Category: Film & Photography

Japan Day Two

January 15th, 2009

Day two: Woke up to 50+ cm of new snow. 

Here is what the Niseko Snow Report said

Having spent the last 5 seasons here I’ve seen some big snowfalls and last night was right up there with some of the biggest. There’s been at least 50cm of actual falling snow, it’s still snowing heavily and this should continue throughout the day. We should easily see the top of the mountain crack the 3m mark today.

We decided to go for a little hike in the woods.  It was one of the deepest days of my life.

Literally up to my neck deep. 

After a really long day rallying with frozen food and frozen water, we went to the hot springs.  I was so excited to go until I realized they were not coed and I had to sit in the springs by myself while the boys laughed and drank beer across the fence.

Japan is fun, but I’m in a man’s world.  I wish I could bring the ripping Roxy possee here.

The hot spring was so cool!!! 

It’s interesting here.   I’m having a good time but it is mentally tiring to be on an opposite time schedule.  But I got to check out some of the photos and videos from the Sweetgrass guys and they were SICK!  So onto day 3…I hope I can sleep tonight.

Posted in Film & Photography, Skiing, Travel, Uncategorized

Japan Day One

January 14th, 2009

Today, I was awaken early by the many roommates I have in this small, Japanese apartment.  I made my bed and have been sleeping in the closet.

It’s actually quite comfortable. I can completely spread out and shield myself from the noise and the light in the morning.

I made breakfast today with instant oatmeal from the US mixed with green tea, since the water pot had been used to make tea.  After a leisurely morning, we headed to the mountain which is about 10 minutes away from our apartment and shredded Grand Hirafu at Niseko for the afternoon and evening.

Here are the guys loading up the car.

Karate kid.  Check out the massive snowbank behind me.

There is a ton of snow here and it was snowing most of the day.

Here is Yuki, our translator and guide, and he is a rockstar.

The van was quite full as you can see. 

The signs here are so funny (along with many other aspects of Japanese life like the toilets).  This one says:

"Miharashi Course, Advanced ungroomed areas (Adbanced skiers only)"

Here’s Adam one of the skiers on our trip ripping though the Japanese Pow.

Here’s what the lodge serves at the resort.  Fried Shrimp and vegetables atop Udon noodles.  YUMMY!

Here’s our gang at dinner.  So good.

Grilled squid.  Delicious or Oishii.

Finally, here’s a package of food that I thought was so cute.

Tomorrow we are getting up early to film and go for a ski tour.  I’m exhausted from the jet leg and feel yucky.  More tomorrow…

Posted in Film & Photography, Skiing, Travel, Uncategorized

Japan

January 13th, 2009

So I’m here in Niseko after a really long day of time traveling.  I left Salt Lake on the 12th at 8:30 in the morning and got to my final destination on the 14th.

My adventure started yesterday at 5:30 in the morning when I woke up to catch my flight to San Francisco.

Here are some pictures of me trying to organize 18 days worth of ski stuff:

 

From San Francisco, I flew in to the Narita airport in Tokyo.  I had a nice and talkative young man from Mexico sitting next to me and it made the 10 hour flight go by fast. 

I was very tired when I snapped this shot at the airport.

I finally got into Narita at 4pm Japanese time, cleared customs and had time to make it to the mall to buy a DC plug adapter.  Then, I checked in for my domestic flight from Tokyo to Sapporo.

Japan is confusing!  Here was one of my challenges: trying to figure out how to use the toilet.  There is a button on the control that says "flushing sound" and it just makes the noise of a flush.  Strange but after talking to some Japanese people, I figured out it was used when people are going number 2 and don’t want others to hear the "Kerplunk" noise.

Arrived in Sapporo at 8:30 pm and got the last shuttle to Niseko.  After a 2.5 hr. shuttle ride through the mountains, I made it to the apartment.

Here’s me in Niseko.  Very tired with a lot of ski gear.

The view from the apartment:

Here is our kitchen set up:

Here’s our computer corner.

We’re just getting ready to go skiing!  It is dumping here.  There is a ton of snow.  I will update with more photos from skiing and from the unique living situation we have here later.

Posted in Film & Photography, Skiing, Travel, Uncategorized

Photos from Summer shoot with Dan Campbell

December 4th, 2008

I just got more photos back from this fun photo shoot I did with Alice Owens and photographer Dan Campbell at liberty park this summer.

I <3 Trees

We did so many cartwheels I was dizzy for the rest of the day!

But I love how the shots came out!  Dan is an amazingly talented photographer and Alice and I have a blast working with him.

Be sure to check out his website www.dancampbellphotography.com.

Posted in Film & Photography, Salt Lake City, Style & Design

Fat Flake Festival

November 16th, 2008

What a weekend…

Saturday, Alta opened.  Thanks to everyone who came and donated a jacket to go to the homeless.  They received over 2,000 jackets in the first 3 hours, drastically exceeding their initial goal of 500.

Last night was Ski Utah’s annual Fat Flake Festival, a party to kick off the beginning of another ski season.  They had a ski boot race, athlete poster signing, real wood campfires to toast marshmallows, live music, and much more.  I had two favorite parts of the night.  First was Alta’s booth.  Here’s a shot of Connie Marshall and me, rocking it old school style.

My other favorite was the Vintage Ski Clothing Contest.  I want to give a big shout out to all the contestants who dressed up!  I know it isn’t always easy walking around downtown in neon stretch pants or old racing suits (I’ve dealt with the funny looks and weird comments all my life).  But dozens of people last night did it and you did it with style.  Congratulations to Justin Stoddard who took first place and won a brand new pair of Rossignol skis, courtesy of Ski Utah.  Thanks to Alta for voting my costume into the finals and giving me a chance to show it off.  Here are some pictures from the contest (photos by Chris Pearson, Ski Utah):

Busting out my dance moves.

Getting the crowd’s support

The final 4 (The winner, Justin, is on the far left closest to the camera)

Thanks to Ski Utah for putting on such a fun event again this year.  Now let’s all PRAY FOR SNOW!

Posted in Film & Photography, Salt Lake City, Skiing, Style & Design