Metabo Oyaji

Liability insurance is handy for stuff like this. (When one is the party at fault of course.) Pretty cheap peace of mind.

Originally Posted By: BagOfCrisps Brings back some memories. Any pics?

Thanks guys. Originally Posted By: muikabochi Isn't that looking over the big lake? On a clear day, there should be views to the south over Lake Inawashiro, but it never cleared far enough in that direction to see it. In a the last shot you can see east over the fields towards the ridges near Listel Ski Fantasia. Did get a subtle moment in late afternoon when we appeared to be floating in a bowl of gold, as some setting sun broke through the cloud gloom and reflected off the snowy rice fields. Couldn't capture the effect on camera, though. Quote: Hey Metabo did you

Ipponmatsu + cheese ippon. Inawashiro, Chuo side.

Paid a visit to Inawashiro ski area on Saturday. It had been on my list of places to visit for a while, so it was very nice to win a free ticket in the SJ giveaway. Thank you to SJ and the J Mountains group! Will post a proper review later, but for now some pictures. The forecast for Saturday said partially sunny with snow showers. What greeted us was: This was the Hayama #3 Family Lift, a romance pair lift on the Chuo side. I was happy to see safety bars on the lift, even though, according to previous discussion on this site, they are apparently not required for non-detach

For early April with 6-year-old in tow, one possibility might be Gran Deco in Fukushima. Snow conditions should be fine, with some good, long gentle runs for the little one. Nearby Nekoma should also still have very good snow that time of year, but is probably too difficult for the kid. Not very close to Kyoto, though. And not much else in the vicinity will be skiable then, if you seek variety.

Maybe it did jump. You can see from the picture that it wants to.

Typically 4-6 hours in a day trip. Would stay longer if I could. Bigger issue is the efficiency loss due to having to constantly adjust how many layers the kid is wearing, plus frequent warm-up breaks for the kid on colder days. But it is worth it.

Wow, spectacular. Thanks. Are the wide slopes with criss-crossing lines in bounds, or out? Not likely in the cards for this year, but looks like it should go on the to-do list for future seasons.

Thanks for the pics. I've seen it from the expressway, and looked into it on the net before, though I don't get down that way much. On their site they advertise the "Snow Mob", which seems to be staff members (or maybe volunteers who get free tickets in exchange?) on the slopes who can be tapped at any time for one-point advice. Seems like an intriguing idea, in lieu of full-fledged lessons (especially with a kid who doesn't want to "waste" a solid couple of hours out of the day on lessons.) Any experience with those folks?

Hmmmm, you're probably right. Oh well, there goes my faith in humanity.

Been said, but beautiful pictures. How long does it take to hike up -- and how long to ski down?

I'm sure it wasn't intentional. Had it been, they would have cleared the detritus in the road afterwards, yes? Unless perhaps it was some well-meaning, but misguided motorist. On the bright side (there must be one, right?), the bank behind is undisturbed, and more visible...

Originally Posted By: muikabochi Nice view of where I'll be next weekend. (Is the snow in the foreground a trail? Looks untouched.)

Originally Posted By: Jynxx Sorry guys, camera problem... no pics. That's all right, just go back and do it again.

Interesting idea! I might worry about the resort owners not appreciating it, though...

Nice to see more new places. Thanks for the pics. Gunma seems to have interestingly convoluted terrain in general.

Originally Posted By: Roger's head Not beer? Ever tasted it?

From Muika's pictures: I've been this guy before...: ...but this guy's just nuts: Go up from the side, man!

Originally Posted By: Mamabear Strawberry Fields was probably our favorite play spot today Looks really nice, all those widely-spaced trees.

My PMs don't seem to work. I've asked the site folks to look into it. If you go to the Grandee Hatoriko home page, it is the second place listed after clicking on 宿泊案内.

Amazing photo.

All good photos, but the last two are the best.

Thanks for the comments. Originally Posted By: thursday Looks nice n wide. How close is that to Tokyo? About 2.5-3 hours by shinkansen+shuttle or by car.

The cod layer is thin and a bit spongy, somewhat reminiscent of the skin on Camembert. The cheese is some kind of Danish cheese. (There is a cheddar version as well.) Yummy tsumami.