Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 [Note: I posted a Gran Deco trip report at the beginning of the season, but the weather was so nice this time I thought it wouldn't hurt to post a few (keitai) pics.] Headed to Gran Deco for a final spring fling with the kid the weekend of April 24 and 25. Weather was just above freezing, with a whisper of snow quickly giving way to alternating sun and clouds for the rest of the day: Kid had been wanting to try snowboarding for some time, so we gave it a try. First impression: holy cow, this is nothing like skiing at all! Ok, point the board down the hill, pretend it is a fat ski, try a turn... either catch an edge and splat, or else keep building up speed until having to dump intentionally, for lack of ability to control speed. Spent the entire day alternating between landing on my butt and landing on my knees, before finally managing the boarder's snowplow. Kid did rather better, managing already by the end of the day to scrape down slopes that I had to walk down. Ok, that was interesting. Time to retire for the night. Destination, An English Inn (listed here) in Inawashiro, a very nice place run by a very friendly couple, the Powells: Edwin is an accomplished cook. They bake their own rolls: The next day, the kid was hot to keep working the board. My body was too battered for another day of that, so I went back to skis on Sunday, which turned out to be a beautiful blue-sky day: Upper Mint course: Lower Mint Course. Bandai-san visible to left, Nekoma ski area in center distance: Pole Bahn on Melissa course: By the end of the second day, the kid was sliding down the steepest course there. I rationalized that kids learn faster than adults, and really, snowboarding is a young person's sport anyway... then spotted some 78-year-old ji-chan cruising past serenely on his board, and my humiliation was complete. I'll give the board another shot at some point, but will probably never catch up with my kid. After working both board and ski muscles, and getting thoroughly battered on the board, went home feeling all kinds of sore, but happy with the season finale. Knees should stop throbbing by about next season, I figure. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Great stuff! Wish I had the chance for one more go on the hill! Must say I'm a little jealous. Although the surfing has been quite good recently down here in Izu. Next season!! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Good stuff! Welcome to Snowboarding I promise it hurts less the second time around Doncha love kids though?! They just pick this stuff up with next to no effort at all!! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Nice Metabo. I'm a little surprised at how much snow they have there - more than here at town that's for sure. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 that's very good. Nice to see people still going out. Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Looks good Metabo. An English Inn. Interesting name, I had noticed it on here before. The owner from England perhaps? Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 Thanks everybody. Originally Posted By: Mamabear Good stuff! Welcome to Snowboarding I promise it hurts less the second time around I'll be holding you to that. Quote: Doncha love kids though?! They just pick this stuff up with next to no effort at all!! Quite disrespectful, really, showing up their elders like that. Originally Posted By: muikabochi I'm a little surprised at how much snow they have there - more than here at town that's for sure. There are some bare patches near the base area. But in general, the Ura-Bandai resorts (Nekoma and Gran Deco) seem to have notably longer seasons than the Omote-Bandai ones (Inawashiro, Listel, Alts, etc.) for some reason. Elevation? Mountain wind effects? Originally Posted By: sanjo An English Inn. Interesting name, I had noticed it on here before. The owner from England perhaps? By way of Australia, it seems. Quite engaging. We had a very nice stay there. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Was gonna go here, but this is on my list next year. Nice pics! All those potential tree runs. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Looks rather flat though.....! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 actually though those runs with the trees are pretty good. Thats right at the bottom, but further up its steeper. I enjoyed Gran Deco when I was there, was quiet for most of the day Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts