest Improver as he ripped the powder on his board today. Ken skied for the camera with style and grace. Ross chased the fresh lines all day, finishing second often. Ross of course with enthusiasm fell on his wife Margret. He did however get first run at the desert machine and the coffee machine at buffet.
Mick and Dave pack this evening and head out early in the morning – Bon Voyage!

Sarah riding

View from the top!