Japan-o-rama part 2

The crew at Black Diamond Lodge in Niseko have been awsome, and we have been getting shots daily just driving around and taking short walks off the highway! We did however decide to go do a day of riding up on mountain on the Niseko United resorts. The snow was fun, and the Apres' at the huge all you can eat Buffet in the Hilton hotel in Hirafu was outstanding.

With some warm weather hitting Niseko we geared up and drove North to a resort that I cannot mention right now.....

We arrived late to the Gondola... 2:30 pm to be square.. and there were a whole 5 other cars in the parking lot. ( Considering at least 2-3 were for employees.... you can imagine how many people were on mountain.

Stepping off the gondola, we rode knee deep blower powder through steep trees.....Yes, thats right... UNTRACKED, BLOWER at 2:30 in the afternoon... AND THE MOUNTAIN TO OURSELVES!!!!

The little town is celebrating a sort of "ice festival" with huge sculptures built in the river valley just below town, It was an amazing site, after 3 of the best runs of our trip.

Today was the crews last riding day, we are just now in Sapporo for an evening, then off for 3 days of excitment and tourist activities in Tokyo!

Are the Olympics almost over???

We have all decided that the last little resort Gem will need a bit more attention on our next visit to Japan....

Turning Japanese

I'm in Niseko Japan right now with a small crew for Snowboard Canada Magazine.
There is more snow on the ground here than almost anywhere I have ever seen.
We have been driving and looking for roadside features to shoot. So far we are just settling in to Black Diamond Lodge as our base. ( www.bdlodge.com )

More to come......

COP - Burton Canadian Open Slopestyle

After a week of waiting for good weather around Whistler, I was pretty happy to get a call from Liam @ Burton to come shoot the Canadian Open up in Calgary. The weather for Friday and saturday was unbelievable. With the Olympics just days away I was excited to see some of the worlds best throwing down on the slopestyle course, and in COP's 22 foot superpipe.

Canadians had strong representation in both events:

- Justin Lamoureux placed 2nd in the pipe finals with crazy technical runs.

On his 2nd semi finals run he took my new GOPRO HD movie camera for a run strapped on his chest... check it here: www.justinlamoureux.blogspot.com you'll notice on his first hit the screen goes black...doing the exact same trick pictured in the shot above.....

- Sarah Conrad and Mercedes Nicholl both earned spots of the podium for the girls with great runs!

- Dustin Craven qualified in 2nd but just couldn't hold it together in the finals to make a top spot.

- Jon Versteeg from Pemberton took 2nd in the slopestyle, and I have to say he is one of the most stylish and talented jumpers I have seen in a long time.

- Canmore's own Robby Balharry claimed 3rd in the slopestyle with very impressive style and a bag of tricks! Robby opened a few eyes through the week making his way in from early pre-qualifiers, semi finals, and into finals against the heavy hitters!

On a plane back to Vancouver.. a few days at home.... then off to Japan with a crew from Sandbox films

Inside the newest Snowboard Canada Magazine...

SO last issue of SBC saw the article I did in alaska last season with the "Deeper" movie crew. I hope you all had the chance to check it out!

The newest Snowboard Canada Magazine hit shelves this past week ( Sweet Mikey Rencz Cover by Serfas) .. inside you will find a piece I did with a great crew ( Jonaven Moore, Scott Shaw, Murray Hodgson, and Ryan Johanessen in to Island Lake Lodge near Fernie BC. If you ever have a chance to get there... DO IT!

(SCOTTY SHAW @ ISLAND LAKE LODGE)

Also inside is the annual 24/36 photo competition, where one of my shots of Pete Navin won "Best Portrait", as well as a couple of sweet Gallery images!

Planning a trip to Japan right now with a crew fromSandbox to escape the Olympic MADNESS.. and escape to Powderland!
Jeff