Niseko Academy - Hokkaido, Japan

Scotty’s Silky Freeski Skills

Keith — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:07:28 +0000

Our very own freeski specialist is a bit of a secret talent. Apart from being highly-certified as both a ski and snowboard instructor (and being the cheekiest member of our team)… Scotty loves to hit big drops.

Here’s a few shots of Scotty finding sneaky lines on Super-ridge in Hirafu…

Scotty bounces onto tree pillows

Scotty's sneaky drop line

Come and take a freestyle ski lesson with Scotty…

Soooo much snow!

Keith — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:11:01 +0000

Wow! It hasn’t stopped snowing for about 17 days now. The word on the street is that this could well be the best December on record. 4.3 meters so far and the snow just keeps on coming.

But this morning we awoke to the sun streaming in the windows – certainly a nice change, even if we do love the snow. So we got out with a camera and took a few shots of our lessons happening in both Hirafu and Annupuri…

Brian on the chairlift with his student Helen

Mt Yotei comes out

Hirafu's Famiy Run looking good

Luke teaching with the Lee Family in Annupuri

Luke and the Lee Family looking very happy

5 year old Michael with a big smile

Our new uniforms

Keith — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:21:05 +0000

The season has started with a bang here in Niseko. With 30cms of fresh on the doorstep yesterday morning we found it hard not going for a ski/ride, as we had to spend the day zipping around town for meetings.

We did take a few photos of all the fresh snow along the way though. Check them out over at our instructor training site.

Here’s Brian looking sharp in our awesome new uniform…

Boss man B-ri looking sharp with Mt Yotei behind him

Radiation Levels in Hokkaido

Keith — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:45:04 +0000

Is it safe in Hokkaido? Could I be exposed to radiation? These are questions that everyone thinking of a ski or snowboard trip to Japan would have. And understandably so.

The fact is that Hokkaido was almost unaffected by the sad events that occurred in Japan’s Tohoku area last March. The Hokkaido Government have been monitoring radiation levels in Hokkaido and have been publishing the results in multiple languages on this website.

Hokkaido Government says:

“Radiation measurements have been made once daily since 22 October. This follows the Japanese government’s decision to lift the restriction in the emergency evacuation preparation zone on 30 September, confirming a marked decline in radioactive emissions from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and concluding that the emissions would not increase again soon. There will be additional measurements when any unusual readings are recorded.”

So if you’re still undecided about a trip to Hokkaido this winter, please don’t let concerns about radiation deter you from coming to Niseko and skiing/snowboarding some amazing powder.

Book A Lesson Online

Keith — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:29:21 +0000

To accompany our lovely new website, we’ve setup a new online booking system through Checkfront, enabling our clients to book a lesson online.

Be it skiing, snowboarding or telemarking; full days, mornings or afternoons; kids or adults; whatever your needs… tell us here on our bookings page and we’ll get you scheduled in to our busy season.

Please note that we get very busy and Christmas and New Years, and at Chinese New Years too, so please book well in advance. Thanks

A Powder Weekend

Keith — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:01:16 +0000

Last March we had a bit of time on our hands. Oh… and it snowed lots too by the way.

Our head snowboarder got together with Dan Smith and Matt Phare from SBINZ, and produced a little edit from the powder weekend of riding…

Japanese Pow… with Powder Detours

Keith — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:44:35 +0000

If you’re an experienced skier or rider and haven’t had a chance to sample Japanese powder yet, you have to come to Hokkaido for a trip with Powder Detours.

At Niseko Academy we have another brand/product that we operate delivering coaching-based, off-the-beaten-track powder tours around Hokkaido. Check out our brand new promo video, all filmed on located during our February 2011 trip…

All filmed on location during our inaugural trip in February 2011. Check out www.powderdetours.com for info on trips coming up.

Check out the website here.

Yay… new web site!

Keith — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:57:09 +0000

Wohoooooo, we’re live!

Our old site was getting a little dated, let’s be honest, so along with a bit of a re-brand and our new Instructor Training Academy site we thought it time to refresh this bad boy too. So what d’ya think?

Well, we love it! The idea was to create a bit of a business class lounge effect. We particularly like all the different textures, with the wood and the stainless steel. And how cool is the FAQ effect in the sidebars?

We’ll be launching a series of Niseko Academy videos this winter so the TV will become their home when we have a few ready to go. Watch this space!