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Big Bear Alert!
Officially bears do exist in Hakuba. In fact, they`re all over Japan. The Japanese black bear (tsukinowaguma), with its white crescent moon collar is traditionally associated with the Shinto mountain spirit yama no kami. So if you see one, don`t run……pray for powder & a stable snow-pack. How many black bears are there in Hakuba? No one knows. But they`re either extremely elusive or really low in numbers, as in 11 years in the Hakuba valley, i`ve yet to see one……excluding of course the 3 new ones just up the street from Morino Lodge…… ……Thats`s right, the Cottages formerly known as Aurinko have had a name change and are now being called the Big Bear Chalets. There still in the same great location – in the heart of beautiful Wadano – & you can expect the same great service & all the comforts & amenities that make them one of Hakuba`s very best self-contained accommodation options. They`re filling up for the 2011/12 ski season but have some availability early season & in February & March. Big bear has it going on!
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Hakuba Fall-ing
When it comes to seasons in Hakuba, winter & summer tend to get the bulk of the attention….& for good reason indeed….but if it wasn`t for my obsession with snow-covered mountains & all the fun that entails, Autumn would definitely be a contender for my “favorite time of year in Hakuba” award. The cool mountain air scented with fall leaves is both relaxing & exhilarating, & a constant reminder that the stresses of city-life are far away & that winter`s thrills are close by. Its the perfect climate for long walks in the low lying valleys & hills or up the towering peaks of the Northern Alps where you`ll pass through technicolor-ed leaves, barren moonscapes & if you`re lucky, dustings of the coming season`s first snow. Here`s a random collection of pics from Walks this past week in nearby Sarukura, Miasa & Minekata.
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Banff Mountain Film festival 2011 in Matsumoto
Autumn is in full swing in Hakuba at the moment & the excitement of another winter amongst the snowy peaks of the Northern Alps is is starting to build. It`ll be not long now that mother nature tilts her axis, once again, bringing meters upon meters of fluffy white stuff to the Hakuba valley making for one of the world`s premier winter playgrounds. For those who need a little mountain fix asap or just another reason to get you amped for the coming season, the renowned Banff Mountain Film festival is coming to Matsumoto Sunday Oct 30th. It promises “the World` s Best Mountain Films” with selections like Jeremy Jone`s “Deeper”, “A Life Ascending”, “Into Darkness”, & “Life Cycles”. So if you`re anywhere near Matsumoto on Oct 30th & need some inspiration or just wanna check out some good`ol mountain films….drop on by! Its at the Matsumoto Performing Arts Center (Shimin Geijutsukan) about a 10 minute walk from the station. Program A starts @ 1:00pm & Program B @ 5:00pm. The Banff Mountain Film festival Tour also stoops in Myoko Kogen on Nov 3rd. For more info check out – http://www.banff.jp/index.htm See you there!
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10000 Free Flights to Japan….for real!
There`s no question that foreign tourism has taken a beating in Japan since the March 11th earthquake. The number of foreign tourists dropped 32% last August & were down more like 60% last April. Numbers are rebounding but its still tough times. Obviously there are 2 main culprits for this, the strong Yen & the common misconception that travel beyond Fukushima poses health risks from radiation. The Japan Tourism agency plans to combat this by giving away 10000 free international flights to the land of the rising sun starting sometime mid-2012. Yes that`s right….10000 & FREE! The idea is that those 10000 people will return home spreading the word that Japan is as fun & as safe as ever and a great destination for your next adventure. I`m confident that`s exactly what they`ll do……..especially those who will have spent their last week shredding knee deep powder in the Hakuba trees! It`s an ambitious proposal & an interesting marketing strategy and i hope it helps. I also hope thatmore than a few Hakuba bound travelers can reap some of the benefits. So, check out the links below & we`ll update the blog as more information becomes available. According to the Wall Street Journal, online applications will start next April with lucky winners being selected next summer. Check out the Wall Street Journal`s Japan Realtime article & also, have a look at the JNTO`s website for more info….& we`ll keep you posted! Nihon Ganbare!
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Snow on the peaks – October 3rd
The first snow was actually on Sept 19th but it melted by 8am. The first decent dusting happened in the last two days. There’s a definite chill in the air and everyone is busy in the village harvesting the rice before the first frost. Not long to go now!
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SnowJapan guide to the ‘Great East Japan Earthquake’
SnowJapan.com has been one of the leading online resources for information on skiing & snowboarding all over Japan for over a decade. Like a lot of us in the ski & snowboard industry here, they`ve fielded lots of questions concerning the implications of the disasters on the ski hills here. In response, they`ve put together an online “guide” providing “clear, balanced & honest information on the subject”. Anyhow, Its full of interesting links & resources & worth taking a look at, so thought i`d pass it on here. Be sure to check out the local accounts of the disasters & the section on radiation data. SnowJapan guide to the ‘Great East Japan Earthquake’ Can`t believe its still June & i`m already getting real excited about next winter!
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Win a Free trip to Hakuba Japan!
If you live in the States & like to ski or snowboard in exotic places with tons of untouched powder……..you have 2 weeks left to register for a chance to win a free trip for 2 to Hakuba Japan! ****For our non-US friends, apologies this contest applies only to US residents……….but the good news is EVO is offering %10 discounts to all Morino customers…..and they`ve already got the best prices on the best ski & snowboard gear. Just contact Morino and we`ll send details**** Winner will get: Round trip airfare from LA for 2 provided by JustFares.com (Want to buy this trip?) 5 Nights of lodging for two including breakfast at the Morino Lodge 2 Outerwear kits provided by Oakley Ski or Snowboard setup for 2 provided by Salomon Skis & Salomon Snowboards 2 Helmets provided by Bern Helmets Layers for 2 provided by Under Armour Mountain 2 Contour GPS HD Helmet Cams provided by Contour Round trip ground transportation from airport to Morino Lodge Spending money for meals ($500) Trip valued at: $7,000 Travel dates: Jan 8, 2012 – April 7, 2012 (your choice within that window)
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Happo; the ides of April
Hakuba`s been having one of the better Springs i can remember with a healthy base remaining and sunshine galore….& at just the right temperature to keep the snow from getting too slushy. Up until a few days ago we still had full coverage right to the bottom of Happo & now there`s still lots of fun to be had on the top two thirds of the resorts. So if you`re into a carve or jib session on the piste, Happo, 47/Goryu & Tsugaike are all open through May 5th. Unfortunately the Happo Park has closed for the season a little earlier than planned. I believe this was a cost-cutting measure brought on by the big drop in business immediately after the Tohoku Earthquake. Fortunately, business at the resorts has bounced back as it becomes clear that Hakuba was unaffected by the disaster. The 47 park is still open….and its a good one too. And complimenting the on-piste action, there`s still great skiing to be had in the backcountry. Yesterday we had a visit from Erick & Kayoko – friends & former Wadano Lodge managers – and took advantage of a stunning day with a long hike off the top of Happo. Even after 11 seasons here these mountains never fail to blow me away……. After a looooong descent down a perfect & untouched bowl, looking back at at literally dozens of similar untouched chutes & bowls i thought to myself “there isn`t a single bowl in my former home resort of Whistler that can touch anyone of these.” Hakuba….What a place!