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Sarah here…..reporting back from two weeks in Japan, where I visited 6 amazing ski resorts.

Well if Japan has been on your list of where to ski next I can highly recommend a visit.  The only time I had spare to get to Japan was early in the season and I was amazed by the quality of snow.  There is truth to the Epic Champagne Powder on the slopes of Hokkaido.  I left Niseko Resort on the 23rd December, take a look photo of the the snow piled up on the deck of our apartment in Niseko, it was a heart wrenching moment of whether to get on the bus or not!!!

A ski holiday in Japan is the complete package, it offers the ultimate experience combining fantastic snow and culture.  Each resort is unique so why not give me a call or contact me via email so you too can have as much fun as I did in Japan.

Sarah Headifen: sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz 
or Toll Free NZ 0800 11 22 99 
Toll Free AU 1800 19 95 25 

Just reporting in from the slopes of Furano….although considered early season here on this island of Hokkaido, today have just experinced some of ehe infamous Hokkaido Powder.  I can honestly say it was UNBELIEVEABLE to ride every run in fresh powder……dry light snow…..something many of us dream about.

Our travels so far have taken us from the fabulous authentic Japanese ski village of Nosawa Onsen with 13 natural hot springs to the vast slopes of Hakuba and Shiga Kogen.  The locals were worried that snow would be late coming but coming from the Southern Hemisphere and arriving here in Japan in December it is a winter wonderland. 

Highlights of my first trip to Japan have been, so far, the powder, the karoke and meeting Steve Bradbury the gold medeal olympic speed skater from the very famous win at the 2002 winter olympics.  He has recently opened a lodge in Hakuba with his business partner josh.  Japan so far is execeeding my expectations, many of us worry that it cant offer what we perhaps have come to expect in North America, I know I did having lived in North America for 15 seasons.  Japan is a whole new experince in the sense it is not just the skiing and boarding it is also the amazing culture that adds an extra dynamic to your time spent here.

Backcountry skiing and boarding is developing fast, with many ex heli ski guides from North America now basing themselves here in Japan.  They rate Japan with some of the best powder in the world and I would tend to agree with this.  I have been a bit slow to try some of the more interesting local food options but there is always a western dish on hand should you choose to eat something a little more western, but I am pleased to say my chop stick eating skills are improving day by day.

More soon…. off to the Onsen,

Sarah Headifen - talk to me about your next Japan ski holiday!!!
Toll Free NZ 0800 11 22 99
Toll Free AU 1800 19 95 25

I wonder where Sarah and Mark are at the the moment?   We are all waiting to hear about their latest exploits in Japan.  I have heard Sarah was forced to sing in front of a room full of Japanese businessman…very brave!

Lianne at Ski Traveller - left behind in NZ
 

1. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
2. Telluride, Colorado
3. Deer Valley, Utah
4. Aspen, Colorado
5. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
6. Sun Valley, Idaho
7. Vail, Colorado
8. Beaver Creek, Colorado
9. Park City, Utah
10. Sun Peaks Resort, British Columbia

Have you skied at the Top 10 yet?
If not give us a call, we can get you there in 2009 ! 

Check out the skier on Aspen mountain (it’s me)….

Chase Dillion
Aspen Skiing Company

check out this photo taken yesterday in Aspen….so much snow!

Greetings from Aspen/Snowmass, 

We received 19 inches (46 cm) yesterday and another storm is coming this way!  We have unbelievable early season snow here in Aspen/Snowmass and the skiing has been awesome!  Yesterday was surely only the first powder day of many more to come.  Here are a few pictures from yesterday……
Chace Dillion - Aspen Skiing Company

TELLURIDE, Colo. (December 9, 2008) -A huge winter storm hit the San Juan Mountains, leaving a blue sky morning with 17 fresh inches of snow. Mountain crews are reporting 14 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours bringing our 48 hour storm total to 17 inches.

“This huge storm has Telluride in a great mood and ski conditions are fantastic,” said Matt Skinner, executive director of sales & marketing for the Telluride Ski Resort. “The new Revelation Bowl will be opening in the coming days as the most anticipated event of the year.”

Situated amidst the grandest 13,000 and 14,000 ft. peaks in the country, Telluride is the perfect winter wonderland getaway. Guests flying to the Telluride Ski Resort have two airport options: Montrose or Telluride.

Here is a rare event me on a snowboard!    I usually try snowboarding once every other year and only when the snow is nice and soft.   I have decided to actually  learn the sport this season and on Monday December 1^st  conditions were perfect  at Copper,  the snow was  soft (mid-February condition)  everywhere on the mountain and surprisingly I only had a few  hard falls and could still get out of bed on Tuesday morning. 

Roger Markel
Director of International Sales & Emerging Markets

 This morning when Banff and Lake Louise locals woke up they found the town and mountains were covered with a lovely 23cms of fresh snow.Check out the photo that was taken this morning in the heart of Banff.