ROCKERで滑りがホンマに変わった！

2012年1月1日

先日、K２のAll-Terrain Rocker Super Free板とFull Tilt Soul Sisterのブーツの組み合わせで滑りました。噂には聞いてましたが、一言で言うなら、「人生変わりました！」。軽さと簡単な滑り。こんなに滑りが楽しくなるとは！
K２スキーのレンタルも揃えていますので、お試しあれ！

Supporting K2 at the new b.c. map Niigata

November 14, 2011

We had a really fun, rainy day at the beginning of the month, as James and I drove north to Niigata City to take part in the opening of the new b.c. map, ICI Sport's backcountry ski/extra outdoor shops. Some, like in Niigata, are shops-in-shops, but that is a great big shop to begin with.

Officially we were there to represent K2 Skis, which is never an unpleasant job to do. Please see photo: my new skis for the year, the redesigned Pon2oon; James holding the ski he really should have, the Darkside. With us is Toshihiro Yamazato, the manager of the b.c.map section of the store.

I'm also pleased to say that we are listed as one of just a few recommended guide centers in Japan; if you do stop in their stores, including the flagship shop right outside Harajuku Station in Tokyo, hopefully you'll see us on the suggested guide map.

The entire blog entry (in Japanese) can be found at the blog page for ICI Sports Niigata.

Featured in The Australian

September 16, 2011

We hate to blow our own horn... OK, that's a lie; we love it when someone writes a well-drafted article that features—us.

It was a lot of fun to do, too, with writer Rick Wallace coming along for a simple, short tour up from Ikenotaira Ski Area. It's a great tour, by the way, for anyone who would like to try a backcountry tour and is feeling more and more confident about skiing on challenging snow, but might not be so sure about a long climb.

To read the whole pdf file version (sorry, it's a little large), just click here or on the newspaper image at left.

Everything's OK in Myoko

August 20, 2011

It's been a tough year in Japan. The massive March 11 earthquake and devastating tsunami that followed was bad enough. Then, of course, came the disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear reactor, creating a problem that still is not resolved.

Here in Myoko, though, we've been very lucky. We felt the first earthquake, but it was in big, long and not particularly sharp waves. It was another earthquake in northern Nagano the next day that we felt much more; it even brought down some avalanches (luckily, no one was caught in them).

Looking at a map of Japan, it might seem like Myoko is right next to Tohoku—and, straight-line, it is close. But there are a lot of mountains between here and there, and we’re upwind of the area. Radiation levels here have never gone beyond absolutely normal.

If you’re thinking about a trip here, but you’re not sure, there’s some good information on the top page of the Myoko Tourist Office. Our friends at Snow Japan also have an excellent review of the events in March, and what has happened since. I just want to quote how they close the section:

“Japan is a wonderful country full of wonderful people.

Oh yes, and wonderful skiing and snowboarding too.

After reading the facts, and if you feel comfortable with it.... hope to see you on the slopes next winter!

Because, if you do decide to come, you’ll have a great time, and will help Japan to rebuild (the easiest bit of charity work ever!).