Hakuba 27th November, 2009

Posted on November 29, 2009 by Hakuba Blog
Snack bar

Karaoke in Hakuba

Karaoke was made famous in Japan and is still a popular past time. There are a number of options here in Hakuba with snack bars, private karaoke boxes, random shop areas where you can BYO and now new to the White Horse Bar in Echoland. There will be an opportunity to belt out a couple of tunes while enjoying a few drinks with friends. I myself have been known to ruin a song or two. Please don’t be bashful and just give it a go. Plan ahead and learn a song or two before you come to Hakuba and really show off in front of your friends.

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Hakuba 26th November, 2009

Posted on November 29, 2009 by Hakuba Blog

This seasons staff are starting to make their way into town. We have them all stay at the Arctic accommodation in Echoland to all get to know each other and they are put through an induction to make sure they are up to speed on all the hotel processes and Hakuba details. They go out and eat in all our recommended restaurants so they can help the guests make their choices and  they get out on the mountains as soon as there is enough snow to help guide people to the best spots.  We have Sean and Sarah back from last year and they will be working at Double Black. Ginko our gorgeous Japanese waitress will be serving again at the White Horse restaurant.  Our amazing chef Ben is returning after working the summer in Miyazaki.  The staff all have a great time whiile they are here and I encourage interaction with all our guests which makes for a really comfortable environment.

DB staff

The Double Black crew from 2008/09

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Hakuba 25th November, 2009

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Hakuba Blog
boots

Walking books for the snow in Hakuba

A pleasant autumn day here in Hakuba today with blue skies and temperatures around 12 degrees. It is difficult to imagine the winter that is about to explode onto us. Everybody is running around doing those final bits and pieces like changing to snow tyres on their cars and putting up snow poles for the road clearers to keep on track. Some years the snow walls rise up to a couple of meters and creates a maze in the area. Footware is important as you may find the roads and paths can be very icy. We warn our guests to the threat of taking a spill and ask them to bring good walking shoes for when they go out at night.  Another option is to buy a cheap pair from the supermarket here. Every year I buy a pair of snow boots that are warm, comfortable,  have good tread. easy to slip on and off without doing up the laces and are cheap. For about 2000 yen you can buy a pair of boots that will certainly fit the bill here in Hakuba. Another tip is to always walk on the crunchy snow on the sides of the road.

http://www.whitehorse-hakuba.com

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Hakuba 24th November, 2009

Posted on November 26, 2009 by Hakuba Blog
Japanese food

Ramen

Lunch today in Hakuba was at one of the best Ramen shops in the prefecture. Ramen is a type of noodle mixed in a soup broth. The secret to good Raman is the stock. Today I chose tonkotsu from the Kyushu region which is a pork bone stock. Extra chashu (sliced pork) and tamago (egg) for me. I usually head down to this shop once a week so please feel free to join me if you are having a day off the mountain. They also serve up some great homemade gyoza (dumpling). You can find  many ramen shops at the ski resorts also so you can enjoy this tasty Japanese food for lunch which will warm you up on the inside.

http://www.whitehorse-hakuba.com

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Hakuba 23rd November, 2009

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba Peaks

Hakuba Peaks

This is a picture from last season of the Hakuba Peaks situated on the west side of the valley. It is very difficult to explain to people how big the mountains are here. The valley where the photo is taken is at about 700 meters above sea level and the back peaks raise up to 2932 meters. Happo One which is the resort on the right side has 1072 verticle meters of thigh burning runs. Top to bottom will certainly have you wishing you did a few more hours in the gym before you came here.  For those that want to cruise a bit more leisurely there are some great trails to take it easy on with some amazing views of the valley to take in. There is a nice onsen close by to the area where this photo was taken so you can enjoy these views while bathing in the hot springs.

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Hakuba 22nd November, 2009

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Hakuba Blog
902 bar

902 bar open

902 bar opened last night for the season. Consistantly over the years I have been here the 902 Bar has been one of the best places to go for a few drinks after dinner. Yuka and Yoshiko are the beautiful girls who mix up the cocktails and pour the cold beer and ensure everyone is having fun in this small vibrant bar in Echoland. They have many party nights with some well known international DJs. Get there early and Jiro is usually spinning some of the 5000 albums he has stored on the wall. 902 Bar is about a 200 metre stroll from the White Horse Arctic Hotel.

