RESORT GUIDE NEIL HARTMANN NIKKO - Powderlife

VILLAGE NEWSLocal VoicesRhythm RenovationsRHYTHM Snowsportsrelocated and renovated itsnew home last summer.THIS move saw Rhythm Snowsports movefrom a small premise underneath Sekka Caféto a giant, two-story megastore at the bottomof Hirafu-zaka. The renovation of Berg Plaza,the former location of Yukara Souvenir Shopand Tozanken Ramen, took several monthsand the sweat and tears of many local hands,but the results show.The store is split between two levels, withthe top level focussing on snowboarding gearand apparel, and the lower floor catering to theneeds of skiers. There is an extensive range ofhire equipment in store too, as well as somecheap ex-rental hardware.Popular brands stocked include Armada,Rossignol, Stepchild, Burton, Libtech, Bonfireand The North Face.To keep you going while shopping, there isGloorious Coffee, the newly installed café withinthe shop, serving up delicious Lavazza coffee.Don’t Mention The WeatherName Shaun Widger Age 25 HometownSydney, Australia Time in Niseko? SinceSeptember, 2009 Ski or board andfor how long? Board, twice FavouriteRestaurant? Campagna, SapporoFavourite Bar? Jam Bar FavouriteOnsen? Grand Hotel Favourite Course?Family Local Secret? Rakuichi SobaPlace to ski before you die? Niseko[honestly].名 前 ショーンウィッジャー 年 齢 25 歳 出 身 地シドニー、オーストラリア ニセコ 年 数 昨 年9 月 から スキー、スノーボード 歴 二 回 (スノーボード)お 気 に 入 りのレストラン カンパニャー 札 幌お 気 に 入 りのバー ジャムバー お 気 に 入 りの 温 泉グランドホテル お 気 に 入 りのゲレンデコースファミリーコース ニセコの 秘 密 楽 市 そば死 ぬ 前 に 行 きたいスキー 場ニセコ( 本 当 に)Coffee Better Than Beer?THE weather has been a sore point here, andno matter how many times veterans reassurenewcomers that, “the snow will come, it alwayscomes” there are still a few confused and disbelievingfaces. Recently, strong Southerly winds havebeen bringing up the warmth, instead of the usualnortherly winds pulling down the cold Siberian air.Niseko’s comparatively low elevation, coupled withits low latitude makes Niseko dependent on thegenerally reliable Siberian winds. But, just as thisissue went to print, a strong storm has hit townand things are looking very white outside.Name YukoHoriguchi Age 30 Hometown Chiba (nextto Tokyo) Time in Niseko 8 years Ski orboard and for how long? Snowboard, 12years Favourite restaurant? KumagorouCafé Favourite bar? SPLASH Favouriteonsen? Niseko Goshiki Favourite ski run?Super course Local secret? People hereare free and don’t have to act their agePlace to ski before you die? Whistler,Canada.THIS season, as with most seasons, sees a few newdrinking establishments opening for the first time.Cafes are in vogue this season and there are at leastthree new places to get your caffeine fix: Fresh, JavaLounge and Gloorious Coffee (inside Rhythm Snowsports).This year also sees a few watering holes thatdidn’t reopen including The Bunker, Yuki Bar andHerbie’s Umbrella Bar.名 前 ホリグチ ユウコ 年 齢 30 歳 出 身 地千 葉 県 ニセコ 年 数 8 年 スキー、スノーボード 暦12 年 (スノーボード)お 気 に 入 りのレストランくまごろう、ひらふーる お 気 に 入 りのバーSPLASHお 気 に 入 りの 温 泉 ニセコ 五 色 温 泉 好 きなゲレンデコース 2 壁 、スーパーコース ニセコの 秘 密年 齢 不 詳 の 大 人 がいっぱいいる 死 ぬ 前 に 行 きたいスキー 場 カナダのスキー 場9powderlife issue 29 // December 25 - January 7, 2010 www.powderlife.com