Niseko Grand Hirafu Snow Forecast

By Johnny Bohorquez I peered out the window of the second-floor bar as the US Women’s Ski Team packed their gear in the parking area below.  Mikaela, Jackie, Breezy, and others from the team and coaching staff shared some final laughs and a last look at the hotel before piling into the vans to take them to Santiago.  The “storm of the decade” had just dumped eight feet of snow on Portillo the week before, and after a few days of good weather, another major storm cycle was moving into the Andes that would make training impossible for several days.  Meanwhile, free-skiers and powder hounds from around the world were arriving to the legendary Chilean resort to take advantage of