Ski and Snow Magazine Issue 16

SKI& SNOW NEW ZEALAND

SKI AND SNOWBOARD MAGAZINE

The

golden years

of jp auclair

Issue # 16 winter 2010 $9.90 inc GST

2010 gear buyers bible

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winter 2010 Ski & Snow #16

The Golden Years 10 PowDer Room 18 Playing Cat and Woolf 20 Tom Larsen New Kid on the Block 28 Mitchey Greig 36 Project X : Showtime in Silverton 40 Six teenage guys, one mother 48 Alpure Peaks Cat Skiing 52 Sister Act 58 Canada 62 Warranties: The Fine Print 81 Ohakune special 131

// 34. camber me this // 72. olympics 2010 // 76. snow shoeing // 79. it’s remarkable // 86. off piste // 88. Subscribe // 89. buyers GUIDE // 134. classifieds // 136. wanaka ski programme

Editor: Steve Dickinson Ph: 027 577 5014 // Fax: (09) 428 3182 // p.media@xtra.co.nz Art Director: Nina Blackburn (09)428 3046 // p.media_design@xtra.co.nz Advertising Manager: Courtney Johns (09) 428 3046// skiandsnow@xtra.co.nz web guru: Erik Baars // erik@erikbaars.com Distribution: Gordon & Gotch Ph: (09) 979 3000 Publishers: Pacific Media Ltd., P.O.Box 562 Whangaparaoa, NZ contributors: Patrick Fallon, Chris O’Connell, Camilla Stoddart, Tommy Larsen, Mitchy Grieg, Riley Bathurst, Kasia Jillings, Tom Gordon, Adam Moran, Vicki Watson, Lynne Dickinson, Raphael Beazley’s Mum ‘Deb’, Alice Tollestrup, Greg Robertson SUBSCRIPTIONS: See page 88 or subscribe online at www.skiandsnow.co.nz Contributions of articles and photos are welcome and must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope. Photographic material should be in digital format, although good quality slides/prints may be considered. All care is taken but no responsibility accepted for submitted material. All work published may be used on our website. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without permission. While the publishers have taken all reasonable precautions and made all reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of material in this publication, it is a condition of purchase of this magazine that the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in this publication, or from the use of information contained herein and the publishers make no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any of the material contained herein.

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cover photo by Chris O’Connell

JUNE 2010//

2010 SKI&SNOW//PROFILE: JP AUCLAIR

The

golden years

of jp auclair WORDS AND IMAGES CHRIS O’CONNELL

JP Auclair is the most unassuming ski superstar on the planet. The Jack Johnson of skiing, a simple man put into place by his energy and talent, admired by thousands of people around the world, but would gladly give it all up just to ski (or surf). He’s not motivated by fame and fortune, but rather by a deep connection and love for the sport.

JP doesn’t spend money on things like clothes or fancy cars and he wears jeans for five years (he just bought a new pair of Carharts though). TJ Schiller bought him a pair of custom Nikes and he wears them, but second guesses himself when putting them on, he’s not the cool Nike shoe wearing kind of guy.

JP drives the same piece of shit van that he has had since I first met him the summer of 1998. It’s a 20-year-old GMC Safari. Sometime in the future to be replaced by a Prius, ‘when he has the money’. I could see that purchase coming when he sells his two condos in Whistler, right before the Olympics.

JP is a bit of an enigma in the ski industry. A lot of people seem to know him well, but does anyone know him really well?

I ask him who knows him best and he replies “That’s a really, really good question, different people know different parts of me.” He guards his personal life and won’t answer questions about the pro skier pin up girls that he’s dated over the past few years (which is always undercover).

He relishes the people he meets along the way and the cultures they share with him. From Alaska to Japan, he’s just as stoked on the lifestyle of being a skier as he is with the fact that he’s actually living it. When JP is around, everything seems right, not to mention he’s one of the funniest guys in the industry. >> Career We are on a photo shoot in Summit County, Colorado in Early November. The park is barely built; the hills are barren except for the trails lined with man-made snow.

The weather is warm and no snow is forecasted to help conditions out.

“I would ski so much more if I wasn’t sponsored” JP contemplates, when his home away from home, Whistler was getting pounded. It’s hard for JP to show up to a park shoot in early November and not be where it’s epic. He knows he must do it for his job. It became a big problem for him a couple winters ago, commitments became so overwhelming

10//SKIANDSNOW.CO.NZ

he considered retiring from being a ‘pro’ skier so he could ski and be freer.

