The Hakuba Chronicles 09

[karen97]

Watch this space :D

[Jahoota]

have my beer ready in a few weeks please. :D

and, I'll be watching this space graemlins/cold.gif

[Totalyrottn]

Originally posted by karen97:
Watch this space :D I did but nothing happened graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif

[The Frog]

You should be there by now Karen. Where are the pics?

[Xena]

Picsorban!!!!

[karen97]

Geeze! Give a girl a bit of space tongue.gif

[Polaris]

Come on you would have had time to download some pics by now!!! :rolleyes:

[karen97]

On the way over had a nice view of the reef

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/005.jpg

Around Tokyo

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/021.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/029.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/037.jpg

[karen97]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/039.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/044.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/050.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/058.jpg

[karen97]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/061.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/067.jpg

[karen97]

Heading up to Hakuba tomorrow graemlins/woohoo.gif

[Swede]

:cool:

[Legolas]

noiice.

lovin your lunch...

[Silverwitch]

Great pictures!
What are the wooden cards in the second last picture?

[Xena]

I like that photo of the wooden cards! Very pro!

[Xena]

And the one after it too! Arty!

[Polaris]

jealous just from the food shot Kazza :mad:

enjoy please!!!!

[Polaris]

but the old mate with his cat on his lap has an easy out for dinner AFAIC graemlins/cold.gif graemlins/outtahere.gif

[Paul Oberin]

We took heaps of pics today, & will post some tomorrow night.

[chunky]

Cool!

[karen97]

right on! Had soe3m awesome karaoke tonight with a friend who went to school :D Gouing to Hak at lunch tomortrow morning . Some funny vodeo was taken tonoght of some singing abnde stuff. I doubt I will post tho graemlins/cold.gif

[Jahoota]

I cant work out if this is a vacuum cleaner or a portable tiolet.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/029.jpg

[Donza]

How was the Tokyo hotel karen?

[Legolas]

graemlins/big_laugh.gif spellin like a good night out kaz!!!

[The Frog]

They are a bit slack with the reports....nothing at all today.

[SDJ]

internet is frustratingly slow here where im staying. I found the whitehorse inn last night and there was noone familiar there from here :(

We had a traditional Dinner last night and met some local japanese folk who invited us around for dinner so i guess we will get an even more traditional meal tomorrow night. No new snow so far but as this is my first time here and our first day up the slopes today we all had a blast +1 had a major stack while with her friend and gave herself a slight concusion, nothing like that for me touch wood.

sorry no photos for me for a few weeks yet im taking heaps though. :D

if anyone is about Hakuba we will be heading to Happo tomorrow i got a black board with 2 snowatch stickers on the nose and ill be in a white puffer jacket on come say hi

[The Frog]

A heap of snowatchers are in hakuba/happo now so you may see some, or make a meeting place up at one of the lifts.

[Bear]

Well had the first day on snow. Had binding issues today early but all good now. Didn't go to White horse last night as we only got in very late.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2167/200/62/536927651/n536927651_2078474_9088.jpg

[karen97]

Originally posted by Donza:
How was the Tokyo hotel karen? Great! I would stay again :D

[karen97]

SDJ, I sent you a SMS today. We are skiing Happo tomorrow(Fri). I was supposed to go to Whitehorse on wed, but we got the wrong train and we were late getting in graemlins/cold.gif

[The Frog]

Originally posted by karen97:
I was supposed to go to Whitehorse on wed, but we got the wrong train and we were late getting in graemlins/cold.gif Tourists :rolleyes:

[The Frog]

Looks a bit snowy today....
http://www10.plala.or.jp/jin_plala/hkklivec-1.jpg

[The Frog]

Hakuba village now. Hope you people have your radar on today.
http://www.livecam-online.ne.jp/livecam/image.php?U=2&ID=1233878400

[Tobi]

Looking good!!!

[Bear]

40 cm baby. graemlins/woohoo.gif

[skichic]

is that a male 40cm bear??? graemlins/cold.gif

[karen97]

http://www.kerky.com/gallery2/d/93383-1/047+-+Copy.JPG

[karen97]

http://www.kerky.com/gallery2/d/93394-1/050+-+Copy.JPG

[karen97]

http://www.kerky.com/gallery2/d/93406-1/053+-+Copy.JPG

http://www.kerky.com/gallery2/d/93434-1/060+-+Copy.JPG

http://www.kerky.com/gallery2/d/93430-1/059+-+Copy.JPG

[karen97]

http://www.kerky.com/gallery2/d/93470-1/066+-+Copy.JPG

[skichic]

Originally posted by karen97:
http://www.kerky.com/gallery2/d/93406-1/053+-+Copy.JPG

now there's a sense of deja vu!

