NECK

Thanks for the confirmation muikabochi. So do you know when exactly it closed? At least 5 years ago, right? Did you ever ride there when it was operating in all it's up-market glory?

Can anyone fill me in as to what exactly happened to Arai Ski Resort and spa? As far as I understand, it was built around 10 years ago by Sony, operated for a few seasons before going bankrupt. Now it is just another abandoned ski resort rotting away on the landscape..... Does this sound about right? Did anyone ride there when it was operating? Has anyone been there since it closed? Any information would be much appreciated. Neck.

Too many to count/remember Definitely less than 54 though

Damn! I used to ride Loveland Pass often when I lived in Summit County during the 02/03 and 04/05 seasons...... Including on full moon nights! Never this late in the season though.

And one for Akakan here: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/22870-akakura-kanko-myoko-april-5th-2013/

My report for Happo can be viewed here: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/22871-happo-hakuba-march-28th/

Akakura Kanko in Myoko for me this season, courtesy of Snow Japan and their very generous giveaways

Nothing new about the gondola. A squeeze for 6, but not a problem on the quieter days.

Well not every time, but to quote the director of McDonalds in France; "To eat at McDonalds once is one time too many"

Probably a good thing McDump is gone to be fair. When I held a pass at Happo before I would eat there pretty much every time I went!

Maybe 15 mins to get to the Nagano IC, 30 mins to The Myoko IC, then 10 mins to the Akakan parking. I'd say just shy of an hour door to door.

I am pretty close to the city centre, but closer to the Hakuba road. I can get to goryu in 45 minutes on a good day :-)

Happo, Hakuba.- March 28th. Thanks again Snow Japan for selecting me as a winner for one of your first great giveaways of the 12/13 season. I received a ticket to use at either Happo, Iwatake or Tsugaike at the start of the season, but didn’t get around to using it until late March. Here is my review for Happo. I decided to use the ticket at Happo, as I hadn’t been there for a few seasons. I was a Happo season pass holder for 2 seasons (three resort pass including Nozawa and Shiga) when I first moved to Nagano, and always loved Happo for it’s proximity to my house, ease to get to by ca

Akakura Kanko, Myoko. – April 5th, 2013. Thanks Snow Japan for sending me these 2 tickets for anywhere in Myoko in your last giveaway of the season! Also, congratulations on the new site. Layout is great and easy to navigate. So here is my review for Akakura Kanko in Myoko. I waited to use the tickets until April, so I could take my brother who was visiting from England. It was his first time visiting Japan and his first time snowboarding in almost 3 years. Living in southern Nagano city, I almost always ride in Hakuba and Otari. I have done a fair few days in Suginohara over the l

Looking good! I finally got around to using the passes you sent me for Hakuba and Myoko. Drafted up my reviews and got some photos. Where should I upload them?

Wasabi Kakipi and a Snickers bar . Gonna start putting some lenghs of duct tape around my shovel handle too. Thanks Method!

A frosty morning here in Nagano city, but the mercury is rising and sitting at around 4 degrees right now. Spring weather patterns from now it seems.

Been puking all day here in Nagano city.

So I just learned that there was a pretty large 1.5 slab avalanche on the Hiyodori slide path above Tsugaike on Monday, February 11th (yesterday). The slide crossed the higher cat track and went as far as the second one. Does anyone have any more info on this - was it skier triggered? Was anyone hurt or injured?

Looks like it could be worth a day mid-week

Grrrrrr

I use backcountry.com. Pay for it with my UK credit card, and have it shipped to my buddy in California. He sends it on to me.

After a good 6 years of use, my snowshoes have finally died I am looking to replace them ASAP as I use them often. I usually order my stuff from the States, but before I order looking to see if any SnowJapaners in Japan have a spare set they would be willing to sell. Looking for compact ones around 22 inches in length, as I carry them on my pack when I ride/tour. Heel lift bar for ascents would be nice, but not essential. MSR Evo Ascent, Evo Tour, Lightning Ascent or Lightning Axis would all be perfect. Does anyone have snowshoes to sell? Please let me know ASAP. Cheers!

I heard something very similar to this. Prince Hotels has been looking to 'drop' Myoko for some years now.

Never take my camera out when I ride, as I don't have any pockets in my speedos or wife-beater.....