SKI

Must cost them a fortune. Perhaps the publicity is worth it. Do they have the quad lift running for that run then (sure looks like it!)

I haven't seen shiga for a while, so good to see some pics. Quite a bit up there as well by the looks!

I just missed it, happened 10 minutes after I got off the train

Only ever cancalled once and that was because of a killer cold I had. It would be sweet to live much closer and have that luxury yes. Maybe one day.

Is that how the winners were supposed to find out? No post for me either today

I used to take the train a lot when I first came here but really got fed up of that. A car is worth having just for winter alone (though very convenient all year of course!)

What does Colymbosathon ecplecticos actually mean?

I sure try yamakashi!

Are you patrol at some resort in Japan? -- Found this, State of New Hampshire CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Patrols and maintains ski areas to ensure adherence to ski rules and regulations. Administers first aid to persons injured while using park facilities. Operates ski lifts and related equipment including snow vehicles. Participates in chairlift evacuation and mountain rescues of persons, sometimes in remote areas. Prepares initial injury reports concerning ski related accidents. Inspects ski lifts and reports suspected problems to

Let's hope we will be spoilt for choice this season!

Yes yes, Miss SKI also does that. I try not to watch and hope the wind isn't blowing in my direction.

So some of the others struggle on. These must be the smallest in Niigata that they have. I actually went to Mikuni a number of years back. The snow was great, pretty small place it was.

Here is that part of Gala. Not the best of pics sorry, but you get an idea

I have found that sachets of shampoo etc I have taken in the past don't get used so they just go to waste, not good of course.

If I want excellent snow I usually head off to Kagura/Tashiro. If I want steeps, Kandatsu. I quite like Maiko as well just to the north of Yuzawa. Moguls has to be Hakkai-san a bit further north still in Muikmamachi (even so just 40 mins or so from Yuzawa)

Yes nice photos soubriquet. You live up there I presume (never heard of Oishida)?

I presume you are claiming it was totally 100% this guys fault and he had absolutely no reason to be aggravated by your attitude at all?

OK got it more or less planned. 1 week in Hakuba 1 week in Yuzawa 5 days in Shiga Kogen 4 days in Nozawa 3 days at Arai About another 15 days spread over 6 or 7 weekends.

So you want to come and use public facilities etc but not pay tax like the rest of us. Kindly don't do it.

Mine too, lots of them seem to live by it.

40 seems like a good target to go for.

Some pretty steep declines there for some results compared to just a few years back

I don't actually. No hotel/stay costs (family), and people take me out a lot. Apart from clothes I buy most things I want in Japan as well, so I don't really end up spending huge amounts.

I don't pretend to know much about all this and the nuances in the language, but I have asked a few Japanese friends about it and answers ranged from "pride" to "it would open up a can of worms and cost a fortune in handouts". I'd be interested to know more about it all myself actually.

That was the strongest one I've felt I think, but I was in a fairly old building on the 6th floor at the time. Scary stuff.