Today is a blue sky powder day in Hakuba, Japan.
I don’t tweak my photos on photoshop and play around with contrasts and colours. My policy is to take a heap of shots and hope that one of them will come out ok. I was amazed by the colour of the sky against the white of the new snow on the Arctic White Horse Hotel this morning. Note how loaded the trees are. Once again be careful where you walk. It is not so bad with the fresh snow falling on you though.
Master Braster - 2 good reason to drop in. Sake and Guiness (lower left corner)
Master Braster is a great little bar in the center of Echoland. They have a huge range of beers from around the world. One year I was determined to try them all over a number of nights however I discovered some of those Belgium beers are pretty potent and I waivered that challenge for another time. Maybe in the warmer months when things are not so hectic. Let me know how you go with the beers.
The new Sounds Like Cafe is a great place to hang out in Hakuba. By the way does anything sound like cafe?
There is a new Cafe in Town called “Sounds Like Cafe”. It is a great place positioned in the middle of Echoland and already has a great reputation for good coffee and the pastrami foccacia is absolutely delicious. Another good thing is that it opens at 6am for those wanting an early breakfast and a place to chill out before hitting the slopes. The Arctic White Horse Hotel around the corner will also cater for those wanting a big bacon and eggs brekky and is open daily at 7am.
The walls will keep your car on the road but won't be good for the panels.
The road sides here in Hakuba just keep growing. For those that have been to the White Horse before you may not recognise the street scape as the snow just keeps building up on the edges hiding any features that you may be familiar with. At this stage the walls are getting so large that it is difficult pulling out anywhere and it is best to go slow and steady when driving. Also when walking around please take care and stay aware of cars from behind. It is not a good mix to have people and cars together on icy roads.
Wild Pheasants in live in and around the Hakuba township.
More wildlife for Hakuba. We get some kiji (wild pheasants) in the area that certainly stand out in the snowy landscape. They turn up in the strangest areas around the township.
Warm dry and odorless.
A good drying room is imperitive at any ski hotel you stay at in the world. It needs to be warm dry and odourless. I have stayed at some places with a stink that would outlast religion. I think we have a good room with just enough space to cater for all our guests skis, boards and gear.
Corona Day every Saturday at Happo One
Corona day every Saturday at the Nakiyama base area of Happo One. What better way to spend Saturday afternoon than at the Bankok -ya restaurant after a hard day on the slopes sipping a corona or 2 and tucking in to a bowl of thai curry. Starts at 2 pm.
The powder in Hakuba can get real deep. It's been a great start to the season
Still plenty of powder around today. The thing with Hakuba is if you are prepared to look you will find it most days of the season. If you are heading out of bounds make sure you are educated in avalanche awareness and have the equipment too.
Hamish and Andy have the biggest drink order record for Echobeach bar with 12 Jager bombs
Hamish and Andy are a couple of famous Australian personalities who were in Hakuba and decided to hang out at the Echobeach Bar in Echoland this evening. The bar opened this year and has already built a reputation for being a great place for apres ski. Make sure you get down there and tell the bar girls Tony sent you for a free Sake.
Delivered to Hakuba.
How cute is this kid being dragged around in a box at a restaurant at Iwatake Ski Resort in Hakuba.
Hakuba Blog 