VIDEO BLOG Luke Kneller Discovers Real Mountains in HAKUBA
Enticing. Image:: Chris Hocking
Blog | Luke Kneller
Last week if you asked where I would be in a week’s time I would have been 100% positive that it would not be Japan. But a lot can happen in a week, especially with some light arm-twisting from Liquid Snow Tours.
So here I am with Tim Myers (Event Director for the Toyota One Hit Wonder) Filming for a secret project that he is hoping will get him into the headlines finally for his own merit (see below) and not just seat placement. As well as filming some product reviews for Atomic Skis and Phoenix Hotel Hakuba who kindly let us stay in their beautiful lodge for the week.
Tim Myers, famous by association.
We are skiing around the Nagano region where they held the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Until I came here I honestly had no idea that Japan had proper mountains, I always just assumed it was relatively flat tree skiing. After a 6 hour snowshoe trek over 10km (up 500 vertical metres) I now fully appreciate what Japan has to offer.
So this where Japan hides the big mountains. Image:: Chris Hocking
Skiing with 3-time Olympian and World Cup winner Steve lee as well as Evergreen Outdoor Centre guide and Mountain legend Dave Enright has truly been an eye-opening experience. I have learnt so much in the last two days about the backcountry thanks to these guys.
The gang getting serious in Hakuba backcountry. Image:: Chris Hocking
Making turns. Image:: Chris Hocking
Looking forward to doing more of this in the future! Unfortunately a big Southerly storm is passing through the region bringing with it warm temperatures and rain, all will change this weekend though as we are expecting upwards of 60cm of Fresh white powdery goodness! Here is a little teaser of our skiing adventures so far.
