snow – Page 2 – Memoirs of Aleisha

Powder Power – Houdaigi ski resort

February 13, 2014October 8, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Another weekend snowboarding last weekend in Minakami (Gunma-ken) for a friend’s birthday weekend and the Snow Splash festival. Was an amazing weekend of powder – one of the best days on the slopes in a long time. Powda in the day and Louda in the night. But meanwhile, back in Tokyo, I missed out on one of the biggest snowstorms to hit Tokyo in the last 45 years. By the time I got back on Sunday night, there was still plenty of snow around Tokyo and my neighbourhood. Why couldn’t we have a snow day on a weekday so we don’t have to go to work.

Anyway, it didn’t make much of a difference to me, as we enjoyed a glorious weekend of powder snow. Went to Houdaigi ski resort which although small, has some really great runs. I thoroughly enjoyed the runs there and snowboarded for both days. Even got in an intermediate snowboarding lesson where we got to go off-piste a little bit and into the trees. Still gotta work on those narrow turns though. Was heaps of fun though. And if I was to ever learn how to ski, I would want to do it at this resort. They had some of the best beginner-friendly green runs I’ve ever seen.

The Minakami area is just as popular in the summer for activities like rafting, canyoning, hiking and bungee jumping. We passed through the Minakami Dam as well.

From Houdaigi, Minakami

Lotsa snow:

From Houdaigi, Minakami

One of the gourmet specialty’s of the area is the Dam Curry! (where the rice is served as the dam wall for the curry). This amused me greatly.

From Houdaigi, Minakami

Now here is the onslaught of photos that you know and love from a powder-filled weekend of snowboarding . Soooo much fun.

From Houdaigi, Minakami

This was a lot steeper than it looks here (It was the top of the black run):

From Houdaigi, Minakami

All strapped in:

From Houdaigi, Minakami

Knee deep in powder:

From Houdaigi, Minakami

All but deserted:

From Houdaigi, Minakami

Powder Powder:

From Houdaigi, Minakami

Expect more of the same next week. Headed off to Hakuba this weekend for another weekend of powder snow. Conditions are looking good. I also took some video footage of last weekend, but I don’t know how to video edit. Ooops! Might have to pos them uncut, and unedited.

Myoko Snow Weekend

February 2, 2014October 8, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Last weekend was another weekend spent snowboarding. Went to Myoko Suginohara resort for the first time.
The runs there are incredibly long and pretty wide. Great for beginners.

Saturday was a bluebird day, followed by a dump of snow which made for a powder day on the Sunday along with poorer visibility. Seems to be the way every time I go away for a snow weekend.

The scenery, landscape and views from the slopes are pretty EPIC.

