TJ OZ

People will be all geared up now for the backcountry so skis and boards will be fine. Tickets are about 2600yen up and down. 47 won't be open yet and not sure about Goryu.

Originally Posted By: tripler Originally Posted By: TJ OZ This is the mid mountain area of Happo One. Is the gondola running? Just had a look out the front door and yes the gondie is going. The lifts will probably take you to the top of Happo as a lot of hikers head up there and beyond. I have to do more pruning to see the top lifts though.

It's still Autumn and here are some pics of the first snowfalls of the season. Echoland sits at about 750mts ASL. This is the mid mountain area of Happo One. We have some warm weather on its way so I would say that most of this snow will melt off however those who love their backcountry skiing will be over the moon with this snowfall and I am sure they will be up there very soon.

Check out "Tokyu Hands" diy department store if you get a chance. They have some great wood tools that you won't find in Oz.

It has just started to snow in Echoland. It would have been dumping most of the day up high

Big big afternoon and evening. The road trip from Hakuba started out early with a stop at Toyashina for some go-cart action. And then the drinking began. Taxi stub tells me I got back to the hotel at 3am. A big bender with some solid drinking performaces all round. The game wasn't great but good fun and the crowd were very well behaved. Izakaya for post match assessment and then off to a cool little bar in Shinjuku (I think)

Originally Posted By: Go Native Originally Posted By: TJ OZ There is a few of us coming in from Hakuba to watch the game. Should be a big one. Should be an even bigger night out. Yeah I haven't even booked accommodation as I'm up for an all nighta! The true moment where we all come together and cheer our boys home as one Or maybe just go out and drink a hell of a lot

I really hate coughers. I move right away, hold my breath and give a death stare. Never copped a gorbi. I don't know what I would do in that case but I reakon I would probably think punch in the face also.

There is a few of us coming in from Hakuba to watch the game. Should be a big one. Should be an even bigger night out.

Woke up to a foggy morning in Hakuba today. Cleared off quickly to show some new snow up on the back peaks A perfect day in Hakuba to have lunch outside on the balcony and soak up the warmth in the sun.

Thats the southern end of the valley and the last area to turn. It is looking amazing at the moment with the autumn change. The lake usually freezes over in the winter. The ski areas of Sun Alpina, Aokiko and Kashimayari link up and there are some amazing views from the resort down to the lake and also this one looking into the Alps. I don't have an autumn picture of it. I have driven up to this area though and you can drive through another valley that leads into Omachi.

Lunch by the lake. A lovely time to have lunch outside in the sun. This is the view from a nice little Ramen restaurant in Hakuba. Some of the runs of Aokiko Resort in the background.

At least 70 for me. More if I can help it.

Hey Jynxx here are a couple for you. The Japanese paragliding chapionships were held over the long weekend. An awesome spectacle to see so many gliders in the air. Looking afar we could see some hangliders charging around some outer peaks and the peak from the Happo ski area This is the scene you get after 45 minute climb from the Grat lift on Happo One. I love this place.

Here is a shot from Happo Pond today. Absolutely sensational area. Awesome views. It is a much easier hike in the warmer months. It started to really chill this afternoon up there. Would have been very close to zero. Lucky I took some warm clothes. It is just a beautiful area to take a gourmet hamper and a bottle of Champas. Not as much snow as everybody is wanting here but hey, this is the Hakuba in Autumn thread.

Thanks for everyone's best wishes. It was a good omen to wake up and see the overnight snow on the peaks. Thanks to father Stemik for his services. It is official that Hakuba has the highest concentration of champagne, wine and beer drinkers in Japan. A great day had by all. (and a fuzzy day the next for most)

And for some fresh stuff

Bring your cross country road training gear as well. There are a lot of cross country trails in Hakuba also. Iwatake which is the resort on the right side of the pic has a good set up. The lower runs of Happo One are on the left side of the pic. Fattwins playground is in the middle back

A nice place to live all year round. Paragliding is a popular sport here in the warmer months. The resort in the foreground is Happo One

Originally Posted By: SKI Perhaps a bit of imagination would help. Arghh --- I don't think so. Might just leave that one with you. Not that I have anything agaist that way. just not my thing.

Not having a good hardware store that I can go into and get exactly what I want off the shelf. Don't get me started on paint. And banks. That really surprised me when I first arrived. Love everything else though. Living in the mountains means we don't cop the heat like the cities but I have visited during the hot times and I can understand why everybody would hate it.

Originally Posted By: SKI Sounds a bit like trying to polish a turd to me. I don't know. Is it? Not something that I would be keen to try.

Thats certainly interesting Matt. The rain dates are very similar so the warm air masses must have been from the same weather patterns. Living on Honshu I don't really check what is going on in Hokkaido snow wise during the season. Too many places here to check. Have you got the stats from the previous year. From memory I think Hakuba actually did better from what I was told.

Similar amounts of snow for both areas. In Hakuba it can dump huge amounts in short times. I have seen it snow a meter overnight. In Hokkaido it will snow smaller amounts more often.