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Hakuba 21st November, 2009

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Hakuba Blog
White Horse bar

The White Horse Bar is a great place for Ski Apres

A typical evening for our guests would be to arrive back from the mountain in our personal shuttle. Exausted bodies trudge into the drying room to inch their boots off and feel that most beautiful moment of our sport when your feet are free, second only to putting your boots on.  Most people opt straight for the onsen bath to relax their well worn bodies in this most magnificent time tested Japanese tradition. Some decide to have a nice icy cold Asahi beer whilst their body soothes in the hot bath. Others may choose to join their partner with a bottle of champagne and a chilled out moment with no cares. Once the core body temperature is back to normal and the muscles are soothed by the soft Hakuba waters it is time to convene to the bar to debrief with the other guests on the days activities. Good wines, icy cold beers and some well shaken cocktails help everyone along the way to choosing the best place to eat for the evening. For those who are totally relaxed it might be a night in the White Horse for a big juicy steak or others will choose to take a short stroll down to the main Echoland strip to taste some of the local delicacies. There are so many options here and we are here to help you with your selection. After dinner you may be keen on a little karaoke or just to relax at a little bar for a night cap. Others have been known to kick on to one of the nightclubs in the area till the wee hours of the morning.  The more snow that falls is usually a good indication of the time that everyone will be tucked up in bed. Early to bed and early to rise to get the first tracks in the morning. Come and enjoy the best of Hakuba.

http://www.whitehorse-hakuba.com

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Hakuba 20th November, 2009

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Hakuba Blog

 

Shink symbol

Follow this Shinkansen symbol at Tokyo Station

Whats the best way to get to Hakuba from Narita? A common question from our guests who haven’t been here before. In my opinion I will always take the Narita Express from the airport to Tokyo which takes approximately 1 hour. Next I will take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano (90 minutes) and then the bus to Hakuba (1 hour). It is the fastest and most comfortable way to get here. The negatives are the transfers in Tokyo and Nagano with your bags. The positives are very comfortable seating, carriage service and getting to ride on the bullet train is an experience in itself. It is also the quickest option. For an easy option there is a bus that leaves Narita at 8pm. It will take longer however it is a good service if you don’t want the adventure late in the evening. Let us know your travel details when you book and we can help you find the best way here. Free Hakuba Station transfers are included for all our hotel guests.

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Hakuba 19 November, 2009

Posted on November 22, 2009 by Hakuba Blog

Tsugaike backcountry

Tsugaike backcountry powder

My winter office

Sometimes days just cruise through here. Our head office is situated in the Arctic hotel in Echoland and I spend a lot of time on the computer. There is always something to do here to improve the services and amenities at the hotels (almost perfect now :)). Work is currently finishing up at Double Black on improvements to the heating and water services (I like everyone to be nice and toasty when staying with us).  I am working on our banking arrangements to allow our guests to book online. We have Gucci looking after the accounting and Chiharu is always improving our internal processes with her background in working at some of the biggest hotels in Japan.  The days go so quickly and the season is approaching at a frantic pace. What happened to the warmer months. We will be more ready this year than ever before and I’m looking forward to some of the best days of my life on the snow and I am looking forward to sharing those days with my guests.

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Hakuba 18th November, 2009

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Hakuba Blog
Happo ticket check

New ticket checks

Happo One has new ticket check stalls this year. I am not sure if the pass has changed however it all looks pretty high tech. For those new to the system, people usually have a pocket in the left arm of their jacket to place the lift pass which is a small electronic chip about 40mm x 40mm. I was able to find some gloves with a little pocket in them to hold the chip which works really well. You can also purchase an armband for about 100 yen to hold the pass. Just wave your arm over the side sensors and the little yellow arm will drop down to let you through. It is a good system and similar to what they had and also to what most of the other resorts in Hakuba have. At the end of the day you should cash your pass in at the refund machine at the bottom of all of the ski areas. I love the idea of being out on the mountain all day and then cash your chip in and they give you 1000 yen. It feels like they are paying you for your great effort on the mountain that day.

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