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Course Mapsponsored bystylish boardwear www.surfanic.comYour mountain guide on-piste and offPowderlife will bring you the latest informationon what’s happening on the mountain everyissue. We’ll tap into local avalanche guru AkioShinya’s unrivalled knowledge of the mountain tospread the word on possible dangers. Shinya-sanwill post his avalanche information in English andJapanese at most lifts around the Niseko Uniteddaily. Make sure you read it - every day.Shinya-san tells us there’s not too much riskof avalanche at this early stage of the seasonwhile there’s still not too much snow. Accidentsare more likely to come from exposed rocks andplants fatigue as your legs may not be ski-ready.And a note to take it easy at the end of runs –Grand Hirafu reports two people have alreadyinjured themselves badly as they’ve come unstuckat the bottom of the main runs where they flattenout. And Julian, we’re glad you’ve still got a smileon your face! Get well soon mate.If they haven’t been opened by the time youread this, the gates to the back country will beopen soon. Get the newest local rule map andread it well. Snow and mountains can be a deadlymix for the inexperienced.Higashiyama BowlsThe bowls in Higashiyama are still closed forthe season. If you go in there you WILL have yourlift pass taken. There may be some tracks leadinginto the bowls but these are from Ski Patrol whowill be investigating the possibility of openingthem. Every time a skier/boarder is caught inthere, the further away we get from having themopened. DO NOT GO IN THERE.Hanazono ParkAlthough it’s not open yet the park is not faraway. Snowboard supervisor Levi Ratapu fromHanazono tells us: “The rails are up but we justneed more snow to push up any features. Taikisan,the park manager, is trying to get whateverhe can up and running. The rollers at the bottomof Hana 1 are up – but it’s looking like early NewYears until we can build some decent jumps. Theboxes and new rails will be in as soon as we can –we are looking at possibly purchasing two C-boxesso they join up to make an S-box.”Surfanic Stack of the WeekProve you’re worthy and win some Surfanic gear.Submit your best stack pic at powderlife.co.jp.32 powderlife issue #01 DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 4 www.powderlife.co.jp powderlife issue #01 DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 4 www.powderlife.co.jp 33