News
POSH – Saturday 17 March, 2012 at the Westin Sydney
Over the past 12 years POSH has raised $8 million which has been directed into cancer research, prevention, and support programs. For details visit http://www.poshauction.com.au
POSH is Sydney’s premier gala ball. It has evolved into an extremely popular and prestigious annual occasion and attracts a loyal and generous following of 750 guests in the beautiful Grand Ballroom of the Westin Sydney.
One of our affiliated Travel Agents TRAVEL PLAN have donated a weeks package to Niseko to support this Councer Council Charity.
Niseko Luxury Ski Experience
Japan’s Niseko has exploded in popularity with Australian skiers and boarders. With spectacular scenery, huge annual snowfall, and Hokkaido’s best après-ski nightlife, Niseko is famous for offering an incredible ski and snowboard experience for beginners and experts alike.
Travelplan Ski is one of the world’s most successful and respected snow holiday travel companies, sending Australian skiers to the world’s great resorts for over 42 years. We know the resorts and properties that will exceed your expectations, providing you with memories that last a lifetime.
Together with the largest range of deluxe apartments convenient to the slopes, Travelplan Ski will enhance your stay in Niseko with an extensive resort services program. The program is run by our bilingual resort hosts Saoka and Mari, who know the area and the customs of Niseko intimately and ensure clients have an excellent stay.
Travelplan Ski is offering a family of 4 an amazing Niseko land only package. The package is valid for travel in April 2012 OR April 2013, subject to availability. Conditions apply.
Package Includes
7 nights’ deluxe accommodation in a Hokkaido Tracks apartment.
Return coach transfers from New Chitose Airport.
6 day Niseko All Mountain Passes.
6 day skis/snowboard and boots hire from Rhythm.
Travelplan Resort Services.
VALUE: $5,000
KIDS RENT FREE IN MARCH
Basically any adult renting from us (regardless of package type, standard or premium) allows 1 child to rent FREE premium or standard skis or boards. If the adult is not renting boots it’s all good, we will still offer the full kids package!
With all our premium packages we offer a free swap, allowing the renter to try different skis or boards and even try the other sport. This will still be offered with the Kids Free rentals for March.
The terms on this offer are;
- One adult must be renting for one Free Kids rental
- Helmets, Jacket, Pants, Wrist Guards are not included in the offer
- Kids prices are determined on the length of the equipment they require, therefore if children are taller than 140cm they will be classified as an adult package.
To take advantage of this offer simply book your adult rentals either online at http://www.skihirejapan.com or directly in the shop and we will kit out your kids for FREE!
STAFF PICKS
We asked our staff and some of the seasonal workers what their choice in skis and boards are for ridding Niseko.
Keep posted for more updates throughout the next few weeks.
Oliver Twist – Snowboard Technician
“I’ve been riding the Burton Fish, super fun and easy board, especially for those famous deep powder days we have here in Niseko. “
Dr Steve - Boot Solutions Boot Fitter
“Powder ski: Volkl Kuro, having 132mm under foot not only makes you feel incredibly manly it also gives you that much needed float and stability in the Niseko pow.
Carver: Volkl RTM 80 because it carves well but is also versatile enough to play off piste.”
Jessica Gloor – Reservations Manager
“I really like the Missbehaved as it’s wide enough for the powder, easy to turn through the trees and good on the groomers. So a perfect ski if I can’t decide what terrain I feel like skiing.
Then on those days I want to hit the powder I like to take the Volkl Kiku, wider underfoot this ski floats beautifully on top of the powder.”
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Ollie Benson – Snowboard Technician
“There’s a couple of different boards I’ve been riding lately.. The Endeavor Diamond is a favorite, more on the stiffer side, aggressive board, holds up well in most conditions, good in the powder and if you enjoy throwing down sweet euro carves.”
Hayley Ryan - Retail
"I have just started snowboarding and the Endeavour Boyfriend Series 148cm is so far the most enjoyable. Its light and really comfortable the moment you get started. It was super easy to control and felt in some sections you were floating. It didnt require much effort to turn which makes learning so much easier!"
Luke Crow – Niseko Academy Ski/Snowboard Instructor
“Volkl Shiro lots of float for the deep powder but quick edge to edge through the trees, super versatile for anywhere on the hill.
The Dynastar contact 4X4 stiff and aggressive great for those carving up those days on the groomers.”