A snowboarding weekend in pictures:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4Zq1tRrVTy5JJNnAxc5cks8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sfgAgIHEJfM/UuZ3HmcUgLI/AAAAAAACez4/pI7To2N1tKw/s640/IMG_6594.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/URQO5teLImpi5-nmnM5GI88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L5Brcbs4tpk/UuZ21xu3wqI/AAAAAAACewc/OMwyq1m26k4/s640/DSCF0158.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oHLO8BQLl7A1ZLZSqZdf4s8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FdIpVJoJ4ZI/UuZ238LMHzI/AAAAAAACew4/h4WW6B-Y0J4/s640/DSCF0161.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bDh4A2N7Bm47qhst5MPOhM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xVnJyYHV0gk/UuZ3IAK1pjI/AAAAAAACe0A/lIBnbvPKQrw/s640/IMG_6597.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EPMgiX3HuogoUFcYw2Nr4c8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X8zZ33oSCBU/UuZ3JZD5khI/AAAAAAACe0U/5JskX-qwer4/s640/IMG_6599.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7sO4zRu770O3xztlAiFy5c8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gcBn6OiPc5I/UuZ3LduIq8I/AAAAAAACe1A/THemHRhmM8A/s640/IMG_6605.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-LCFlzJXOAnsh2EbmbrozM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wejTDoWzxeA/UuZ3MB7KesI/AAAAAAACe1I/67QHOgBAkMU/s640/IMG_6606.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JxEgOfxA17ExL7DMkvMFpM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O-aU9Qtlvgw/UuZ25jjejOI/AAAAAAACexY/JPeSYC1jIC0/s640/DSCF0166.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tuitIATs2rH68DRKHQlMUM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P_S4IjAuNE0/UuZ26RBqI2I/AAAAAAACexw/skGtXhQPAIk/s640/DSCF0167.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xXhvqgfZd4o8TCgWlbT-5s8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YUdq9MfLtmU/UuZ24TJZVOI/AAAAAAACexE/Vfxyuz6DPYw/s640/DSCF0162.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yelNODL_lUcb7EfJ7-pMDs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fRX_YEkRGSo/UuZ3RcFWN8I/AAAAAAACe2g/tQva_l31BKU/s640/IMG_6618.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7GYvhL1jBYmidFAz7Fxg588ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UcwDOtsBQ84/UuZ3GWhiBJI/AAAAAAACezg/Vwx47K3AbQM/s640/DSCF0188.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Fr6Wu-mJGANrrnQZO4_uYs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-98w7deOA6GE/UuZ3fomCn4I/AAAAAAACe5I/kZmq5wLL6UA/s640/IMG_6639.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Amazing views:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TcY0ARMlZnVAju_zu32PBc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Kwkzge2r6mA/UuZ3AyO8vNI/AAAAAAACeyI/dfppHj6K23E/s640/DSCF0173.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nZE4xoG8QQzPJQVMj_gpks8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vLxKlf9FoBU/UuZ3HB-q9pI/AAAAAAACezs/MAEucn0ISkU/s640/DSCF0189.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/U61_PdlNa5ToIqp7uteaCc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RsLf1x6LTrE/UuZ3BfU0ZrI/AAAAAAACeyQ/vs72Sj78EEY/s640/DSCF0174.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2yDIEH0BKmyhyUoOTFBsxM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KMN99budsdo/UuZ3CN8Pf0I/AAAAAAACeyk/xbaiPR6mqow/s640/DSCF0177.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EGI_ZyLcS7BnfAabXiuOaM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e3ruZPk1Qn8/UuZ3C4QSZjI/AAAAAAACeyw/71qM98NS3c4/s640/DSCF0178.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-h_Ht5tNHgh1njpD7zYIZs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rWbPAfVqgtM/UuZ3EpjHOBI/AAAAAAACezE/rh7lSkeGQcQ/s640/DSCF0183.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Majestic Mountains:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vXYhnogN6yxRYVnVxvHd588ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4iFR_Qn7w8I/UuZ3Dce3zAI/AAAAAAACeys/t9le-Dby1pc/s640/DSCF0181.JPG” height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rN61Yz6TyayX8cbUtMlrFs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P_psqQDRNs4/UuZ3ErINWEI/AAAAAAACezA/nyZp7W26tW4/s640/DSCF0182.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7OXQYANEciOJTbjvpPRJnM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gHfRU29vceo/UuZ3F4rw81I/AAAAAAACezk/cto26NlrSmY/s640/DSCF0186.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JrqQ7Cqg3ci2mk4-93NzCc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gp5BOYPDtBU/UuZ3PFjVQmI/AAAAAAACe18/VHQWkWfkUTA/s400/IMG_6613.jpg” height=”300″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DRAosQqMaWtxsB33iUHamc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j2wJ4yw3xHQ/UuZ3WFhJuRI/AAAAAAACe3Q/Hgxu672eCvM/s640/IMG_6624.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Lunch on the slopes. Katsu curry + Beer = standard.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GZG1Owk8_TOptlkn8sgcg88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TpNXcQUfkWY/UuZ3WMHj0MI/AAAAAAACe3U/oEyJh0SI5d4/s640/IMG_6625.jpg” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g8qMOOjMoM44VrDYIoOHl88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TDPVgdo-bak/UuZ3YXgZtPI/AAAAAAACe38/eBN-K6hyn-A/s640/IMG_6630.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Suginohara summit: 1855m

