snowboarding-sam

I'm interested to know if most people here are careful with the pennies when out shopping for food and things. While I don't like to waste money or pay more than I should I pretty much buy what I want without really thinking about money and budgets. (Must point out that I'm not madly rich either ) I have some friends who seem to plan every last yen.

Ten! Hoping to double that.

I was surprised at how little there was down at Nakano actually... isn't there usually a lot piled up down there? Had a good time though, SK was on good form.

Excellent snow conditions today. Windy especially this morning and over in Yakebitaiyama area but clearing up at times. But superb snow - best of the season easy.

Hey last night I had some Shiga Kogen jibiiru - very nice it was, perhaps the nicest I have tried in fact. I'll definitely be taking some of that home. Any other good ones to recommend or new ones?

I like strong flavoured sweet senbe. Are they Australian?

Sounds reasonable. The roads here in Shiga Kogen are white with packed snow on them at the moment. That's how I like to see it - not this 'heatwaves burning the concrete up' deal I saw the other weekend!

Just posting a wind report from SK. Up at Yakebitaiyama and the winds are stong and cold. It is snowing as well and with the wind blowing it everywhere it's a bit wild at the moment so taking a rest. Worst possible introduction on the way up here last night because it was raining so I was worried about today! Hardly anyone here as well so hopefully tomorrow will be a wicked day. I'll try to get some photos before I leave.

Gala closed AGAIN today!??!

I have never really had much of a problem with crowded slopes though I'm lucky in that I often can go weekdays. I went to Kagura one Saturday last season and decided it wasn't for me! Weekdays are just so much better. You get to ride more, the slopes are empty, the snow is yours. Can't be beat. I'd much rather work a weekend and then go Monday and Tuesday.

Sweeeeeet!

Hey nice photos muikabochi. Looks good. And looks empty. I like Hakkai-san as well, it's a good walk up there in summer. I'll give you a call before I'm up there next perhaps we could go together.

Nice pics SirJibAlot I'm targeting Wednesday.

Was that all planned at the last minute? Sounds like it might have been. A bit of fine tuning & it might be very useful.

It does look like this next week will bring the goods. Fingers crossed everyone!

Nagano just has so many quality options, it's hard to beat.

The drive from Shiga Kogen over to Kusatsu (or the other way round) is really good. Usually do it every year at least once. Apart from being very pretty, it's a great way into Nagano from Gunma, very useful. The top of Kusatsu to Shibutoge isn't that far at all. I'm sure some madman in the bubble period was thinking of creating a gondola to connect them!

Canon Pixus MP810 Really like it. About 30,000 yen. (There's one that is a level down - MP600 - but still pretty good I belive for around 24,000 yen). Great printing, scanning and copying. Can scan slides as well. It uses 5 ink cartidges (including 2 black ones which is interesting... ) but generally big thumbs up from me. Very happy with it.

You too. have a good one and everyone!

Have you seen this? http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/snow-monkeys-of-jigokudani.html They are literally just a 15 minute drive from Shiga Kogen. Many of the hotels will probably take you there, and if you get the local bus down from Shiga Kogen you can get off near there I think. If you at Shiga Kogen all of the people there will be able to help you.

There was some serious snow this time last year thats for sure. Fun reading those reports.

This is probably in a curry rice cuisine house right? Take some calorie mate and kit kats!

you know what i mean osewa ni narimasu, when I've done nothing. Though I can cope with that because it's not my language, just can't help "translating it".

Other drivers turning into the road where you are (and approaching the junction) and they totally cut the corner and almost take your front half off. It happens so often.

Sounds like Japan 10-15 years ago. Are they having their "ski boom" now?