Powderlife Magazine Issue No.11

WINTER SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT REAL ESTATE FREE
issue 11
10 Dec 27
13 - Jan
26 2008
9 2009
skvsi
www.powderlife.com
oard
POWDER B
SHOWDOWN
CROSS COUNTRY
japans year in review
NISEKO SURVIVAL GUIDE

earn your avalanche stripes
KUTCHAN KARAOKE
sing up a storm in k-town
Nisekos powder lifestyle magazine fresh every two weeks

Sekka
Contents
GROOMERS
NEWS PEOPLE PARTIES ETC
11 Page Seven // Village news and happenings

12 Cross Country // Offbeat news from across Japan
15 Niseko News // Be the first to know
16 News Feature // Darts tkes flight
18 Snap // Faces and fashion on the mountain
19 Flash // Nisekos nightlife and party scene
20 Nightlife // The day really begins aprs
21 In the loop // Whats on in Niseko
22 Powder Tools // Essentials for Niseko powder
24 Meet the locals // Introducing Niseko locals
25 Irrashaimase // Great little local businesses
FEATURES
A WAIST-DEEP LOOK AT NISEKO
26 SKIS VS BOARDS
The battle for pride place and powder. Its the eternal
battle. To ski or to board? That is the question.
32 A THOUSAND WORDS
Gallery of the latest action from the slopes. No need for
words - just look
36 NISEKO SURVIVAL GUIDE

How to survive in Nisekos vast, white and powdery
backcountry
winter print run 50,000+

44 MEN WHO RIDE MOUNTAINS
You better believe it, Sterling Goldmans back - and in
even better form than ever
49
publisher Bevan Colless
managing editor Kristian Lund Q & A WITH EYAL AGMONI

design Geoffrey McRoberts Moria mountain holding GK purchased the Moiwa ski resort.
contributors Katherine Bont, Lorne Calhoun, Stirling Powderlife finds out a bit more about their plans
Goldman, Nick Jackson, Sarah Lilburn, Greg Lund, Chika Matsuda
51
Tess Stomski, Matthew Thomas, Saoka Wakasugi
photography Glen Claydon Photography, Niseko Photography,
advertising inquiries
I STAND CORRECTED
By Graeme Glen, sales manager for West Canada
ads@powderlife.com
/ subscriptions / past issues
Properties
info@powderlife.com
BACKCOUNTRY
Powderlife Niseko Magazine is a Niseko Media Publication HIKE OUT THE BACK FOR THE REST

170-5 Aza Yamada Kutchan-cho 35 Music Reviews // Andy Gulverhouse

Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081 38 Restaurant Review // Okonomiyaki Jyuu
tel 0136 22 2000 fax 0136 22 2011
40 Japanese Cooking // Okonomiyaki - as you like it!
www.powderlife.com
42 Learning Japanese // Japanese for powder people
46 Kutchan // Kutchan Karaoke? Okey Dokey!
2008 Niseko Media KK
48 Real Estate News // The latest on property
Contents of Powderlife are subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in
part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publication
53 On The Market // North Field Lodge
of editorial does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of views or
54 On The Market // Listings
opinions expressed. The publisher does 56 Course Map // Mountain info
not accept responsibility for statements made by advertisers. 58 Walking Map // Must have village directory
59 Phone Directory // Your town pages
Nisekos first English language periodical magazine published every 61 Local Information // Essential tips and info on Niseko
two weeks in Niseko between December and March and once outside 62 The Last Word On Health // Over protection
winter as Summerlife

cover Adrian Camp photographer Glen Claydon
6 powderlife ISSUE 11 december 26 - january 9 2009 www.powderlife.com

editors note... ...
EVERY year, people across the world dream of a white Christmas. In Niseko that
white Christmas is guaranteed in spades usually spade-loads of powder snow
you have to shovel off your front step on Christmas morning. This amazing snow
that falls from the sky nearly every day in winter is just one thing that makes
Niseko so great. 1
In this issue we take a fresh look at a debate that has been raging since rebellious
snowboarders started sliding down mountains which is better for powder
skiing or boarding?? This is sure to stir up some controversy and were looking
forward to it. We also take you on an avalanche safety course and introduce you to
one of Japans favourite foods okonomiyaki. Plus all our regular columns, new
and old.
We would like to start publishing readers letters, so if youve got anything on your
mind, have any ideas for the magazine or website, or just want to tell us what a
fabulous place you think Niseko is, put it in an email to ed@powderlife.com. ed@powderlife.com
We hope you had a great Christmas and have a fantastic New Year in Niseko. See
you on the slopes!
Kristian Lund, Powderlife Managing Editor kris@powderlife.com kris@powderlife.com
Photo: Niseko Photography

page seven
By Kristian Lund
and Matthew Thomas
Slow start but bring on New Year
FOR once the weather forecasters were right. The early seasonal
outlook for Hokkaido and most of Japan was low snowfall and
above average temperatures. We at Powderlife, and we guess many
others in Niseko, chose to ignore these unimaginable predictions
as were so often let down by the meteorological soothsayers. Well,
for once they were spot on. At the time of this magazine going to
press, solid weekly dumps of snow were being followed up by
warm temperatures, turning any precipitation into a day or two of
Kentucky Fried Christmas
rain and washing away any gains that had been made.
IT seems in Japan the jolly old
But fortunately, the New Year is upon us, and there is no better
white-bearded man that every-
time to turn ones fortunes than now. The powder spells in
one looks forward to seeing at
between have been pretty amazing. And the rain will have aided in
Christmas in Japan isnt Santa, its
firming up the base for when the inevitable consistent snowfall
Colonel Sanders. Such is the rush
arrives. Even in a bad season in Niseko we get up towards 10m of
for KFC at Christmas that Japanese
snowfall and there are always periods of weeks on end when it
book their fried Chrissie chook
snows every day. A season can turn on its head within the period
ahead of time.
of a week, and theres a good chance that week is not too far away.
New Years Niseko style

THE Japanese love a good celebration, and because Christmas is
not such a big deal here, New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) goes
off with a bang. Its perhaps the most important holiday in
Japan and families typically get together to celebrate. In Niseko
theres no shortage of events, so check out our events calendar
on p21 for a few ideas on how to welcome in the New Year.
There are celebrations at every ski resort in Niseko, but the
main event happens at the base of Hirafu, on the slopes above DVD giveaways
the Kogen Hotel. Along with fireworks, live music and taiko WHILE skiing has always been the
drum performances, the most spectacular part of the night will rich mans pasttime, snowboarding
be when more than 100 skiers and snowboarders carrying has very often been the opposite. In
flaming torches high on the mountainside form the numbers the late 80s and early 90s, young,
09, before skiing to the bottom. Not to be missed! free-spirited Japanese with little
January 1 is said to be a very auspicious day in Japan, best cash to buy lift passes and pay for
started by viewing the New Years first sunrise (hatsu-hinode) fancy accommodation would travel
so long as you didnt drink too much of that free sake the night to ski resorts and live out of their
before! cars. They used onsen (public hot
spring baths) for bathing and
survived on one of the cheapest
Photos: Niseko Photography and tastiest meals known to man
Japanese curry rice (which by the
way we highly recommend for a
lunch at local ski hill restaurants).
They would cook the rice with rice
Kamimura opens early cookers they plugged in to vending
machines in resort car parks, and
YUICHI Kamimura former five-year apprentice for for that reason vending machines in
Sydneys famous celebrity chef, Tetsuya Wakuda is Japan now come with non-standard
renowned locally for delectable dinners at his restau- plugs! Damn snowboarders
rant and caf, Kamimura. This season, Yuichi, who This tradition of travelling and
says he has almost spent his entire life in the kitchen, living out of cars is celebrated in
will be trying his deft hand at a gourmet breakfast Hokkaido filmmaker Neil
menu, aimed at keeping at bay those hunger pains Hartmanns classic Car Danchi
before a big day amongst the powder. The man who snowboard movie series. Danchi
may just have the sharpest knife in Niseko is, for means government-sponsored
a second winter season at Kamimura, bringing his housing, and the premise behind
culinary prowess to Hirafus Upper Village, on the first the films is that all featured riders
floor of the Yamashizen West building. The breakfast must be living out their cars while
offers a traditional northern Japanese experience, filming and travelling Hokkaido
with Yuichi sourcing most of his carefully selected ingredients from Hokkaido. His delectable gourmet breakfast menu boasts searching for perfect powder. Neil
a varied selection of tasty, western-style meals. All this can be washed down with a variety of refreshing coffees, teas, hot has given Powderlife a complete set
chocolates and juices. I have done dinners many times before, so I thought I would try something different and give gourmet of the Car Danchi movies parts 1, 2
breakfasts a go instead, says Yuichi. For those with a sweet tooth, Kamimura also tempts tantalisingly with rich chocolate and 3 to give away. To win, email a
cakes, and almond and white chocolate cookies. pic of a car buried in powder, like
Breakfast is available now from 7.30am until 10am, while Kamimuras caf is also open for dine-in or take away until 3pm, Chris Webbs above, to ed@
and the restaurant starts serving from 6pm. The skills that sensei taught student must be good if the rumours are true; ap- powderlife.com. Well print the
parently Yuichis mentor, Tetsuya, refused celeb couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman entry to his world-famous restaurant, winners pic in the next issue of
Tetsuyas, because there wasnt a spare table. Maybe Tom and Nic should try their luck in Niseko? Powderlife. Six runners up can win a
Car Danchi 3 T-shirt.
www.powderlife.com december 26 - january 9 2009 ISSUE 11 powderlife 11

cross country
Offbeat news from across japan
Men and women of the year
The Years Best distance delivery vehicles to zero-emission electric
cars The worlds smallest walking robot
Stats
Research The number of motor vehicles owned in Japan Polls
In 2008, academics discovered that declined for the first time since people began Survey takers discovered that 44,700
keeping track in 1946 Number of international
A 30cm-long, 130 million-year-old fossil unearthed The average female high school student uses her marriages in Japan
in Ishikawa Prefecture belongs to the worlds oldest The number of Japanese retailers who accept the cellphone 124 minutes per day
plant-eating lizard China Pay credit card has risen 50 percent 27,700
97 percent of Japanese believe it is important to Number of such marriages in
Menstrual blood can be used to repair heart damage Japanese households increased their energy acquire the habit of reading in childhood 2005
consumption by 44 percent between 1990 and 2005
Thanks to heat island effect, the average January 61 percent of Chinese feel that relations with Japan 69.2
temperature in Tokyo rose 2.62 degrees during the Eighteen percent of inmates in the nations prisons have improved, but just 10 percent of Japanese think Percent of plastic bottles that
past 50 years are 60 years old or older, compared to just 3 percent so were recycled in fiscal 2007,
in 1975 an increase of 2.9 percent
Men who eat lots of fruits and vegetables are half as 40 percent of heavy smokers are unaware of their from 2006
likely to suffer esophageal cancer as their junk food- Dashi was and blu-ray were included in the latest addiction
eating brethren edition of Britains Chambers Dictionary 294
45 percent of Japanese feel uneasy about using New HIV cases reported in
East Asians tend to examine faces starting with the the internet Japan from July to September,
nose, whereas just about everyone else focuses on the Products the highest quarterly figure
eyes and mouth Hot items from 2008 include Over 40 percent of married couples in their 60s sleep ever
in separate bedrooms
Genetics can account for the variances in physical Valentines chocolates flavored with garlic and 400 million
traits between mainland and Ryukyuan Japanese, vinegar 88 percent of Japanese describe themselves as Men of the Year Women of the Year Number of illegally
such as hair thickness and whether earwax is dry or happy (According to GQ Japan) (According to Vogue Nippon) downloaded music files each
wet A medicine cabinet that sets off an alarm when its year in Japan
time for senior citizens to take their pills The year in numbers Athlete: Swimmer Kosuke Kitajima, 26, won his Actress: Aoi Miyazaki, 23, won acclaim for her
There is a way to measure the brain waves of a cow second consecutive gold medal in the 100m performance in NHKs historical drama Atsuhime and
to determine whether it is afflicted with BSE The Nose Mask Pit, an earplug-like device called that 127,066,178 breaststrokeand set his second consecutive world the films Kagehinata ni Saku (Flowers in the Shadows)
provides relief for hay fever sufferers Japans population as of March 31, an increase of record in the process and Yami no Kodomotachi (Children of the Dark)
Caffeine has the effect of relieving pain some 12,000 from the previous year and the first rise
A printer that can develop still images captured from in three years Business: Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, 51, a.k.a. Athlete: Pitcher Yukiko Ueno, 26, led Japans softball
People who are either socially outgoing or high-definition video Japans richest man, remained a step ahead of his team to a surprise gold medal over the US in Beijing
nonconformist tend to have higher obesity rates 85.99 competitors by introducing Apples i-phone to Japan
than average, while neurotics are skinner DoCoMos breathalyzer-enabled cellphone for truck Life expectancy of Japanese women, an increase of Writer: Mieko Kawakami, 32, won the renowned
drivers 0.18 years from 2007 Producer/designer: Nigo, 37, impresario of hipster Akutagawa Prize for her second novel, Chi Chi to Ran
clothing label A Bathing Ape, celebrated the brands (Breasts and Eggs), which depicts the travails of a
Trends An electric bicycle that can travel 150km on a single 23
Compiled from reports
15th anniversary by opening shops in LA and Paris single mother
Over the past 12 months, it was noted that charge Consecutive years that Japanese women have topped
by Japan Today, The
the global life expectancy list
Japan Times, The
Comedian: Hiroshi Tamura, 29, one half of manzai Tarento: Suzanne, 22, gained fame for her convincing
International Herald
BLACK DIAMOND
Chinese have surpassed Koreans as Japans largest Miso paste featuring beans that have been team Kirin, became an instant successand instantly act as a baka (airhead) tarento while debuting in a
minority group serenaded with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach >10,000
Tribune/Asahi
richafter his book chronicling his years as a music group and appearing in various TV series and
People who signed a condolence book at Ueno Zoo
Shimbun, Mainichi
homeless youth flew off the shelves and became a TV variety shows
For the first time since 1979, a full 10 percent of A washable business suit for the giant panda Ling Ling, who died in April at age
Daily News, Time, AP,
series
Japans population resides in Tokyo 22
AFP and Kyodo
Writer/Buddhist nun: Jakucho Setouchi, 86, crafted a
An air purifier that eliminates over 99 percent of Physicist: Yoichiro Nambu, 87, received a Nobel Prize modern take on the classic Tale of Genji and authored
Japan Post plans to convert its fleet of 21,000 short- airborne bird flu virus in ten minutes in physics along with two Japanese colleagues her own keitai shosetsu (cellphone novel). HF
RESTAURANT & BAR

Japanese & Western Cuisine
Good Tunes, Vids, Drinks
Free Shuttles (call for pickup)
GUIDING Private Terrain Park
Niseko Off-Piste Pool Table
Niseko Back Bowls
Rusutsu Tours
Kokusai Tours
Kiroro Tours SKIER: JP AUCLAIR
Backcountry PHOTO: DAVID LEVIN
Where have you been this week?

