JAPAN GRABS - Hakuba Blog 2013 / 2014
Awesome!! So nice riding pow on opening day.
First run of the year at Happo! And the gopro died 
Replace Dylan with Marc/Gamblor
Looks so good!
Ahhhhh, that looks so fun!!!!!
Not a bad first run of the season! 
Sounds great. Looking forward to being there on New Years :D
Great time to come Matt! We usually get an insane dump around then.
Hey Deano/Dylan - nice one! 
Day 1
Well, opening day is always a rush, but getting the body out of bed isn’t so fun. Got to Happo at 9 and met up with my good friend Yasu from Lodge Tabi Tabi in the parking lot. He had his huge Nitro swallowtail. I thought it was overkill…but I was wrong. We got to the top of the gondola only to find that lifts to the very top weren’t open, so we hiked to the top (you can see everybody hiking in the vid) and got a fun run on kurobishi. That hike kind of killed me though, which was a great reminder that I need to get in shape!
Overall, a sick day to start the season off.
Just saw a comment on facebook that I had wavy arms - good to know - so I need to work on keeping them down. Any tips other than snowboarding with my hands in my pockets?
had to download on Kokusai chair.
Day 2
There was still lots of pow left over, but the grom had wanted to ski, so it was a father-daughter day. Lots of chocolate was consumed as my 5 year old got 5 runs in the bag, and a great day was had by both of us.
The Panorama cat track was nice and mellow for a kid’s first turns of the year.
Then, at the end of the day she stepped up to Panorama proper.
Any tips other than snowboarding with my hands in my pockets?
I was told to think about “gorilla arms” while riding. Hold your arms down low and strong - just like a gorilla. 
Honestly, I think awareness is the best medicine here. Always try to be aware of what your arms are doing. I also tend to think your arms might have been moving a bit more than normal as this was the first run of the season. Your lower body steering wouldn’t be as strong as usual, and we usually compensate by using our arms. You’re aware of it now, so let’s see how much you improve over the season.
I tend to blame my “Team America” arms on an ingrained habit formed from surfing!!!!!
I know it doesn’t look as “Cool’, but is there a negative performance reason as to why you should avoid it?????
And a nice start to the season!!!!!
I reckon Daddy/Daughter Day is gonna be 50% of your Blog?????
I can’t wait to take my Granddaughter for a slide!!!!!
And I noticed that Swallowtail on ya mates board!!!!!
Is it an older Nitro?????
that vid is full of snow boner goodness!!
I think im going to hate the next few months of peoples trip reports
(hate due to jealousy)
I’m just gonna hate, cause that’s all I’ve got to do over the season!!!!!
I tend to blame my “Team America” arms on an ingrained habit formed from surfing!!!!!
I know it doesn’t look as “Cool’, but is there a negative performance reason as to why you should avoid it?????
Steering should come from the lower body. Arms waving around suggests you aren’t steering strong enough or quick enough with the lower body. You will notice the arms usually move in the opposite direction to the turn, to counteract the lack of drive from the lower body. It works, but it’s certainly not the most efficient way to turn.
Ohhhh, I see!!!!! 