JAPAN The Earthquake and the Snow Resorts

Japan | Images:: Dominic Kieler – dkpgraphy.blogspot.com

Japan is suffering through a terrible time, while its ski resorts felt only mildly the earthquake that devastated the coast the after effects are reverberating through the ski industry.

Quentin Nolan operates a lodge – The Lab, in Hakuba in the Nagano area, four hours drive from Toykp, though he was not in Japan when the earthquake hit, his staff and the 20 or so guests reported days of shaking, strong enough to move small furniture, sleepless nights and general anxiety.

“Trips were immediately cancelled on request for those that had not yet started there trip,” he said in the aftermath of the event. “For those in the resort arrangements were made to bring people home as soon as possible.

“Our main concern is by far the safety and well being off all staff, friends and customers,” he said.

Three weeks have now passed, the immediate fallout from the disaster has cleared and it is possible to take stock of how the earthquake may affect the remainder of the 2011 snow season and shape the coming years.

March is generally a quiet time for Japan, however Nolan describes the ski resorts as ghost towns at the moment. While lifts that had been shut down to preserve electricity against the risk of tremours have now resumed operations the slopes remain deserted.

Daily snow reports for the Hakuba area advise visitors check with local resorts for lift operations, some areas are only running on weekends, at least two have closed for the season.

The Australian-filled Niseko, on the Hokkaido Island, North of Japan’s main island barely felt the effects of the earthquake and operations continue largely as normal in the Hokkaido resorts. While those in the resort are enjoying some lovely late season skiing, they have the slopes almost to themselves as even the reduced crowds of March are nowhere in sight.

Radiation fallout from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, which is about six hours drive from the Hakuba ski resorts, is the main concern for many Australians. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) and Trade has advised anyone within an 80km radius of the plant move out of the area. While those in other parts of Japan should be on alert for future disturbances at the plant, DFAT is not advising any immediate radiation danger.

“I dont personally have strong concerns about radiation in the ski resort areas we operate in,” Says Nolan. “My understanding is that the radiation is limited to relatively small and specific areas around the power plants and that these have now been brought under control to stop the possibility of a nuclear meltdown. In my opinion more testing etc will bring more assurance and understanding to those that look at Japan as a winter destination. ”

For now, the season is winding down to a natural end, snowfalls are decreasing and warmer weather is bringing on the snow melt. It is towards the coming seasons the industry must look to see what further repercussions the disaster will have on Japan’s snow resorts.

“from a business perspective, in the short term Japan inquiries for the 2011/12 season have dropped off significantly and in the short term we expect this to remain so,” says Nolan, “then over the next few months as assurance is made about the radiation concerns we expect to see levels increase back to previous years. People love powder and Japan has the best powder in the world. This will also be critical to the sustaining growth in Japan and bringing there economy back from this tragedy. ”

Australian skier Simon Blondel and photographer Dominic Kieler visited Japan early in the year, before the disaster struck. These images from Tomamu in Hokkaido are a reminder of how wonderful this country can be.

_”What more could you want? Skiing waist deep powder like you’re the boss, getting barreled in the afternoon as the sun slowly sets behind the iconic towers and devouring Japans finest whiskey! This is Tomamu.

Tomamu is not a resort to go to if you want shopping, restaurants or even pubs. No, you go to Tomamu to ski and ski we did.” – Simon Blondel_

All images Dominic Kieler – dkpgraphy.blogspot.com
Skier – Simon Blondel