[ 06.02.2009, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: skichic ]

[The Frog]

Nice pics, keep em coming...it's going to be a hot weekend here.

[Boardingbuny]

Chicco and I were positive Bear was a snowboarder......

O well! Soon vetti soon smile.gif WOOOOO 4 days

[bdenny4]

Gotta love those self portrait lift shots
smile.gif

[Totalyrottn]

Thanks Kaz.... :D

[Bear]

Originally posted by Boardingbuny:
Chicco and I were positive Bear was a snowboarder......
I'm bi. smile.gif

And no SC it was not a male 40cm or a thredbo one either. a real genuine 40cm p top. tongue.gif

[ 06.02.2009, 11:58 PM: Message edited by: Bear ]

[Silverwitch]

Great Photos Kaz and love the look of all that snow! You are not missing anything here just HOT and more HOT!

[SDJ]

well i managed to score some genuine knee deep in some spots today and im 6 foot 3 so thats a decent amount of snow smile.gif looking forward to more. just had dinner with some locals a nice home cooked traditional japanese dinner. a lovely couple we met the other night in town. off to bed now to many asahis and sake :D oh yeah its snowing again tonight so :D to all who arent here ;)

[Bear]

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g162/BigButBear/008.jpg
Mid mountain. A nice little run.

And under the quad run.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g162/BigButBear/Liftlinerun.jpg

[Rednut]

come now bear you know that's not a run... no skiing under lifts in japow ;)

[Jahoota]

oooooooooooooow. save some for me gang. 8 days till hakuba. :D

[karen97]

Japanese soup on the hill today!! Had a half day then had an Onsen to refresh the tired leg muscles. Yesterday was awesome! I even hucked off a cat track only to go flying through the air and finish off with a double eject graemlins/big_laugh.gif
fingers crossed for more snow *sigh*

[gee_ocal]

omg, i hope a go to sleep tonight and wake up in 3 days so i can just get on the damn plane.

[Paul Oberin]

Started snowing again just now

[Bear]

graemlins/woohoo.gif fresh snow falling now. graemlins/wow.gif

[SnoWhite]

Originally posted by karen97:
Japanese soup on the hill today!! Had a half day then had an Onsen to refresh the tired leg muscles. Yesterday was awesome! I even hucked off a cat track only to go flying through the air and finish off with a double eject graemlins/big_laugh.gif
fingers crossed for more snow *sigh* It's officially called the Kaz superman double eject full body plant.

Toooooo funny!!!!!! I crack myself up just thinking about it. graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif

[SnoWhite]

Originally posted by The Frog:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by karen97:
I was supposed to go to Whitehorse on wed, but we got the wrong train and we were late getting in graemlins/cold.gif Tourists :rolleyes: </font>[/QUOTE]I like to think of it as sight seeing. ;) redface.gif

[Boardingbuny]

Originally posted by gee_ocal:
omg, i hope a go to sleep tonight and wake up in 3 days so i can just get on the damn plane. Ditto

[Swede]

Luv ur work guys!! Kep'em coming!!
graemlins/skier.gif graemlins/woohoo.gif graemlins/skier.gif graemlins/woohoo.gif graemlins/skier.gif

[skichic]

Originally posted by SnoWhite:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by karen97:
Japanese soup on the hill today!! Had a half day then had an Onsen to refresh the tired leg muscles. Yesterday was awesome! I even hucked off a cat track only to go flying through the air and finish off with a double eject graemlins/big_laugh.gif
fingers crossed for more snow *sigh* It's officially called the Kaz superman double eject full body plant.

Toooooo funny!!!!!! I crack myself up just thinking about it. graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif </font>[/QUOTE]I hope there's pics or a video as proof SW ;)

[Bear]

I think there is only the aftermath. (I wasn't there but SW really can't tell the story without cracking up)

[Dr D]

Pics

[skichic]

Originally posted by Bear:
I think there is only the aftermath. (I wasn't there but SW really can't tell the story without cracking up) Then I look forward to seeing her crack up!

[The Frog]

Not much if any snow on the way if you go by the snow-forecast.com update:

Days 0-3 Happo One Weather Summary: Mostly dry. Temperatures will be below freezing (max 0°C on Mon morning, min -9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Happo One Weather Summary:
Heavy rain (total 20.0mm), heaviest during Fri night . Freeze-thaw conditions (max 7°C on Fri morning, min -4°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Wed morning, gales from the SSW by Fri night).