“Crashes were hurting more than they used to. Photo shoots, phone calls, emails started getting to me and the physical and mental fatigue that accumulates throughout the winter wasn’t helping. It got frustrating because I didn’t have time to ski for myself anymore.”

JP has come to terms with this and has scheduled his past few seasons the way he wants to do it and everything is working out. “My sponsors are happy and I am happy; it’s been a great couple of years.”

Even when he’s missing powder to ski in a shitty park, he’s the hardest working skier in the crew. He’ll always hit the jump just one more time for photographers and filmers that just want that one extra angle.

“Powder, back flips, spines and half pipes” JP answers me without pause when I ask him what stokes him out the most on skis. JP has the skills on transition that set him apart from other pros his age, with the exception of the elite half pipe competitors, JP still charges a tranny better than many so called pro skiers 14 years younger than him.

“JP is the epitome of a pro skier, he’s got the skills to pay the bills, but also an outstanding personality. He’s approachable like no other pro out there.” Comments Filmer Phil Benjamin on his work with JP. JP taught himself Final Cut Pro years ago so he can edit his own video part, now that hobby has turned into him spending his summers working in LA for Johnny Decesare, the founder of Poor Boyz Productions. “This is the last summer I am doing that, really.” Chris Benchetler is quick to debate that, and guarantees that JP will be back in the editor’s chair next summer.

“I always try to get out of it, but when summer rolls around, I always end up back in Los Angeles. I just really like to hang out with those guys,” JP comments on his editing job.

JP develops relationships that other skiers may not. He has ‘extended family’ in New Zealand, Japan and Alaska.

He really makes an effort to become involved in the culture of wherever he’s at. If he’s in AK, he’s at the bar with the Fishermen and Gold Miners showing them his Kendama. If he’s in Japan, he’s learning the language and once again, honing his Kendama skills. He’s just so damn likeable that skiers around the world are happy to share their powder stashes with him and he respects that. “It is great to be a part of this community where I can show up in a totally different culture and create strong bonds with another skier, because we share the same passions.”

“He progresses with it, and pushes the sport each year. JP makes our sport fun, and I think his goal is to show everyone how awesome the lifestyle is”, TJ Schiller comments on JP’s longevity.

JP appreciates the art of the sport and everything that it encompasses, the films, the photos, the websites, progression and just plain fun. He is the Renaissance Man of our Generation of Skiing. >> The King of Freeskiing “JP Auclair is my number one athlete, period. From the day he started filming with PoorBoyz, I knew he was going to be something special. Now, over 10 years later, he still is there and has helped me and the ski industry more than any single person.” Award winning filmmaker, Johnny Decesare says of JP’s status in the industry.

“He is one of my best friends and there are very few people in the world whom I can trust like JP. When he stops skiing, I will probably stop making ski films.”

TJ Schiller puts it simply: “The reason that JP is so the man is cuz he’s the guy who started it all. He’s the guy who created the sport, and he has stayed at the top the whole time.” >> Back in Action JP suffered through back problems that cost him his 2003 season, and was told by “regular hospital doctors” that he should quit skiing.

He sourced out sport medicine Doctors that work with athletes and had a different approach. Dr. Garret Breakiron from Uniontown, PA was the person that ended up fixing JP and gave him back his ski career. “No one should put their body through what you are making yours go through, but I know you are going to do it anyway, so we’ll fix you up and you are going to have to put in extra effort with all the exercises”. Rehab was long, difficult and painful, he went from being completely bed ridden to being able to ski and enjoy life again.

JP’s back injury ended up having an extremely positive impact on his career. It taught him to be more patient, not to take his health for granted

and enjoy life on a different level.

To this day, he spends at least an hour a day with his exercises on the road and it’s paid off. He attributes the longevity of his career to stretching and knowing when to stop. “Before I would just keep going until I physically couldn’t, now I know when to stop.” He thanks Dr. Breakiron, Dr. Bailes and the Leskinen family for their attentive care during the process. When I ask him how he still has a job, he replies that stretching has something to do with it. >> Sacrifice JP was on an Armada Shoot in New Zealand and the annual IF3 film festival was on in Montreal. He knew that being there would support the industry, his hometown fans in Quebec, the Organizers of the Festival, as well as the Poor Boyz premier of “Yeah Dude”. JP dropped everything, traveled from Wanaka, NZ for 35 hours to Montreal to attend the Film Festival, only to board a plane the next day back to New Zealand. “It’s amazing he would even consider doing that, let alone make it happen.” Phil Benjamin, organizer of IF3 attests.

