The Big Christmas Feed

Personally I think November is a little early for Christmas news but at least this way you get plenty of warning. After the success of the Orphans' Christmas last winter, the kitchen have decided to lay on another big feast, but this time it will be over a few nights, so grab a bunch of friends and get some quality festive over-eating in. Over to our chef, Dex:

What's the plan?

OK, so... for Christmas this year, from December 19th until 27th you can book in for our Christmas feast. 2 of you or 60 of you - no worries.

And on the menu this year?

As always a great spread. Starters are bruschetta, spring rolls with chilli and lime dip, and deep fried camembert. The mains are roast chicken and gravy and roast pork, with steamed winter veges, oven roast rosemary potatoes, tomato Doria, spinach mikan salad and garlic bread. If you've still got room after all that we're finishing off with individual apple crumbles with ice cream. Sound good?

Awesome.

All that for just 3,000 yen per person and you get a free cocktail or soft drink too.

And Pat as you are such a great guy you'll get yours for free every night.*

Thanks, Dex. You're the best.

[*I may have imagined Dex's last line but you can but hope... With a bit of luck he might just think he did promise this.]

Doai Station

Mount Tanigawa stands between us here in Yubiso and Yuzawa over on the other side. Any of you who have driven up the expressway to Yuzawa will have been through the 13km tunnel that connect the two. The local train also runs under the mountain and if you're heading that way you might have to use Doai Station. The northbound platform has a massive 462 steps down to the tracks - not somewhere you want to be running to catch a train.

The sign that greets you at the top lets you know you've climbed 462 stairs but still have another 143 metres and 24 steps to go.

It also doubles as our training venue in between seasons as we make sure the guides and instructors are in shape for the mountains this winter. So if you find yourself there and come across a bunch of people puffing up and down the stairs, you'll know who they are.

24th Nov - 1st Ski of the Season

Tenjin didn't manage to open on the weekend but decided to run one of the lifts from 9.30 this morning. As soon as we heard it was a quick change, grab the skis and off to check it out. Haven't skied since mid-October so keen to get back out there.

Apparently there is warm weather on the way so they are not sure if they will keep running so took the chance to ski while we could. Definitely more hikers around than snow enthusiasts and got plenty of funny looks as we walked around with skis and boards.

Only the centre pair lift was open and a total of five people were using it (3 boarders, 1 telemarker and 1 skier) with pedestrians more of an obstacle than each other.

It'll be a while before all our favourite stashes are open for business but it was nice to get a quick slide in.

We also got our point card which is a new system they are trying this year. Collect five stamps and you get next lift ticket for free - shouldn't be too hard.

:(

Tenjin didn't manage to open today so no skiing for me. We just spoke to them and it is snowing up at the top (but rain down here.) Now have to decide whether to shoot over the other side of the hill and have a slide this afternoon at GALA. Maybe even catch a glimpse of their new mascot - a slightly bemused giant skiing rabbit of all things.

Resort Openings on the weekend

It sounds as if Tenjin have decided to open up on Saturday, so the skis will see some action a lot earlier than last year. There's been a bit of snow recently as you can see from their webcams.

http://www.tanigawadake-rw.com/

Over the other side of the hill, Kagura have decided to postpone their first day which was also due to be Saturday but GALA Yuzawa, with their new artificial matting will be opening their doors for business.

New 2010 Winter Uniform

Our North Face uniforms had done a couple of seasons by the end of last winter so it was time for a new outfit; a big decision around here which caused lots of discussion (/argument).

We spend a lot of hours outside over the winter so this is a very important issue for us and we need great kit. Also it really gets put through its paces by the different departments - the snowshoe and backcountry guides need something robust that will stand up to nature and the instructors need something cool to swan around the bar in. It's a big ask for any jacket but the good people at Teton Bros. have provided us with just the thing.

It's quality gear and we can't wait to get into the mountains in it. They're with the printer right now but keep an eye for the folk in blue from this weekend.

Check out their whole range of gear at http://www.teton-bros.com/

Trying hard to snow right now.

The snowman picture on my weather forecast appeared for today and for a change it was spot on. There was a light dusting of snow visible up high this morning and all day it's been alternating between drizzle and light snow at lodge level. With resorts over the other side of the hill supposed to be opening this weekend it is pretty good timing.

We're a way off full ski season yet but just to get our daily fix of snow, a couple of photos from last year I discovered while getting the instructor 'phones ready.

Snowman making taken to extremes.

What we woke to on Boxing Day last season.

Yoga Retreat in Minakami - Dec 5th & 6th

News of the upcoming yoga retreat here in Minakami in a couple of weekends time.

We're very lucky to have Babeeta, a very experienced yoga practitioner leading the sessions. There are going to be workshops in Sri Sri Yoga which focuses on specialised techniques for breathing, posture and meditation. Expect enhanced endurance, strength and flexibility as welcome side effects but most of all, de-stressing is the goal.

Throw in some dance yoga, some workshops on healthy eating and vegetarian cuisine, some quality onsen time and an evening of live Indo-Jazz fusion and Bollywood grooves and you have the makings of a fantastic relaxing getaway. Flyer below.

http://artofliving.jp/minakami/yogaRetreatMinakamiDec09EN.html

I'll be the one with my foot behind my head (I've been practising.)

Rental Gear

So our rental equipment for the season arrived this afternoon. No more queuing at the resort on Saturday morning wasting precious snow time. Pick your gear up at the lodge and then it's straight out onto the slopes.

We've got a good selection of skis and boards, especially in the larger sizes that can sometimes be difficult to find in some places. The boots too are available in bigger sizes, going up to 31cm and with a bit of notice, we can get hold of larger sizes too.

There is one more delivery to be made and that is the one we're looking forward to - the demo gear. We've got a bunch of fat powder skis on order and because we care, we'll be taking them out for a test run as soon as the snow arrives! Having taken 50 sets of equipment down two flights of stairs I think we deserve it.

Last Bungy of the Season

This weekend the party was down at the bungy bridge. It was the last weekend of their busy summer season and they had a full complement of jumpers wanting to hurl themselves off the bridge. Plenty of fancy dress jumpers from Santas, DragonBall characters, maids, convicts, Elvises and even one guy jumping with a raw fish (no idea why.)

Even not jumping it was great to hang out there and watch how different people deal with the fear and excitement.

They'll be back again next May so, you can throw yourself off a bridge before then but we would recommend waiting.

More Off-snow Entertainment

Seems to be a bit of a theme here but until we get hit by the snow most of the news is likely to be lodge-related. Another toy to add to the collection in the bar. Any of you who have spent seasons in the French Alps have surely wasted hours smacking a minature football around a table. Super-fun for all.

Challenges from all-comers welcome this winter but be warned - we're in pre-season training already and my wrists have never been this quick and supple.

Ramp finished and riding well

The mini-ramp has been finished for a few days now and looks great as well as riding well. It's a popular distraction as we wait for the temperature to drop.


Trying to get some video footage of people axing themselves but everyone proving to be annoyingly talented at the moment.

Patience.....