Hotaka Scott

Much better now. Looking forward to tomorrow's edition.

Thanks for sharing. Picts??

The area around the road is "flatish" (not sure if that's really a word), but of course being Tateyama the mountains are quite close to the road. Kind of hard to explain actually. There aren't banks per se, just a guard rail that appears once summer rolls around. Having trouble finding a decent picture of the route in summer/fall, but the one below might give you some idea. That particular area isn't where the deep snow is though, but a little lower down. And one more of Yuki no Ootani for good measure.

Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver wow!! that looks photoshopped!! It's the real deal.

Originally Posted By: thursday People just have to grasp the fact that resorts are hanging on for their lives. Do the right thing. Exactly. And the people relying on the resorts as a source of income (ie lifties, patrol, restaurant staff, etc) are also just regular folk trying to get by, living on a modest income.

Originally Posted By: snowdude Yes there is a resort somewhere in Ishikawa I think that opens from July, beacause they get something like 20 metres or more of snow per season so everything is blocked off until around July! I think the season is something like from July to October! I found some info about it somewhere but forget where! They do tourist trips to this area, which start in July, because only by then has enough snow melted to allow the roads to be cleared, and there are still 18 metre high walls each side of the road in July! Sounds like the Tateyama Alpen Route which isn't

But I haven't been able to sleep

Originally Posted By: muikabochi I'll leave it a bit longer...... Well? It's been over 24 hours...

Originally Posted By: ger I feel kind of bad for J-resorts that are seeing declining customers and selling themselves so cheap. I can't feel too bad about scoring a cheap/dodgy pass for a big corporate skihill like Whistler though. x2 As an individual, the 1000 yen a person can save on a lift ticket can feel like a lot of money, but keep in mind this is money not going to the resort. Most of the smaller ones are operating at a loss as it is, and while I don't think the selling/buying of lift tickets is a widespread issue, it does hurt them a bit financially. Less money for staff,

Had a little time today so I did a quick search and turned up a few places that mention vitamin E as a way of preventing frostbite. Not a lot of details though. One example, http://www.metagenics.com/ADAM/33/000065.html . Have never heard of folate before but it looks like it might be useful as well. Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted By: Hokkaidough His mouth is annoying. Whats with that low grumbling growling voice that some of these dudes have? Is it constant smoking and drinking, or something natural? It sure doesn't sound natural. Kinda reminds you of this guy perhaps?

A bit OT perhaps, but a co-worker of mine recently told me that Vitamin E can help prevent frostbite. He had a tube of Vitamin E lotion that he applied to his toes, fingers, ears and nose before heading out on any bitterly cold and windy days. Has anyone heard of this as well, or is it an old wives tale?

Just saw this. Wanted to pass on some ++vibes.

Bery schweet!

Originally Posted By: BagOfCrisps Good to see you get a drink if you bring "my hashi", but the hashi is in kanji! Reckon it should be in katakana then?

Been on the news in this area as well. A pine tree of some sort, I believe.

Funny, I was just thinking to myself this morning how I hadn't seen a good snake boat race in such a long time.

Che - it looked like a good movie but it was all in Spanish with Japanese subtitles. Needless to say I was a bit lost through it but wifey says it was pretty good

Please post pics

Nice pics - tele on. Do you get into the backcountry at all?

Originally Posted By: PWL How long are your poles then? Might get some interesting answers to this one. A bit pricey but there are adjustable length poles as well. And as for usefulness, they can be quite good at swatting snowboarders who sit in the middle of the run smoking or screwing around with their iPod.

There's always another option ... the lurk.

Originally Posted By: thursday don't even start to think that YOU will be planning YOUR wedding. It's in the female genes, you won't get a say in ANYTHING. shut up, pay, turn up or you die Amen brother, amen.

Originally Posted By: scouser Some nice new pics of Furano up there. Not seen many from there. And Hotaka Scott too. Thanks. Just for the record though, about half of those were taken by a buddy of mine on our trips.

It looks like a bit of a hassle but once you've taken the lecture/orientation you're good to go for the rest of the season so if you're going to be in Hakuba for a few days I think it's be worth checking into. If you do, give us an update on how it was please. Haven't really heard from anyone who's tried it.