soubriquet 0 Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Due to overwhelming demands (thanks muika) here are a couple of shots I took today. Very snowy drive in after yesterday's fall. Yamagata Akakura Onsen. Perfect snow, and empty. Situation normal. Akakura is set in a tiny little rift valley in the heart of the mountains between Yamagata and Miyagi. The rocks here are very hot. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Thanks soubs, looks good. Looks about as empty as my place this morning. Link to post Share on other sites
samurai 0 Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 that tree in the first shot shore is purdy. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Thanks. I included that for muika, knowing that he has a particular interest in trees. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Yes nice tree! ( The car gets in the way a bit though.... ) Link to post Share on other sites
MrsMcClusky 0 Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 A friend of mine lives in Yamagata city and I might be visiting next December. It looks like a lovely area. Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 soubs, how far is that from Yamagata city? Lovely tree. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 8, 2008 Author Share Posted February 8, 2008 It's just over 50km. I'll look out some other local shots and put them up this evening. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 8, 2008 Author Share Posted February 8, 2008 This is Onikobe (or Onikoube), in Miyagi. It's about 50km drive, and a little closer than Zao. It's easy at the bottom, fun at the top, and challenging in between. It's my No1 local ski jo, and quite a nice little resort. The hotel is very comfortable. The ridge. This an entry off the ridge. Coming down off the ridge. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 Here are a couple more from Yamagata Akakura, from last year. Terrible snow conditions, and crowds. Here's No2 son learning to ski. More empty space and perfect snow. More perfect snow. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 This is Hanagasa Kogen. Tiny, but only 20 minutes from home. The usual Perfect Yamagata snow. No1 son learning side country. Hanagasa Kogen. Fresh snow. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 This is Jangle Jungle. Again, from last year, the "season without snow". We were doing alright up here. Late season fresh snow. Late afternoon Nos 1 & 2 having fun. Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Thanks for all that soubriquet. It looks like a very nice area. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 Thanks charlotte. Most places around here are very small. Onikobe is probably the only one worth traveling any distance for. The mountains around here aren't big, but as samurai wrote elsewhere, the snow is always fresh. Think of us as being small but perfectly formed Link to post Share on other sites
me jane 0 Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Originally Posted By: soubriquet Thought the guy at the top of the picture was number one son before I scrolled down! Nice pics Soubs. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 yeah nice pics, Yamagata looks good, hoefully will get up to Zao before the season is out Link to post Share on other sites
snowmonkey 0 Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Great to see these places. We are planning on visiting Zao this winter. Link to post Share on other sites
mina2 6 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Quote: Onikobe is probably the only one worth traveling any distance for. Surely Zao is, thats a really big place right? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Yes, Zao is much bigger than Onikobe. I should have phrased that more clearly. Of the places I visit regularly (above), Onikobe is the only one worth travelling for. Zao is a bit of a stretch for me as it involves using either the painful and slow Route 13, or the Expressway to get there. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 How long does it take to Zao soubs? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 About 90 minutes if I use the expressway. It's not normally worth the effort and expense for the short sessions I normally ski. Last season was an exception because I met up with sunrise. That made it a lot more fun than skiing alone. Link to post Share on other sites
quattro 1 Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Wow looks really nice down that way. Perfect place for the Kids to learn. No crowds and good snow, what more could you ask for. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 To be young, rich and good looking... Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Does Zao get busy? It seems to be one of the major places so I suppose it would do... Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I think it does but would think weekdays would be just fine. I'm thinking of taking a few days off to go up there early March actually. Link to post Share on other sites
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