A bit more fresh snow last night – maybe 10cm at the bottom and 20cm up top to add to the dusting we had the day before. Goryu are reporting 45cm base up top and temperatures of -4C

The Morino & Wadano crew headed up to check it out.

Morino & Wadano lodge crew up top

The wind had picked up since the morning and was whipping across Alpsdaira leading to slow lifts and line-ups but the snow was powdery and the views were good.

A windy Alpsdaira

The bottom of Goryu had maybe 15cm so a way to go before the lower runs are open but the 16th/17th/18th is looking very promising for decent snowfall in the valley.

View at the bottom

A nice touring hike today despite mixed resort conditions. Hiked up the first peak and then dropped into a nice north facing sheltered chute then up the next peak and down through perfectly spaced trees.

Conditions were great in the chute as no sun had got in there!

Not so good conditions on the 2nd lower descent but the views made up for it.

Looking back at the chute on the first peak

The view over to the happo north faces

The rare sunny February conditions look set to continue so get out there and enjoy them!

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!

A winter of consistent cold dry powder continues. Friday was one of those dreamy days, when the sun comes out after days of snow!

A great day in the Hakuba BC from Dan Cockburn on Vimeo.

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

Hakuba rode quite the weather roller-coaster today.   A sudden snowstorm plowed through what had once been a clear and warm spring day.   The sudden 4 degree drop in temps and onslaught of snowflakes stopped as suddenly as it started. Winter’s dying hiccup, perhaps?

I hit the slopes at Hakuba 47 to enjoy  the new dusting of  snow and found that I had just missed a huge slalom snowboard race.  The  mountain was packed full of sleek racers, hippie ski bums, and  wildly colorful park punks.  A huge snowboard demo kept everyone kitted up with fun new toys to try.  I was happy just to cruise a few groomers on what had turned out to be a glorious  spring afternoon and let myself be entertained by what the circus had brought to town.

A wide variety of demo boards to take up and try out.

Geared up to shred.

Tailgaiting Hakuba style! BBQ and beer in the 47 parking lot.

Sweet snow planks.

A splash of color

Apres Ski smiles. Morino guests enjoy a beer at the bottom of 47 after a most amusing day!

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 know Jen just posted for today but I had to post some more pics and vids from my camera cause it was such a cracker!

an almost festive atmosphere on the mountain and perfect snow – as the title says, as good as it gets and a fitting finale to a great season of powder. Get your t-shirts and sunnys out cause it’s Spring skiing from here on in!

Some more pics

I have to rank today’s endless powder-smashing as one of my best days on the mountain ever!  A beautiful sunny day, fresh pow as far as the eye could see, and great friends to enjoy it with.  We rode from the first lift until our powder legs simply gave out beneath us.  I felt like I had died and gone to heaven!  Now off to the onsen to bask in the glory of March’s last hoo-rah!

First lift... Release the powder hounds!

Eric is all smiles

Powder ain't just for people! Our second sighting of a Kamoshika today.

Fat fun freshies all day long. aaaaaaaaahhhh!

There hadn’t been much snowfall the last few nights here at the lodge, so I was caught off guard when  Keigo and Junko called and reported bottomless powder and blue skies at Cortina. Craig and I didn’t hesitate. We were out the door in a flash,  arms full of gear and still chomping down breakfast.  Luckily I remembered my camera in the kerfuffle and  snapped  a few shots of what turned out a most pleasant and powdery surprise!

Just can't pin Craig to the ground on a powder day!

Cherry blossoms have come early this year? Nope. It looks like we'll be playing under a snowy canopy for a while yet! Sake anyone?

K-5 lets it rip!

They don't call her "Flash" for nothin! Go Junko, Go!