[Jahoota]

I just saw that myself. just the ticket for my arrival next saturday night :rolleyes: if I wanted snow conditions like that I'd ski in oz! :rolleyes:

[karen97]

If the weather stays like that I am going to bail and head north, I hope it comes good :fingerscrossed:

[SnoWhite]

About 10cms overnight. Some lifts on windhold this morning. I took the day off from skiing and have been informed I didn't miss much. had a nice long walk, did coffee and got some awesome strawberries from the supermarket. Woolies could learn a thing or two about being fresh food people over here. The town looks really pretty all covered in snow. Pics to come at a later stage. Currently poaching a bit of time on Kaz's laptop. smile.gif

[Bear]

They opened up the top after lunch. Was windblown snow everywhere. Not fun on skis, wished I was on the snowboard for about 30 min.

[SA]

S.uck it up big guy!

It certainly was 40cm the other day... :D :D :D

http://www.kerky.com/gallery2/d/93274-2/RIMG0016a.jpg

[Bear]

When they finally opened up the top of the mountain after being on wind hold it was carnage. graemlins/big_laugh.gif

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g162/BigButBear/th_005.jpg (http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g162/BigButBear/?action=view&current=005.flv)

[SA]

They were all hitting the wrong lines! Skiers' left of the double through the trees would've been niiiiiiiiiiice.

[SDJ]

apparently they dont like the powder as much as we do... i managed to find heaps every run yesterday. though they do like to stop in the middle of runs in large groups just to make things interesting on the narrow runs :D

[Jahoota]

Originally posted by SDJ:
apparently they dont like the powder as much as we do... i managed to find heaps every run yesterday. though they do like to stop in the middle of runs in large groups just to make things interesting on the narrow runs :D must take their tips from snowboarders tongue.gif graemlins/outtahere.gif

[Tobi]

Originally posted by The Frog:
Looks a bit snowy today....
http://www10.plala.or.jp/jin_plala/hkklivec-1.jpg Looks nice today.

[NissTrust]

Well i was there, i slid and now i am back from Hakuba!! Wow it was awesome fun, i had only 1 knee deep powder day, the rest of the time was spent exploring most of the resorts throughout Hakuba.

I got to spend time at Happo-One, Iwatake, Hakuba 47, Goryu and Sun Alpina- all three mountains here.

All in all a very worthwhile journey. Hope the rest of you mob are having fun! I have already booked my 2 week Falls Creek season and am planning Europe 2010! So something to look forward too, rather than spew that i am no longer there in Japan, although 3 weeks was plenty time smile.gif

[karen97]

Had a sweet day at Hak 47 :D The groomers were nice! Pics to follow

[karen97]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/015.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/043.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/046.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/028.jpg

[karen97]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/055.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/105.jpg

[ 09.02.2009, 11:18 PM: Message edited by: karen97 ]

[karen97]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/118.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/127.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/132.jpg

[ 09.02.2009, 11:19 PM: Message edited by: karen97 ]

[karen97]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/IMAG0040.jpg

[karen97]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/143.jpg

[karen97]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/135.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/110.jpg

[The Frog]

Nics pics.

[Xena]

Yeah, Nics pics are nice!

[Jahoota]

oooooooooow. niiiiiiice.

[Paul Oberin]

Bear and myself are of to Tsugaike today, last year he was on a snowboard and didn't like the place, today he will be on skis, and that should change

[Tobi]

I loved Tsugaike on a board, that said it was a powder day.

[Bear]

It was ok on skis a bit small and only one run that was in any way challenging. Off to SunAlpina tomorrow for a look (oh and maybe a ski as well).

[karen97]

Sun Alpina tomorrow graemlins/woohoo.gif

[Paul Oberin]

That animal we keep seeing beside the lifts is this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Serow_Wakinosowa_Japan.JPG


called a Serow.

[Xena]

Pic not working.

[karen97]

It will when Kerky comes back online

[karen97]

Some pics of Matsumoto Castle today

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/065-1.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/070.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/076.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/086.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/IMG_1180.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/IMG_1219.jpg

[The Frog]

hardly a castle, where are the knights?

[Jahoota]

ooooooooow. I see freshies next week....

http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Happo-One/6day/top

karen, paul.... your leaving too early! Those freshies will be just left for Bear (with help from yours truley & his mates) to enjoy. :D

[Bear]

Freshies tomorrow Hoota. Currently snowing it's ring off. graemlins/woohoo.gif graemlins/ismellsnow.gif graemlins/snows_coming_emoticon.gif

[Paul Oberin]

OK, time for me to post some pics.