This kind of crazy turnaround and travel schedule has become somewhat commonplace for JP. He shot rails all night to finish at 6am and jump on a plane 12//SKIANDSNOW.CO.NZ

for Japan on his last trip there. He tries to space things out nowadays, but still ends up on the road for months at a time living out of the same two bags which are meticulously packed and weigh in at exactly 70lbs each to avoid airline baggage hassles. Stretching ropes, kendamas, hard drives, safety gear and a few good movies are always included in the mix.

JP sacrificed going skiing to take Chris Benchetler to the Caitlins down on the southern tip of the South Island, New Zealand. Cold water barrels and a session never to be forgotten by either one of them, Chris says it’s one of the most memorable trips of this life. “He’s just so fun to be around on and off the snow.” >> Commitment “JP is Freeskiing, without JP as a friend, athlete and true believer in Poorboyz, I truly believe I would be doing something different right now” says Johnny Decesare of Poorboyz Productions. “He sacrifices so much for the cause, if he commits to doing something ”.

JP is a work-aholic, both on and off the snow. “I always feel like I have too much on my “to do” list, I have been trying to fix that for years. He’s the guy at the end of the day that will be hiking the jump long after all the other athletes are

done. A photographer wants another angle, where many skiers wouldn’t want to risk it; JP will hit it again to get the shot.

JP has walked away from numerous larger endorsement deals to pursue what he feels is right, and that alone makes him an anomaly in the industry. His commitment to PBP and his sponsors are so solid it makes me think of Tony Montana’s line in Scarfarce where he says: “All I have in this world is my balls and my word and I don’t break them for no one. Do you understand!?” >>Partying JP is not the party guy, yet when he gives ‘er the True Canadian in him comes out. “I like to do things how they should be done. I feel that way about pretty much everything.”

TJ Schiller explains “JP prefers time to himself, and it’s almost next to impossible to persuade him to do something... like going to a party or whatever.

But when he decides to do something, and if there’s a group of us, it’s a guarantee that everyone will follow. When JP decides it’s playtime, everyone wants in because they know it’s going to be totally righteous.” >> The Dark Side JP and I went out drinking one night in Wanaka for no JUNE 2010//13

apparent reason. JP was wearing slippers, long underwear under his shorts and a flannel shirt. It’s surprising they even let him in the door looking like a homeless person. Somehow it got to be a contest called ‘see if you can smash this glass without anyone noticing’. JP won the contest and was carried out in a choke hold by some huge bouncer.

He couldn’t breathe so he bit the guy’s arm. JP was arrested and thrown in the Wanaka slammer.

The entire episode was completely out of line for the usual JP, but it demonstrates you can take the boy out of Canada, but you can’t take the Canadian out of the boy. Ironically enough, TJ Schiller was the only sober one in the crew and he bailed JP out: “JP was making a shaky horse face for his mug shot.

I would have killed to see that shot” TJ says of the debacle. “That was one of the worst experiences of my life”, JP was extremely remorseful of the entire situation. He made his apologies, he went to court and charges were dropped. JP is trying to forget this incident ever happened, so please don’t bring it up. >> Powder “When it comes to powder, a lot of people think that the lighter the better, you hear about “champagne powder” and all that…. I disagree, I like the snow to be a bit heavier but not too much. In my books, Japan and British Columbia are real close in the rankings when it comes to 14//SKIANDSNOW.CO.NZ

best power... In both places I feel like the snow has perfect consistency.”

The best powder trip of his life was Japan, January 2008 with Chris Benchetler.

“I got to ski the best powder of my life for 3 weeks straight..!!!! It was amazing. Check out Reasons from PoorBoyz Productions. My previous best trip was a week long trip to Retallack, but after 3 weeks of pow, Japan was the best ever.” >> Mentor “It is because of JP that I now have sponsors, he is the one who helped me out at first.

He just plugged me with one sponsor, then another, then that sponsor helped me out and on and on.

