Akakan Resort

The snow had been dumping down all night so, despite a late night watching the 'red and white battle' on NHK, I was up early trying to get first tracks for the new year. Unfortunately the Champion lifts weren't opening until after 9.00 so I had to get back to the Akakan Sky Gondola and by that time it was too late to get the anticipated first tracks. There was still plenty of powder around though as there had easily been over a metre fallen in the previous 12 hours. My big mistake was deciding to take a short cut through the trees and ending up buried in chest deep powder! Took me ages to dig and climb out. More snow is forecast so conditions will keep getting better and better.

Feeling absolutely exhausted by the end of the afternoon I made my way to the Akakura Hotel. I love the open-air bath in this hotel - just the right temperature for a long relaxing soak after a hard day skiing. They also have a sauna, jacuzzi bath and other various baths such as Rakuraku-no-yu or Ishiwari-no-yu. From previous experience the service appears excellent. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to look through the rooms. Here you watch a video of the Akakura Hotel in Myoko Kogen (in Japanese only)

Akakura Onsen Ski Area

We finally have some softer snow getting on top of the previous hard pack and there is a big dump of snow forecast for Thursday so things are on the improve. Just spent half a day here cruising around on my skis while I see if my snowboard boot can be fixed. Not as busy as the weekend and snow conditions far more enjoyable.

The lodging I checked out today was Windsor Hotel in Akakan resort. I had to walk down the hill to get here as I needed some internet access and Hotel Windsor seem to be the only ones convenient with a wireless hotspot. The hosts were very welcoming, although their English is limited. I asked for a taxi home and, when none were available, they took me themselves! There is a English speaking person on staff this season, the location is within a 5 minute walk to Akakan Gondola, the rooms look comfortable, the bar is very popular at night, the restaurant serves some nice meals plus there's a fantastic view from the sitting area.

Myoko Suginohara Ski Area

Still not much snow, despite weather reports saying otherwise. I was a bit hampered this day as, even with my best efforts at repair, my K2 clicker boot had it's sole completely stripped off at Ikenotaira. I will leave that up to the tender care of Matty at MSS and hope for the best. So my old Salamon skis, circa 1996 or thereabouts, were retrieved from the garage and set back onto the slopes for the first time in more than a decade. I didn't even have time to wax them or sharpen the edges which were, understandably, looking quite rusty and blunt. I also discovered that one uses different muscles on skis as compared to snowboards. My thighs are killing me tonight. I was really keen to get up to Myoko Suginohara as all signs look to this resort becoming extinct from next year, without the advent of a white knight investor. Anyone out there interested in being part of a consortium just let me know! So, to the snow...

Got to the resort early in the morning, the car park was getting full and the chair was already crowded at 7.45am. Snow conditions were a fairly similar story to Ikenotaira earlier in the week but there had been a light dusting of snow overnight, maybe 5cm. Piste was hard packed with a soft cover at the start, moving toward icy later in the late afternoon. It got a bit softer in the middle of the day but certainly it's nothing I enjoyed too much. Not much worthwhile to be had off-piste. In fact it was probably better that I was on skis rather than the board as it offered the opportunity to go a bit more gently through the icy patches. There was a fair crowd today as many Japanese started their holidays yesterday. Still, apart from first thing in the morning and then on the gondola there was not much waiting in line anywhere. The start of the season in Myoko Kogen has been pleasing in the fact that we actually have some good depth of snow. However the quality is probably the worst I can remember. But hey, that's Australia on a good day...

The lodging I checked out today was Sora Tobu Usagi. This place is very popular and even got a mention in Qantas Travel Insider. The location is fantastic, right in the middle of the ski area, with one of the chairlifts going almost past the window. There's a nice restaurant, ski rental, common bath and internet access. They also have some self-contained accommodation which was very neat and cosy and would be ideal for a family or small group of friends. However you need to bring your food/utensils up as there is no shop within walkable distance.

Next report: Akakura Onsen

Ikenotaira Onsen Ski Area

It has been a few days since the last decent snowfall (a bit of a dusting last night) but apparently much more on the way soon. The piste was soft in the morning but icing up as the day progressed. It was fairly foggy to the bottom but cleared up as the day progressed. Off-piste there was still some powder to be found on the sides but the quality was inconsistent. Some had a slight hard crust on top whilst it was still soft and cruisy in some other places, as long as there was a bit of steep to go with it. Sometimes there was a sudden transition between the two leading to some interesting experiences. Ikenotaira is my fav resort for getting into the trees but was not prepared to take that chance today apart from a couple of brief expeditions. Will be back again in a few days after new falls.

I had a wander through the Hotel Alpenblick as well as an onsen and meal. Generally the place looks very tired and hasn't been updated in quite awhile. Despite this Hotel Alpenblick offers a number of pluses. At the back is a very nice rotemburo with black mineral water that is of a comfortable temperature making for a very nice soak at the end of a long day of skiing. At this time of year the room cost is particularly attractive - 8,500 yen per person including lift ticket, breakfast and a buffet dinner at the nearby Myoko Kogen Beer Hall. Add those extras together and you are getting a room for very little indeed. We tried the buffet at the Beer Hall and it was oishi - 2,800 yen p.p. (not inc. drinks) but only 1,800 if you flash your lift ticket.

Also had a look at the Lodge Hatano near the main Ikenotaira quad lift. The location is excellent - right opposite the kids park and care centre making it an excellent choice for those with younger children. The restaurant serves a nice lunch and there is also a small onsen downstairs. A bit hot for my liking though.

Photos to come soon.

Next report:Myoko Suginohara

Akakan Resort

It was a perfect bluebird day in Akakan today. Only three lifts were operating but to make up for that the resort was only charging 2,000 yen for a day lift ticket. There was plenty of powder left over from recent falls although the piste started to get just a little bit icy in the afternoon. Got stuck with my board in the powder a couple of times and found it impossible to get my clicker bindings back on.

Took the chance to check at the renos at the Akakura Kanko Resort and Spa. This has always been a special place but some of the updates are truly superb. The onsen has a spectacular view overlooking the slopes and surrounding mountain range. There is a private bath that can be privately booked for families too. A health spa has been added, as well as a very interesting gallery/museum. The restaurants have been updated very nicely indeed but I was not able to check any menus. An expensive price to stay but well worth it if money is not any kind of strong consideration.

Photos to be added soon!

Next report: Ikenotaira