Intrepid staff members Pat and Alanna braved the whiteout conditions at Happo to bring you the good news – It’s dumped!

Alanna kicking up a faceshot

15cm at the lodge translated into 30-40cm at the top. little snowmen every day in the forecast for the next week and a possible Hakuba megadump on the cards for the 23rd. Looks like the season is really getting under way

Pat advertising for Salomon

Snow flurries have been spotted in the Hakuba region. Wax your skis and boards!

Hakuba 47 showing some extremely white slopes especially at the top.

A view of Happo.

The system coming though on Thursday may lay enough snow on the upper slopes for some early season turns. Both Happo and 47 are on standby for opening operations so we’ll keep you posted.

Morino Lodge, Evo Gear and JustFares Combine Forces!

We are proud to announce that Morino Lodge has teamed up with Evo and Just Fares to give away the trip of a lifetime! You’ve seen the footage of the classic Japanese powder tree skiing right out our back door, you’ve dreamed about the delicious cuisine and nightlife Japan has to offer, you’ve fantasized about seeing those famous hot-tubbing monkeys ….and now’s your chance!

You (and a very lucky friend) could be flown to Japan where you’ll both be welcomed in our legendary lodge… But that’s just the beginning! A number of sponsors have stepped up to round out the trip to make it a once in a lifetime ordeal. If you ski or snowboard, Salomon Skis or Salomon Snowboards will hit you with a full gear setup. And don’t worry, Oakley had you covered for a free outwear setup and the best optics known to mankind. Dakine is throwing in luggage and Under Armour Mountain has your base layers worked out. Did we mention Bern Helmets is providing lids? You’ll be completely dialed to let loose for 5 days of incredible skiing and exploring everything that Hakuba, Japan has to offer. Oh yeah, and don’t worry about ground transportation. Covered. Plus you get $500 spending cash to cover your meals… does it get better?

Winner (and their best friend) will get:

* Round trip airfare to Japan from LA for two provided by JustFares.com
* 5 Nights of lodging for two including breakfast at the Morino Lodge
* 2 Outerwear kits provided by Oakley
* 2 Ski setups provided by Salomon Skis
or 2 snowboard setups provided by Salomon Snowboard * 2 Helmets provided by Bern Helmets
* Layers for 2 provided by Under Armour Mountain
* 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)

Could you be the lucky one?

CLICK HERE TO ENTER NOW

The Trip of a Lifetime!

The Lodge was turned into an open air theatre and BBQ area last night for the High cascade Super Park BBQ party. The riders managed to get a fairly early night which couldn’t be said for some of the other partygoers.

The BBQ theatre arena aka Morino car park

Everyone tucks in

After a quick Morino heli scout of the back range for future lines the riders started strutting their stuff on the jumps. 13 year old Kadono Yuki was really impressive. Possibly a new Japanese Shaun white in the making. He’s already up there at the top professional level in Japan and he’s still got the best years ahead of him – One to watch. 36 year old Veteran rider Yoshino Michihiko was going huge on the hip, using the whole length of the hip and almost going into orbit.

Park shaper Toshi on the bottom kicker

Towards the end multiple riders were hitting the jumps in tandem and the last run was a free for all with all riders going in unison.

Thanks to Happo Kaihatsu, Igari-san & the High cascade team and all the riders who came together to make it a great event!

Arrived in style by heli today for day two of the High cascade super park session.Definitely the fastest I’ve ever made it from the Lodge to the top of Sakka!

The combination of a complete lack of wind, faster snow conditions on the run-ups and the Heli shooting meant all the riders were really pushing it on the Jumps. Takumi Ikegami was busting some perfect methods on the hip whilst red bull rider Shinji Okada was doing some epic spin twists on the 25m kicker

Takumi Ikegami with a perfect method on the hip

Heli and pro-riders

Going big on the hip

Hopping the Heli

The High cascade Super Park session got off to a roaring start in the Morino lodge lounge last night. A chance for the production teams Indres formation, Bravoski, First children and Seven Samurai and the riders to get to know each other!

First Children production team introduce themselves

Voekl team rider Keiji Okamoto wins at Jenga!

Surprisingly, after all the late night shenanigans, everyone managed to make it out the door the next morning. 15cms of fresh overnight (not bad for mid April!) and the sun was starting to poke out. Today would be a great day to hit the High cascade super park!

10cm in the car park 15cm on the mountain

The 25m kicker at the bottom

Discovered a new function on my camera!

The riders took a while to get warmed up but by the afternoon there were some spectacular aerobatic displays. Tomorrow is set to be another stunning spring day for the scheduled heli filming session.

Here’s a good eating tip for when you’re skiing at Happo. Head up the Alpen quad above the gondola, go inside the Virgin cafe building and head through the back to Restaurant Pilar.

Not the normal Japanese mountain cafeteria affair here. Instead theres a great choice of Italian and French fusion course lunches, fine wine and panoramic views of the mountains. Highly recommended!! Almost like being back in Europe drinking plonk and eating crepes and baguettes on le terrace!

Virgin Cafe at the top of the Alpen Quad

Yukie admiring the view from our table

Glass with a view

I couldn’t make it out today but Eric, our trusty Wadano lodge manager and faceless being (he’s very shy on the internet) took the camera out and did some easy lines off the back of Happo.It looks like spring kicked in from this afternoon and it will be sunny t-shirt days of park riding and corn backcountry lines until the end of the season in May.

Yari seen through Eric's skis

Eric in the upper bowl

Faceless being in the upper bowl

Lines from the day

I ventured out with my camera the other day to see what captured my imagination.  The winner was this lovely pond at the base of Wadano, the dock still covered in new snow.  It  was so pristine and calm that it almost made me want to jump in… almost.

March is here and the snow predictions for this week look sick!  Our home in Hakuba is as beautiful as ever with fresh snow on the ground and plenty  more  powder days to come!

The road into Hakuba

Blue skies and Pristine Powder. Aaaahhhh...