Snow and Sunburn

If you're anywhere near any of the coach stations in Tokyo on a Friday evening during Winter, it seems as if almost everyone is carrying either a ski- or snowboard bag. A group of us joined in, braving the night bus again for a trip to the Naeba resorts in Niigata. The food stop at the motorway service station on the way, which must have been at about 00.30, was just amazing - lines and lines of coaches (important to remember the numberplate before you set off!) and legions of winter sportspeople grabbing some food before they pretend to sleep for the rest of the journey.

Despite a recent lack of snowfall and relatively high temperatures (in fact far too hot for most of the layers I'd brought along) the snow conditions were pretty good, and in general the weather was beautiful. The slopes weren't too crowded, and despite the nasty bubble-era towerblock hotels at the bottom of the hill, the view would rival anything in the Alps. The hotel was pretty basic but the local hot spring was really nice. Oh, and the whole package was really cheap too... Some phone-camera pictures here.

I seem to have become able to snowboard properly, and now only wipe out when I'm being too cocky. The decreased pain, increased enjoyment, as well as the fact that I now live within easy reach of so much great snow, means that I already can't wait for next Winter and the start of the season!

Again, difficult to see how London could rival Tokyo on this one...