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wNFR2I5v3ux-Uab2R2jtm88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R6YD25sgjUU/UuZ3ZIa9z_I/AAAAAAACe4I/LxO_QsqKmNo/s640/IMG_6631.jpg” height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Mount Fuji – thatta way:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lxda6kwFR-dFpikHRSnPj88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ow2LXcZySWI/UuZ3a5f-U4I/AAAAAAACe4k/1ZmGgeSeXT8/s640/IMG_6635.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v_i3XvqGy805rkpyef9Q9c8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HmmuxQuRMBM/UuZ3bcWZ9EI/AAAAAAACe4s/QbhMqrAsV0A/s640/IMG_6634.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JCU3U82tXKL02Due-kPq8c8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wiR8PqX6RYU/UuZ3Z76yvHI/AAAAAAACe4Q/rT8H40wP7os/s640/IMG_6633.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AMX44vRdz7YvQWroeuCCcc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sCm7jpI48TI/UuZ3cOpdukI/AAAAAAACe4w/VbPnwdO4T9s/s640/IMG_6637.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lIP3IE9buQgjwxe758iGSM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y5f650RTix4/UuZ3ddQRZZI/AAAAAAACe44/4JMiqqjJHhg/s640/IMG_6638.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MRLJEY35LriJfpXEQCnq388ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zfMxGOK4D8E/UuZ3gv0kwEI/AAAAAAACe58/bdOUz2QMItg/s640/IMG_6642.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pkZ51rRw0vg50Xt6LK5rbc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPOCkx9G4CM/UuZ3hJ6YhwI/AAAAAAACe6E/UgT2xo89AJE/s640/IMG_6644.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m-YDN4IfTY214HtkneLnAs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q6stJ73eI34/UuZ3hh9Ky5I/AAAAAAACe54/vkJ2YgncvGc/s640/IMG_6645.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Meanwhile, back in the accommodation – a slipper explosion in the genkan!

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MI7eFhP-SVJvdYPR7acx0s8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/–GXUu4U0-1M/UuZ3j8xaMZI/AAAAAAACe6g/bgjXyDtVblo/s640/IMG_6652.jpg” height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Compare the amazing views to this on the Sunday. Visibility reduced to zero. Hard to believe the photos above were taken from the same spot:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CSldk7oDMdOg1rHtnd9hZc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y-U3pHsw_3Y/UuZ3r2kx7pI/AAAAAAACe8c/Li0-Z7UUEdQ/s640/IMG_6668.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_IeRlBjzRFhrGtIiHHOor88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ioX6AbA7pHM/UuZ3sVWHjPI/AAAAAAACe8k/XpDJDffqQjk/s640/IMG_6670.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1DL0n1BmJMAm8uj3CTKGkc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rc7t7juy0_0/UuZ3tpMWqKI/AAAAAAACe9U/L_GXSSa0ob8/s640/IMG_6674.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>
And last Sunday was Australia Day.
Represent!

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NFWIgJP0-kuojEgtwQtVxM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RCcMpZsIzl8/UuZ3u6gUMKI/AAAAAAACe9c/IunZlYuUAGM/s640/IMG_6677.jpg” height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Swapped the Aussie BBQ for a bowl of ramen instead. Gotta admit, this ski resort was definitely one of the better places for food.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sCoEEvoDBR57fT2QRXlzj88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dPOurEnhUlE/UuZ3szHeTTI/AAAAAAACe88/XDGXEAeFSkk/s640/IMG_6671.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

When it’s snowing outside, my preference is to wear a beanie. But our bus driver had a better idea – a shower cap.
Sensible, practical and waterproof.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qUXhIKgk0jDcEnXez-z6yM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3fQHjagdme4/UuZ3wWkKhDI/AAAAAAACe9s/h95F2STBu9k/s640/IMG_6682.jpg” height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Return to Nozawa

January 23, 2014October 8, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

For the third year running, I went back to Nozawa for a weekend of snowboarding and onsen. It’s become a yearly winter tradition.