www.blackdiamondtours.com reservations@bdlodge.com
info@blackdiamondtours.com 090-2054-8687 www.bdlodge.com 0136-44-1144
12 powderlife ISSUE 11 december 26 - january 9 2009 www.powderlife.com www.powderlife.com december 26 - january 9 2009 ISSUE 11 powderlife 13
niseko news
Shinya Katou (right), and Rail jam kicks off
season of comps
below Alan, Wayne & Shin
LOCAL boarders and skiers are getting ready for a

night of clean lines and good times as the Aprs Bar
and friends throw down a free ride rail jam.
Kicking off at 5pm on December 28, it will be the
first of a packed calendar of on-snow events this
season.
Local rippers are encouraged to sign up and take
part, while spectators are encourage to head on in to
the Aprs Bar where they can keep an eye on the
proceedings from the floor to ceiling windows.
The comp will be a free ride session, with riders
and skiers judged on three runs. All skill levels are
Paddys and Jam Bar boost Hirafu

welcome and there will be prizes for the top three
place getters, biggest slam, sickest style, and peer
awards, all presented on the night.
pub scene Entry is 1000 and each competitor receives two
Red Bulls upon registration.
Entry forms are available at Powderlife Caf and
THE Hirafu pubscape has gone from strength to daughters especially to run the pub. bars, retail outlets and restaurants around Hirafu,
strength this year with all the old favourites Pub chef is local character Shin-san, who has Hanazono, Higashiyama and Annupuri.
returning, and several impressive new additions. worked for the Grand Hirafu resort and at one stage The entry form needs to be filled out and taken to
Not be outdone by the lower village last season, owned his own Italian restaurant. Shin-san is the Aprs Bar.
which saw two new bars in Splash and The Brick, the chairman and teacher at the local childrens mogul
Airline set to help

upper village has this year stepped up to the plate. school and competed when he was young.
Paddy McGintys Irish Bar stands out like a beacon Just a snowballs throw away from Paddys, old
to thirsty skiers and boarders, located in the middle favourite the Jam Bar underwent a complete
of the main street in the old building that housed
the popular Big Cliff izakaya.
overhaul over the summer and has sprung up as a
completely new building.
promote Niseko
Complete with Guinness shipped in from Dublin, Formerly just a tiny shack that would cram a few JAPANS largest domestic air carrier All Nippon
the makeover is nothing short of spectacular as the dozen drinkers in for late-night parties, its now an Airways (ANA) has signed an agreement with the
rustic old restaurant has become an Irish bar to impressive building with an amazing new interior Niseko Promotion Board (NPB) with the aim of
match any around the world (and maybe even outdo created by well-known local carpenter Kuwa-san, who attracting more domestic tourists to the region.
many in Ireland itself?!). also gave the Dragon Bar its incredible overhaul last Niseko was chosen above a variety of other
Offering food and drink in a smoke-free year. Japanese resorts because of its natural beauty, great
environment daily from midday, it will be one of the Jam Bar has a funky mix of rainbow colours, cuisine, and array of natural hot springs.
first foreign-owned Hirafu entertainment venues to wooden sculptures and furniture, all in a Mexican The intention is to jointly develop and travel
open year-round. and Mediteranean style. It has to be seen to be truly products and packages to summer visitors and year-
Locals have applauded owners Roger Donazzon appreciated. round long-stay visitors.
and Wayne Lazarus for the move as it adds another Owner Shinya Katou loves a good party and is The ANA group is hoping to bolster its Hokkaido
summer food and entertainment venue which will famous for his Guru-Guru parties and 1000 routes with the program using NPB's information,
boost Hirafus perennial tourist appeal. nomihodais (all you can drink) that last until the advice, and counsel to create travel packages
Managing the bar is Irishman Alan Power who has alcohol runs out and he always makes sure he has targeting non-Hokkaido Japanese, in particular
worked in and run Irish pubs in Tokyo for the past 15 enough to last almost until dawn. seniors, families, and women in their 20s and 30s.
years, and moved to Niseko with his wife and two The sales points will be onsen, food and nature.

niseko news
Darts takes flight and company can get involved in. Im just stoked to
play darts we have created something that everyone
First points on the board enjoys, and thats just unreal!
And whats not to like about strokes of genius in
By Matthew Thomas team-naming this year gems like Humphrey Bodart,
Pissed By The End, Pissed By The Start, Dart Vaders
and, of course, Afraid Of The Dart (thatd be
WITHOUT going too berserk on the puns, the third Powderlifes darts arm). The Mount Hotham-inspired
annual Niseko Hirafu International Darts Grand Slam darts event (or so legend has it) this year even makes
has really snowballed and taken flight this year. A Hirafu history with the first ever all-girl and all- DART UP ...
formidable 24 teams were the result of a bumper Japanese girl teams. It is really getting a good cross many try their
early December registration night at the seven-week section of the Hirafu community, boasts Matt hand each week.
tournaments home ground, Wild Bills (thats more proudly.
than double last years team total, and barely Much to the entrants delight or dismay, the
recognisable from the humble beginnings at Pow Pow infamous Paralyser bucket o booze appallingly
Caf two years ago). Tournament instigators Matt and awaits the winners of each nights play, a drink
Az from Niseko Photography have even had to turn arguably more effective than a tranquiliser dart in
away unlucky, would-be dart-smiths for lack of space. taking down livestock. Thankfully, The Paralyser is
Its already ballooned from being one night a week served after sharp objects stop flying through the air.
for less than 10 teams in the first two seasons, to this This year, we move away from the milk-curdling,
year spanning across three evenings on Tuesdays, racially sound Black and White Russian, and turn to a
Wednesdays and Thursdays. Its nothing short of seemingly endless and potent Mohito-based bevvy,
shoulder-to-shoulder as darts takes a stranglehold on starring 42 Belows feijoa vodka. Many agree this
at Bills on game nights. drink should be fed to the loser, not the winner. The
So, to what can we attribute this newfound Paralyser is designed to caress our taste buds, while
penchant for lobbing glorified pins? Its because Az stinging us in the brain, says Az, sounding a fear of a
and I are cultural landscape architects, a modest man once bitten, twice shy.
Matt reveals to Powderlife. A perpetually pink- Wild Bills owner Brett who admits to knowing
beanied Az adds: I think because we hyped it up this nada about darts, besides the fact that the boards
year, and there is nothing else to do here at the are round, and that he buys two new ones each year
moment, he says. Everyone likes darts, because it is (pool is Bretts game) says the general mood for INSTIGATORS... Az and Matt
the only thing in the entire village that every person darts this year is off the Richter scale. No one has
any cash to burn, and there is no damn snow, so darts
is all that is keeping anything afloat here, chimes
Brett, after the first round of matches earlier this
month. Players are pretty serious this season there
is no questioning that. All the company owners
compete with each other in this village, but its nice
to see them all gel and get along, even if its only for
three nights a week.
So, who will it be to knock last years premiers, Dart
Attack, from the trophy mantle that since last years
final has resided in Kutchans Caf Kaku? Who will
walk away with all the glory and bragging rights for
another season? Only time will tell. Let the crooked
trash talk begin, but may your darts fly straight and
GAME FACE ...
true.
some take their
READY, AIM, FIRE ... a virgin dart board. Photos: Niseko Photography darts very
seriously.

Powderlife asked visitors what they will be
doing on New Years Eve.
FLASH
seko.
for a ski in Ni
le d up fro m the mainland g an d surfing
and Keiko trav
el going travellin
Chie, Tamaki os t of th ei r Ne w Year by
ing the m
They ll be mak
back ho m e.
Aidan and Ka
e ii, both Apr
s Bar barten
UK will b they ll be on ders, think
st ra li a and the Y E sh ow at decent hour
the job on N
YE, but if th
from Au rw orld N r they ll be g ey knock of
Deb an d R u th e Wa te k out ou Aprs Bar. et tin f at a
s st u n t girls in th ut came to chec g on it pr
obably at th
a ,b e
working in Osaka
l Studios
Universa is e k o.
orld in N
Snow W
Mountain
style
DISCO is not dead and fluoro is the d r
lan
Fin s thei d
Aprs Bar
future, scream Mitsuyuki Ohashis loud o m u n
r
jacket and pants, which can be seen da
f sur
e es a
d Lin but as ostum
n c
from great distances. The 25-year-old er a yet, razy
Osaka shredder recently graced Niseko
with his fine fluorescent form, and was
a
n Und t to do p in c
Dow wha sing u
from ecided e dres
Rubiks Cube Party
snapped by Powderlife making a rapid Cl e t d nvolv orks.
en i
beeline down Hirafu in what can only hav s will e fire w
n
be described as a bright blue, green, pla g som
in
black, pink and yellow streak. There see
are many, many colours on my clothes
and I like standing out, he says.
People can see me coming down the
mountain from a long way away.
Mitsuyukis get up may seem retro and
like something out of the 80s or 90s, Mar
y,
but it is in fact the 2008-09 AK release on N Geoffre
YE y,
from Burton. getti Suan an
ng to d
geth Pamela
er w
ith f from Sin
rien
ds, e gapore
ating ar
, dri e doing
nkin
g an what mo
d be
ing m st will d
err y o
!
y
g raph
seko Photo
Phot os: Ni
rty
r a pa he
e n t up fo i t h t
u ar me w
a i n Kyush ying at ho
uo k d sta
m Fuk en an
u r o up fro to an ons Little Ryoji will probably be wrapped up in bed for the countdown but Ryoko
sa b in g
d Dai be go ! from the Alpen Kids Room says she is going to watch the on-snow
iro an ad they ll esponsible
Yoich I n s t e H o w r celebrations at the base of Hirafu ski hill.
E . .
on NY o watch TV
yt
f amil
Nightlife Thursday January 8th
in the loop
Live Music & Open Mic
NYE Wednesday December 31 3:30pm 6:30pm: Resident Thursday musos Kaii &
Aiden, play 3 sets of acoustic music and offer the mic 10
Yuki Bar Wednesday, December 31
Saturday December 27 Count down party and guitars for anyone who wants to get up & jam
From 11pm Hirafu New Years Eve Torch
Loaf Lounge New Moon Party Whats on in Niseko Run. Hirafu, outside Apres Bar

1pm- 3pm
9:00pm Half Note Friday January 9th Gather on the slopes outside the Apres
Hanazono , Outside Hanazono 308
House music Jazz Concert Aprs Bar Nomi Hodai!! That means all you can drink Saturday, 27December Bar for live music, Japanese Drum
Build your own snow monster or
Y1000 with 1 drink 9:00pm from 8:00pm 10:00pm for just Y2000!! Red Bar & Restaurant will open. Skilled performance, throwing 1,000 rice cakes
amazing sculpture. Children, students,
Free Admission All you can drink good times with Playstations, Y500 Nepalese chefs create authentic
and adults can join in. and fireworks, New Years Eve Countdown
Sunday December 28 Mini Pizzas and DJs spinning from 7:00pm 11:00pm. healthy dishes. and the annual torch run as hundreds of
More info www.skihanazono.com
Yosaku Dance Event Link Up Vol.5 Paddy McGintys Irish Pub 1227
1230 () skiers holding burning torches form a
10:00pm Cricket will be shown on TV screens over the new year,
giant 09 and descend Mt. Annupuri.
Y2000 along with football from the English Premier League.
1pm- 3pm 308 Torch run registration desk from
More info. Call at Shu at 090-8907-9399
28-31December. Entry Fee 1,000yen.
Loaf Lounge 1231

Sunday December 28 Jyaga one party (Hokkaido Potato) Sunday, 28 Dec, Thursday, 1
www.skihanazono.com
Aprs Bar Niseko Poker League 1free French fries Jan-Sunday 4 Jan
Annupuri Ski Resort Early Morning Thursday, 1January 13:00
8:00pm
Gondola Operation. Gondola operates
Wednesday, 31 December 2300
Hirafu, Alpen Hotel
Y500 Buy in, first drink Y300 for players. Tables of 4-5, Red Bar NYE at Sekka J-Sekka Dining 6pm 10pm
Friday, January 2,9-Every Friday DJ night from 7am to 8:20am. Be the first one Traditional ochi pounding. Have taste
see Nestor on the night for registration. Players of all Glass of Bubbles, Hokkaido Oyster, Beef
10:00pm to enjoy the powder snow. 1,000 for of Japanese New Year.
skill levels invited. Carpaccio, Chicken, Tea Hokkaido Diver
Y1000 with 1 drink included lift pass. 1

Scallops, Slow Roast Tokkachi Beef, Mix
1228 11 4
Wednesday December 31 Leaf Salad, Pre Dessert (its our secret) 2009
Sunday January 4th
Aprs Bar New Years Eve Masquerade Ball NIKI Raspberry & Sambucca Semi-Freddo
Aprs Ski DJs & Niseko Poker League 7820
Aprs Bar will be transformed this year into a Coffee, Tea & Petit Fors 13,000 /person
1,000 1
Masquerade Ball. With the only and best indoor 3:30pm 6:30pm - DJs spinning for your Aprs Ski Reservation required. Tel:0136-21-5021 Thursday, 1January, 0:00
location to view the flare run & fireworks, this is Enjoyment!
www.sekkaniseko.com After 108 bells on New Years Eve, Mochi
8:00pm Poker Y500 Buy in, first drink Y300 for o Photogra
phy January 4 - 12
always a sell-out night. Tickets Y1500 available from
Ph otos: Nisek 31 pounding festival will get started in
Annupuri Ski Resort Hokkaido Ski &
the bar, include first drink free and Masquerade Mask. players. Tables of 4-5, see Nestor on the night for J-Sekka Dining Dragon.Free Sake. Kanpai!
We have selected 2 accomplished, party rocking DJs for registration. Players of all skill levels invited. Sunday December 28- 11
000
Snowboard Week
6pm - 10pm
your NYE soundtrack: 1:00pm 5:00pm DRAGON
Nukku Annpuri rental and Annupuri
ski school lesson is 10% off
DJ Somatik resident @ The Loft (Syd) & has DJd Wednesday January 7th Surely the Aprs Bar arent Aprs Bar Rail Jam
1,3000
Live Music & Open Mic @ Aprs Bar the only place putting on Boarders and skiers of all levels 14 12
alongside Roy Ayers, Fat Freddys Drop & more Tel:0136-21-5021
3:30pm 6:30pm: Resident Tuesday strummer regular parties?! Tell us about welcome. Y1000 entry (2 x free Red -
DJ Lippo Good Vibrations Club, Good Vibrations www.sekkaniseko.com
your nightlife event @ Bulls). Register anytime at the Aprs
Festival & Sounds on Sunday (Syd) Christian, plays 2 sets of acoustic music and offers the Thursday-Sunday, 1-4
mic and guitars for anyone who wants to jam www.powderlife.com Bar. Outdoor Bar and BBQ food for January
spectators. Come along and check
Annpuri First Run 7:00am-8:20am
out the action! 10OFF
Be the first to ski down Nisekos Mt
Annupuri in 2009. First gondola will start
Sunday, December 28 Saturday January 10
at 7am. Y1000 for lift ticket.
Taiko Drum Performances Snow Tube & Tobboggan
11 - 14
Free traditional Japanese drum Championships at Hanazono Outside

performances. Every Sunday outside Hanazono 308. Join a team of 4 and
7:00am-820am
Hokkaido Tracks office (next to race around the snow course.
1000 2009
Seicomart) 3:30pm for 30min More info at www.skihanazono.com
7
8 110

Wednesday, 31December

Annpuri Ski Resort Torch run and Count 308 1

down with Fireworks Thursday, 1January , 10:00 4

Hirafu Ski Resort, Outside the King Bell
Torch run starts at 23:45. Celebrate New
www.skihanazono.
Hut Sake Cask Opening Ceremony on
Years count down with fireworks!
330 com
mountain to welcome in the New Year.