JP always spreads happiness. Only saying his name makes me happy, probably because JP sounds like yippee!” Alex Belmarre, young Armada Grom puts it in simple terms.

“He is THE man, he has done everything. He’s always giving me the best advice and making me laugh, he’s one of my favorite people to travel with.”

Phil Casabon.

“I looked up to him as a kid, as I was just starting skiing, and I still do.” Chris Benchetler “JP has always been my idol, growing up watching him on TV and reading about him and all that. I know there’s no way I would have pursued skiing as my career so seriously if I hadn’t had JP to look up

to. Now, after being lucky enough to have met him the way that I did, and to have spent these last few years around him, he still hasn’t changed in my mind at all. Except now I can say he’s also my friend, teammate, and still my idol, which is pretty damn awesome.” TJ Schiller >> The State of Skiing “Different people enjoy different things. If a younger skier tells me that he can’t stand powder because it makes the in runs too slow in the park, my first reaction might be to think that it’s a shame and that he’s missing out but that’s only because I enjoy skiing powder so much. Apart from a few exceptions, it is the skiers who dedicate all of their time to one single aspect of skiing who show us what can be achieved out there and it’s inspiring to see what the possibilities are in each different disciplines. If you are willing to focus all of your energy into one single thing, you are bound to perform at a higher level. Personally I think it’s wonderful that there are so many different things to experience on skis and I want to try it all.”

Something that sets JP apart from most pros today is that he can remember getting yelled at in the parks by snowboarders. “Skiers were not allowed in the terrain parks, so we had to poach them. I got in a lot of trouble.”

Now it’s come full circle again: skiers and

snowboarders at certain mountains in Canada are not allowed to jump at all, courtesy of RCR resorts taking all jumps out of the terrain parks. “It’s a shame really, and it’s due to liability. People need to become more aware and responsible for their own actions.”

JP loves to watch the progression of the sport, both technically and all the new and creative ways to look at skiing. Just being able to experience new feelings on his skis after 25 years is a big motivator for him ‘sticking around’ a while longer.

When comparing skiing today to 1998, JP says “The tricks, the gear and the clothes are different but I like to think that the people and the spirit of the sport remains the same.” >> Giving Back JP has started a charity called Alpine Initiatives with Chad Fleisher, Seth Koch and Mike Hovey. The goal of the organization is to establish a platform to encourage people from the snow sports community to get involved and take positive actions regarding other issues. Their first mission will be to go build homes for orphans in Meru, Kenya. Check out the details at www. alpineinitiatives.org >> Skills JP is one of the most well rounded skiers in the business, he can boost 18 feet out in an icy Colorado half pipe and ski steep exposed lines in Alaska. He can make a small jib look fun and a gnarly line seem effortless. His hand plants are dope and he can do a sick Cosack. He always ends up with the most amount of photos on any shoot, because of his versatility and his humor.

Mountain safety has now become a focus for JP. He’s completed two seasons of guide school at Alaska Heli Skiing and even enlisted other pro skiers, like Michelle Parker and Sven Kueenle to attend this year’s class. “So many tragedies can be avoided in the mountains. I have learned a lot in the past couple years about avalanches, decision making, first aid and it’s really fulfilling. The whole freestyle revolution was a great time, but I can only dream of having that impact on the industry on the mountain safety side of things.” >> Knowledge “There are so many things that I could do to self improve, I won’t even get into it.

As far as the past goes, and what I have learned, I would listen to my body more and take better care of myself. The List includes: 1) Health 2) Family 3) Skiing 4) Friends 5) Girlfriends (but they shouldn’t be sad, that can move to number 2).” >> Kendama That wooden ball and string contraption you always see JP with is called a Kendama, it’s a Japanese toy that he’s been practicing with over the last 7 years. He’s gotten

16//SKIANDSNOW.CO.NZ

quite good, even going to get a certification level while in Tokyo on a recent trip.

“It was really funny, I was actually even a bit nervous. There were so many good Kendama players in there, I was the only Easterner in there. They were really cool with me.”

JP walked away after his testing with an Advanced Level 1 Certification from the Japanese Kendama Association (JKA). >> The Future JP has come a long way since being a paperboy, landscaper and washing dishes in Quebec. He isn’t thinking about retiring any time

soon, his ski career hasn’t even hit climax yet.

