JAPOW - KABLAM!!

12 December 2010
Wow I cant believe how quick time goes, 8 days since my last bog but to be honest not a lot has happened really, the hill hasn’t been open, therefore all the guests booked in for lessons have had to have their lessons in Kiroro a neighbouring mountain which is pretty much for the locals. They have been hammered with snow so to keep the guest happy SJ are driving them across which is nice! The returners and people up the top of the priority list are starting to get work which is good, apparently the rest of us are booked out from the 18th December for lessons from 8 till 3 which will be good.
Between the 4th and now I have had my knee checked out by a physio and turns out I tore my meniscus. She gave me a load of exercises and its feeling pretty good. I have to make sure I stay regimented with the exercises and stretch, survival is key this season I need to make sure I stick the programme and practise all i need for CASI 3 and thats it pretty much. Its super hero snow but I am super fragile.
I went for my first slide since the injury today as the hill opened up today – but only the beginner chair called family run! It was good as it gave us a chance to scope out the beginner terrain and have a bit of slidy fun – I spent the time getting used to my new board. I havent ridden a different pair of bindings since I started snowboarding so to move to another model was a bit strange with the board but it works, I just need to get used to it. I think i prefer my bigger board more but only because my old bindings are on there! They are so sweet still and only 4 years old – gotta love ride gear!
We’ve had a couple of nights out one was the Ski Japan staff party which incorporated free booze and curry, the seasonaires favourite night out. The food was awesome I drank though I wish I didnt there was no way I was getting drunk with that much curry inside me, but it was still good times. Last night was the VBG opening party and it was like being in an Australian bar, hardly any Japanese and loads of people binge drinking including me! It was a super fun night caught up with the crew threw down a few shapes then called it a night.
Right now in Niseko its finally dumping, we are all very happy as we have spent the best part of 2 weeks indoors with cabin fever waiting for the mountain to open. My friends from Turoa Tony and Tom are coming to work for our ski school and they timed it perfectly, they will be here on the 16-18th December and thats when the mountain in its entirety will look like its ready from shredding.
Apart from a few trips to the local city Kuchan for some shopping thats all we’ve been upto!
Peace and love people