2345 Free sake service. Watch out, for those Got an event on between
trees!! January 10 and 23? Email
Tuesday, 30 December
us to get it on this page in
Snow Monster/Sculpture Competition
and Giant Pass The Parcel Issue 3, out January 10.
Canada Goose Mystique Parka - Womens
FACE facts. Layering is for the daytime on the hill, and

your ski jacket does not cut it in the streets, restaurants
and bars at night. Who wants to peel off four layers
every time you walk into a new place? If you love the
winter life you need a warm down jacket that can be
peeled off in a second to reveal your nightlife-ready
kit underneath. Canada Goose makes just about
the best down jackets you can get, and the
By Bevan Colless and Mystique parka is its warmest. Initially designed
Matthew Thomas for Rebecca Romijn to wear off-camera during the
filming of X-Men 2, the full-length, fur-trimmed
Canada Goose Mystique Parka uses Arctic-Tech
Sorel Caribou fabric and premium down fill to subdue the
coldest gusts on your next snowbound location. If
THE well-heeled locals here in Niseko dont the Mystique Parka can keep an actress wearing
wear heels at all. They wear Sorel Caribous. Think little more than blue body paint warm in arctic
gum boot with oodles of street cred that are extra shooting conditions, its capable of handling
warm, with extra grip and a smidgen of style whatever Niseko can throw in your direction. Filled
points. You can even tuck your jeans into them if with top quality goose down all the way from the
youre wading through deep stuff, or pull them over hem to the hood (no 70 per cent duck feathers
the top for a token effort at p.m. chic. Rated to -40 here!) it is cut as flattering and feminine as a long
degrees celsius, with a waterproof full-grain leather down jacket can be. Available from Daimaru
upper attached to a vulcanised rubber bottom, they Department Store, Sapporo. Call 011 828 1111. RRP
even have metal shanks across the heel and ball 89,000 (US$1015).
of your foot give you sturdy footing on the ice.
The 9mm ThermoPlus felt liner is
removable, so you can dry them
out between uses. Available
from Fusion , Hirafu and
Hanazono. Call 0136 21
6633. RRP: 20,000
(US$230).
Burton Supermodel
BURTONS beauty, The Supermodel, looks as good as its

namesake, and rideswell, lets stop there, shall we? Almost
specifically designed for Nisekos deep and powdery natural
mountain conditions, the Supermodel - a true powder monster
- boasts a directional, tapered shape and a short 2.5cm stance
setback to give you bountiful float in the fluffy stuff. A fatter
nose and skinnier tail sits you right up out of the pow-pow,
meaning minimal stress and burn on your back leg. The
Powder Fly II wood core absorbs the chatter for a smooth and
controlled ride, and includes Carbon I-Beam reinforcements
to increase handling for a precision cruise down the
mountain. A ridiculously fast, sintered WFO base will keep
you hauling along when you break out of the steeps and rip
across a wide-open bowl. Add a fresh waxing to the bottom
and youll really know about it, and find that you are
constantly left waiting for friends to catch up after youve
left them in your powdery wake. New this year, Burton
added an ICS The Channel system to give you nearly
limitless stance options, whether you prefer regular or
EST bindings. The Supermodel: snowboarding has never
been more attractive. RRP: 75,600 (US$860 approx).
Line Sir Francis Bacon
COULD this be the perfect Niseko ski? While we know

Niseko has got the deep, it only has patches of the
steep, so youre unlikely to be skiing at warp speed for
long. So, to rip in Niseko you want a fat ski with a bit
of flex to make it a playful powder ski that will pop a
bend when you need it. This is exactly what the SFB
delivers. It floats on anything, yet still carves the
groomers. One of only two skis that got a perfect 10 in
Freeskiers 09 test, and is one of the lightest skis out
there. Available from Victoria Sports Kanda, Tokyo. Call
03 3295 2955. RRP 95,000 (US$1085 approx).
meet the locals welcome irasshaimase
By Chika Matsuda By Saoka Wakasugi
Pelican Burger
Without a doubt, Gyu+ (the bar with the mini fridge
door as its entrance) is the coolest bar in town. After
Mt Yotei and the Alpen thermometer, it would have to
be the most photographed landmark in Niseko. So you
know the hamburger joint its creator has created in
Kutchan town is also going to carry a crate load of cool.
Hisashi Watanabe opened Pelican Burger in July, after 2
spending two years designing and building the interior. 7
While Pelicans front door is human sized, Watanabe-
sans touch is evident from the front faade to the back
walls. After taking in the surrounds you should order
one of their creative burgers. Pelcian Burger is opposite
the 7-Eleven.
LIFTIE Naka-chan SKI SHOP MANAGER Nabe SKI PATROL Zangi

name Kouta Nakano name Yoshihiro Watanabe name Zangi age 11 months Pension Ramina
age 27 hometown Sapporo 27 age 37 hometown Rankoshi 7 hometown Sapporo Like many in Niseko, Ramina Pension owner Shu-
time in niseko 6 years how long has your family time in niseko 9 months nichiFujimine is living the dream. Since his university 3 0
do you like powder? I love it! lived here? More than 100 do you like powder? Yes! days more than 30 years ago, he dreamed of owning
ski/board? Snowboarder years do you like powder? No ski/board? Patrol his own accommodation in the mountains. He had
how long have you been ski/board? Ski NO how long have you been ski- lived near the mainland ski resorts around Nagano
snowboarding for? 15 seasons how long have you been / ing for? 1 month /
and Yuzawa but after coming to Niseko, fell in love 7
why did you do in summer? skiing for? We learn how to ski why did you come to niseko? I
with Mt Yotei and the local mountains. Seven years
Golf, soccer, and had a car / when were in school was destined to be the mascot
crash what languages do you dog here
ago he quit his job as a businessman and opened
what languages do you speak? speak? Im Japanese so I speak what did you do in summer? Ramina. Its a huge wooden mountain lodge just
Japanese Japanese Ran around in the dog run outside Hirafu, which he and his wife run year-round.
trips overseas? None trips overseas? None at Pure Its a lot more work than he imagined, but he loves
where do you want to go where do you want to go what languages do you speak? meeting so many people from all over the world. By
next? anywhere overseas next? Nowhere Ruff Ruff! the way, in the local indigneous Ainu peoples dialect,
favourite... favourite... trips overseas? Not yet ra means heart and mina means smile.
colour Purple colour Yellow where do you want to go
brand None brand North Face next? Somewhere warm
food Curry food Fish eggs favourite... colour Red
restaurant Loft Club restaurant None brand Pedigree Chum
Niseko 343 343
bar Home bar None onsen Ikoinomura food Couch, beanie, snow, When it comes to grass roots, Niseko ski stores, it doesnt
onsen Koikawa Onsen ski run Super Course dog food come any greener than Niseko 343. Started 15 years ago by 3 4 3
ski run Strawberry Fields how long will you be in restaurant A bowl of dogfood Odaijima-san (left), Niseko 343 knows Niseko, deep pow- 1 5
how long will you be in niseko? Until I die bar I love a bowl of chai tea der... and skiing deep powder in Niseko. The pro-ski shops
niseko? I dont know yet where else in the world onsen I love drying off after onsen current manager and local legend Toki-san (right) has been
where else in the world do do you want to go skiing? ski run Zangi Course there since the beginning. Toki-san has been a the coach for
you want to go skiing? Whistler Whistler how long will you be in
the national freestyle and mogul ski teams. If youre looking
what does niseko need? More what does niseko need? More niseko? As long as Im the
to get deep in Niseko and want to be looked after by local
Japanese people and locals transport infrastructure mascot
niseko secret? Lots of stink niseko secret? You can what does niseko need?
experts, Toki and the crew should be your first port of call.
bugs in autumn means lots of sometimes tanuki (Japanese Dog socks And as for those damn snowboarders, Toki-san is happy to
snow in winter raccoons) crossing the road niseko secret? You can see me! have them, but prefers to specialise in what he knows best 3 4 3
whats your life philosophy? whats your life philosophy? whats your life philosophy? powder skiing.. Niseko 343 is opposite Hokkaido Tracks and
Enjoy lifes little pleasures Effort will always pay off Eat well, play well, sleep well Caf Kila. www.niseko343.com.
vs boards: The battle for pride,
POWDER SLASH...
Skis
unidentified boarder The powder and the passion: Locals
throwing some spray. speak from experience
Photo: Glen Claydon
placeand powder.
When selecting your powder weapon of choice, there
By Kristian Lund and Matthew Thomas are many things to consider. We thought we would
leave it to those who are passionate about their
r
chosen discipline for slicing through Nisekos plentiful
e
powder.
e r rd th
oa
ITS the eternal battle. To ski or to board? That is the also have their differences of opinion, as do breathing new life into the ski industry. But how
k i B o
question. waterskiers and wakeboarders. Then, of course, times have changed. These days, with the advent of
S B
For decades now its been heatedly argued out in theres rugby and football (soccer), road cycling and fat powder skis, it is a level playing field. Now the
bars aprs skior should that be aprs board? mountain biking, and karate and tae kwon do. The difference isnt so great between the two, adding fuel HOKKAIDO Tracks founder POWDERLIFES publisher, HAILING from Canada, Black
Traditionally, there was much more animosity that list goes on to the fire and giving the debate more Simon Robinson has been physiotherapist and powder Diamond Tours guide and
existed between skiers and boarders. These days, the We digress, though. Skiers are popularly momentum. skiing regularly for 35 years. hound Bevan Colless kicked co-owner Andrew Spragg
two races live in harmonyof sorts. Although, we do considered to be your traditional, well-to-do snow The invisible divide between In that time he has off his snowboarding career grew up riding mountains.
still live in a world far from a utopia, where we all riders, while boarders will always have the label of skiers and snowboarders has snowboarded for about four in 1994 - and never looked He started skiing when he
know there is still often a deep-seeded, underlying being the rebel. There are more than just differences existed for many years. Its days, and never in good back. His first time bound was four years old, before
conflict between the two breeds of snow creatures of opinion that spark such a clash. They just almost a tired old clich. conditions. By the time into a board was back in the first jumping on a board
even if it is not so visible and obvious in this day and sometimes plain and simple get on each others However, theres one snowboarding came around I heyday of snowboards, riding when he was 15. In his 20s
age, unlike between warriors Trevor Dobson and Ross nerves. As far as terrain goes, skiers are renowned for interesting and was already a proficient skier, so I didnt like the idea in Gunma, on Japans mainland. Bevan also got his he spent more time strapping into snowboards than
Monaghan, from Pro Powder guides, in the picture forming a snowboarders worst nightmare the relevant little of changing, he says. But I did see them first taste of Niseko powder that year, which whet his clicking into skis, but these days he ends up doing a
below. mogul. Conversely, boarders are blamed for pushing aspect in (snowboarders) slicing through some slush (Aussie appetite and saw him settling here years later for the lot of both mainly snowboarding in his free time
This heated debate has even translated into the snow to the side of the slopes so the piste particular that powder) at Perisher in a way that we never could on 2006-07 season. and skiing when guiding in the backcountry. While
fisticuffs. There are many stories of ice hockey-style becomes bare, and skiers in Niseko complain that we decided to put the thin skis we were using then. But soon after that, he loves both, when it comes to the crunch,
fights breaking out on the mountain even in the tracks left by boards in powder make a run difficult to the test: Whats the first parabolic skis came out and they gave skiers Ripping through powder on a snowboarding is Andrews favoured form of sliding
peaceful powder paradise that is Niseko. to ski through. better for Niseko the ability to get through terrain in a very similar way snowboard is one of the best down the mountain. When guiding, hes usually on
Conflict such as this is not something unique to the Believe it or not, even to this day there are many powder - skis or to snowboarders. Simon likes the fact that it takes a feelings in the world skis for the ease of getting around the backcountry
snow. There are a whole gamut of sports where there ski resorts around the world that still dont allow boards? long time to be able to become proficient enough on and hiking mountains theres no need for
exists a fundamental divide between genres even if boarders on their slopes. In the land of the free, the skis to be able to ski powder and go into the I grew up in a working class family and my brothers snowshoes and hes much more mobile. But when it
many of their goals are inherently similar. Melting United States, there are still four major resorts that backcountry, and he also likes the extra accessibility used to always say skiers were wankers, so I found it comes to his free time, though, he jumps back on the
from snow to the water, surfers and bodyboarders say no to snowboarding Deer Valley, Alta, Mad skis afford him. Skiers and boarders go down the hard to see myself as a skier after making fun of board. I love going up the mountain on skis because
River Glen and Taos Ski Valley. To retort in the typical them in my youth, says Bevan, who admits to skiing its so quick and easy, but then when I get to the top
rebellious nature of boarders, snowboard giant Im a hardcore skier, and will a total of seven days in his entire life. I knew when I I wish I had my board, he says. When it comes to
Burton recently put out a US$5000 bounty for any SNOW SAMURAIS ... never, ever convert tried it the first time, snowboarding was always going guiding, I generally ski because you can get around
snowboarder who rode the slopes of elitist, anti- Trevor and Ross from to be my thing. When it comes to shredding through better theres no equivalent on a snowboard to
snowboarding resorts. Pro Powder joust it mountain in different ways and I just feel skiing is the pow-pow, Bevan, who rides a locally invented allow you to get around the back country. It doesnt
Five years ago, it was undisputable that out. more compact and graceful, whereas snowboarding and produced Gentemstick, says snowboarding wins matter what system you use if youve got a regular
snowboards were the ultimate powder tool. is more free-form, he says. Skiers go down the fall hands down. Ive never skied in powder, but when I board youve got snowshoes on your back; if youve
Snowboards had a huge influence on skis, line of the hill and can do more fresh turns side-by- look at a skier going through deep powder, it doesnt got a split board you still have changeover time when
arguably side, but snowboarders tend to surf the mountain really look like as much fun, it looks like hard work.
and go across it. At the end of the day, Im a hard However, when I see a snowboarder ripping through I love going up the mountain on
core skier and will never, ever convert. powder - and I know the feeling myself - I know its skis, but then when I get to the
one of the best feelings in the world. So, given the top I wish I had my board
chance, would Bevan ever make the dirty switch?
No, not really, he responds. If I could download you have to put it back together and rotate the
the ability to ski really well into my brain, Id bindings. With skis all you have to do is take your
definitely illegally download that program. I skins off, click your heals down and youre ready to
obviously cant do that, so cant see myself going go. But overall, in powder for me its definitely a
back to be a beginner again there arent enough snowboard ultimately when youre on a snowboard
days in winter, I reckon I would feel like I was wasting you float through the powder; its more suited to
a day if I went skiing. riding powder.
Face off... hill that snowboarders cant reach. And we dont have to worry about the flat
spots at the bottom of our runs like snowboarders do, so we have a much wider
selection of terrain to ski. I have snowboarded quite a bit over the years, and I
Pros and cons
INSTRUCTORS Trevor Dobson and Ross still board occasionally, but usually when the conditions arent great. Ive taken Breaking it down When it comes to skiing and snowboarding,
neither is perfect - each have their
Monaghan (pictured left) may be up tele-marking now, too, so my boarding days are becoming fewer and fewer.
positives and negatives
brothers in business, but when it
comes to their choices in snow craft,
they cant help but face off.
What are the disadvantages of skiing?
Going too deep in the powder can sometimes be a negative, as its really hard to Pros
Snowboarding:
Trevor, skier, founder and owner of get through. Another thing would be when you bail; if you completely yard sale * Larger surface area means better float in the powder.
Nisekos Pro Powder, and snowboarder you can spend a long time looking for your gear, and sometimes turn up a piece * Boards are easier to control in deep snow, as there is only one plank to worry
Ross, one in the companys small yet or two short. Two years ago, I found one of my skis I lost in pow, that decided to about.
skilled team of instructors, specialise in turn up after the winter in May. * Beginners can generally become more proficient in the powder faster.
teaching both skiers and boarders * Less chance of knee injuries.
specifically how to ride in powder - so ROSS * The cool factor.
they know a bit about getting through
the fluffy stuff. When did you start snowboarding, and when did you start getting serious Cons
Powderlife sat down for a Q & A with about being an instructor? * Harder work when hiking the back country, because you also need to carry
Trevor and Ross to find out a little I have been boarding for 12 years, since I was 13 years old. I have worked the snowshoes and poles.
more about their powder-coated lives, past three seasons as an instructor trainer in various resorts in British Columbia * You cant skin up a mountain without a split board.
and the reasons behind their choices in Canada. * Boards are not good in flat areas of the back country, and are only practical
of snow transport. when going down. You need to walk or skate on flat terrain.
TREVOR When did you realise you were forever going to be a snowboarder? * Harder to get up when you fall in powder. Think of a turtle.
I was hooked the first time I ever rode a snowboard. I had learnt to ski first, but * Wear out the mountains snow faster.
Skiing:
When did you start skiing? once I rode, I knew that it was for me. I still ski two or three times a year, and am
I grew up 10 minutes from a ski slope, so I started skiing when I was five years learning to tele-mark, but Ill always be first and foremost a boarder.
old. At that time, there werent any snowboards around, there was only one Pros
choice for me. What is it you enjoy most about snowboarding? *Easier to get around in the back country no showshoes required, just add
I love the feeling of carving a turn in powder, getting a face shot, not being able skins and you can climb a mountain.
What is best about skiing Niseko powder? to see where youre going. I love hitting jumps of natural hits in powder, too. The *Skiers can generally get deeper into, and go faster through, the powder.
Its so light here that on skis you can really get deep into the snow. Every turn landings are like bouncing off pillows. Slashing lines off a bank or covering a tree * The old school factor.
you feel as if the snow is rolling around your shoulders and you get face shots. I in powder is all so much fun.
just dont get that same feeling when I snowboard. I also think you can make Cons
more turns when youre skiing than you can when youre boarding. When I come What are the negatives that come with snowboarding? * You can get too deep in the powder, and it can get quite hard to ride through
off the peak I can rip four or five massive turns on skis and still maintain my Access. I can be going up a ridge line with skiers and theyll skin up and get to such depth.
speed. I couldnt achieve that on a board. the top an hour before me while Im floundering away in my snow shoes in the * Harder to become powder proficient in a short time have to be a pretty
powder. Hitting dead spots at the bottom of runs is also not much fun. Falling in high-level skier to handle deep powder well. However, some who reach this high
What advantages do skiers have over boarders in Niseko? powder and doing the turtle is pretty average, flapping away and trying to get level see it as a rewarding, hard-to-attain positive.
The access is a big bonus for skiers. We can get to places and carve lines on the up. * Skiing deep powder is harder work and you need to be fitter and stronger.
* Can require more powder-specific equipment than boarding.
voice of the
people Boards:
The
Skis:
Skiers and POWDER POP ... changing direction in style.
boarders in Niseko Photo: Glen Claydon.
have their say
Fatter skis for more surface
Powderlife took to the slopes to ask the public what craft they thought was best
area, which gives float in Fat nose so front end stays
suited to the powder and why? powder snow. out of powder. Minimises
Yuyu, Kanazawa: Emi, Tokyo: burn in rear leg.
I have skied all my Ive never tried
life, but I think skiing, so I dont Tighter DIN settings on
snowboarding is know really, but when your boots in the
better in powder. I am it comes to whats powder, so skis dont Directional. Means board is
a ski instructor and ski better in the powder, separate from the designed to mainly travel in
in my spare time, too, both would be okay. I bindings as easily, one direction forwards.
but I would like to try dont see any which saves you from
snowboarding in the deep powder - I dont difference because regardless of what you losing your skis in
have a board at the moment, though. ride, its what you enjoy doing that counts. powder.
There should be a larger