“There are so many things I still want to do on skis, every year just keeps getting more fun. I will be skiing until my body doesn’t let me, as far as my ski career, I guess that will stop when I get fired!”

If you meet JP you will understand why he’s such an inspiration to everyone in the industry and anyone who crosses a path with him on his travels.

As with any artist, If you want to know JP, just study his body of work. With a career not even close to over, he’s already left a legacy: he just doesn’t know it. n

2010 SKI&SNOW//EXPERIENCE JAPAN

*powder room words Sarah Headifen – Ski Traveller Image niseko-village.com

In the early hours one February morning a group of ladies from Methven to Whangaparaoa met at Auckland Airport with two things in common a passion for the snow and one destination in mind Niseko, Japan.

I became a part of this adventure when a phone call was made to our company, Ski Traveller, asking “if anyone would be interested in taking a women’s group skiing and boarding”. Two decisions were made very quickly. One was to organize a group and the second was to go to Niseko, Japan. I knew that we would be guaranteed powder in Japan, as it is renown for its snow fall every winter, courtesy of the Siberian storms, and the dryness of the powder. So the next few months were spent practicing phrases out of a Japanese phrase book and eating with chopsticks.

The beauty of Japan as a Northern Winter destination is that it is one of the closest to New Zealand. With Air New Zealand’s direct flight to Tokyo and then a short hop to Sapporo, we were soon driving through Narnia like countryside en route to Niseko Ski Resort where the snow was falling heavily.

Skiing in Japan is full of surprises with a delightful mix of modern and traditional architecture, food and après ski experiences. Niseko itself is a charming town with its streets lined with quaint houses and modern apartments.

Our lodgings for the next 10 days was “Konishi House” a funky, modern house, complete with its own rooftop terrace, remote fireplace and heated toilets, managed by Hokkaido Tracks.

We began our skiing with a guide, Hiro (an ex Japan free style skier), known

by Westerners as Hero. His name soon become apparent as we were taken to hidden powder stashes where we would never have gone. Some of the group had minimal powder skiing/boarding experience, having only ever been on hard packed snow and doubted they would be able to ski in powder, but because the snow is so light and dry everyone was able to master the off piste quickly.

Tree runs in Niseko are easily accessible and are wide spaced out in comparison to some of the North American resorts that I have been to. Skiing in the trees has some other benefits, such as providing better visibility when it’s snowing and hording the better powder as fresh snow piles up around the trees.

The abundance and lightness of the powder makes up for the gentler slopes you encounter and you can make the runs as short or as long as you like. For those who like to push the boundaries there are areas you can hike to and there are several backcountry options, such as taking a guide like Hero, to explore more remote slopes. I would recommend you go with a guide to discover the true delights of Japan’s famous powder and their local knowledge.

We also took advantage of the many day trips on offer and went to Rusutsu Ski Resort only 40 minutes away from Niseko. Young and old will get a kick out of Rusutsu Ski Resort, complete with an amusement park (closed in Winter) in the middle of it and a Merry Go Round in the lobby of the hotel, it also has a indoor wave pool.

Riding the chairlifts was a novelty and automation that you could really get accustomed to with automatic hoods that came down to keep you warm, lifties don’t bump your chairs instead they are there sweeping the snow off, heated toilet seats are a bonus and if you choose to stop at the Hilton Hotel for lunch you can even choose your own music to relax to when in the bathroom.

Skiing in Japan occurs at low altitude and coupled with their legendary powder this meant that we could ski and ride effortlessly all day. Elsewhere, uncluttered and people free slopes can be found at places like Mowia, 15 minutes from Niseko, and the possibility to find untracked powder all day long.

Niseko’s special combination of attributes – a modern skiing experience, with some of the driest easiest powder on earth, modern facilities and accommodation (e.g. Hilton and several apartments ski in, ski out) blended in with Japanese culture and tradition make it unique.

As one of our group summed it up - “Niseko truly is a winter wonderland.

