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After reviewing long-term weather predictions and the presidential primary schedule last fall the boyz and I decided that the last week of February could be an excellent time to leave the country (for a while). So, based on NW_SKIER’s excellent recommendation, we hooked up with Black Diamond Tours for a week on Hokkaido. We were not disappointed.
When: 2/2716-3/5/16
Where: Yotei, Kamui links, Kokusei vicinity, and The Resort Which Shall Not Be Named.
Who: (from left): Non-mag Kevin, The Duke of Hurl, Non-mag Dave, Ianpnw, Non-mag Mike
After a seemingly endless day of planes, buses, and vans we met Mitch, our guide.
Mitch: “First windless bluebird day in weeks, want to ski that volcano over there?”
Us: Why, yes, yes we do.
Hard to tire when, every time you look out at the view, it’s a new CONTINENT! The ski down was memorable but, sadly, undocumented.
Next morning, Mitch announced that we would likely have travel delays today due to incoming weather, so after a nutritious breakfast…
(I don’t always eat fermented squid guts for breakfast, but when I do, it’s always at the Art Hotels Asahikawa)
We skied some short laps in some beautiful, protected trees near Kokusei.
Dinner that night was some fine Ramen with scallops and mushrooms.
Day 3 proved that there are chairlifts in Hokkaido. Kamui links and nearby side country. But first, another delicious Japanese breakfast. The “deermeat” (center) was excellent.
Mitchi-san greets his day.
IanPNW deep in the NWP.
Dinner that night, Mongolian BBQ. I feel like Gengis Khan must have felt in a large bib (Note the bowling alley to my left).
Then we travelled to the Resort Which Shall Not Be Named. Our own private lift, with steep trees on either side. We spun a couple deep laps there, then a rather sporty ascent to the summit for an unforgettable descent through iconic birch forest.
Kevin and Mike savoring the solitude.
Summit.
Okonomiyaki for dinner, tasty.
When: 2/2716-3/5/16
Where: Yotei, Kamui links, Kokusei vicinity, and The Resort Which Shall Not Be Named.
Who: (from left): Non-mag Kevin, The Duke of Hurl, Non-mag Dave, Ianpnw, Non-mag Mike
After a seemingly endless day of planes, buses, and vans we met Mitch, our guide.
Mitch: “First windless bluebird day in weeks, want to ski that volcano over there?”
Us: Why, yes, yes we do.
Hard to tire when, every time you look out at the view, it’s a new CONTINENT! The ski down was memorable but, sadly, undocumented.
Next morning, Mitch announced that we would likely have travel delays today due to incoming weather, so after a nutritious breakfast…
(I don’t always eat fermented squid guts for breakfast, but when I do, it’s always at the Art Hotels Asahikawa)
We skied some short laps in some beautiful, protected trees near Kokusei.
Dinner that night was some fine Ramen with scallops and mushrooms.
Day 3 proved that there are chairlifts in Hokkaido. Kamui links and nearby side country. But first, another delicious Japanese breakfast. The “deermeat” (center) was excellent.
Mitchi-san greets his day.
IanPNW deep in the NWP.
Dinner that night, Mongolian BBQ. I feel like Gengis Khan must have felt in a large bib (Note the bowling alley to my left).
Then we travelled to the Resort Which Shall Not Be Named. Our own private lift, with steep trees on either side. We spun a couple deep laps there, then a rather sporty ascent to the summit for an unforgettable descent through iconic birch forest.
Kevin and Mike savoring the solitude.
Summit.
Okonomiyaki for dinner, tasty.
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