Tim and the Karate Kid in Japan

This trip to Japan was monumental. Kai’s first International trip and my first time competing in the Freeride World Tour! Our team was ecstatic and excited to be traveling to the land of Powder. We had our camera crew and we were ready to see if Kai could tunnel his way through the deep snow of Japan. Kai already scored some deep days at his home resort of Targhee but would it prepare him for the deepest snow in the world? We would soon find out.

Kai and I showed up in Tokyo and geared up and headed to Shibuya crossing.  Tokyo is a lot to take in for anyone, let alone a couple of kids from the mountains. 

Kai was blown away by the fast pace of the city, the different foods, and the vastness of the urban landscape.  Our friend and  guide Shin greeted us and drove us into the heart of Tokyo.

Skiing in Tokyo?

Little guy Big world!

Colter joined the party halfway through the trip and started getting after it on our film days. He brought his knowledge of Hakuba and love for tree skiing on the big island. Colter had big dreams of skiing Up high on Hakuba on some dream lines but the weather did not cooperate this year. The truth was that the snow level was below average and that was also going to be a problem for the planners of the Freeride World Tour. Fortunately, the FWT crew is versatile and comfortable changing plans and finding new venues.

I was a fan of the venue they chose! It was a bit lower elevation than the venue used last season but still had good line options. I had a great run and ended up placing 8th!

Kicker session with Hakuba backdrop.

Our patience paid off and we were lucky to hit a big storm at the end of our trip. Our guides aptly named the  Good Guides, gave us weather reports every day and our positivity made even the most grim conditions bearable. There were sites to see around Hakuba and Kai was on the lookout for Snow Monkeys everywhere we went.  Thanks to our guide Pete for taking us on adventures to the goods!

Fast food jibbing!

Pow!

The  Lodge Motoi was our humble home and had the most amazing staff.  The staff is family, they all ski and love to welcome fellow snow enthusiasts into their lovely lodge.  I will always look back fondly on this trip.  The experience of a trip like this is remembered in the small intimate moments shared with friends in a foreign land.  Weather reports and snow totals do not define the good times we had!

Card games in the lodge waiting for snow! 

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stash member Tim Durtschi