Exhilerating long runs with so much choice, surreal skiing, light, fluffy powder, incredible beauty and silence” with an “amazing culture and welcoming and respectful people.” n

Fact File Air New Zealand Auckland to Tokyo 11:10 hr direct flight | Japan Airlines Tokyo to Sapporo 1.40hr flight | Transfer to Niseko 2 hours Language majority of people speak Japanese and most of the signs are in English Season dates: end of Nov to early April Elevation Peak 1,309m, Base: 300 m Lift operating hours 0830 - 1630 (varies for some base areas) Night skiing: 1630 - 2100 Beginner terrain: 30%, Intermediate terrain: 40%, Advanced terrain: 30% Number of lifts: 35 Number of gondolas: 3 Snow fall: 1,500 cm other English speaking ski school | Sapporo Ice Festival every year 5 -11 February 2011 Ice and snow sculptors from around the world build house size sculptures | Stopovers in Tokyo and Kyoto | Kyoto is popular due to the history of the temples, Geisha’s and live shows i.e. ala Memoirs of a Geisha | Tokyo has great shopping, Disneyland, fast and vibrant city 18//SKIANDSNOW.CO.NZ

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2010 SKI&SNOW//EXPERIENCE JAPAN

*playing cat & woolf words and images Camilla Stoddart

Jase’s head nods up and down in the way you do when you fall asleep on a train. He can’t possibly be sleeping, I think to myself. It is deafeningly noisy, the place smells like diesel and we are being thrown around something chronic.

He is sleeping! That’s impressive. We are in the belly of a snow cat deep in the Japanese mountains between Niseko and Sapporo in Hokkaido. We are at the end of a very long, exhausting yet thrilling day. We have been Cat Skiing.

I found out only a few weeks before I hopped on a plane, leaving the scorching 30 plus degree summer in Wanaka, that I was going on a trip to Japan. Super exited at the thought of doing turns in deep Japanese powder, eating yakitori, bathing in Japanese Onsen baths, I was not too upset to be leaving my first summer in 9 years.

Knowing that I was headed to Hokkaido, the powder capital of the world, I got in touch with people I knew doing a season in those parts. There is a strong kiwi contingency infiltrated in Japan. Jason Woolf had been hanging out in Niseko for most of the winter, giving himself time for some turns after many years of hard work in the ski industry. Cam McKay was another New Zealander, he was working for as a guide for a Cat Skiing company in Niseko.

Soon I had a plan. Cat skiing. Shooting photos and skiing pow away from all the other powder hounds in a place where it doesn’t stop snowing. Surely this is what dreams are made of? Determined to get the trip happening, emails were flung backwards and forwards making the arrangements. The last confirmation came through at 11pm the night before, instructing us that we were scheduled to leave Niseko Hirafu at 7.30am the next morning. In a late night flurry of organising snow shoes, skins, transceivers and all that back country necessities it was well after stroke of midnight before I saw my pillow. We were warned by Cam that it was going to be a big day. Cripes, I was nervous at the thought, after

The less than comfy cat ride.

20//SKIANDSNOW.CO.NZ

all I had my summer legs on! It had not stopped snowing since we arrived and the thought of wading through meters of fresh snow with my heavy camera bag, chasing two top skiers made me a little anxious.

Waking up before my alarm I peeked out through the curtains thinking maybe, just maybe it had stopped snowing and we would have some blue skies. My bleary eyes were met by thousands of fat flakes finding their way slowly to their friends below. A hearty breakfast at the very comfortable Red Ski Lodge and I felt ready for anything. An old Land Rover pulling a sled rocked up outside the door. I meet our guide Cam and the owner of the company Nick. Next stop, Seven11 for some well needed food for the day. Not too sure what Japanese snacks to stash in my camera bag for the day, I bypassed the dried small fish, unidentifiable food items and settled with a few rice balls and a pre-made chocolate sandwich. Only in Japan would you find pre-made nutella sandwiches with no crusts!! This should suffice…

Without a clue on where we were going nervous anticipation built in my stomach as I rode in the back of the Land Rover with Jase I had no idea what to expect.

Before long we pulled up at a small brown hut, only just visible through the large walls of snow surrounding it. I clambered out over all our gear, with a yawn and a stretch I opened my bleary eyes and spotted a small orange cat poking its face out of the snow that covered it. Nick was soon lovingly brushing the machine dry and I could see our transport in its true light. We strapped our skis to the side and filled the back with our bags. I rode up front with Cam as he told us it will be about 45 mins till we reach our destination. He apologised in advance for how noisy and smelly the ride would be. And he wasn’t joking…

Cam Mckay dropping pillows Japan style.