Dave, Australia: Jonathan, Hong difference between effective
For an older bloke Kong: edge (the length of the board
riding in powder, I I dont know much touching the ground) and The final say: Cant we all just live in powdery peace?
think snowboarding is about skiing, but I actual length of the board. This
harder work for me, have boarded in China means a larger part of the
FOR those who want to fight it out, you can do so diplomatically at our
with all the falling and Korea and I think board rises up out of the
down and getting up Stiffness in the ski powder. websites Noticeboard forum at www.powderlife.com start a forum
snowboarding would
all the time. When I be better in the deep around the discussion, or just simply vote, and see where things go. It must be said,
ride skis in powder, I find it a little easier on powder because there is more surface area bindings gives though, that at the end of the day, on whatever mountain you choose, it
my body. on a board. more security doesnt matter what youre riding. Really, its what youre doing out there
and faster
Joanne, Australia: David, Australia: response.
that should do all the talking. And if youre getting amongst the powder in
Skiing is definitely I havent really Bindings should be set back. Niseko, youre probably having a pretty darn good time regardless
better in the powder ridden skis in deep Powder-specific boards will
is there any powder before, but have holes drilled further back
Have your say

question? Ive never everyone says it is in the board.
tried to snowboard easier to stay on top
before and Im too of the powder on a Flexibility at
old to learn - but I board. But in saying ends gives
have a good friend who went from skis to that I would like to give skis a try in the more pop in Narrow or swallow tail means Whats better for powder -
snowboard and back to skis again because powder, too. I used to ski, but when I first the pow. easier, more responsive skis or boards? Vote online
they learned all there was to learn. I hear got some powder on a snowboard, that was carving.
that story all the time, that skis are more of enough to make me convert and I havent
and see results next issue.
a long-term challenge in powder. looked back.
www.powderlife.com
rider Adrian Camp photo Glen Claydon
A t
words
h o
Hanazono. Photo: Niseko Photography

u
EARLY-SEASON MUSHROOMS...taking turns at

s
and
Photo: Glen Claydon

powder tracks
By Nick Jackson
Andy Gulverhouse
Powderlife caught up with
Andy Gulverhouse, a newly
arrived local shredder from
England who hits the bars just
as hard as he hits the slopes.
We find out what makes him
tick.
Name Andy Nasher Gulverhouse
Born 2/10/72
Stance Stance, width and angle: 57cm, 15 front, 15 back
Setup GNU 11up/ Burton Cartels
Favourite terrain Backcountry trees
Favourite move FS Indy 180
Time in Niseko Four months
Time riding? Three years
Andys iPod Top 10

1. Strokes - Someday
2. Kings of Leon - Milk
3. Razorlight - In The Morning
4. Dolly Parton - Jolene
5. Notorious BIG - Juicy
6. Kings of Leon - The Bucket
7. Hed Kandi - Sun in my Eyes
8. The Smiths - Panic
9. Goldie Looking Chains - Guns Dont Kill
People
10. Oasis - Wonderwall
Album reviews
Kanye West, 808 & Heartbreaks, 2008
LAST issue, I reviewed Lil Waynes Tha Carter. It had a
synth-vocal overlay that annoyed the s*!# out of me.
Im afraid to say that Kanye Wests new album has
surpassed its predecessor with ease. This dull and
lifeless album is not what Kanye is known for; theres
no flamboyant self-promoting, theres no heavy bass
lines with catchy hooks, just a whole steaming heap
of crap. Kanye said, I am the No. 1 human on Earth
in the music industry, but after this album, he would
be fighting it out to stay in front of Peter Andre, who sits somewhere at a lowly
No. 982. Rating: 1 Thats All Its Worths out of 5.
N.E.R.D, Seeing Sounds, 2008
THE is the hip-hop album of the year - in my eyes
anyway. Every song from Intro right through had me
tapping along with the beat. Seeing Sounds is a very
funk-influenced album with 1930s swing drumbeats all
through it. The lyrics were unsyncopated and unusual,
but that just made it all the better. The variation of the
album is also great, going from a heavy, thumping club
tune, then on to a melodic rock tune, all without losing
that N.E.R.D sound. The remixes are even great. I cant
really fault itGenius! Rating: 4 Buy This Album Legallys out of 5.
Eagles of Death Metal, Heart On, 2008
FANS of dirty rock would really, really enjoy this - I
mean really! Eagles of Death Metal was formed by
frontman of Queens of the Stone Age Josh Homme,
and close high school friend and rock demon Jesse
Hughes. They started the Eagles as a gimmick band as
a side project for QOTSA, but with this album, they
have really shown that they are more than serious with
continuing what they are doing. Heart On is
comparable to the Foo Fighters of the 90s, with great
guitar riffs and lyrics sung the way rock lyrics should be. These guys are truly flying
the flag for old school rock and roll. Rating: 4 Moustachioed Rock Gods Playing
Guitar Hero at 3am Swigging Jack Daniels out of 5.

A POINT IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION .. Chuck
niseko survival guide
demonstrates to hikers that
Earning your
there is more to the back
country than meets the eye. Im not ignorant enough to make myself believe youre going to be home. Then, call this person and
this course equipped me with all I need to know let them know when you arrive home safely.
avalanche stripes
YOU will never be 100 per cent safe in the back country. The fact about snow disaster; quite the contrary, it gave me a Think about the snow pack, weather and terrain.
that you can be severely injured or die out there is, ironically, a thirst to seek more. As they say, the day you think youKnow whats dangerous and what are the red lights
fact of life. However, you can go to measures to minimise the know everything is they day you stop learning. Follow for the snow pack, such as hollow sounds under foot;
risks and ensure you are as safe as possible out there. This is up courses and more experience in the back country whoomphing noises; cracking around skis, board or
By Matthew Thomas especially necessary when skiing, boarding or hiking the back will certainly be on the horizon. But, all in all, thissnowshoes; and the most obvious, recent avalanches
country of avalanche-prone Hokkaido. weekend did provide me with the stepping stone I in the area you plan to visit.
needed, along with affording me a healthy respect for On the terrain side, be aware of cornices and
the snow that I never really had until now. convex slopes and also areas where the snow might
build up below you on the mountain, such as gullies.
Chuck Olberys top tips for avalanche Red lights for the weather are 2.5cm per hour or
safety 30cm overnight of snowfall; wind over 15m/s is cause
for concern; rain on new snow; and temps at zero or
Have the right equipment at the very least a above degrees celsius.
beacon, probe and shove and more importantly, Travel safely in avalanche-prone terrain. If youre
know how to use it. skiing or riding down in avalanche zones, go one at a
In the car park, make sure beacons are time; have one person at the top and one person at
transmitting before you head out. the bottom spotting you; dont have ski poles tied
Have an experienced partner who also knows how around wrists because they can act as anchors if you
A PRIVATE MOMENT ... a lone to use all of the gear. It is useless and dangerous are caught.
snowboarderz enjoys some solo going out there unless you are with someone who If an avalanche does come down around you,
time with just him and nature. knows how to extricate you from an avalanche. know beforehand safe areas to escape or retreat to,
Before you head out, check the weather forecast. such as 45 degrees out of the avalanches path;
Know what the snow, wind and rain are doing, and behind a clump of trees; behind or under a rock; or a
whether these conditions will make stability trends high point on the slope.
I RECENTLY went along to a weekend recreational locate those trapped within. After lunch, we then took Day 2: better, worse or the same. * Hokkaido Powder Guides is holding another
avalanche course with seven other keen students the gondola to the top of Higashiyama, where, armed Check on avalanche conditions at the time by avalanche course in January. For more information,
from all over Hokkaido, who were also thirsty for to the teeth with shovels and snow saws, Chuck and Today, we put all our newfound knowledge into checking avalanche reports posted on gates of the call 0167 225 655 or 080 3492 0433. Alternately, email
knowledge. The class was led by experienced Furano Watanabe san instructed us how to test and assess the action. We drove half-an-hour outside Niseko to a back country, or ask guides, friends or patrol about info@hokkaidopowderguides.com or check www.
local and regular visitor to Niseko, Chuck Olbery, snow pack for weaknesses by literally cutting apart mountain called Iwa Annapuri, where our group conditions. Alternately check the regular and accurate hokkaidopowderguides.com.
alongside Japanese guide, Nori Watanabe - both from the snow and looking at its history. The different hiked, then, retracing our tracks, we boarded and internet postings by experienced Niseko local, Akio * Check out the next fortnights edition of Powderlife
guiding company, Hokkaido Powder Guides. Going types of snow beneath the surface a variance of skied down in some of the freshest thigh-deep Shinya, at http://niseko.nadare.info/. for survival tips for when you actually get stuck in an
into the Canadian Avalanche Assocation-recognised rock-solid ice, powder and sugar-like granules were powder Ive had all season. Besides the hike being a Make sure someone knows your plans for the day avalanche.
class with basically no prior knowledge or experience, fascinating; it was much like peeling back the skin of rude shock to the system by way of snow fitness and where youre going, what youre doing and when
the two-day intensive course gave me a an onion, or looking at the age rings of an old tree. strength (in parts I was sinking in snow up to my waist
comprehensive, practical, entry-level understanding These were telltale signs of the stability, or instability, the curse of the large-framed man), this was a
of how to prevent avalanche disasters, and how to of the snow. These snow pack tests were only practical way of putting into action all we learned the
minimise the damage or deadliness of an avalanche something I had seen in skiing and snowboarding day prior. To close out the course, we were thrown
should it strike. This knowledge was worthwhile, as movies, and Im glad to now say I know how to into an avalanche simulation exercise. We were, all of
after all, avalanches are some of the most powerful perform these tests myself. Later on in the night, in a sudden, a group of people on a mountain struck by
forces of nature known to man, smothering, deadly the warm, comforting setting of upper Hirafus Aprs an avalanche - the only ones who remained above
and fast as they reach speeds of up to 200km/h. Bar, while nursing a couple of well-deserved Kirins, a snow level. An unknown number of victims were
movie and presentation fleshed out the technical side stuck below in a snow death trap, and we were the
Day 1: of things - mainly focussing on environmental aspects only ones who could get them out. With the snow all
of avalanches. We learned what angle grade and parts messed up and debris everywhere skis, gloves and
After a briefing, we were taken out into a snowy field, of the mountain were avalanche traps, along with poles littered the site we needed to track down all
armed only with a backpack filled with shovels, what kinds of snow, and even sounds of snow, mean the beacons that had been cunningly buried beneath
beacons and probes objects all foreign to me prior you should basically get the hell out of there. On the more than a metre of powder by our guides. Showing
to this course. First of all, we were taught how to preventative side, we also learned how to read the dedication and sacrifice to his craft, Chuck became a
operate a beacon by burying several of them in a weather forecasts and assess other environmental human icicle, burying himself in a creek bed in
massive, snow-coated field, and were then asked to factors, in order to make a safe and sound decision to minus-three-degree temperatures. Without time for
track them all down. As we learned, initially head out back, or not. I will never go riding or hiking preparation, our group needed to come up with the
nonsensical bleeps and flashes on the dial soon and look up only to see simply snow and a mountain best plan of action, then employ all our new
turned to coherent directions. It is harder than it ever again. I now see so much more. knowledge. Im pleased to say we tracked down the
looks, believe me which is why I wasnt surprised to all beacons and, thankfully, Chuck, in close to 10
hear that it is quite common for many to venture into minutes considering the situation, a very good time,
the back country with a beacon and absolutely no say our guides. This was proof and affirmation that
idea of how to work the thing. We were then taught what we learned actually worked. Plus, we got a nifty
the right way to use a probe, an object which, by its little Canadian Avalanche Association certificate for
namesake, is used to probe through the snow to our troubles.
BREATHER ... students DIGGING DEEP ...

stop for a break after Powderlife associate
riding fresh tracks editor Matthew
from the peak of Thomas digs a
Iwaonupuri. snow pit.
PAYING ATTENTION ...