A large snow object beside the road
http://www.paulski.com.au/pics/bear.jpg

They wear their pants low over here.
http://www.paulski.com.au/pics/lowpants.jpg

For little kids a choice of skis or a board.
http://www.paulski.com.au/pics/smallkit.jpg

Me driving Thomas the tank, not a lot of leg room between the seat and dashboard.
http://www.paulski.com.au/pics/thomas.jpg

An Igloo we found at Sun Alpina today, full size so we all went in
http://www.paulski.com.au/pics/igloo.jpg

I thought this was very well done, especially the skier.
http://www.paulski.com.au/pics/snowshapes.jpg

[ 11.02.2009, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: Paul Oberin ]

[Bear]

Puking at the moment. graemlins/woohoo.gif

[Xena]

More pics please.

[sir_rhyso]

Originally posted by Bear:
Puking at the moment. graemlins/woohoo.gif graemlins/woohoo.gif best news I've heard all week!
Hopefully see some of you guys there- (feb13-28)

[gee_ocal]

ok so i'm here at alupu, happo and my gear is not. what to do what to do..........

[SA]

Lost by airline?
In transit by Takkyubin?

[Paul Oberin]

I think they just arrived, well Black cat just delivered a heap of bags.

[ 12.02.2009, 08:10 PM: Message edited by: Paul Oberin ]

[Paul Oberin]

We met up with Kevin Mollard today from JHN travel, Kevin runs a great operation over here, and has been most helpful, hopefully he will signup for the forums, as I told him how most of us would like more information about Hakuba.

[popshuvit]

Ahhhh the black cat Paul...
Good old Yamoto... they delivered my snow gear from Kansai, and I sent it back to Kansai when I finished.
Very very reliable & recommended when you go to Japan.

[karen97]

Just a few of the snow last night smile.gif
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/015-1.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/013.jpg

[Bear]

Sun alpina yesterday

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2167/200/62/536927651/n536927651_2116727_8409.jpg

Igloo at Sun Alpina.

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2167/200/62/536927651/n536927651_2116728_9453.jpg

Yep

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2167/200/62/536927651/n536927651_2116729_619.jpg

And double yep.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2167/200/62/536927651/n536927651_2116805_2778.jpg

The View.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2167/200/62/536927651/n536927651_2116807_5140.jpg

The runs.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2167/200/62/536927651/n536927651_2116881_2692.jpg

[Jahoota]

worthy of a trip by the looks of it.

[Donza]

Originally posted by Bear:

Yep

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2167/200/62/536927651/n536927651_2116729_619.jpg

And double yep.


The runs.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2167/200/62/536927651/n536927651_2116881_2692.jpg [/QB]Thats the run that took my mojo.
ragdolled...head first

[gee_ocal]

yayayayay, it got here exactly 24 hours after i left it...awesome service! i heart black cat, had a nice half day today, my legs hate me. getting a bit slushy down bottom, nice and soft up top! beautiful view.

[SA]

Originally posted by gee_ocal:
i heart black cat Do people actually say that??! graemlins/big_laugh.gif

[SnoWhite]

Originally posted by gee_ocal:
.....had a nice half day today, my legs hate me. Tell me about it.....I thought my legs would be better now I'm not skiing, but I've been on my feet for hours wandering around Tokyo and they're not happy Jan! :(

[popshuvit]

Tokyo definately makes my mind wander aswell SW.
So where did you go?

[Bear]

Stupid wet stuff go away. Really heavy now. Bye Bye snow. :(

[SnoWhite]

Pops, went to the Imperial Palace and was lucky to catch the changing of the guard, which was good as there's bugger all else to see there. Wandered around Ginza, then towards Tokyo Station, then caught the train back to Ueno and headed into the surrounding streets and market place. Went to a sushi train for lunch. Did a couple of art galleries this afternoon and had a really crap cup of coffee before heading back here to the hotel. Am thinking of heading to electric town shortly 'cause I want to see all the pretty lights, but my legs might not get me there LOL. I'm going to get up early and go to the fish markets in the morning and maybe check out the big cemetary up the other end of Ueno Park before checking out by noon and catching a shink to Kyoto. I love travelling. :D :D :D

[popshuvit]

Geez :eek: SN.. you fitted alot in.. My feet hurt from reading that.
Was one of the galleries the modern art museum?