Ned Buckley – Boot Solutions Owner
“The Volkl Kuro is without doubt the best powder ski that I have ever skied on. Like skiing on pillows, makes you feel like a rock star in the deep stuff.
The K2 pontoons are a close second, slightly less versatile with a little less control on the hard stuff at the bottom of the run, but still amazing for everyday here in niseko.
Importently these skis make for less foot pain, less leg pain. More wo hoos!
Russell Buxton – Ski Shop Supervisor
"The Volkl Kuro is my favourite shop ski, but I took out the Volkl Chopsticks the other day and good times were had. When touring the K2 Darkside is the sh%t."
Sam Alcock - Ski Technician
"My pick for Niseko are the K2 Hellbents with 132mm underfoot and powder rocker this ski is perfect for keeping afloat in bottomless powder and just having a good time in general!"
Iain Mercer - Ski Shop Supervisor
K2 HellBent
"132mm underfoot, K2 powder rocker. Pow shredding skis sent straight from Hell. Everything you need for niseko"
Arron Eades – Boot Solutions Boot Fitter
“Love the Armada JJ for that surfy feel. Great all around ski, fun in the soft stuff, holds and edge on firm stuff.”
Travel and Safety Information for Niseko Japan - supplied by the Niseko Promotion Board
This document was prepared to relay health and safety information for travel to Niseko, Japan as it relates to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear plant. All information is current as of August 29, 2011.
Feel free to contact Max at the Niseko Promotion Board (Tel: 0136-21-2551, max@nisekotourism.com) should you have further inquiries.
Basic Information on Radiation Measurements
Radiation exposure is measured cumulatively, usually in milliSieverts (mSv) per hour or per day. In this document, all measurements will be per day.
* Unit of measurement for radiation mSv
* Typical global natural background radiation 1.5mSv
* International Commission on Radiological Protection suggested limit beyond natural background radiation 1mSv
* Average daily natural background exposure .004mSv
Exposure levels in Niseko
Since July 22, local, independent measurements have been taken in Hirafu. To date, the highest reading over any 24 hour period has been .0008mSv (lowest is .0002mSv), far less than the world average of .004mSv. Other measurements throughout Hokkaido as provided by the government are at safe levels, equivalent or less than this measurement.
* Niseko radiation monitoring: http://360niseko.com/blog/niseko-radiation/
* Hokkaido radiation monitoring: http://www.scenicbyway.jp/sv/
Exposure levels at Transit Locations (Osaka and Tokyo Airports)
Radiation levels at major international airports on Japan’s mainland are safe and normal.
- Narita International Airport (Tokyo): A detector at Narita International Airport takes measurements twice a day. The highest measurement in the last thirty days was .0024 mSv per day, about half the worldwide average. Narita is about 200km from the Fukushima plant.
Source: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/radiation/201108index.html
- Kansai International Airport (Osaka): Radiation readings in Osaka have remained normal since March 11th. The highest reading since then was .0013 mSv per day. Osaka is over 500km from the Fukushima plant.
Source: http://book.daa.jp/radiationgraph_eng.html
Monitoring of Radiation in Food
Basic information:
* Unit of measurement for radiation in food Bq/kg
* Limit for consumption in Japan 500 Bg/kg
* Limit for consumption in Hong Kong/Singapore 1,000 Bq/kg
* Limit for consumption in the United States 1,200 Bq/kg
Beef safety countermeasures: All beef from prefectures near the nuclear plant (Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi, Tochigi) cannot enter commercial channels until proven to be safe via testing. Other prefectures have voluntarily instituted similar testing. To discourage farmers from shipping contaminated meat, the government is reimbursing for each head of cattle discarded due to contamination. These measures have helped maintain the safety of beef consumed in Japan.
Pork and chicken safety: As of August 18, testing has not revealed concerning levels of radiation in pork or chicken products.
Dairy safety: Based on testing similar to that for beef and pork, concerning radiation levels have not been found in dairy products since March 28.
Rice: All rice that has been tested thusfar has been clean of radiation. Rice harvested this fall will also be tested for radiation contamination. If results from a given area are above the standard levels, then all rice shipments from the area will be halted.