the class watches as
36 powderlife ISSUE 11 december 26 - january 9 2009 www.powderlife.com Chuck tests the snow. www.powderlife.com december 26 - january 9 2009 ISSUE 11 powderlife 37
restaurant review
By Kat and Kim
Okonomiyaki Jyuu We watch as the okonomiyaki batter is the first to be poured on to the grill,
followed by the pork. Next to it the negi batter is poured on too before being
Sekka chefs Kat and Kim topped with the tendon and kim chii, then a mountain of spring onion, pickled
introduce us to Okonomiyaki ginger and tempura flakes. These are left to cook as we sit and squirm in hunger
at Jyuu. with the delicious aromas wafting around and our food with in touching distance.
AT Jyuu, okonomiyayi is the star of the As soon as the okonomiyaki and negiyaki are half cooked, theyre flipped over.
restaurant, not just one item in a list on When theyre just about done, an egg is cracked onto the grill, and the
many on a food court menu. We love a okonomiyaki flipped over onto that. As this is done, our table grill is turned on to
good yaki (fried dish) and many a time warm for the arrival of the treats. The okonomiyaki is topped with Japanese
have whipped one up at home from my Worcester sauce, aonori, kewpie and bonito shavings so fine they dance and wave
step mom Akikos recipe, and we loved in the heat given off from the okonomiyaki with the still soft egg sitting below.
hearing about the restaurants in Japan The negiyaki is topped with a slice of lemon and both are brought to the table
that served this dish and nothing else. and placed on the grill. I was concerned that they might over cook on the grill but
The owners of Okonomiyaki Jyuu are after the first bite there was no concern that they would be around long enough
from Osaka, the spiritual home of the for that to happen. We tried the negiyaki first. The tempura flakes have been
okonomiyaki, so it was a genuine piece cooked in to a crispy golden crust covering it. The tendons are melt in the mouth
that we were going to try. Located and the kim chii is not so strong that it overpowers but just lets you know its
midway between Higashiyama, there.
Annupuri and Niseko town, its kind of
all by its lonesome, but this doesnt The okonomiyaki is a beast of a completely different kind, with its thick batter,
seem to have slowed business - there are only a few tables spare when we arrive. Worcester and mayo, its so rich and so savoury it fills your mouth with umami.
Leaving our shoes in the rack and having a good laugh at trying to fit into the
inside slippers (youd think thered be one pair of size 12 slippers somewhere in We seem to enter a fugue state, all the conversation ends and only the need to
Japan!?) we plonk down at a table. The table has a flat grill in the center to keep consume another mouthful exists. All too quickly we are finished. Really, we
the goodies warm and is set with essential okonomiyaki tools. should have known we were full but there was the possibility we were still hungry,
so we opted to find out by ordering a mix okonomiyaki. This comes with pork,
Theres an English version of the menu so no pantomime tonight. We are both prawn and squid. Its just as delicious as the first two, but it is only a few bites in
immediately drawn to the beef tendon and kim chii combination so we know when we realise in fact we are full... really full! It seems sad to leave something so
thats going to feature soon in our future. The other we go for is the thinly sliced delicious uneaten, so we give it our best shot.
pork belly, but now were faced with another choice the standard okonomiyaki
base; negiyaki, a thinner base topped with spring onion, lemon and tempura All done and ready to explode we leave, already making plans for our next visit,
flakes; or nariyaki, a thin base with garlic chive, lemon and tempura flakes. and thinking about what flavors and styles to try. You know its good when your
Decisions, decisions. In the end we go for the beef tendon on the negiyaki and the cant eat any more, but youre already planning to
pork belly on the okonomiyaki. The order travels not far, in fact only two meters .
away to three huge flat grills where the magic is performed. For more great reviews and a whole lot more about food, check out Kat and
Sitting on one corner slowly bubbling away all night is a pot of the beef
Kims blog @ www.bigfoodsmallworld.blogspot.com
AUSTRALIAN BOTTLESHOP PRICES
tendon, mmm!
t Top quality Western Australian wine

t Delivered to your Niseko
accommodation next day
t Pay in $AUD on your credit card
t No fees, no conversions
Enquire about Japan based Membership
or wholesale buying
www.nisekowinesupply.com Tel: 080 6066 4321
japanese cooking
Okonomiyaki - as you like it! Ingredients (serves 4 people)
1 cup flour
350ml water
Tess Stomski from Niseko Gourmet fine dining and Sachiko from pack (4g) sea kelp (konbu) stock powder
Niseko Gourmet Japanese cooking workshops share their okonomiyaki pack (2 g) bonito fish stock powder
recipe. cabbage
Okonomi means as you like referring to the ingredients that are mixed with the batter to make this Japanese 1 leek
savoury pancake, okonomiyaki. Said to have originated in Osaka, okonomiyaki can now be found all over 4 eggs (one per pancake)
Japan and with its crisp outer layer and moist filling, will satisfy the taste buds of any hungry traveller. 1 tablespoon dry sea weed flakes (aonori)
Yaki refers to the grilling of the pancake after it has been mixed with your choice of ingredients, most 2 tablespoons fried tempura balls (tenkasu)
commonly pork, cabbage, shrimp, squid, mushroom, kimuchee, rice cake, spring onion, tempura flakes or
whatever you like. When cooked, okonomiyaki is topped with Japanese mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayonnaise to taste 343
bonito fish flakes, nori flakes and pickled ginger. Try making okonimiyaki and sharing it in the centre of the Okonomiyaki sauce to taste
table as part of a casual Japanese dinner with friends.
Topping ideas: Mushrooms (shimeji, maitake,
white button), Pickled ginger, Pork or bacon,
shrimp, squid, scallops, cheese, kimchi, bonito
flakes
Enjoy great food anytime of day in a family friendly atmosphere.
1. To make the batter whisk the flour, stock
powder and water in a mixing bowl. Mix well until Breakfast, Lunch, Apres Ski and of course Dinner.
all ingredients are blended together to form a
smooth batter.
2. Cut cabbage and leek into bite size pieces, as
well as any other toppings cut to the same size.
3. In a separate mixing bowl take 1 ladle (100ml)
of batter, 1 handful of cabbage, a few pieces
of leek, 1 egg, a pinch of seaweed flakes, some
tempura balls, any other toppings and mix lightly.
Be careful not to add too many toppings. Coat all
ingredients well with batter.
4. Heat one teaspoon of vegetable oil in a fry pan
on medium heat. Once hot place the mixed
ingredients into the center and spread out into a
15 to 20cm circle. Cook until base is golden brown
(approx. 10 minutes). Flip over and lightly flatten
out the pancake with a spatula. Dont press too
hard or you will crack the pancake.
5. Once the pancake is cooked (approximately 5 to
10 minutes) you can then top the pancake with
okonimiyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire
sauce but thicker and sweeter), followed by
Japanese mayonnaise. Spread these sauces over
the entire surface of the pancake and dont be
shy with the sauce.
6. Finally top it off with aonori and bonito flakes
if you like and serve immediately.
Itadakimasu!!
5. Daijoubu?
OK
Japanese for powder people If you come across someone lying in the
snow and youre wondering if theyre
by studio tdes
injured, ask them: daijoubu? (are you
OK?) They might just be having a rest, in
Lesson 2: Japanese for the mountain
which case, theyll answer: daijoubu
(yeah, Im fine). If someone asks you
CHANCES are, you came to Niseko for the snow and so did the person sitting
and youre not OK, you can say:
opposite you in the gondola. So, if you want attempt a conversation, talking about
daijoubu janai (Im not OK). If you
the snow is probably a good place to start. And since were guessing youll spend
need help, you can say: tasukete (help
most of your holiday on the mountain, in this lesson we give you some language
me). If youre injured and want to get
to use when youre on the mountain talking about and enjoying the snow.
your point across in the simplest way
possible, try pointing to the injured
1. Ii
body part and saying: itai (it hurts).
good
Ii is one of many words you can use to describe the amazing run youve just had
6. Dame! !
or the yuki (snow). Ii yuki da ne means: the snows good, isnt it? Also try: saikou
Dont !
da ne (its awesome), kimochi ii (feels great!), ii condition da ne (the snows great
If someone skis after you yelling dame! chances are youve done something
today, isnt it?), kyou sugoku ii, (its really good today).
against the rules. Dame is used for telling someone not to do something, or
telling someone off. If you want to tell someone off for almost poking your eye
2. Dou? ?
out with their ski pole, say: abunai! (thats dangerous!).
how, what
You can ask questions in Japanese just

7. Suberu
by raising your voice at the end of a
ski, snowboard
statement, or attaching ka. Dou is also
Suberu means slide and is also the verb most commonly used to talk about skiing
useful. When you meet your friend at
or snowboarding. Subetta? (did you go boarding/skiing today?) Subbetta yo (yes).
the bottom of the run, ask them: dou
Mada (not yet). The roads in Hirafu are very slippery, so people will warn you:
datta? (how was it?). If theyve just
suberi yasui kara kiotsukete (be careful, its easy to slip over).
bought new boots and are wearing
them for the first time, ask: boots dou?
(how are your boots?). You ordered soba
9. Furu
for lunch and your friend is slurping
to snow
down a bowl of udon ask them how it
There is certainly a lot of snow in Niseko
is: dou? oishii? (is it good?)
but it doesnt always snow 24/7, and
when it starts and stops its always
3. Samui
something to talk about. Yuku ga futteru
cold
(its snowing). Futteru? (Is it snowing?).
Yannderu (it has stopped). Gangan
Its winter in Niseko, of course its cold!
futteru (its snowing hard). Futtenai (Its
Still, sometimes its colder than usual,
not snowing). Furanai kanaa (I wish it
especially when its windy and youre
would snow).
sitting in a chairlift without a hood.
Samui ne! (its cold, isnt it?). Ne,
sugoku samui (yeah, its really cold).
10. Akeome!
Note: if youre talking about a particular
Happy New Year!
body part, you need a different word for
If you want to be with a crowd of people on New Years Eve, standing on the
cold: tsumetai. Tsumasaki ga tsumetai
slopes watching the giant flaming 09 is the place to be. After the countdown wish
(my toes are cold.) Yubi ga tsumetai
everyone a happy new year: akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! (happy new
(my fingers are cold). If youre not
feeling cold, here are some other things to complain about: tsukareata (Im tired), year!) If you cant remember the whole thing, try the shortened version: akeome!
onaka suita (Im hungry), harahetta (Im hungry boys version). Special bonus points if you can remember the full new year greeting: akemashite
omedetou gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
3. Matte
wait Pronunciation guide: Since this magazine cant talk, your best bet is to find a
Japanese person and ask them to say the words and repeat after them. Then buy
Your friend rides off while youre still adjusting your boots and you want them to them a beer.
wait. Yell: matte! (wait). Later youre standing at the top of the mountain and they
ask if youre ready to take off: ikou ka? (shall we go?). Youre almost ready, but studio tdes produces a daily online English language show, based in Kutchan:
just need to put away your camera. Say: chotto matte (hang on a sec). When www.thedailyenglishshow.com
youre ready, say: ikou! (lets go!).
4. Doko?
where
Need more practice?
You stare at your map and up at the mountain and back at the map and still
have no idea where you are. Try taking your map to one of the mountain staff Have fun learning basic Japanese every Sunday afternoon with tdes. Well
and asking: koko doko? (where are we on this map?). When they show you, say: teach useful words and phrases for English-speaking tourists in Niseko.
domou arigatou gozaimasu (thank you very much). When youre busting for the
loo, ask someone: toile wa doko desu ka? (where is the toilet?). After you strike Day: Every Sunday
up a conversation with someone about the weather, theyll probably ask you Place: Samurai Bar, Niseko Yurt Village
something like: doko kara kitano? (where are you from?). Time: 4pm to 5pm
Entry: 1000 yen (includes 1 drink)
More info: thedailyenglishshow.com/nisekojapanese
Men who ride Mountains
By Stirling Goldman
and divorced by then, but there will still be snow in

Hailing from the extreme terrain of Mt Baw Baw in Australia, Stirling Goldman was
Niseko, Stirls will still look good and your partners will
bred on waist-deep, man-made powder and extra steep chutes. Stirling has con-
still have a crush on me.
quered the most beastly mountains across the world, and recently moved to Niseko.
Stirling soon sensed that both local and international punters needed to be taught
Q: Stirling, how do you keep your finances in
a thing or two and luckily for us, has decided to settle here for good.
check during these times? Patrick, Sydney.
Stirling Goldman: a man who rides mountains.
A: Patty my boy, people often look at Goldman and
think he is just a ski bum you know, a larrikin who
just looks for good times. Then these same people
SO, recently I have been approached by many people What people do not understand is that from a hear about my chalet in Chamonix; my 22 bedroom
wondering how to deal with the credit crunch and skiing perspective, the global markets slide means a palace in the Caribbean; my Sydney Harbour
global financial crisis. I must admit it is somewhat win-win for Stirls. There are less people on the hill waterfront with private yacht mooring; my
painful being approached by punters at the best of and more room for me to do what I do best at least apartments in London, New York and Paris; my
times. But its even more painful when they are what I do best during the day. And as for what I do Ferrari, Bentley and Porsche; my dominance with the
looking for financial advice. Being sidled up to by a best at night well, lets just say I have to just change ladiesand all of a sudden want to be my friend.
pin-stripe suit-wearing investment banker drowning my focus. Sure there are fewer ladies about but there Patrick, Goldman is not stupid. He is financially
his sorrows at 2am, asking the Stirls how he does what are always the seasonal workers and Niseko regulars secure. For with a face and body of the gods, and
he does, is almost enough to cause me to get on the who reap the rewards of the great man to seek some ability to ski like he does, he is a sponsors dream.
phone to my old mate Barack and give him my pearls solace in these tough economic times. So it is a win- And with this come decent dollars and a steady
for how to sort this mess out. A few seasons ago these win for them, too, which is good as it is nice to give stream of royalties that means the good times keep
were the kind of people trying to bribe their way into something back to the resort and to skiing in general. on coming. If you want the truth, I think I come in
VIP status next to Stirls at the bar. It was a common third on the rich list of Australian athletes behind
scenario and bored me to tears. Loud-mouth Stirls I remember the 90s recession back in Australia. Greg and Harry (Norman and Kewell). Of course, for
wannabes bragging about their latest big deal, high- Baw Baw management were worried the profit an international man of the winter as I am, most of
flying job, flashy houses and how good they were at margins would be grim. Naturally, they looked to my money is redirected via my residence in Monaco.
skiing. It was laughable for the Stirls. As always, Stirling to save the day. Now, let me set the record Cha Ching! What was that, the sound of cash register
though, the joke was on them; for it meant a steady straight, Stirling never sells out, yet this was the opening? Stirls thinks so.
supply of free beers for me all night, and their gold- closest I have come. For it was Baw Baw and they
digging, or should I say Goldman-digging wives, in needed me. So I did a shoot at the Baw Baw peak. All Q: Stirling, rumour has it you are now on
my ear trying to get a piece of a real man. Fortunately I will say is that there were some strategically placed Facebook? Is this true? Can I be your friend?
for the wannabes, I dont roll with married women. 210cm ultra thin skis and Stirls in the raw. The Jenny, Tokyo.
photographers wanted to use a shorter ski so the A: Well, Jenny, those rumours are true. However, I
So how do you deal with the credit crunch? You punters could relate, but in those days I used to ski on must say there is a fairly strict criteria become a
see, Stirling does what he does because he has to. I 300s and the photo had to be family friendly; any friend. For to be a friend of Stirls, you need to do
cannot choose not to go on a skiing trip, or not to roll shorter would run the risk of the women keeping the what he does on a regular basis. It goes as follows:
in Niseko just because the yen is strong. Imagine all poster for themselves under their beds. As a favour I * Females profile picture dependent.
the broken hearts and disappointed fans. It just dropped my appearance fee and just charged for the * Males a somewhat more difficult task. If you can
wouldnt be fair. Also, if Stirls doesnt ski, Stirls may as one hour of work. $30K was still a big risk for them, consume 40 beers, ski down from the peak on one ski
well not exist. For Stirls the rent, food and clothing but it paid off. Baw Baw numbers soared, profits were backwards, then go down to Kutchan and ride the ski
come second to lift tickets and chalets. Of course I through the roof, and Stirls became tired of being told jump on a snow board and land with your hands as
havent paid for either since I was three years old, but how good he was. Some things never change. opposed to feet strapped inyou MAY be considered.
I would if I had to. I ski therefore I am Stirls. Get it, So, I ask you to try your luck and look me up the
you muppet? Stirling doesnt do or need a suit. The So bankers, dont sweat it regarding the financial names Stirling Goldman. You know you want to.
last time I wore one was for the Armani shoot I did situation. The beauty of the markets is that they are
back in the 89-90 season. The suit has sure aged, but cyclical and you will have a job and share portfolio Wanna see if Stirling will accept you as a friend?
I have not. again. It may take five years and you may be broke Look him up on Facebook. Or got a question for a
man who knows? Fire it to stirling@powderlife.com.