[ 13.02.2009, 08:36 PM: Message edited by: popshuvit ]

[popshuvit]

Akihabara... more neon lights than you can poke a stick at.
Why don't you treat yourself & go to a maid cafe for dinner? ;)

[SnoWhite]

No I didn't do the modern art museum. Probably would have enjoyed it a bit more than the Nature and Science one. Didn't stay there long. Rather enjoyed the National Museum of Western Art. Would like to have seen the current exhibition they have running of masterpieces from the Louvre, but there was a bit of a queue and my legs were over it.

[SA]

Originally posted by SnoWhite:
...before checking out by noon and catching a shink to Kyoto. I love travelling. :D :D :D Tip: Sendai isn't on the way tongue.gif

[gee_ocal]

Do people actually say that??!
No they don't but i just did. watched the movie ;) .
correction: i Love black cat.

[Tobi]

Oi gab, you guys riding today?
My bag isnt here yet and I doubt Ill ride even if it was, wanna do something?

[popshuvit]

Hey SW.. if you are looking for somewhere to have a beer in Kyoto, try the Pig & Whistle.
Its on the other side of the river from Downtown Kyoto near a 3 (or was it 4?) level book, CD & DVD store.

[gee_ocal]

we are at alupu right now, we gotta find you somehow. not going up today. we meeting up tonight for dinner if not sooner?. i'll send you smoke signals.

[karen97]

Originally posted by SA:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by SnoWhite:
...before checking out by noon and catching a shink to Kyoto. I love travelling. :D :D :D Tip: Sendai isn't on the way tongue.gif </font>[/QUOTE]Hey! I was there today :D

[SnoWhite]

Hey SA! No problems getting from Tokyo to Kyoto. tongue.gif

Though I did check and double check I was on the right train LOL.

Poor footsies and legsies are sore again. Went to the Tsukiji market in Tokyo this morning. It's the big fish market. Whilst I wasn't there early enough to see all the sales in full swing, it was just fantastic!!!!! If any of you have time when you head back through Tokyo I highly recommend it. There's also a general market place and lots of little food outlets. Probably won't get sushi much fresher than there.

After that I went for a bit of a wander around Shinjuku before heading back to Ueno to check out of my hotel and caught the shink from Tokyo to Kyoto. Just spent a couple of hours cruising the little back streets around my hotel and had a bite to eat. I'm now ready to collapse and crawl into bed and have a well deserved beer, which would be Kirin flavour tonight. :D

[The Frog]

The snow should start falling in Hakuba tonight people (6cm) and they expect about 20cm tomorrow. Temps will drop dramatically too.

Monday -6C to -12C
Tuesday -8C to -18C
Wednesday -7C to -18C

http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Happo-One/6day/mid

[karen97]

Hope so Frog! It's crappy out there today :( I am glad I only got a half day ticket!!!!

[ 15.02.2009, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: karen97 ]

[karen97]

The snow was crap so I took myself on a little adventure and I found all sorts of wonderful things :D

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/027.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/012.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/096.jpg

[ 15.02.2009, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: karen97 ]

[karen97]

After a downpour of rain the snow felt like late spring in Oz :(


http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/221.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/233.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/236.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/238.jpg

[ 15.02.2009, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: karen97 ]

[skichic]

ewww :(

[karen97]

Strange Japanese toy graemlins/cold.gif

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/th_215.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/?action=view&current=215.flv)

[Tobi]

I left the lodge, walked half way to Happo and saw some guy coming back the other way...

Me - Is it worth it?
Guy - Nope.

Turned around and had one of the staff from the lodge drop me at the station. Went to Yanaba, which is a 'park' mountain. 1000 Yen for 4 lifts (admittingly I only found 2). Rode some boxes and some rails and went off some jumps. It was fun for the afternoon.

[The Frog]

Is it snowing yet?

[SnoWhite]

Those pics look dreadful Kaz!!!

You should have come travelling with me. Kyoto is awesome!

Stunning sunny day here. Went walkabouts again today. Started off at the Kenniji temple, which is so beautiful. I want a Japanese garden now. And to think it's the middle of winter and nowhere near at it's best. Then I wandered into the Gion area, which is the old are of the town. Then took myself off to the nearby Maruyama Park and saw two geisha!!! Got a couple of pics, which will follow when I get home. Also managed a spot of shopping. :D

[The Frog]

Not snowing yet...
http://www.avis.ne.jp/~chouken/oomachi/rp004b.jpg

[karen97]

Correct Frog :(

[Xena]

Originally posted by karen97:
Strange Japanese toy graemlins/cold.gif

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/th_215.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/?action=view&current=215.flv) A little disturbing really.

