80CM of snow in the last 48 hours in Myoko with more to come. Definitely a redux of last season. My understanding is that northern Honshu resorts are on the eastern grid so they are subject to power cuts. Hakuba and others west are on the western grid - so are not subject to cuts. Could be wrong though.
MG - yes, that grid sounds about right. And for comparison sake, we had 55cm of settled snow here in the last 2 days. Sandy - regarding skiing, my personal take is conservative: I don't need any additional risk right now, so am not doing any skiing (in the backcountry). A serious injury now would be PITA if this over-hyped nuclear situation did actually get worse. I'll do two half-days of relaxed intermediate resort piste skiing with my wife over the weekend. But the backcountry can go on hold, along with off-piste tree skiing.
Sounds like a good thing for you to do..... I'd just like to get away from the city, and it's strange lack of normality.
and they are idiots. There was some comment on the concern in Tokyo because some people were wearing masks over their mouths, clearly not knowing that the Japanese do this when they have a cold.
That's exactly right Heinz, I noticed that one myself. They said something like "more and more people have been wearing face masks to ward off nuclear fallout....." For people who had probably only been in Japan for 3 days, it was an indictment of the total lack of knowledge when it comes to Japanese people. Recently, there's been a high rate of colds, and an increase in people trying to stop themselves infecting other others with their ailment.
I've completely given up on looking at any western media in the last few days. It's just been making me so angry. The misinformation, total misinterpretations and just outright lies for the sake of ratings and sales has sickened me. What's worse has been how many people have just lapped it up. Anyway the skiing today was great!
I really like how they do that, so considerate to others! Unfortunately we got a couple of exceptions to the rule on one of the Shinkansens, which we appropriately named 'the cough & splutter express' ! I didn't have a mask handy, so i had to improvise;
You are welcome to join us here. We have accommodation here if you need it (in our house, not a lodge). There is a spare apartment on the top floor, though no rational person would choose that over the couch in front of the fire. Where is your family? edit: my offer is probably a bit late for this weekend.
They are leaving for Australia on Monday. Thanks for the offer!!!! I had in mind the following weekend, but that would use all of my petrol....
You should just come up north Sandy. Not one aftershock since last Friday. No power issues, no fuel issues, no shortage of food due to hoarding issues, in fact no issues whatsoever. Life is as normal as it has ever been. And the snow is still pretty good. You'd love it! Niseko is almost deserted so for once you'd have the mountain almost to yourself. Be like Honshu resorts midweek in peak season!!
Yeah, but everyone knows that going up to Sapporo, I would be exposed to 4 times as much radiation flying in the atmosphere, as I would on the ground in Tokyo!!!! (when the radiation spiked in Tokyo) Actually, it's a good idea!!!!
AAC Niseko's club thinks they'll be great deals for winter 2011/12 and the Hong Kong-based property developer Pacific Century Premium Developments Ltd recently announced that it will invest more than 100 billion Yen to construct two hotels, a hot-spring facility and 3,000 condominium units in the vicinity of the Hanazono Ski Resort. A Japanese subsidiary will spearhead the project and plans to begin by constructing four condominium buildings and a roughly 200-room hotel that will open in 2014. Currency converted, this represents an investment of A$1.25 billion, probably one of the biggest alpine resort investments anywhere.
Whoah! There's a vote of confidence, especially under current circumstances. Obviously playing toward rich Chinese. I read recently that there are quite a few ryokan being bought up around the place by Chinese businessmen to cater to Chinese tour groups. I myself would like to dive in and buy some cheap seafront property now in Japan. After my missus had a coronary she'd probably then divorce me though.
My missus and some other members of the Japanese community here are organising a big fundraising event for Japan next Sunday. She was even meeting with the Chief Minister and the local press corps this morning. All money raised will be sent directly through the local Japan Consul-General. I was just wondering if any of those on the board who are involved in the industry were willing to donate something to auction off - lift tickets, hotel stay, ski hire, etc.? There may possibly be no takers, or someone may buy and not take up the offer. At the end of the day it will also provide a little bit of promotion for yourselves and the ski area. Please let me know by PM and I can send you the full details. Cheers, MG
Just made my first ever batch of Gyoza for dinner and while I may have missed a little bit on the filling (was just a little bit firm, not nice and juicy), damn it was delicious!
Homemade ones often are. Make sure you are adding some vegetable, for example: chinese cabbage, or nira (looks like big blades of grass). Also try to use more fatty pork.
Yeah, I realized all too late that I didn't have any cabbage to put in but figured I'd just have a crack any way. I was really surprised at how good they came out, although now I gotta be careful because eating 10-12 Gyoza as a main meal is delicious, but possibly not the healthiest
Well, round 2 tonight with cabbage - getting much better! A tweak here and some sake there - I reckon I might have me a winner!
My mate Mike has really been enjoying some of the late March goodness up this way! Dumping snow out there again as I post this.
No more pow here and unlikely to be any more inbounds this season but the spring conditions are brilliant with the last 2 days without a cloud in the sky and no wind. The 47 park is in excellent condition although I stay away from most of it.
Only a couple of lifts left open in Akakura. Seki Onsen still going with a 4 metre+ base - open until early May (Golden Week). Back country has been a bit hard and icey so with the sun now should soften up and provide some glorious days.
Backcountry (see my definition*) in Hakuba = incredibly fun right now. Perfect smooth fast corn, especially on more sunny aspects between 2700m and 1700m. I've had so many great days in the last 2 weeks I can't keep track of them. *no where near resorts, only places where backcountry skiers and boarders go.
You going to take another trip across damian? Would be an even better trip this year given current conditions.
No plans, but I know of a guy who I have been out with before who are heading to some terrain in between - so something may come of that.
Today was a beautiful day for another trip up into the hills. Went up Iwaonupuri (1154m). I drove up to Goshiki-onsen which is just below the peak at an altitude of around 750m. On the way up And up. Mt Annupuri (1308m) in the background. Getting close to the top At the top. You can see Kutchan, the town where I live, on the plain to the left of the rocks. Mt Yotei (1898m) in the background View to the west along the range. The Sea of Japan top right. Taking in the view Skied back down to Goshiki and had an onsen. Really nice way to spend a few hours.
Beautiful work mate. How's that backside of Annupuri ski like? Looks a tad flat, is that just the photo?