kutchan k-town
WHILE Niseko becomes a thriving modern international ski resort in
winter, just a 10-minute bus ride away is an authentic little rural Japa-
Kutchan Night-Go Bus 100 for an unlimited pass
Kutchan Karaoke?
nese town, Kutchan - affectionately known by foreigners as K-town.
Its the closest big town to Niseko with a population of about 15,000 Okey Dokey!
people. Kutchan is the service town for surrounding rural villages in By Bevan Colless
the region, including Niseko, but in years gone by it has been quite a
thriving little entertainment district on the back of past ski booms in
Niseko. Kutchans nightlife these days is pretty tame compared to what
most foreigner visitors would be used to, but therein lies its charm.
For the younger crowd at least one night exploring the back alleys of
Kutchan for a quirky little bar or karaoke joint is a must - it could well
be one of the best experiences of your trip. For those not after a party,
there are countless - possibly a hundred or more - unique little restau-
rants to choose from. For ideas about where to head check out
www.powderlife.com/magazine/kutchan
THERE is a must do list when visiting many countries, and Japan is no different.
Take a hot spring bath check; take a bullet train check; eat lots of Japanese
food check; sing karaoke with a group of friends - check. Niseko has its own
fantastic hub of great karaoke bars and booths in Kutchan, the funky little
traditional Japanese town located just a 10-minute bus ride from Hirafu village.
The western take on karaoke has been to perform in front of the whole bar, but
traditional Japanese style is in a booth or box, with just your friends as an
audience. Both are available in Kutchan, so if youre a bit shy, you dont need to
get up in front of strangers. However, its often the ones who start out shy that
end up being the hardest to pry from the microphone especially after a few jars
of liquid courage.
No one knows Kutchan like long-time resident and owner of Caf Kaku, Shukin.
So, here are some picks for the best karaoke bars in the Kooch, according to the
Monk with Spunk
1. Nozomi II
This is a bar-style karaoke and is great fun and great value. You can choose from
2,000 all you can drink for two hours, or 3,000 all you can drink until they
8:00am ~ 8:00pm [closed on tuesdays] ph: 0136-22-0050 close, which is often as late as 7am. Nozomi II have the most English songs in
their system. They open at 9pm, but can open earlier on request. Theyll even pick
you up and take you home for free if you give Eiji a call 090 6263 2328.
2. Songoku
A private booth-style karaoke in the Wakayama building right across Miyako dori
fom Be and World Sports Bar. Use of the karaoke room is 600 per hour for one
person. They are open from 8pm to 2am, and have an all you can drink for 1,000
and hour for spirits, or 1,200 if you want beer included. They do have costumes
you can borrow if you feel like dressing up.
3. Mikan-sei
Another booth-style karaoke above Wai Wai Okonomiyaki. Look for the red sign
just a around the corner, a few doors down from Caf Kaku on Miyako Dori.
Mikan-sei is very popular with high school students for its afternoon special. They
have two small rooms and one large room. Between 4pm and 8pm the small
rooms are 500 per hour and the large room is 1,000. After 8pm, the two rooms
are 2,000, and the one larger room is 3,000. Drinks are extra but very
reasonable.
4. Do Re Mi
Once again, its karaoke booth-style, this time located above the Ramen bar in
the Max Value car park. For hourly use of the booth for one person it costs 735,
for two people 735, and three to five people its 1,000. Drinks are extra.
5. Snack Bars
All snack bars have karaoke. Snack
bars are a style of hostess bar that
charge a small entry fee, (usually 500),
and this includes a small snack. They
usually have a bottle keep system, so
you can pour your own drinks from
your bottle. You have the option of
having a lady sit with you, for which
you pay an extra fee or you can buy
them drinks. Karaoke is usually about
200 per song. Hiroko Snack, next to
Blue Cielo, just around the corner from
the Loaf Lounge, has a stage that you
can get up on to do your thing.
real estate news real estate feature
By Lorne Calhoun
Q&A
Niseko Village announces major new development plans
NISEKO Village, operators of hotels, ski, golf and an onsen (hot spring). The resort appears primarily
with Eyal Agmoni
summer activity facilities in the Higashiyama area, have aimed at attracting a domestic Japanese clientele,
Interview by Lorne Calhoun
announced plans for a new large scale, very up market particularly the free-spending recently retired silver Earlier this month Moria mountain
resort development on land adjoining their current market. Other plans include the development of a holding GK purchased the Moiwa ski
operations. In addition to commercial and leisure new ski area especially catering for beginners over the resort. Powderlife Magazine caught
facilities, they are proposing to build a total of over next two to three years. This will appeal to the up with the fund representative Mr.
1,000 condominium apartments and free standing villas. growing Asian market, which has very little ski Eyal Agmoni to find out a bit more
Construction is planned to continue over a period experience. Included in these plans are three new about their company and their plans
of more than 10 years, with the first stage hopefully high-speed lifts, the first in Hokkaido to incorporate for the future of Moiwa.
commencing by Autumn of 2009. chairs for six skiers (the widest currently being quad
The development will take place on about 50 ha of lifts), and reconstruction of one existing Niseko Village
vacant land to the south east of the current resort lift, the Wonderland Chair.
property, directly connecting with it. General manager Luke Hurford says planning for
The plans released are proposing restaurants and a the new development is well under way, and should
village shopping promenade similar to those of the begin to take shape in three to four years time. Our
great mountain resorts throughout the world, as well goal is to create an international resort, retaining and Photo: Niseko Photography
as approximately 800 condominium apartments and enhancing the charming and priceless elements of
182 town houses in low to medium rise configuration, the Niseko, Hokkaido and Japanese culture as well as Tell me a about Moria mountain holding What differences will we see in Moiwa What are some of your long term goals
and some 40 villas. This is in addition to a multi- providing the activities, dining and entertainment GK? this season? for the resort?
purpose centre for staging events of various kinds, and lifestyle elements which are the benchmark of
and other leisure facilities such as a skating rink and any great international mountain resort, he says. Niseko Village. Photo: Niseko Photography Moria mountain holding is a Japanese company based This season wont see great changes. We just took over We are very lucky to have Riccardo Tossani of Riccardo
in Tokyo created solely for the purpose of holding the the resort in the first week of December. Our first Tossani Architecture to develop a masterplan for us.
Moiwa ski resort. It is part of a group of companies mission was to make sure the lifts opened on time for One of the key points is that Moiwa is very attractive
New Niseko real estate companies LJ Hooker moves owned by a private equity fund. I am the
representative in Japan for the fund.
the season, but there are many ideas that people are
talking to us about that we are looking forward to. In
in the summer which is why Kanronomori is full all of
the time; it has both seasons attraction, so the idea is
SEVERAL new real estate companies have been formed
in Niseko in over the past year.
connections in the area and it made sense to work
together, says Davenport. Well work on smaller jobs into Niseko Is this the first ski resort your company
has taken on?
General we wish Moiwa to be the natural choice for
kids and families as well as beginner skiers to choose,
we will work towards that goal but with room to allow
to develop here a high class, top notch resort with
maybe a famous operator who will help us to
maintain it. The idea is definitely to grow the whole
Kicking off the new arrivals is Tracks Real Estate, (renovations, extensions) through to much larger jobs AUSTRALIAN real estate giant LJ Hooker will be
whose sister companies Hokkaido Tracks Development (new houses, apartments) and take clients from opening a Niseko branch soon, the first branch in more advance skiers to enjoy our slops. area to a world class resort.
and Hokkaido Tracks Management were local pioneers inception to completion. Weve been working together Japan. The office will be located in the Downtown Absolutely.
in their fields. While this is TREs first season, sales for about a year already but weve decided to Caf building at the end of the main drag on the The Moiwa towers were not part of you I understand that you will be trying to link
manager Grant Mitchell said it already had a healthy formalize things in this new venture. second floor. Rob Holmes will be at the helm as head What are you planning as your target purchase. How do you think the towers Moiwa with the Niseko United. What
stock of more than forty properties. Worldwide, few Jason McGregor has just started his own company, of sales. We believe that despite the recent economic market for the resort? and Kanronomori will play into future of steps have already been taken to make
ski resorts can rival Niseko, and even fewer have the JBuild Niseko. McGregor is a licensed Australian downturn there is still huge potential for development the resort? this happen?
quality of Hirafus real estate, says Mitchell. TREs builder who has been working in construction in and sales in Niseko, says Holmes. This and the fact Moiwa being the most traditionally famous resort as it
listings range from luxurious penthouses to more Japan for the past 18 years. In that time he was hands that we have in-depth local knowledge and a is the oldest place in the region we would really like Kanronomori is a vital part of the future. From our Right now we are doing what is called an Isatsu visit,
modest apartments and feature a selection of houses on for over 250 various projects. He discovered Niseko combined experience in Hokkaido of over 40 years to target a lot of Japanese. At the same time we would understanding there has some bad air with the just exchanging name cards. We know that there have
in fashionable Middle Hirafu. five years ago and settled here in early 2007. An ex puts us in an excellent position to provide a vibrant, also like to see more foreigners come to this very cozy previous players. We want to bring them in and we been attempts in the past for previous owners to
Makoto Begley and Michael Davenport will be joint project manager with Hokkaido Tracks, McGregor beneficial service to both vendor and purchaser. L.J. and nice part of the mountain, which right now is would like to hopefully connect. Regarding the towers connect; we hope that this time we will be lucky
operators of North Star Projects. Their main focus will decided he would venture out on his own and offer Hooker is looking to open 35 franchises in Hokkaido untapped because of many difficulties with the we are not sure, they are still in the bankruptcy court enough to join the pack. We met with Niseko town
be on design and construction, working with Makotos his construction services which include renovations, and a total of 70 throughout Japan over the next three previous owners. We would like to be more so there are some issues there. However, we definitely council today and clearly stated that we want to see
construction experience in Niigata and Niseko, and management of construction projects, pre-purchase years. LJ Hooker has a nationwide presence in integrated into the mountain and the other operators would like to develop the existing facilities which of Niseko growing. We hope that with their help and
Davenports experience working for a development inspections and general consulting. Australia as well as franchises in 13 countries to try and get more people exposed to this side of the course include everything that is already there. others; there have been many good people here to
company and overseeing several construction projects including China, India Papua New Guinea and the mountain. help us put everything together. We hope we will be
in Niseko. We are both bilingual, have good United Arab Emirates. It has 800 franchises in total. able to achieve our goal which is to connect with the
Niseko united, or/and other resorts.
real estate views
Hirafu Village.
I stand corrected
By Graeme Glen, sales manager for West Canada Properties
LAST year, in answer to the question, is Niseko a bubble?, I stated that Niseko
was not a bubble, nor could it become a bubble due to the fact that growth has
been fueled by private investment and not leveraged. Private money, generally,
does not go where there is no possibility of a return. Thus, balance is maintained.
This has held true despite the recent battering of the world economy. However,
we find that investors are playing it safe and as a result Niseko is now entering a
period of correction.
A period of correction, for the uninitiated, does not involve wearing a dunce
cap and standing in the corner of the classroom, nor does it require a gimp suit
and a spell on a throne of humiliation. What it does require to deal with a
market correction is patience, long-term vision and a deep understanding that
essentially nothing has really changed in Niseko. Periods of correction are
nothing new to ski resorts. The poster child for ski resort development, Whistler,
in Canadas British Columbia, has endured no less than five since 1978 and is still
going strong as ever. From 1978 to 2007, the average price for plots and chalets
went from US$150,000 up to US$1,600,000. Keep in mind that this has happened
over 30 years, and Niseko is only in its fifth year of growth. So, even if you buy in
today you are still getting in very close to the bottom.
How does all this affect investors? If you are a short-term market player out for
a quick profit, you should have gotten out last year; if you didnt youll have to
hold on till the markets recover confidence. But for the long-term player, the
people with vision and a deep love for the area, the longer term rewards will still
be sweet.
In fact, world economic chaos aside, things are getting better in Niseko. The
basic element of Nisekos initial success has not disappeared. Snow. As sure as the
sun will rise tomorrow, the snow will fall in Niseko. This provides an unbeatable
destination for skiers for which there will always be a market. More and more
services are opening, giving the tourists more options. The quality of these
services are becoming more and more sophisticated to match the needs of the
more sophisticated Asian customers we find coming here. Exchange rates have
reduced the numbers of Australian visitors, but the good news is they are being
replaced. Visitors from Hong Kong are up 42 per cent, and Singapore and
Thailand by 10 per cent. Many of the Australians who are being priced out of the
market by the exchange rates are looking to capitalise on exchange rates by
selling their Japan assets. This offers tremendous bargains to the Asian market.
So, above all else, enjoy your stay, enjoy the snow and all that Niseko has to offer.
on the market
By Matthew Thomas
North Field
Lodge
A LUXURY lodge in Hirafus East
Village is giving investors the chance to
buy a slice of Nisekos world-famous
winter playground but at a fraction
of the usual cost. North Field Lodge
located a snowballs throw away from
Hirafus ski lifts, shops, bars and
restaurants, in Izuimkyo 2 utilises
the sharing concept of fractional
ownership, something its creators say
is novel for the Niseko region. Shared
ownership allows the investor to enjoy
the benefits of owning a freehold
Niseko property for much less than the
normal cost of buying a free-standing
house or apartment.
Most Hirafu houses and apartments
FAIR SHARE ... Rob range in price between 40 million
Buffier outside North (around US $433,000) and 120
Field Lodge. million (around US $1.3 million). With
the fractional ownership concept,
offered by Japan Powder Lodges, the buyer can own a share of North Field Lodge
for an average price of 2.1 million (around US $23,000). The most affordable
portion of the lodge is priced at around 1.5 million (around US $16,200). I
guess when a lot of people come here they think it would be fantastic to own a
property, but the problem is that is not always affordable for some, says Tim
Kennedy, managing director of North Field Lodge, with fellow director and
business partner, Rob Buffier. This is making that sometimes expensive lifestyle
accessible for people that otherwise would not have been able to afford it. A lot
of people are balking at US $330,000 for a property that they will only use for a
few weeks of the year, so we are giving people the opportunity to get a foothold
into the Niseko property market for a much smaller amount of money.
Fractional ownership is a concept that began in North Americas Rocky
Mountains in the early 90s, and has since spread world-wide. But this is not to
be confused with time share, says Tim. Fractional ownership is different to time
share, because with fractional ownership, each investor actually owns a valuable
legal share in the freehold property, he says. In the case of a traditional time
share, owners usually only share part of a leasehold, but dont own the actual
property, so as the time share elapses, the lease becomes less valuable. In our
case, each investor effectively owns a part of the title to the North Field freehold
property.
Buyers will be able to use the lodge rent-free for a variety of time periods
11, 44 or 88-night stays. Our ownership system allows you to match the
percentage of your legal ownership with the amount of time that you plan to
spend skiing in Japan each season, says Tim.
While North Field lodge isnt marketed purely for its investment potential
rather as a lifestyle choice Tim says that if owners choose to rent out their
share, it may still return around 5 per cent per annum. We are also looking at
operating during the summer, with any income generated put back in a pool for
investors to use as secondary income, says Tim.
As part of the ownership package, each investor gets access to all a selected
two-to-four-share bedroom and access to all the lodge the lodge facilities. For
each investor, North Field Lodge - with a 25-bed licence boasts nine shared
western-style bedrooms, seven of which have en suites, and all have Finnish
saunas. Each room also has exclusive use of a fridge, flat-screen satellite
television, wardrobe, room heater,
premium bedding and towels. Other LAP OF LUXURY ... comfort
amenities featured are two saunas, and style at this Hirafu
two Japanese reticulated onsen-style lodge.
baths, a lounge with wood-burner fire,
a caf and restaurant with its own
chef, high-speed fibre optic wireless
internet access, washing machines and
dryers. Also included is access to all
lodge facilities, such as a mini-bus for
morning first tracks, and evening
meals and excursions. These facilities
are made all the sweeter with views of
Mt Yotei and Hirafu so theres no
mistaking where you are.
on the market listings
The Berg Apartments
120 million 795 m2 (240 tsubos)
The Berg Apartments are located on a quiet street in the heart of the upper
village above Seicomart, within easy walking distance to Nisekos best
restaurants, bars, and the Ace family lift. It has great views of Mt Yotei and the
ski hill. The astute investor can redevelop, renovate or landbank this strategically
located block of three, two-level apartments.
Each apartment has a loft bedroom that sleeps four people, one bathroom,
separate toilet and an open plan, lounge, dining/kitchen area.
The apartments are rented year round and provide a steady annual income
stream. As a redevelopment site, the gradient allows for up to seven levels to the
maximum height, where as other flat sites will only be approved for six levels.It
is also possible to purchase The Sakura House next door, to increase the strategic
value of your investment.
The Berg apartments are priced at 500 000 yen per tsubo, and at this price they
will sell .
Hirafu Upper Village

