2004 - The Second Course

Following up on my very enjoyable ski trip to Japan last year I decided to do pretty much the same sort of trip this year. With the exception of Dan, my immediate skiing companions from last year were not able to be in Niseko in February. Instead a new bunch of excited skiers and boarders decided to join me in Niseko. Not to my surprise was the fact that most of those who I knew from 2003 had also returned in 2004.

Another smiling first-timer

As expected, many other first timers to Japan also travelled from Australia and New Zealand to experience the Japanese winter treats. The season was no where near as good as the 2003 season which had been described to me as "average". From discussions with locals it appears that season 2004 was pretty much one of the worst on record. The season started late and even by mid January the base depth was well below "average". This made the off piste much more technical as the bamboo and tree tops were exposed in areas where they would normally have been covered. We did get lots of sunshine - rare indeed.

All that blue sky meant unlimited views of Mt Yotei from any direction in or out of the resort

Adding to the dilemma of a low base depth was the fact that even when snow fell the vegetation was not flattened by the new snow but would spring back up through the new white stuff. It was explained to me that this had something to do with warmer than usual temperatures. It was all getting too technical for me - basically the off piste had many more hazards. In some places where there were normally wide open slopes this year there was bamboo and trees forcing you to keep a very tight line.

So what brought me back? Was it ...

The uncrowded slopes?	The scenery?	The tree skiing?
The endless sunshine?	The food? The colour?	The language and culture?

Or just more powder?

Read on and find out ...