[bdenny4]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by karen97:
[QB] After a downpour of rain the snow felt like late spring in Oz :(


http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/karen-97/236.jpg

Not a good advert for someone thinking of planning atrip next year

[SA]

Don't go, it's always like that.

;)

[Tobi]

Originally posted by The Frog:
Is it snowing yet? Should have been up　top but until I get up there I cant tell you. Its been trying to down here but it just isnt happening.

[The Frog]

Cam shows it is snowing up top now.

[Tobi]

Went to Goryu/47 today.

Took Melly up the Gondola after only having a 3 hour lesson yesterday. It took us 2 hours to get from the Goryu gondola to the top of the 47 one, along the green run/cat track. Melly got bored at the last bit and decided that the trees off the cat track looked like more fun and got picked up by ski patrol (read she lost control and ended up 4 metres down in the tress) I was waiting about 50 metres further down the cat track for 40 minutes before giving up and finding her at the 47 gondola eating area.

Was about 15cms up top, dust on hard crust on the bottom half of the mountain.

[Paul Oberin]

So the Ski patrol took her ticket I am guessing for being out of bounds at Hak47.

[Paul Oberin]

Hakuba is normally good, and I will be going back again, this year is just one of the worst years thay have had to date, we managed to get good quality grromed runs when we couldn't find powder.

[SnoWhite]

Bloody freezing here in Kyoto today! Despite the so-so snow conditions, I'm keen to come back. The non-skiing part of my holiday has been great so far. If anyone's thinking of making the trip, I do recommend you tack on a few more days to play tourist.

[bdenny4]

Originally posted by SA:
Don't go, it's always like that.

;) Think I'm still gonna go :D

[Charles]

Wow.. This is making my away move away from Niseko idea next year not a good idea.

Oh well, Hirafu / Rusutsu 2010.. here we go again.

[24]

thats right charles, its way better up north with all the other australians, all those other boofhead snowboarders must be right.

its terrible in nozawa, horrible ugly town, terrible scenery in the area, the trains around and in tokyo are slow and unreliable. don't go to any resort in honshu.

[SA]

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u88/digitalghostavatars/party-smiley-014.gif?t=1194024467

[24]

;)

[The Frog]

Everyone seems to think that all of Japan is like Hokkaido. Quite often you will get a bad year in Hakuba. When I went there in 2000 there was only about a 150cm base although with the cold temps the snow was pretty good quality. To get the really good poweder you need to head north.

[SA]

Keep sayin' it Frog!

[SDJ]

well i had a great time in Hakuba and will head back for sure though would like to try further north also. Hey SW if your still in Kyoto hire a bike from the joint just near the station and take a ride around town its only 1000yen for the bik for the day and its pretty easy to ride to all the temples. we did it and had a good day even though it rained for most of it. and it gives ur feet a bit of a break. Also there is an onsen just out of town. cant remeber the name of it off the top of my head but if you ask at the station info place they put u in the right direction. definately worth it as its up in the hills just out of town with great views. Oh and u gotta try Japan in a bottle ;) you can find it in the supermarket for around 800yen its a whiskey type drink thatll warm u up nicely ;)

and to those still in Hakuba try the Hakuba Nishki Sake quiet a nice drop

[Tobi]

Originally posted by Paul Oberin:
So the Ski patrol took her ticket I am guessing for being out of bounds at Hak47. Nope. Took her board and helped her down the rest of the area on her ****.

Nothing like being a punter. ;)

[Tobi]

No friends on a powder day.

It was awesome.

My legs hurt.

[SnoWhite]

Thanks SDS. I'm useless on a bicycle, but I have been tempted with the nice easy peasy looking things they use here. Got a bus pass today - 600 yen for the day, which was WAY better than walking given the fact it was SNOWING most of the day!!! BLOODY FREEZING I tell you. Thank god I left one of my thermal tops in my pack. Ski jackets, leggings, etc. got shoved into my ski or boot bag and sent on to Osaka airport. Also glad I forgot to pack my scarf and hat. graemlins/snow.gif graemlins/snow.gif graemlins/snow.gif

Glad you had a powder day Tobi, but I wish you'd kept the snow to yourself. Sight seeing s ux when it's this cold. graemlins/brr.gif

[karen97]

I had a great morning :D Had some powder and I even ducked my first rope smile.gif Sitting in the Qantas Club lounge waiting to come home :( Bear should be getting the goods this week, it was snowing all day!! I was so sad to leave when the snow gods are finally providing, but I had some amazing time with the crew anyway graemlins/woohoo.gif

A big cheers to Paul O and crew for taking the time to help improve my technique. even though tit was a lousy season for Hakuba, there were still fun times to be had!