150mts to lift
Contact Ruskin McLennan from Niseko Property for more information
ruskin@nisekoproperty.com mobile:0806 098 7882
Ekimne Estate Properties

From 55 million
Beautifully constructed homes in the new Ekimne estate in the Hirafu lower
village. Tranquility is assured in this unrivalled location, with easy access to the
village proper, but without the crush. With generous plot sizes and treed outlooks,
these properties offer great value to the discerning buyer. This part of town
doesnt have to come with a million dollar price tag! Coming together with
fantastic rental packages, buy now and secure the winter returns for yourself.
Contact: Derek Kennewell

Phone: +81 (0)90 2818 7408
Email: derek@rad-development.com
Ridgerunner Real Estate

phone directory
Hotels Dragon Wine and Food Bar

Raku Izakaya

Hotel J-First Niseko 21 7700 [MAP B2] 22 6638 [MAP C3]
Rin Izakaya
22 2350 [MAP E1]
Hotel Niseko Alpen Kamimura 22 1444 [MAP B3]
Senchou 1 Izakaya
22 1105 [MAP D1] 21 2288 [MAP D2]
Just 300m ski or bus from the Hilton 22 2001 [MAP B3]
Hotel Niseko Scot EN in-house fine dining Niseko Villlage. Check out or great
Senchou 2 Seafood Izakaya
Western and Japanese menu.
23 2311 [MAP E1] 55 8100 [MAP D3]
Relax while our in-house chef does all 22 5454 [MAP C2]
Niseko Kogen Hotel Kila
the work.

Your fine dining solutions.
22 0117 [MAP E1] 070 6646 4715 [MAP C2]
Niseko Park Hotel Fujizushi Sushi Komekichi Onigiri Caf

22 2122 [MAP C2] 23 2661 [MAP B3] 22 1105 [MAP F1]
Niseko Prince Hotel Hirafu-tei Gentem Caf Kumagoro Rosso Rosso

23 2239 [MAP C1] 23 3154 [MAP B1] 23 3381 [MAP B3] 21 7100 [MAP B3]
Casual steak house with a contempo-
Yamada Onsen Hotel Grandpapa Loaf Lounge
rary flavour. Juicy, tender wagyu and

Kobe beef, variety of imported wines.
22 0476 [MAP E1] 0136 23 2244 [MAP B3] 22 1022 [Kutchan]
Graubunden Shokusai Hirafu
Specialities
Restaurants, cafes
23 3371 [MAP E4]
Buta don 850
Tempura Set

22 1105 [MAP C1]
and eateries 1500

Sashimi 1500
Shunsai

A-Bu-Cha Maru 23 1882 [Kutchan]
Slalom
22 5620 [MAP C2] 22 5020 [MAP E3]
Traditional Japanese donburi restau- 22 1105 [MAP C1]
Bs Caf and Bar Hana Jizoh Bakery rant. 11:30am-2pm/5-11pm. Pick up
Spur Chinese Restaurant
available. Reservation required
22 1480 [MAP D1] 23 0331 [MAP F4]
Amazing sweet and savoury breads 22 1105 [MAP C1]
Mina Mina
and pastries. Must try! Get the free
Tsubara Tsubara
village shuttle to bus stop G.
23 4471 [MAP D2]
Hirafu Fleur Mokoraya 23 1116 [MAP E4]

23 3306 [MAP E1] 090 8279 0598 [MAP F3]
Bang Bang
Ichimura Soba Mozart
22 4292 [MAP C1]
Owner Masai Saito chooses the best 23 0603 [MAP F3] 090 2699 6387 [MAP E4]
ingredients in Japan. One of Hirafus
most popular izakayas. if Caf Nami Chan Chi WIld Bills

Barunba 22 4770 [MAP B3] 21 2258 [Kutchan] 22 5652 [MAP D2]
Come for dinner, stay for drinks.
Jam Caf Bar Nathans Hotdogs
090 8907 9399 [MAP B2] Hirafus most popular bar and Tex-Mex

cuisine restaurant. See you there!
23 0700 [MAP D2] 21 3121 [MAP E3]
Menu Selections
Salmon pizza 1300 Japanese Kitchen Bouken Niseko Gourmet Yawaraya
VenisonHamburg1250
Pasta 1000~ 22 3759 080 5584 1313 23 3810 [MAP C3]
Buffalo wings 600 Java Bar and Caf Niseko Pizza Youtei Yakiniku
Black Diamond Lodge Restaurant
090 2871 6781 [MAP D3] 21 6888 [MAP D2] 22 0109 [MAP E1]
0136 44 1144 [Higashiyama] Paddy McGintys Yuki Bar and Caf
Just 300m ski or bus from the Hilton
Niseko Villlage. Check out or great 55 8020 [MAP C2] 22 0234 [MAP D2]
Western and Japanese menu.
Yummys
Blo Blo Bar
JoJos Caf and Bar 21 2239 [MAP C3]
22-12-69 [MAP D1]
Bouken Kazoku 23 2093 [MAP E3]
A 13 cm Original Burger, potato
gnocchi and fries from local potatoes. Pauls Cafe Niseko
22 3759
Generous portions of food
Chidori 090 9524 4968 [MAP C3]
Specialising in Belgian beer and rotis-
Jyuu Okonomiyaki
23 2831 [MAP F4] serie chicken. More than 30 beers on

tap or in bottles. Belgian Waffles.
Curry Goya 44 2336 [Higashiyama]
Kakashi Payoka
23 3688 [MAP F4]
Downtown 23 2622 [MAP D2] 22 0117 [MAP E1]
Kame Piccolo House
23 3354 [MAP B3]
22 0339 [MAP E3] 23 0311 [MAP E2]

phone directory Local information
Bars Tours, activities SAS Scott Adventure Sports
SAS
Tracks Real Estate

AIRPORT
New Chitose Airport 0123 23 0111
a private company bus which costs 500 and
a free shuttle bus which is included in your
EMERGENCIES
Police .........................................................110
Ueda Orthopedic Clinic
A privately run orthopaedic clinic providing
www.new-chitose-airport.jp/language/eng- all mountain pass. See the timetable on the Ambulance and Fire..................................119 more time efficient service than the hospi-
Aprs Bar 21 3333 [MAP B2] 226 977 [MAP E2]
lish course map for more information. If you have Emergency Interpretation.........03-5285-8185 tal. X-ray, medical dispensary. 1-4, South 3-jo
Sun Sports Land West Canada Homes New Chitose was opened in 1991 and became a 12-point ticket, one point per trip is needed. Japan English Helpline (nationwide West3, Kutchan 0136-22-1386
23 2311 [MAP E1] Niseko Rusutsu
Sapporo Hokkaido Japans first 24-hour airport in 1994. It serv- Others need 500 for adult and 300 for child emergency assistance)...............0570-000-911
INTERNET
Bar Lair Backcountry 23 3220 [MAP A3] 21 2226 [MAP E2] ices Sapporo and Niseko with direct interna- per ride.
ETIQUETTE Most accommodation in Niseko will have in-
Black Diamond tional flights from various Asian cities and Kutchan Night Bus
Japan is perhaps the most courteous coun- ternet access. If you have a laptop, you can
22 0588 [MAP D1] Tours
Rental Accommodation Australia. The Tokyo to Chitose route is the
busiest domestic route in the world. It is the
A free bus runs from Grand Hirafu ski area to
Kutchan station every night. Step out from try in the world. Say excuse me (sumimasen) try finding the free wireless hotspots in cafes
Barunba Black Diamond Tours and thank you (arrigato) regularly. Do not eat and bars around the village. Try Pow Pow, the
providers largest airport in Japan by land mass.
Getting From New Chitose To Niseko
Hirafu village and enjoy shopping, eating,
and drinking in Kutchan. while walking, or wear your shoes on tatami Java Bar or Bs caf.
090 8907 9399 [MAP C3] 090-2054-8687 On arrival at Chitose international airport, Taxis mats or in most indoor residences. A bow can
Mobile Phones
Let us privately guide you through short / long term be used to say thank you, sorry, hello, good-
Be. visitors not on a full travel package have a Kutchan hire...............................0136 22 1212
Hokkaidos best powder stashes and leasing export /
few options to complete this last leg of their Misora hire.................................0136 22 1171 bye and excuse me. It is impolite not to return 3G phones only will work in Japan. You can
import/moving as- a bow. The deeper the bow, the more polite hire a phone from IXSM travel 0136 21 5855
out of the way places. The Australian journey to Niseko and back. Although the trip Niseko hire.................................0136 44 2635
556 905 sistance 7 pass 4wd it becomes. or Go Mobile 03 4496 4344. For longer term
snowsports club is only 110kms, due to icy roads and no direct
Blo Blo Bar Deep Powder Tours from 45,000yen/wk with its own Niseko
AIRLINES stays the three big carriers have stores in
train route, it takes two to three hours. EATING Kutchan:
lodge ANA.............................................0120 029 222
Niseko Auto Rentals and Sales BUS At most casual dining Japanese restaurants au................................................0136-21-5616
22 1269 [MAP D1] 0136 21 5827 [MAP D2] British Airways............................03 3570 8657
(Izakaya) meals are ordered for the table and Soft Bank....................................0136-21-2588
090-2055-6074 [Higashiyama] The bus is the most convenient and com- Cathay Pacific.............................03 5159 1700
Dragon Wine and Food Bar Good Sports Australian Alpine Club Niseko monly used form of transport from the air- China Airlines.............................03 5520 0333 shared. You will often receive a small snack NTT DoCoMo...............................0136-21-6868
Niseko Auto can assist you with local with your first drink which may or may not be
sales and export. Licensed auction port. Buses depart about every 30 minutes JAL...............................................0120 255 971 TELECOMMUNICATIONS
21 7700 [MAP B2] 23 4560 [MAP C1] 223 006 [MAP E4] from the airport to Niseko.They take about Korean Air...................................0088 21 2001 billed. Rest your chopsticks across the top of
dealer - 4WD and sports vehicles. The lodge has eight western style the bowl or plate never leave them sticking Domestic Calls
Fridge Door Bar (Gyu +) Fuga Pottery Factory three hours, including a rest stop halfway and Qantas.........................................0120 207 020 Green and grey public phones take coins or
guest rooms Membership is available a dropoff at Rusutsu. 2,300 - one way and Singapore Airlines......................03 3213 1174 out of the rice!
Demo pre paid telephone cards, available from
for A$6,500 www.aacniseko.com 3,850 for a round trip. Thai Airways...............................03 3503 3311 DRINKING
23 1432 [MAP B3] 22 1731 convenience stores or at some phone card
United Airlines............................0120 114 466
Full Note IXSM Travel 21 66 77 [MAP C2] Deep powder tours
It is tradition in Japan to pour from a bottle dispensers in some booths. Local calls dont
The buses disembark at six designated bus
BANKING into your guests small glass regularly. Kam- require the 0136, unless made from a mo-
NBS Niseko Base Sports stops within the greater Niseko United Resort. pai is the Japanese word for cheers use it bile phone.
232 727 [MAP C3] 21 5855 [MAP D4] 21 5827 [MAP D2] You will find two different points to get off at Yes, we all know Hirafu needs an interna-
tional ATM! Until then, use the post office in readily! Also please remember to stay well Directory Assistance
Jam Caf Bar 21 5050 [MAP B2] Hokkaido Tracks each of the main ski areas. behaved when under the influence. Poor be- Dial 104 (toll call) and then ask for an Eng-
Whiteliner Buses Kutchan open 8.45am to 7pm on weekdays,
Grand Hirafu Ski Hire 9am to 5pm on weekends and holidays. You haviour by drunken Australians in Niseko has lish speaker. You must know the location and
23 0700 [MAP D2] 23 3503 [MAP C2] www.whitelinerbuses.com.........011-242-2040
can also withdraw from the 24-hour Citibank received national media attention in Japan. name to get a number.
Chuo Buses
Java Bar and Caf 0136 22 0109 [MAP D1] Hokkaido Travel ATM at 3F Chitose airport and the 7-Eleven Remember you are an ambassador for your International Calls
www.chuo-bus.co.jp/kikan/ski...011-231-0500 country at all times while you are abroad. International direct dial can be made using
Niseko Powder Boards Donan buses near Kutchan station. Most of the cards with
any of the following prefixes, 001 (KDDI),
090 2871 6781 [MAP D3] NAC Niseko Adventure Centre 233 327 [MAP C2] www.donanbus.co.jp/ski............0123-46-5701 Cirrus and PLUS marks are accepted at these TIPPING
places, but round cornered cards are not. 0041 (ITJ) and 0061 (IDC). They will cost you.
Masukotto NAC 0901 384 5772 [MAP D3] Holiday Niseko Hokkaido Resort Liner Although tipping is not generally done in Ja- Calling Cards
23 2093 [MAP E3] Niseko 343 www.access-n.jp/ski_info.html..011-219-4411 CREDIT CARDS pan, some restaurants and bars will include a Brastel The most popular international call-
23 1101 [MAP C2] Lessons and winter mountain tours, 21 6221 [MAP A3] service fee for groups.
CAR RENTAL Japan is still a predominantly cash society. ing card service is available in Niseko. Known
year round activities, indoor climbing 23 0343 [MAP C3] Most small bars and restaurants in Niseko do GARBAGE for its flat 24 hour rates as low 6 per minute
Paddy McGintys Izumikyo If you are comfortable driving in the snow,
wall, shop, and caf.
renting can be convenient as it allows you to not accept credit cards, but larger hotels, res- Hokkaido has some of the strictest garbage to Australia from any type of phone using a
Rhythm & Beats
55 8020 [MAP C2] 23 3301 [MAP D4] take a trip to Kutchan to stock up the fridge taurants and hotels often do. separation rules in the world. Please try to non-toll free access number. Brastel has ex-

