SKI

I'm surprised they didn't stop that party, the organisers. Very ill advised move. A quick ask around my Japanese colleagues here and pretty much all of them think not good.

June. The start of rainy season. The furthest away from fresh powder.

I read a comment in another thread with interest where someone guessed at peoples spend on alcohol in a month... So how much do you reckon you spend then? Mine would probably not be more than 5000 yen (I don't do clubs).

Well there was no snowboarding around when I started. Skiing still looks like more fun to me. Each to his own though.

A friend showed me this site. Don't check it out if lots of swearing offends. http://www.monkeon.co.uk/swearadventure/

"Brainwashing" by Kathleen Turner, fantastic book - if you're interested in psychology at all check it out. No academic pretension here, very accessible.

My parents were fine - mum was a bit wary at first but actually enjoyed it.

It's looking that way, a long spring to enjoy. A time for celebration.

One of these: Arai Happo Kagura

Only 1 of my main group of friends remains in our hometown, working in a bank, seems quite contented. I usually meet up with him when I go back, but we have less and less in common as time goes on.

Me too, I'll be taking a few trips up there in the next few months.

bobby, it looks interesting but don't you have to pay a monthly fee to play that one? you think it's worth it?

Unless you stay in all winter or just cover yourself up gg you might want to think about putting some slime on. Don't get burnt now.

Me too, I'm hoping I'll be going out until mid-May, thats nearly 2 months.

The guy sure must be enjoying the publicity. He's never off. Having said that, he seems just a bit more pissed off every day, don't you think?!

I've never been first really early on, I must give that a try.

I look fairly good actually It is a really good way to learn though. I absolutely hate hearing myself talk/sing on tape though.

Brings back memories, great place. The only problem is what I feel are the inconsistent conditions. We're really spoilt here in Japan with almost (relatively) constant good conditions in peak season.

OK so I know there are quite a few snowboarding video games and I have actually quite enjoyed on (SSX?). But are there any decent skiing games at all?

I have never seen it sold! I wonder what it tastes like. Although I suppose I don't really need to know!

I'm pretty sure most of the main takyubin companies will - it's an especially busy time for them.

Like the pics, how much snow is that compared to a 'usual year'?

All very interesting, looking forward to seeing what the management dudes have to say too. I went there a few years ago and felt it looked sad, kinda neglected, many of the restaurants weren't open. Like many resorts I suppose. Took a look the other week and thought the place did seem to have a renewed feel about it which can only be good. Lets hope we see more improvements as well. One thing I felt was there were less moguls than when I had been before, and they seemed to be in designated areas so to speak. (For me, this is a good thing!) I don't know whether that was just

Best to work off the slopes in some easy job, and play on the slopes. If you can of course.

That course can either be great or a real pain. Got to hit it at the right time, right conditions