[SDJ]

SW was it snowing in Kyoto???
if u havent done it yet and want escape the hustle and bustle check out the massive timber temple just a few blocks from the station. its known as one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. It currently has a massive tin shed covering the main building as there reconstructing it. Not sure of its name. If u havent gathered by now im shocking remebering names :D

[Xena]

Hard to tell who is serious and who is joking in here re skiing south of Niseko. Is the general consensus to just go to Hokkaido if you want gauranteed powder and snow?

[Donza]

Originally posted by Xena.:
Hard to tell who is serious and who is joking in here re skiing south of Niseko. Is the general consensus to just go to Hokkaido if you want gauranteed powder and snow? Xena the best snow i've seen was at the top of Nozawa Onsen in Nagano.
Myoko in Niigata had the most snow last season.

Honshu has just been a bit lowtide this season.

[skichic]

Last year Hakuba was great in January. This year they seem to have had less snow. The year before from what I recall from other's pics, they had an average year too. However, Furano at the same time had great snow.

Thinking that further north would have better guaranteed snow.

[Paul Oberin]

I had a friend at Nozawa Onsen at the same time I was at Hakuba, and his emails to me said the snow was similar to what we had at Hakuba at the time.

To me I am too busy working during our winter to get much time on snow, so Japan is where I get to ski, even in such a bad year as this one at Hakuba, it was still better snow, longer runs, cheaper lift tickets than a very good year in Australia, so I can't complain, it was just not as good as Hakuba can be.

But just so Hakuba doesn't get overcrowded with Aussies, I suggest you all head further north to better snow. ;) and leave us Hakuba to ourselves.

[The Frog]

Originally posted by skichic:
Last year Hakuba was great in January. This year they seem to have had less snow. The year before from what I recall from other's pics, they had an average year too. However, Furano at the same time had great snow.

Thinking that further north would have better guaranteed snow. Further north also has less sunny days.

[Bear]

Go north it is horrible here. Nothing to see here. tongue.gif

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g162/BigButBear/Matsomoto09071.jpg

[Swede]

graemlins/woohoo.gif graemlins/skier.gif graemlins/woohoo.gif graemlins/skier.gif

[The Frog]

From Snow Japan: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/hakuba-now.php

Last Updated: Thursday 19th February 2009, 9:48AM
New snowfall 35 cm at 1500 asl, 20 cm in the valley

[karen97]

:(

[The Frog]

visibility wasn't very good though karen.

[Tobi]

Vis was fine.

Me and a friend convinced the staff at the childs play area at cortina that we were both 10 year olds and we got to ride the kids skidoos.

:D

[karen97]

Originally posted by The Frog:
visibility wasn't very good though karen. Still :(

[SnoWhite]

Hmmmmm......s'pose it's too late to head back through the immigration gate and dash back to Hakuba. Out of money anyway, so it's time to head home. Jetstar have been fine so far. Fingers crossed for a smooth trip home from Osaka.

[karen97]

Have a nice flight SW :D You in Syd for long or heading straight home?

[Bear]

Vis was great all day but the knee deep powder was horrible. tongue.gif

[Swede]

Originally posted by Bear:
Vis was great all day but the knee deep powder was horrible. tongue.gif Pics or it didn't happen Bear ;)

[The Frog]

Looks waaay too snowy today...

http://www.avis.ne.jp/~chouken/oomachi/rp002b.jpg
http://www.avis.ne.jp/~chouken/oomachi/rp003b.jpg
http://www.avis.ne.jp/~chouken/oomachi/rp004b.jpg

[The Frog]

hakuba Goryu
http://www.hakuba-street.com/live-camera/goryu01.jpg

[Paul Oberin]

I know that exact spot, as we got busted by ski patrol for skiing out of bounds just near there.

Was worth it and after seeing that pic would do it again.
We did the hill you can see to the right, came through the trees top to bottom to find ski patrol waiting for us at the bottom.

