Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Return to Sayama: 4 years later. First went to Sayama 4 years ago: http://www.snowjapan...ma-spring-2008/ Decided to visit again for pre-season warm-up. This season, they have started allowing elementary-school-aged kids to ski for free. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the place was packed with kids -- including what appeared to be a couple of school groups. As a result, the lift lines quickly became formidable, with ~10-minute waits to get on the lifts. After riding up once or twice, I decided to try hiking ( ), figuring it could not be any slower than the lift. In fact, it turned out I could hike up, ski down, and hike up again in the time it took others in my party to queue and ride the lift. So, that's mostly what I did. In fact, that is what quite a few people did. Actually, the hiking helped make it a more aerobically satisfying day out on the snow, so no real complaints there. Got the 4-hour ticket, for 3,000 yen. Overall impression: I definitely feel I got my money's worth, and am happy with my first turns of the season. May even be up for hitting Sayama again in another 4 years. Some pictures and video: You Are There (slightly out of focus...): http://www.sj.snowjapan.tv/videos/696/sayama-11-18-2012-ski-pov/ Snow-making: http://www.sj.snowjapan.tv/videos/699/sayama-11-18-2012-snowmaking/ Riding the lift: http://www.sj.snowjapan.tv/videos/704/sayama-11-18-2012-lift/ 1 Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Great report Metabo Oyaji. Sure looks a curious place. Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Very interesting Link to post Share on other sites
7-11 2 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Cheers MO. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Interesting looking place for sure. It's Yeti with a roof.... Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Thanks metabo. Hiking! Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 100 points for enthusiasm! Link to post Share on other sites
merryJim 1 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Look at the peeps in the top photo of that posted! How far a drive is it for you MO? Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Ta for the report Metabo. You decided if you will do the season券 thing this year yet? Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Cheers, everybody. I added a video to the trip report post to show what the lift ride is like. (Just in case you haven't had enough already.) merryJim: It's within daytrip distance. Certainly closer than Yeti. pie-eater: I have decided not to get a season pass for myself. Still debating getting one for the kid at Inawashiro, since it is so cheap there for kids that it would pay for itself in a few visits and still leave chance to visit some other places this season. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Looks busy. Wonder how many busy it is mid winter. Link to post Share on other sites
HoTRoD 2 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Suppose it's convenience for people isn't it. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 I'm thinking of doing a nighta! Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted November 23, 2012 Author Share Posted November 23, 2012 Do it! That would fill a critical gap in reportage. We're counting on you, Mick! Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Am tempted - sort of! Actually it's not as crazy an idea as it sounds - less kids, smaller lift lines, more time and space for those cheesy moments! Link to post Share on other sites
oblivion 5 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Going for one of the all nighters, or just late? Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 That's the problem! With no car or post-midnight trains, it would have to be a all-nighter!! I guess I could take my sleeping bag and kip on the floor until the trains start up again. Link to post Share on other sites
Karnidge 2 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 you would have to be careful with choice of cheese as well. Some may not want to be up all night. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 there would surely be an internet cafe nearby to sleep in Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Just remember to keep your clothes on! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 haha....yeah I saw that on the news last night!! Link to post Share on other sites
Karnidge 2 Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Whats that? Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Another in the long line of Dumb GI Tricks. Some clown got drunk, went to a manga-kissa and took off all his clothes -- I'm sure it made perfect sense to him at the time. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 Aren't they supposed to be on curfew at night? Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 I bet Casu Marzu is gnarly enough for nighta. http://www.snowjapan...-maggot-cheese/ Though you might have to ask the maggots! Link to post Share on other sites
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