"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 expected to have some great powder snow thanks to the previous day's snowfall.
Depending on how the cold air mass moves in, the amount of snow that accumulates varies among the six ski resorts in Sapporo. Sapporo Kokusai was probably going to have a good day.
When we got there, it was a perfect -10 degrees Celsius near the base of the ski resort. The snow was dry powder, so light you couldn't even make snowballs. With our expectations soaring, we were the first to board the gondola.
When we checked the snow depth at the summit, we found it was up to our knees!
Everyone was thrilled by the unexpectedly deep snow.
However, a slight worry crossed the crew's minds.
The technical skis Iiyama was wearing (SALOMON S/RACE) might not be able to fully handle this 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
The entire team works together to set up the stage in order to capture the best possible footage.
Finally, the camera is in position, and the long-awaited first run begins.
And then there was Iyama's crucial first run..
Appearing before the camera was Iyama, who seemed to be submerging himself in the snow like a submarine. Unable to turn, he maintained a backward-leaning posture and moved straight towards the camera.
Up until now, the theory of powder snow footage has been to capture beautiful turns that convey the freshness of the snow, but on this day, shocking footage of Iyama simply moving straight ahead was captured.
The entire crew burst into laughter as Iiyama walked straight ahead without moving his upper body at all. He
then passed 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
Don't miss out on this special day! Ski and snowboard friends gather together, sharing stories of the best day and the best runs.
In Sapporo, the barriers between skiers and snowboarders are low; everyone enjoys skiing and snowboarding together. When it comes to enjoying the same snow, gear differences don't matter. And of course, it's more fun with more friends!
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 friends who love the sea. Sapporo is in a dream location, close to the ocean, so you can go surfing after skiing. In fact, there are many skiers who enjoy surfing.
Surfing has had a big impact on the snow mountain culture in this area, with people meeting at the beach and then going skiing or snowboarding together in the mountains, regardless of whether they are skiers or snowboarders.
This concludes the three-day recording
This project features two Sapporo-based individuals revisiting their favorite spots in the city.
Sapporo boasts immense potential, with numerous ski resorts, abundant snowfall, and high-quality snow. Furthermore, its proximity to urban areas makes for a convenient and comfortable trip. Staying at a favorite hotel in the city and enjoying the city's restaurants offers countless ways to have fun, depending on the situation and mood. (Although not covered in the articles, the author also visited numerous 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
*Updated February 1st:
The LOVE SKI HOKKIDO broadcast has been uploaded to the YouTube channel, so if you missed the TV broadcast, check it out there!
For snow trips to Sapporo, check out https://snowsapporo.com/
