Some new photographs of the AAC Niseko lodge have recently been taken by local Niseko photographer Glen Claydon. Some of our lodge photographs were at least two years old, dating back prior to acquisition and these didn't reflect the program of continuous improvement (改善, 'kaizen') that has been taking place since 2007. Pictured here are the dining / lounge area and the media lounge. More photographs to follow soon.
'Signatures' is the latest film by Colorado-based director Nick Waggoner. It was released a few weeks ago to critical acclaim at North America film festivals. 'Signatures' was filmed in Niseko area backcountry (not a ski lift in sight), with American and Japanese skiers and boarders riding through awesome volumes of Hokkaido powder snow. It also shows the beauty of the Niseko area when there isn’t any snow; with its wild rivers, dense forest and lush cultivated fields.
Local Niseko boardsmith Taro Tamai showcases some of his unique gentemstick designs that are a hybrid between a surfboard and a snowboard, with a wide nose (great for Hokkaido powder) and a swallow-tail; he calls one of his designs the 'rocket fish'. 'Signatures' also features some 'noboard' riding (imagine a snowboard without bindings).
The 'Signatures' soundtrack is a very pleasant collection of country and bluegrass music, which seems to work beautifully with the backcountry theme. The film has an artistic ambience, rather than being one of the many ski films featuring extreme stunts. The DVD also has a nice collection of 'extras' including some rather cool beach scenes, with snow on the foreshore.
If you also want to get your hands on a copy of the 'Signatures' DVD, the best way is to order direct from Sweetgrass Productions. Good value for Australians at the current exchange rate.
The lodge has a fresh coat of paint and a new look for the coming winter season. This work was necessary after an assessment of the exterior paintwork at the end of last season. Caleb and his painting crew had to wait for the right conditions (dry weather) to complete the transformation of the lodge from its former pallid pink to its more robust new hue. It also has a much better aesthetic fit with the surrounding forest (林 or はやし, "hayashi") area.
Glen Claydon, a local Niseko photographer, has snapped the first snow "hatsu yuki" (初雪 or はつ ゆき, literally meaning the first snow of the season) which arrived on the peak of Mt Yotei yesterday.
'Hatsu' is a term used for 'new' or 'first-born' and 'yuki' (pronounced "you-key") means snow.
some other useful snow words 大雪 oo yuki - heavy snowfall 吹雪 fubuki - snow storm 雪合戦 yuki gassen - snowball fight 雪祭り yuki matsuri - snow festival
Link here for "a blizzard of Japanese snow words."
The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) will be touring Niseko in mid-January 2010 with concerts planned for Kutchan and Hanazono. The ACO will be joined in concert by the local Youtei Taiko Serve Association taiko drummers and one of the world’s greatest harp players, Naoko Yoshino.
