To the Onsen.

This afternoon I went with my mate Toshi to the Onsen at Niseko Village.

Snow clearing at Niseko Village.

We stopped at the Post Office for a while so I took some photos of the main street.

Toshi at the Post Office.

After that we went to the onsen where we had a bath and jumped into the icy cold water outside. I met my old mate Kohei, whom I had met at Jindabyne.

Me and Kohei.

Hirafu Gondola.

Last night I went night skiing at Hirafu with the Swedish kids. There was no new snow so the pistes were pretty chopped up and cruddy.

Me in the gondola at Hirafu.

The Swedish Kids.

There was some fresh snow a couple of days ago. It was strange because up top the snow was wind-packed and heavy and down low in the trees there was fresh stuff that was lots lighter.

My tracks at the Swinging Monkey

Sunny in Niseko.

Today was sunny for a change and I even got a bit sunburnt. I headed up to the Gondola about eight thirty and had a few warm-up runs before I headed over to the quad chair.

My room-mate Yusuke.

I had a few runs on Ace Number three chair. The powder was all right, but a bit patchy with wind-packed stretches.

Going up Ace #3 chair-lift.

That was looking towards skiers right of King Number three hooded lift. You can see new lines going through the fresh powder. After that I went up Ace Number four chair and traversed across to Annapuri. Annapuri had hardly any people so it was straight onto the chairs without any waiting at all.

Mount Annapuri.

Hirafu in the snow.

This morning was the first time in a few days that I have been out skiing. I have been sick all week with the flu. The whole hostel has come down with the virus and everyone is sniffling and coughing.

Snowing at Hirafu

My Korean friend Kim came to visit me. He is living in Sapporo. We had eggs on toast for dinner.

Having dinner

I went up the hill with Kim to get his new skis from the Toyfu shop. They are Japanese skis, Vector Glide.

Kim’s new skis

Hirafu, Niseko.

Just a couple of photos from the last few days. I went into Kutchan to do some shopping the other day. I took the bus in and then got a lift back with some Japanese people I had met last year at the hostel.

Throwing snow on asphalt

On the way to the bank, there were some workmen putting down some new asphalt in a parking lot. I just love construction scenes so I had to get a shot of the boss throwing snow on the hot asphalt to cool it off.

Underneath King Number Two Chair Lift

This is the best of a bad lot of photos shot with the point and shoot. It was also overcast and snowy, so that is my excuse. doh!

An ambulance

This evening I went for a walk to the Lawson konbini and on the way an ambulance came wailing past. I guess I am an ambulance chaser.