Hokkaido Road Trip | Kurodake: A Mountain of Potential

After a couple of fun days working new zones in Furano, we decided to take the car for a bit of a drive to Kurodake. With a more open policy towards skiing off piste than other resorts in Hokkaido, this place reminded me a lot of Silverton in Colorado.

Patrick Fux likes what he sees.

A tram whisks you off the valley floor for 800 meters where you can ski down through dense trees and tight chutes, or take a double chair higher, hike up, and get at some big lines.

Even with poor visibility, the potential is obvious.

Since the piste area is small, and there is little going on aside from big terrain, there were barely any other skiers here.

Crowded trams

While having the mountain to ourselves was nice, the snowpack and weather conditions were not cooperating at all.

Rotten snowpack. Eerily nostalgic of Colorado.

A scary snowpack and low visibility kept us down low in the trees. We did our best not to salivate as we took in the long steep lines off Kurodake on the tram rides, knowing today wasn't the day to be up there.

Taking in the view

Despite frustration with the conditions, it was agreed we need to come back here when things are good. If the timing is right, this place could be one of the best areas in Hokkaido to be skiing. Nobody is here to track it out, and with stability, there is no shortage of very large lines to ski.

The ridge opposite Kurodake. Not what I expected in Hokkaido.

Fun Times at Cortina

It's easy to get bored skiing the same zones over and over, even if the snow is good. With an unusually cloudy February this year, I have been wanting bigger lines, new zones, and better light (or at least one of the three).

Miles Clark catching air off an avalanche barrier

I was able to go to Cortina yesterday with Patrick Fux, Miles Clark, and Jake Cohn, and finally had some good light for the first half of the day (two of three isn't bad). Taking photos was once again a pleasure rather than a chore, possibly the reason I've been in the midst of the 'out of focus blues'. It was refreshing to get a few that turned out well.

Jake Cohn popping off snow covered trees

Good light and snow help a lot too.

Patrick Fux 'working' hard, Jake Cohn skiing hard

Working with Patrick was a pleasure. I can learn a lot from him. The way he sets up for a shot, looks at terrain, and communicates are all dialed processes that happen after years of practice. I don't have years of practice, but I can learn from someone who does.

The full crew. Patrick in the corner shooting, Jake throwing a trick, and Miles critiquing

Jake and Miles are very photogenic skiers, and do not mind waiting patiently for someone to set up a shot. Whether they can ski the whole line, or only make one turn at a time, they are always ready and excited to use the camera. This enthusiasm was refreshing, and it shows on the screen at the end of the day. Always thinking of alternate ways to compose a shot, new tricks to throw, and places to jump or make turns keep the creative juices flowing.

Miles reaping the benefits of unnecessary Japanese structures

They say you never have a bad day at Cortina because of the lunch and onsen coupons you get with your day ticket, though yesterday they weren't necessary. We had a great day well before even sitting down for lunch.

Miles taking in the Japanese Alps as Jake sets up for the next shot