Source: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/incident/index.html
Seafood: The Hokkaido government has been conducting regular testing to confirm the safety of seafood landing at Hokkaido’s ports. The results have all shown that radiation levels are either below the standard limit or not detectable. Currently, no one may fish in the waters off the coast of Fukushima, and all fisheries in other areas must conduct radiation tests beforehand. Hokkaido’s waters are also protected by the Oshio current, which pushes water south and protects Hokkaido’s fisheries. These factors help keep Hokkaido seafood safe.
Source: http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/kz/kst/rom/English/radmat_inmarineprod_English.htm
More information from Niseko-based Ezo Seafoods: http://www.ezoseafoods.com/ja/content/japanese-seafood-how-safe-august-update
Soil Radiation Levels in Hokkaido
The Hokkaido prefectural government has been continuing to take samples of farmland soil to test for radiation. In a test on August 8, the highest detectable level of Cesium-137 was 10.2 Bg/kg of dry soil. Iodine-131 was not detectable. These levels are normal and safe; typical levels in the last 3 years were between 14-19 Bq/kg.
Source: http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/kz/kst/rom/English/radmat_soil_English.htm
GEAR CHECKLIST
The Japanese winter conditions are like no other around the world. That's why at Rhythm Snowsports we stock a range of gear that has been designed specifically to suit the Niseko elements.
Here is a checklist of the gear you will need to keep you warm and dry on the hill.
GEAR TO HIRE
All premium equipment can be swapped at anytime, skis to board and back as often as you like!
With our premium range you can test out a set of powder skis and then swap them back over to some sweet groomers when skiing with the kids.
If you want the best of both worlds, a lot of powder mixed with some afternoon park sessions, the premium package will give you this freedom.
Rest easier knowing your kids have the correct protective gear for their adventure filled days on the hill. Helmets are also a good idea for adults stepping off piste through the trees.
A great option for those on their first snow experience and need all the gear.
Keep your toes toasty warm when trudging around town with a pair of solid snow boots.
GEAR TO BUY
SKI & BOARD BOOTS
Investing in your own boots is highly recommended, even if you only ski once a year. Our qualified boot technicians, can fit you with the perfect pair of boots.
A powder skirt is a must! Puffy jackets are also a favorite amongst the locals as they can be worn whilst bar hoping around town.
With the abundance of snow a bib and brace pant has become the popular trend.
There's no question that good ski goggles should be an essential on everybody's checklist, especially in the snowy Niseko conditions. A low light, clear lens is the go. If you wear seeing glasses, then try an Over the Glasses goggle. Our range includes both Western and Asian fit goggles.
We also stock a large range of replacement lenses so you can swap your existing sunny day lens with a great Niseko specific low light lens.
A quality pair of gloves needs to shield your hands from the wind, look for something with a liner glove, or down fill, as it can get mighty cold on the hill. Mittens are a favorite for children and ladies who really feel the cold.
Add extra warmth with a merino or silk glove liner. You can also double these up as your walk around town gloves.
Stay warm and fashionable with our great selection of hats.
FACE MASK, NECK WARMER, BALACLAVA
It gets particularly cold and windy in Niseko, so a good face protector is a must.
SKI/BOARD SOCKS
Wool or bamboo is the way forward in snow socks. Regular socks in Niseko simply wont cut it!
Layering is the key to keeping warm. Avoid cotton based thermals as they capture moisture, wool or synthetic based thermals are optimum.
After your thermals add a fleece or wool mid-layer for extra warmth. Layering helps trap body heat, keeping you warmer on the mountain.
Cover your feet in a pair of stylish snow boots to cut through the towns many snow banks.
SNOW GRABBER
A MUST for walking around town! Underneath all of that snow is a lovely thick layer of ice! Fitting a pair of snow grabbers will stop you from embarrassing and often painful falls.
A helmet isn't just an accessory - it's a necessary item in your snow wardrobe as it can save you from serious injury.
BODY ARMOR
Bum Pads, Elbow Pads etc - Whether it is your first time on the slopes or trying new tricks in the park, protective wear is a great way to keep those precious bones in tact.
Bringing home your precious new skis or board in a specifically designed bag will ease the airport struggle.
HEADPHONES
If you get a chance to ride solo, grab your ipod, slip on a pair of Skull Candy headphones and ride to your favorite tunes.
GO PRO
Capture you and your mates riding some of the worlds finest snow conditions.
A RESORT MAP
Pick up a FREE resort map, and discover Niesko’s magical resort!
All products can be rented or purchased within our Rhythm Snowsports store located in Niseko, Hirafu Village.