Nozawa is probably one of my favourite ski resorts. I really like all the runs there (I like ’em wide) and I love the village atmosphere and all the onsens. There’s even a craft beer place there and they stock my favourite craft beer (I only know of one place in Tokyo that has it). Snowboarding, followed by an onsen and a drop of craft beer – the perfect winter’s day out.

Saturday was perfect conditions out on the slopes. A bluebird day. Had probably one of the best days ever snowboarding.

From Nozawa 2014

Made it up to the peak:

From Nozawa 2014

An awesome day on the slopes. Full day of snowboarding and then a soak in the onsen.
Did a pub crawl in the evening and went to all four bars in the village.

I’ve died and gone to….

From Nozawa 2014

My favourite craft beer: Dead Guy Ale by Rogue Breweries:

From Nozawa 2014

Saturday night and all day Sunday it dumped snow. It made for a great powder day on the slopes on Sunday but visibility was negative. We got to the top of the mountain, and I had a little meltdown. I was basically blind and could not see a thing up there. Had a bit of a panic attack snowboarding blind. And it was extremely cold. I thought I was gonna get freezeburn.

From Nozawa 2014

Somehow made it down to the bottom in one piece, a little bit traumatised. Stuck to the lower runs instead. The powder was awesome. But visibility not so good.

From Nozawa 2014

Another weekend of snowboarding to look forward to this weekend. Will be checking out a new/different ski resort.

First snowboard of the season

December 17, 2013October 11, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Managed to get in the first snowboard of the season. And perfect conditions for it too.
Lots of fresh powder snow.
Went to Naeba and Kagura ski resort.
Highly recommend Kagura. Loved it out there. Lots of nice green runs. Probably one of my favourite resorts on Honshu.

Snowboarding with a view:

From Kagura snow

View of Lake Tashiro:

From Kagura snow

Lots of nice wide runs for beginners like me: Perfect. And a bluebird day too.

From Kagura snow

Look! It’s snowing!

From Kagura snow

The next day, it dumped powder snow all day. Visibility not as good as the previous day though.
Winter Wonderland:

From Kagura snow

Shiga Kogen: Snow and Beer

March 19, 2013October 8, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

So it’s been a while since my last post here.
I’ve been busy and sick. When I haven’t been busy, I’ve been sick. One of the things I hate about living in Tokyo is hayfever. The pollen levels in this city is ridiculous. Never got hayfever ever, until I started living in Tokyo. It totally whips my arse. I started some different hayfever medication which my body didn’t like and ended up with diarrhea and just general not feeling well, on top of the itchy eyes, sneezing, running nose etc, and feeling so damn tired.

I recovered in about week, which was perfect timing because I had snowboarding plans. Spent the weekend at Shiga Kogen. Unfortunately, the snow conditions weren’t so great, especially being so late in the season. I’m such a powder snob! I’ve been spoilt by living in Niseko.

There wasn’t a lot of snow, and what there was, was icy and hard. We did find some patches of slushier artificial snow though. I only did a half day of snowboarding. Still had hayfever in the snow!

Shiga Kogen is a massive ski resort made up of a few mountains that are spread apart. You need to take the free shuttle to get around.

A bus full of snowboarders:

From Shiga Kogen

Shiga Kogen is up high. You’re at quite an elevation. Scenic views too.

From Shiga Kogen

Where’s all the snow?

From Shiga Kogen

I like this photo I took of the chairlift silhouette:

From Shiga Kogen

Lake:

From Shiga Kogen

And the day was topped off by a craft beer fest.
Here’s the local drop:

From Shiga Kogen

Got another snowboarding weekend planned for this weekend too. Although I dubious about the snow. Off to Nozawa Onsen, so at least the onsens will be enjoyable.

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