22-0165 [MAP E2] before returning the car. One way hire from American Express.......................0120 020 120 follow them, follow the signs on the bins to cellent customer service available in over 20
Splash Call for an NISADE Chitose to Hirafu is about 7,000 for six - 24 MasterCard..................................03 5728 5200 the letter. languages and the card is available at several
appointment or SAS Scott Adventure Sports hours. Nippon Rentacar, Mazda and Orix have Visa Card...................................00531 44 0022 locations in Hirafu and can be recharged at
23 1688 [MAP C3] 22 0038 [MAP C2] Onsen (Hot Spring Bath) IXSM travel or by your credit card. New sub-
just drop in. SAS offices in the Niseko area. If you want a car
CURRENCY Buy a ticket, strip down no swim suits al- scribers get five free minutes. Toll-free: 0120
The Brick info@ 21 3333 [MAP B2] Niseko Ground Service only in Niseko, you can contact Black Dia-
nisekomassage.com mond Lodge in Higashiyama. You can exchange your money into Yen at the lowed, keep your clothes in a basket, your 659 534. www.brastel.com
Sports Rent Ciao bank, post office, and most inbound travel valuables in a locker. Take a little towel only Kazak Rates from 20 for one minute to Aus-
22 3444 [MAP D3] Niseko Massage 21 2503 [MAP C2] into the onsen with you, wash and scrub your tralia. The kazak card is the highest selling
Mazda Rent a Car : Chitose airport 0123-45- operators. Please bring your passport - it
Wild Bills 22 5178 [MAP F2] body well before you go in to the bath. You card in the Niseko area. Kazak card is avail-
Niseko Management Service 8756, Niseko 011-231-0118 (drop off and pick may be more convenient to change with your
22 0399 [MAP B2] up in Niseko only available on weekdays) hotel. You can also exchange USD travellers can fill your towel with cold water before you able from your hotel front desk, Piz Gloria
22 5652 [MAP D2] Professional Sports and Relaxation
Massage in Five Star Luxury. Highly Real estate 21 5020 [MAP D3] Nippon Rent a Car : Chitose airport 0123-26- cheques at banks or at Kutchan post office.
0919, Niseko0136-43-2929 DRIVING
enter the onsen. Do not put your towel into convenience store and from most inbound
the onsen water leave it on your head and tour operators.
Yuki Bar and Caf qualified massage therapists Niseko Powder Connection squeeze the cold water out when you get too 0123 36 4000
Orix Rent a Car : Chitose airport 0123-22- When driving on icy roads the number one
Hokkaido Tracks Development hot (its best not to bring drinks into the on-
22 0234 [MAP B2] 21 2500 [MAP D2] 0543, Izumikyo (Hirafu) 0134-25-0543, Black thing to remember is to drive slowly. Make POST OFFICES
Diamond Lodge : 0136-44-1144 sen). After bathing rinse off under the shower.
21 7202 [MAP C2] sure the windscreen and back and side win- Finally dry your body well before you walk Look for the red T symbol. Stamps and the
Call for an ap- Outdoor Travel Japan
Ski schools TAXI dows are thoroughly de-iced on the outside back into the changing room. post office box are at Piz Gloria convenience
pointment or Hokkaido Real Estate
21 2171 [MAP C3] A standard taxi from Chitose to Hirafu will and de-steamed on the inside before setting store. For other services you will need to go to
just drop in. Ph. MEDICAL SERVICES
080 5587 5052 [MAP C2] cost about 30,000. Prai Taxi charges 20,000 off dont simply clear a porthole to look the post office in Kutchan.
NAC Niseko Adventure Centre 0136 22 0399 Ski Japan for a small taxi (3-4 people) or 33,000 for a through. Maintain at least a five-second gap At present there is no doctor in Hirafu and
TOURIST INFORMATION
NISADE jumbo (8-10 people). Call 011 207 5166 or between you and the vehicle in front. Use a Niseko Physio is the only medical service
22 4611 [MAP D3] Kutchan Tourism Information centre
23 2093 [MAP E3] Niseko Physio www.prai.co.jp. high gear to avoid wheel spin, but take care available in walking distance of the slopes. For
22 0038 [MAP C2] not to let your speed creep up. Brake gently to fractures or non musculo-skeletal cases you Located on Eki-mae Dori opposite Best Denki,
Niseko Hirafu Ski and Snowboard School The Niseko Company TRAIN avoid locking the wheels. Never brake if the will need to go into Kutchan. If you cant speak the newly opened tourist information centre
22 0399 [MAP B2] Niseko Life Plan
This is the most scenic way to get to Niseko. vehicle skids, instead, ease off the accelerator Japanese you will need to bring a translator provides an excellent English speaking service
22 0921 [MAP D1] Your English speaking sports injury 21 2226 [MAP F2] for visitors. They dispense brochures and can
Unfortunately there is no direct train from and steer slightly into the direction of the skid Niseko Physio
centre in Hirafu. Australian trained 44 3584 [Higashiyama]
NISS Niseko International Snowsports School winter sports physiotherapists. Chitose to Kutchan station (the closest major until you gain control. Located on the second floor of Australia help you book accommodation.
- Niseko Property station). All trains run through Sapporo and House, staffed with Australian physiotherapy 0136 22 1121
ELECTRICITY
21 6688 [MAP F1] Otaru. The journey takes about three hours graduates from North Sydney Orthopaedic The Niseko Grand Hirafu Welcome Centre
Niseko Pottery Club
21 5060 [MAP D2] and the cost is about 2,600 for an unreserved Standard voltage is 100v AC. You can use and Sports Medicine Centre (Australias lead- At the main bus stop in Hirafu parking lot
NBS Niseko Base Sports
seat. If you want a reserved seat, you can ask many higher watt items without a problem ing knee clinic). Primary care also available. the Welcome Centre has a wide range of bro-
NBS 23 4844 [MAP A3] NRE Niseko Real Estate at JR information desk, B1 Chitose airport. but higher wattage devices such as hair dryers Sports injuries, back and neck pain, braces chures and transport information. They can
21 5050 [MAP B2] Niseko Snowmobile Adventures www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html may not run on full power. Plugs are the flat and taping. Appointments preferred but not also help with booking accommodation if
Niseko Sessions 21 7722 [MAP D2] The train schedules are subject to change so two blades type. Many recent buildings have essential. www.NisekoPhysio.com Telephone youve arrived without a booking you risk
21 5001 it is best to call the numbers below or visit: 240v with Australian shaped plugs. 0136 22 0399. taker you. 0136 22 0109.
Niseko Realty Sales
080 6070 2780 [MAP B2] NOASC www.japanrail.com. EARTHQUAKES Kutchan Kousei Hospital WALKING ON ICY ROADS
23 2221 [MAP C2] Airport.........................................0123-45-7011 In the event of an earthquake, stay out of el- The major hospital servicing the area is About 1/3 of all injuries in Hirafu are caused
SAS Scott Adventure Sports
Sapporo.......................................011-222-7111 evators, stand in a door frame and watch for located 4 blocks from the main intersec- by people falling on the street. Wear shoes
SAS 23 1688 [MAP C3] Niseko RDC Otaru...........................................0134-22-0771 falling objects. The safest places are in large tion of Kutchan. They have an X-ray, a with good grip, buy and attach rubber sole
21 3333 [MAP B2] Paint Ball Field Niseko Kutchan station..........................0136-22-1310 open areas such as parking lots of ski areas, slightly ageing MRI and medical dispen- covers with metal studs. Take small steps, walk
23 4844 [MAP B2] Niseko station.............................0135-44-2104 schools, parks etc. Your accommodation is sary. No appointment necessary, orthopae- slowly and never run, keep both hands out of
23 2111 [MAP E4] Ridgerunner INTER-RESORT TRANSPORT likely to have an emergency earthquake pack. dics cases taken in the morning only. It will your pockets and free for balance. Walking
take you most of the day. Address: North 4
A shuttle bus connects the Grand Hirafu, Hi- with two ski stocks is a great idea and protect
East 1-2, Kutchan-cho Tel: 0136-22-1141
21 6220 [MAP C2] gashiyama and Annupuri ski areas. There is yourself instead of the objects being carried.
the last word on health
Frozen food
By Bevan Colless
STUMBLING back into your big part of the reason for this is that produce is not
lodge after a day in the allowed to ripen before being picked. Almost all fruit
powder, tired and hungry, is and vegetables are picked long before they should be
likely to see your thoughts and complete their ripening process while in transit.
turn to chips and beer, or a This not only reduces the taste, but also greatly
glass of wine and cheese. But decreases the nutritional value.
once youre done with your A University of Illinois study found that frozen beans
Emi Yokoyama
ski trip and are back to retained twice as much Vitamin C as fresh beans
Bevan Colless
normal life its time to start purchased at a grocery store, and that ready-to-drink unheated metal surface (that space-age metal
Is a physiotherapist and taking more responsibility orange juice can lose nearly all of its Vitamin C content defrosting surface you saw on the late night TV
exercise physiologist who with your food choices. Or at by the expiration date, while frozen OJ loses only about shopping is...aluminum). Metal is one of the most
has spent six years in Japan least you can start planning half by the time you mix it. Clarence Birdseye was the efficient conductors of heat, so it absorbs warmth from
operating Tokyo Physio and
as of 2006, Niseko Physio.
to while youre on your skiing forefather of the frozen food movement when he had a the room air and delivers it to the meat, which will
holiday - a nice caveat for brainstorm while observing and copying eskimos he thaw in about an hour. Thats too fast for bacteria to
you before you order the observed while working in Labrador, Canada in 1924. reproduce much. The flatter the food, the faster the
Hanazono crab ramen for lunch. If there is one device He noted that quickly freezing food prevents the thaw, as the food has more surface contact with the
that I reckon is the most underutilised in your kitchen formation of the large ice crystals that until then had pan. Dont use a non-stick pan, as the surface coating
itd have to be the freezer. If youre still trying to caused damage to the cells in all slowly frozen fruits can block some of the heat.
master the fridge stare-down you know how it goes and vegetables. Birdseye went on to make his fortune All in all, my advice for your holidays and your food
opening the door and trying not to be drawn the big in frozen food and was posthumously inducted into the is surprisingly similar - keep a large percentage of both
block of chocolate waiting on the door shelf. No doubt Inventors Hall of Fame. frozen.
the freezer stare-down is less challenging for most. Freezing your own food is also a pretty good idea,
Looking at an empty ice tray, a tin of ground coffee and particularly if you work long hours and need
a three-year-old bottle of vodka is not exactly a tough something healthy in a hurry when you get in from a
temptation to resist. But it really shouldnt be that way. day at work. The infamous frozen TV dinners have also Frozen food gems
Frozen food is back in a big way. Everyones doing it, improved their freezing technology considerably, and
and if they arent, they should be. they now maintain a pretty good percentage of their So, if youre here for a few weeks or the season
Massive leaps in the techniques used in the freezing nutritional value, but generally still dont quite match how do you get your stock of the frozen stuff?
of fresh food mean that frozen fruit and vegetables can freshly cooked food. Water molecules, including the In Sapporos Costco (or online at www.
often be healthier than fresh. Yes, I know many ones inside the food, will always try to escape to the theflyingpig.com) you can buy a massive bag of
dieticians would sooner cut off their tongues than coldest place, which is normally the wall of the freezer. mixed berries for about 1,800, and it is a
admit the truth, that something could be more healthy Sealing the package that your food is kept in is the key, fantastic investment. Tip a handful or two with
than fresh - but sometimes the truth hurts. The reason and investing in a sealing machine is a great idea. some soy milk yogurt and honey to make the
frozen food can be better for you is that it is usually Correctly frozen meat can literally last a life time and best and healthiest smoothie you could wish for
picked at the peak of its ripeness. The freezing plants longer without spoiling. Mammoth flesh preserved in bursting with anti-oxidants and vitamins and
are generally located very close to the farms and fruit ice was discovered just across the way from Niseko in ready in about one minute. The perfect quick
can be transported from the farmer and snap-frozen in Siberia and it kept for at least 15,000 years. Burgers breakfast to slam down when you wake up t
less than a day. They do not have to be transported made from that mammoth meat wouldnt kill you, 8am and youre trying to get out the door for
across the country or world and sit on a shelf before although they probably wouldnt be too tasty. A first lifts. The mixed frozen fruit bag containing
making it to the consumer. Im sure most people know handful of Mammoth jerky might just keep you riding frozen chunks of mangos, paw paw, pineapple
that most fruit and vegetables we buy these days do from the afternoon into the nighter without a break. and strawberries makes a great desert or snack,
not have as much flavour as they did 20 years ago. A Defrosting frozen food is best done on a heavy and can also be used for smoothies.

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Powderlife Magazine Issue No.11

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What is the magazine about?

What is the magazine about?

What is Clarence Birdseye known for?

What is Clarence Birdseye known for?

WINTER SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT REAL ESTATE FREE

NISEKO SURVIVAL GUIDE

Nisekos powder lifestyle magazine fresh every two weeks

11 Page Seven // Village news and happenings

36 NISEKO SURVIVAL GUIDE

winter print run 50,000+

managing editor Kristian Lund Q & A WITH EYAL AGMONI

170-5 Aza Yamada Kutchan-cho 35 Music Reviews // Andy Gulverhouse

cover Adrian Camp photographer Glen Claydon

6 powderlife ISSUE 11 december 26 - january 9 2009 www.powderlife.com

Kristian Lund, Powderlife Managing Editor kris@powderlife.com kris@powderlife.com

Photo: Niseko Photography

New Years Niseko style

www.powderlife.com december 26 - january 9 2009 ISSUE 11 powderlife 11

RESTAURANT & BAR

Where have you been this week?

LOCAL boarders and skiers are getting ready for a

Paddys and Jam Bar boost Hirafu

Airline set to help

www.powderlife.com december 26 - january 9 2009 ISSUE 11 powderlife 15

16 powderlife ISSUE 11 december 26 - january 9 2009 www.powderlife.com

FACE facts. Layering is for the daytime on the hill, and

BURTONS beauty, The Supermodel, looks as good as its

Line Sir Francis Bacon

COULD this be the perfect Niseko ski? While we know

LIFTIE Naka-chan SKI SHOP MANAGER Nabe SKI PATROL Zangi

There should be a larger

Have your say

Hanazono. Photo: Niseko Photography

EARLY-SEASON MUSHROOMS...taking turns at

Photo: Niseko Photography

Photo: Glen Claydon

Photo: Niseko Photography

Photo: Niseko Photography

Photo: Niseko Photography

Andys iPod Top 10

www.powderlife.com december 26 - january 9 2009 ISSUE 11 powderlife 35

BREATHER ... students DIGGING DEEP ...

PAYING ATTENTION ...

t Top quality Western Australian wine

You can ask questions in Japanese just

and divorced by then, but there will still be snow in

44 powderlife ISSUE 11 december 26 - january 9 2009 www.powderlife.com

Hirafu Upper Village

Ekimne Estate Properties

Contact: Derek Kennewell

54 powderlife ISSUE 11 december 26 - january 9 2009 www.powderlife.com

and eateries 1500

www.powderlife.com december 26 - january 9 2009 ISSUE 11 powderlife 59

62 powderlife ISSUE 11 december 26 - january 9 2009 www.powderlife.com

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