[ 20.02.2009, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Paul Oberin ]

[bdenny4]

WOW that cam looks AWESOME - wish I was there

[karen97]

Originally posted by bdenny4:
WOW that cam looks AWESOME - wish I was there Me too :( Sigh

[Tobi]

Yep and its STILL snowing lightly at the moment and its going to start getting heavy again this afternoon.

tongue.gif

[The Frog]

Hakuba 47
http://www.livecam-online.ne.jp/livecam/image.php?U=5&ID=1235080800

[The Frog]

http://www.livecam-online.ne.jp/livecam/image.php?U=3&ID=1235084400

[The Frog]

Hakuba Village
http://www.livecam-online.ne.jp/livecam/image.php?U=2&ID=1235080800

[The Frog]

Here is todays report from Snow Japan: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/hakuba-now.php

Friday 20th February 2009, 12:26PM
Weather conditions: Light rain / snow at elevation
New snowfall: 30-50 cm at 1500 asl, 30 cm in the valley
Snow depth: Goryu:
225 cm at 1800 masl
115 cm at the base

[Paul Oberin]

The thing I can't understand about the Hakuba reports, is when they say they have had 2-3cms of fresh snow, I usually can't see my ski boots when out in that 2-3cms.
So imagine what 50cms of fresh is like.

[The Frog]

The opposite of here.

[Bear]

Originally posted by Swede:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bear:
Vis was great all day but the knee deep powder was horrible. tongue.gif Pics or it didn't happen Bear ;) </font>[/QUOTE]42 degree run
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g162/BigButBear/Hakuba09006.jpg

Tracks in the snow
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g162/BigButBear/Hakuba09007.jpg

[Bear]

More snow just hitting town. :(

[The Frog]

Apparently it's supposed to get heavy tonight so more freshies tomorrow for you. I take it that tomorrow is your last day skiing?

[The Frog]

http://www.livecam-online.ne.jp/livecam/image.php?U=2&ID=up

[The Frog]

http://www.hakuba-street.com/live-camera/goryu01.jpg

[karen97]

He will be on his way to Tokyo in the morning

[skichic]

overnight flight Bear?

Ski the morning, you'll make your flight easy!

[karen97]

He said that his legs have "no spring" left in them. And I think he wants to see stuff in Tokyo

[SA]

He's soft. Could easily ski a half day.

[karen97]

I know! I did!!

[24]

have you guys seen the numbers from overnight? nozawa has a 30cm increase in depth in the village just from last night, starting to hit good numbers again!

wish we had been there for this, with the precip that started as rain, there will be well over half a metre of fresh up the hill...

[The Frog]

Looks much deeper than yesterday...
http://www10.plala.or.jp/jin_plala/hkklivec-1.jpg

[Paul Oberin]

It looks like a repeat of 2 weeks ago, great fresh snow up top, but all upper mountain lifts on wind hold.

[ 21.02.2009, 11:23 AM: Message edited by: Paul Oberin ]

[SDJ]

looks terrible really i mean who could handle trudging through powder that deep it must be so hard going. im glad i only had knee deep while i was there :D

[SA]

It would be very good up there today :D

[Tobi]

Today was AWESOME!!!!

:D

everything just fell　into place perfectly.

[SA]

pics, dammit, pics!

[Tobi]

When I get home!!!

tongue.gif

[SA]

bah humbug.

[The Frog]

BIt snowy there today...
http://www.avis.ne.jp/~chouken/oomachi/rp004b.jpg

[Bear]

Lalalalalala I'm not listening :walksoffwithfingersinears:

[Tobi]

Yep, about to head out.

[The Frog]

Looks like the snow is getting heavier....those trees in the background are covered and that road is not that high.

[The Frog]

Been good snowfalls since Thursday:

Thurs: 35cm
Fri: 30-50cm
Sat: 30cm
Sun: 30cm
Mon: ???

[Donza]

The report(on snowjapan) and the photos you are posting seem to contradict.
New snowfall: 0 cm at 1500 asl, 0 cm in the valley

[Jahoota]

trouble with last friday is that it ****ed down and turned the snow to glue. It was 'orrible.

[Tobi]

The snow last night and today was from the south not the north so it was slush fest 09 out there, although I was still getting knee deep fresh at 2pm.

;)

[Tobi]

Today was fun.

:D

[Tobi]

It's raining.

:(

[The Frog]

better come home then.

[Tobi]

Tomorrow.

:(

[gee_ocal]

first day back in oz from hakuba and i got burnt to a crisp, ate crappy japanese made by not japanese, and cant find edamame anywhere.... take me back.... sad i missed some good pow puff days, but had an awesome time, met some cool snowwatchers and will do it again next year.

[Tobi]

At Qantas Club at the airport at the moment. :(

Such a funny trip.