Snowboard Level One Exam

The Snowboard Instructors of New Zealand Level One exam finished on Tuesday. We had 8 candidates up for it and all had a great time on the course. Matt Phare came down from Hokkaido to exam for the SBINZ and provide top class training.

Weather was a bit mixed with some really hot days (that called for ice cream breaks) as well as one day with 30cms of fresh snow.

There was lots to learn and improve but in the end everyone got through with a pass, so ice creams all round on Tuesday.

That was the final exam for the winter, and we owe a big thank you to the NZSIA for helping us get it organised. We finished up with 100% success rate so smile all around. Hopeful more exams and training opportunities next year.

Not your usual Friday afternoon

We spent the morning finishing off what was left of yesterday's fresh snow up at Tenjin. Some great runs down but some scary debris lying around.

Then this afternoon we went to put our time in helping prepare for the Yubiso Yuki Matsuri. Most of the hardwork was already done with giant snow sculptures of popular TV characters all over the place.

Recognizing our artistic talent we were kept well away from the good stuff and put to work smoothing out the surface of the little airplane. It's now the smoothest airplane snow sculpture there and sure to be the delight of everyone who visits. Another job well done.

Yeah - the snow is back.

It was snowing lightly this morning and has been coming down consistently since lunch time. A quick check up at Okutone found a decent layer of snow sitting on top of soft base that was pretty fun to ride.

Looks like winter again and set to continue for a bit longer.

Naked Man Festival

Much to Rei's disappointment, this turned out to be more of a "Scantily Clad Man Festival" but was still a great night out. Semi-naked men, partially covered in hot wax, jumping into an icy pond to purify themselves before fighting the crowds to have the honour of entering the inner sanctum of the temple. At least, that's what we thought was going on.

And a street full of festival food. Haven't seen the staff so happy for a long time, dazzled as they were with the choice of more than five things.

Staff trip to Nozawa Onsen

Busy Feb so, with that out of the way time to chill a bit. We headed over to Nozawa Onsen to hook up with Taka, one of the crew from last winter, who is working Patrol over there. An early start, a hop over the hill from Niigata to Nagano and beautiful blue skies (for the morning at least.)

A seriously fun resort and great to get out as a team and rip around. Some wicked transportation options over there if you like your cars.

Airboarding

The nice folk at Kappa Club were offering some airboard intro sessions today up at Tenjin. If you haven't seen them bombing around the local slopes, then think boogie boarding on snow. Visibility wasn't the best today but never ones to be deterred by less than perfect conditions and shunning the idea of cruising around the groomers, it was straight to the park...

Airboarding on boxes is exactly what it says on the packaging.

And jumps were fun too. Though landings may need more practice.

Well worth a trip out on these - a guaranteed good time.