"LOVE SKI HOKKAIDO" is a skiing event where Hokkaido's most famous skiers ski all over Hokkaido
On the final day of filming, we headed to Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, where we were expecting heavy powder snow due to the previous day's snowfall.
Depending on how the cold air flows in, the amount of snow that accumulates varies at the six ski resorts in Sapporo city. This day was likely a lucky day for Sapporo Kokusai.
When we got there, it was perfectly cold, at -10°C near the base of the ski resort. The snow was dry powder so powdery that you couldn't even make snowballs. With rising expectations, we were the first to board the gondola.
When we checked the snow at the summit, we were surprised to find that it was up to our knees. Everyone
was excited to see that there was more snow than they had imagined.
However, a slight worry crossed the crew's mind at this point:
Iyama's technical skis (SALOMON S/RACE) wouldn't be able to fully handle the powder.
With such perfect conditions, I couldn't resist taking some powder footage, so I headed to the steepest downhill course in the ski resort
Even on a downhill course with a maximum gradient of 30 degrees and an average gradient of 15 degrees, the powder was so deep that it was impossible to go fast, so the members other than Iyama and Sasaki decided to start by repeatedly breaking through the snow to make tracks
All the members worked together to prepare the stage in order to capture the best footage.
Then the camera finally took its standby position and the long-awaited first run began.
And then there was Iyama's crucial first run..
Appearing in front of the camera was Iyama, who kept diving into the snow like a submarine. Unable to turn, he maintained a backwards posture and headed straight towards the camera.
Until now, the theory for powder footage has been to capture beautiful turns that convey the freshness of the snow, but on this day, shocking footage was captured of Iyama simply heading straight ahead.
The crew erupted in laughter as Iyama continued to move forward without moving his upper body at all,
passing right by the camera.
After just one run, everyone was exhausted... We took a break at SKS INTERNATIONAL, which we had also visited on the first day, while waiting for the weather to improve
The weather calmed down, the sun came out and the conditions were perfect. I pulled myself together and headed out to the slopes again
The ski and snowboard friends who gathered to enjoy this "The Day" had a great time chatting about the best day and the best skiing.
In Sapporo, the barriers between skiers and snowboarders are low, and they all enjoy skiing together. Gear doesn't matter when it comes to enjoying the same snow. The more friends you have, the more fun it is.
After enjoying the perfect morning conditions, we headed to Thumbs Up Coffee Stand, a cafe that Sasaki frequents regularly. The cafe is known for its handmade donuts and rich soft serve ice cream made from organic raw milk
The shop is located in Zenibako, a famous surf spot in Hokkaido. Sasaki and the shop manager, Shinji, are beach buddies. Sapporo is close to the ocean, so it's a dream location where you can go surfing after skiing. In fact, there are many skiers who enjoy surfing.
Meeting at the beach leads to people skiing and snowboarding together on the snowy mountains, and surfing has had a major impact on the snowy mountain culture of this area.
This concludes the three-day recording
In this project, the two Sapporo-based residents once again toured the city's recommended spots.
Sapporo has great potential, with a large number of ski resorts, abundant snowfall, and high-quality snow. In addition, its proximity to the city makes it easy to take advantage of this convenience and have a comfortable trip. Stay at your favorite hotel in the city and enjoy a delicious meal at one of the city's restaurants. There are countless ways to enjoy yourself depending on the situation and your mood. (Although not interviewed, the author also visited many popular restaurants serving miso ramen, soup curry, and clay pot hamburgers.)
Furthermore, the ocean is nearby, so ocean lovers can go surfing. A culture of riding sideways or vertically, where people of all ages can enjoy surfing, is developing
"LOVE SKI HOKKAIDO," which will be broadcast from 1:20 a.m. on January 30th, is a program that condenses the charm of ski trips like this
*February 1st postscript
LOVE SKI HOKKIDO has been uploaded to the Youtube channel, so if you couldn't watch the TV broadcast, check it out here!
For snow trips to Sapporo, check out https://snowsapporo.com/
