9 Jan - other people skiing

I took the day off today to spend it with Mio - the last day of her holiday. We woke to a slightly surprising snowfall before the day warmed more than recent times, as was generally forecast. Manky conditions down low. Reports of good stable powder skied in the Otari area from 2100m to the NE, 35 degrees. Other reports of small skier triggered natural loose snow avalanches at treeline.

Take a look at this short clip produced by a guy who comes to Hakuba for work each season. I don't know him, but I like his habit of skiing ridges rather than gullies. Ridges are imaginative, they have features, they are fun, they are challenging and most of all, they are safer than otherwise more "boring" loaded avalanche bowls and gullies that are everywhere in Hakuba and seem to attract the attention of the less imaginative (and sometime the less safe). Ski ridges and spines when ever you can. Sometimes it is much easier said that done.