The ABC in Hakuba
ABC in Hakuba
Posted in Hakuba
Tagged ABC in Hakuba, ABC in Japan, Hakuba news, journalism, Mark Willacy in Japan
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Happy Belated New Year to everyone
Back to quiet times especially during the week.
The New Year period can be very busy here in Hakuba (hence my lack of blogging) with many of the Japanese taking their holidays around this time along with many foreigners coming then too. There has also just been a long weekend but now we will see things get back to normal with barely a lift line to be seen. This is a great time to visit and numbers are certainly down from previous years. That means lots of fresh tracks for everyone including myself. If you are staying at the White Horse this year I will fall on my sword each morning and offer my services as a resort guide. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it. Road trips too if required 🙂
Sorry to everyone for the slow down in blogs. I promise to be more diligent now that things are under control. Bring on the powder.
Posted in Hakuba
Tagged Hakuba, Hakuba Accommodation, Lift lines, quiet times, ski japan, snowjapan, stay in Hakuba, tough job
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New Years Eve in Hakuba
The Echoland Bars and Clubs have joined forces to make the biggest party in town
It’s always a big night in Hakuba on New Years Eve and this year looks even bigger. This is the busiest time of year with the Japanese taking a few days off and many of them heading to Hakuba which is the most famous ski area in Japan for the locals. The mountains are going to be crowded, there is going to be bedlam on the roads and all the restaurants and bars are going to be full. Â That’s unusual for Hakuba these days but it creates a different atmosphere which is also lots of fun. The idea for today is to get some early lines in on the mountain and then have a leisurely day with a long lunch and an onsen. Start the night out at the White Horse for pre-dinner drinks and then hit the main Echoland Strip for some dinner before bouncing between the bars and clubs to see the New Year in. Have a great night.
LATE NEWS –Â Famous local identity and international DJ Jimmy Concrete is going to make his last appearance tonight so make sure you catch him at QTIPS. Thanks for all the good tunes and good times Jimmy.
Christmas Powder in Hakuba again
The benefits of sliding early the day after Christmas is that most people are still in bed while you get all the pow.
It was another perfect Christmas day in Hakuba with Santa bringing us lots of powder snow. The last 2 years has certainly delivered the goods. A great day was had by all who hit the mountains and there was lots of Christmas cheer going around in the evening.
It will continue to snow tonight and a little tomorrow before clearing. Â I am looking forward to seeing some blue sky and the mountain views at their pristine best. Go for first tracks at Happo One tomorrow. Nakiyama Lifts are now open also so ski down for some great Thai food at Bangkokya
Christmas dinner in Hakuba
Christmas dinner in the beautiful Wadano forest
I’m dreaming of a White Christmas. This year is certainly looking like it is going to be very white here in Hakuba. The next big storm is on its way and where better to spend your Christmas day evening than having a big traditional roast turkey dinner in the cosy surroundings of the Double Black Restaurant. Our chef Rosie has been busily working on the menu and James has sorted out a fine wine list along with the eggnog starter for when you arrive. They are always full for Christmas dinner so bookings are essential. There are 2 sittings so you can get the kids all fed up and off to the games room while the parents finish off their Moet in the lounge and watching the snow float down onto the beautiful Wadano forest setting.
Time. 6 pm and 8 pm
Cost: Adults 3000 yen Children 2000 yen
3 courses
For bookings call Double Black Hotel – 0261 72 8838 or 0261 72 5644
Wine in Japan
Pick a wine, any wine. There's lots more where these cam from so put your order in at your hotel before you come.
The Annual White Horse Wine Tasting  day was held yesterday with a good turn out and an enjoyable day and evening had by all. Part of the visitors experience  in Hakuba is the availability of good wines. We have lots of great restaurants here however when I first started coming to Hakuba there was certainly a lack of choice for wine. Things have changed a lot since and now many restaurants and bars are selling some very good drops. The wine tasting day each year give the owners a chance to sample some of the new vintages and makers and broaden the range on their lists. Sanno in Echoland have a great selection at their restaurant and the Double Black restaurant will be expanding their choice this year with some excellent wines.
Posted in Food, Hakuba, Hakuba apres
Tagged drinking in Japan, hakuba wine bar, restaurants, wine in hakuba, Wine in Japan, wine tasting
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Englishman in Hakuba
Now you see him
Now you don't. Joe's disappearing act in the powder is a common trick of his. I assure you he is in there somewhere.
Joe has come to Hakuba for the last 3 seasons and continues to rave about the place. Â I caught up with him on the lift this morning and as usual he had his greedy powder grin on while he was looking for every hit and stash he could find. Welcome back Joe for another season of deep powder turns and some big BC lines. Joe is also a very talented musician who will be dropping into the White Horse and Double Black bars occasionally with his guitar to belt out a few tunes.
Pics from this mornings powder session on Happo One, 17th December, 2011
Snowing in Hakuba
This mornings deposit of 15cm on the balustrade out side the bar. I love watching it grow.
Its been dumping down all morning and our world has finally turned white in the streets. We have had a few teasers but this time the Hakuba snow machine has been turned on and we don’t expect to see grass until April. We have 15cms in the valley so far and the snow is meant to continue for the rest of the day and night. Another big low is approaching for the middle of next week. Every year we have people contact us with their concerns about the lack of snow early season. We always advise people that there is a good likely hood of one or more of the resorts being open in mid December but it is best to plan to come around Christmas time which always seems to deliver the goods. I spoke to some visitors last weekend from Malaysia and they had a great time for their first experience at the snow. If you want peak conditions with a big base then mid January through to the end of February is the best time. March is great for a mix of powder and sunny days and April is all about spring conditions. Being infatuated by a weather related sport can be frustrating as you just never know what the conditions are going to be like but I know that I will always come off the mountauin with a big smile because a day sliding is always going to be better than a day at work.
Video footage of the growing snow on the balcony last seasonÂ
First tracks Hakuba Happo
A lazy approach to opening day at Happo with only a few wanting to get first tracks
Only a few keen souls lining up this morning for the celebratory first day at Happo One for the 2011/12 season. In a week or so you will be skiing right down to this point but at the moment everyone has to download. Â All of the group had big smiles and were eager to get a few turns in before the real snow arrives.
Happo One opening
The guys were out testing the runs yesterday. It looks pretty good to me.
Happo One will open for business tomorrow morning. There’s a bit of excitement around town as  the resort gets ready to start the lifts up. The gondola will open at 9am with lift passes for 2500 yen for adults and 1500 yen for children. There are not a lot of the runs open at this stage however it is always good to be able to get out there for a slide. My advice is to stay on the groomed sections as the snow on the sides will need a bit more of a top up which is due later this week. The best option is to take out your rockhoppers as opposed to your brand new powder ski’s and snowboards. What will look like nice fluffy powder to hit could result in a bit of damage to your perfectly smooth bases and a visit to the ptex shop.
The photo is from the official Happo One website here. Happo One is commonly called Happo 1 however it is in fact sounded out as HAP/PO – O / NE. Either way it is an awesome mountain and Japans most famous ski resort. Make sure you give it a go when you come to Hakuba.
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