Slippery Jim

Sorry, Boolugu, but you've already missed out. You just didn't book early enough and the designated powder days are not on your itinerary.

Hall of Fame liver there, Tubs

reminds me of a choice nursery rhyme... (Memo to self: find out how to do that Show/Hide thing)

Looking forward to my first rotenburo outing, but won't be for a while yet.

They all have such dirty minds, Chris. Think it comes from those cold showers.

Excellent news, Chris. Toss him a bone for me.

Six pints at the Taproom last night didn't help.

Let's see: 2.5% on a Y6,000 lift pass is about Y150. You're paying at least $1,000 airfare, probably $100+/night for accommodation and let's say Y4,000/day for skis and you're looking for ways to save that Y150. Sorry, can't help ya

This!

That Seicomart parking lot is treacherous; Lady DiGriz did 20% of a full-layout backflip there one evening, fortunate to be inebriated enough that she barely noticed (until next morning).

Having done the Hirafu-zaka yardsale more than once, MB, I'm not complaining, just observing.

We'll save you a seat when the *$ opens!

Fuji wasn't visible from home this morning so not a clue. I do think I saw Fuji more often in August this year than ever before. No idea if that means anything in terms of December skiing opportunity.

Hmmm, every time there was a decent snowfall (when I was around) in Jan & early Feb last season, those heated sidewalks were well covered. Nice enough in late Feb & March, I suppose. The yuppiefication of Hirafu may now be irreversible.

Well, but wouldn't they have to be incensed & peppermints or whatever?

Fixed it for ya!

I'm not so concerned with first snowfalls, nice though that is to see, but this is the earliest end to summer in many a year

Yeah, I'd procrastinate but I just can't be bothered. (I like that ``beer'' idea, though, TB!)

ditto!

Are PMs working again?

Interesting, Snowdude. I'd say I've seen Fuji from here in Tokyo more often this August than any previous August I can remember (caveat, I didn't always have a view of the mountain from my living room)

Buy early, stocks are limited!

It's 7 p.m. somewhere...

Delivery actually came on monday, but I wasn't home to get it. Received yesterday morning (at a Y700 charge for some tax or other). Pretty happy with the whole process.

Haven't been there for a while but quite a few onsen ryokan in the village that are comfortable and -- at least 20 years ago weren't too pricey. There should be some visitor info site for Katashina onsen online somewhere.