The first American to join our Academy courses in Japan, the young Mr Davey (just 19 years old), really did step outside of his comfort zone when he signed up for our 13 week course. And we’re certainly stoked that he did.

With an extensive background in competitive snowboarding, including boarder-cross and freestyle, Andrew has been a valued member of our 2011/2012 instructor training programme, helping push the riding limits of our crew – even the Trainer had to work hard to keep up sometimes.

Davey throws another backy

Here’s a quick Q&A with Andrew about why he came here and how the season has been for him…

What made you decide to come to Japan and has it lived up to your expectations?

“I was interested in becoming a snowboard instructor and wanted to take a year off from school and do some traveling too. When I found out about Niseko Academy I knew it was the perfect program for me. I was almost instantly sold, what better way to get instructor training than in the worlds’ best powder and be able to experience one of the worlds’ richest cultures.”

What do you think of Niseko?

“Niseko is a great area, it has a small ski town feel with Japanese culture and is not to far from the bigger cities like Otaru and Sapporo, plus it’s right at the bottom of the ski resort. Living in Hirafu was a great experience, I had lots of fun times going to onsens, eating some great food, meeting lots of interesting people, and riding the deepest powder ever. I will definitely be coming back again.”

How has this course helped you?

“The instructor course was one of the best decisions of my life. Not only did I become a qualified instructor, but I became a much stronger rider and technically sound snowboarder. The Trainers were very nice and highly skilled at what they do. Brian made me feel right at home as soon as I came to Niseko.”

What goals do you have for the future in the world of snowboarding?

“After this, I plan on taking my new skills back home to Idaho and do some instructing at my home mountain, yet still trying to pursue higher levels in my snowboard instructing. Then later I would like to get into the coaching side of the sport. Niseko Academy has set me up for many good things in my future of snowboarding, even putting me in touch with top-level coaches back in the US.”

Tweaking out a stalefish off a hefty drop

Andrew scoped this double pillow drop for a while before hitting it, but he hit it with style

Bridge drop at Sapporo Teine

Shredding the Niseko pow pow

With the sad natural disasters that occured in Japan last March, we had lower numbers than usual on this year’s training courses. However, this turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise as we’ve had a whole lot of fun skiing and riding the massive amounts of powder that has fallen this season.

Bring on the exams and some March shred-action!

It was super fun. Not a whole lot of fresh snow, but certainly enogh to enjoy the steep terrain they have in Teine Highlands. Check out this little video from the day…

In between our private lessons we’ve managed to get a few powder runs and the occasional photo opportunity too. Check out this shot from today…

Two of our guys, Luke and Scotty, cranking the tree-lined pow runs in some rare blue-sky weather here in Niseko

Here’s a couple of photos from the week, but we have more in an album on our Facebook page here.

NZSIA Examiner Ben Adams presenting to the group

SBINZ Course Manager Matt Phare presenting to some of the boys

Some of the ski crew with Mt Yotei in the background

Well done to our guys that passed their Level One exam this week… You did well!

A four minute chairlift ride in Niseko

We’re in the middle of the Level One exams right now so NZSIA and SBINZ Examiners Matt Phare and Ben Adams have been enjoying pow runs in-between their presentation of the beginner progressions.

Our trainees are enjoying the process but we suspect they’re struggling to maintain attention with all the snow that’s falling, ha!

Only 2 more days to go guys, hang in there.

SBINZ Course Manager Matt Phare presenting with silly amounts of snow falling

We’re stoked to see our 13 week trainees making big progress already. And with the Level One exam just around the corner, our guys have been applying themselves 100%, getting ready to slip into their first paid work placement with NBS ski school over the Christmas period.

Quote of the week: “Ah look, Mt Yotty’s out”… hahahaa, classic. Mt Yotei (Yo-tay) is the spectacular volcano that appears across the valley. Here’s a few shots from the first week…

Peaking out the window... yet another powder day in Niseko

One of our trainess Jonny gearing up

Gotta love the Japanese school groups

Brian and the boys on the chair

Damn those new uniforms look good

Here’s a few pics from around the town…

Brian's truck with a good 30cms on top

Grand Hirafu from the bottom of the Family Run... looking good for December 1st

Brian looking sharp in the new uniform

The fact is that Hokkaido was almost unaffected by the sad events that occurred in Japan’s Tohoku area last March. The Hokkaido Government have been monitoring radiation levels in Hokkaido and have been publishing the results in multiple languages on this website.

Read more over at our Niseko Academy Snowsports School here.

Our first course for the 2011/2012 season is starting in just two weeks now. And we’ll have a new gondola to ride (installed to celebrate Grand Hirafu’s 50th anniversary no less). Exciting!

Here’s some shots of the new gondy in action… with a little fresh snow too…

We still have some space on our 13 Week ‘Work Placement’ course and on our 3 Week ‘Rookie’ course, so late sign-ups are very welcome. Come and join the fun in Niseko and become an instructor!

Dan Smith and Matt Phare from SBINZ were in town, and well… we rode lots of pow. And filmed a bit. Now we finally got around to doing something with the footage; check out this little edit we just put together from our epic powder weekend…