Winter Tour 2001-2002
date: Saturday 29th December, 2001
venue: Amihari, Iwate
programme: leave Omiya at midnight on 28th, 7 hours journey splitting driving between 4
weather: -2 C, sunny with beautiful views of the mountains behind Tazawako and Nyuto Onsen
snow conditions: fresh powder although base still thin on some of runs
result: perfect riding in sunshine, no queues but good resort with several steeper runs and plenty of powder to shred; met up with Tokyo friend Hideki for last runs of afternoon; very hot onsen voucher included in our JPY3,800 "lift pack"
link: Amihari homepage
stay: Morioka Youth Hostel
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date: Sunday 30th December, 2001
venue: Hanawa, Akita
programme: leave Morioka Youth Hostel at 07.30 - slow drive with chains to reach resort by 11.00
weather: snow with wind increasing, blizzard conditions in afternoon
snow conditions: plenty of fresh powder and hardly anyone to ride it
result: excellent powder and a good steep run at this tiny uncrowded resort; strong winds cut the afternoon short
link: Hanawa - not available
stay: Oyu Onsen Youth Hostel
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date: Monday 31st December, 2001
venue: Appi, Iwate
programme: leave Oyu Onsen just after 08.00 - only 60-odd kms but slow driving in snow chains
weather: strong wind and snow, -10 with wind-chill
snow conditions: new snow but lower lifts only operating
result: dressed as New Year's Eve superheros in tight lycra suits receive plenty of attention from locals; suits too cold to stay out more than two hours especially on short low runs; finish up by 16.00 in order to prepare for New Years; countdown in the snow and then back in for celebration mochi and soba
link: Appi Kogen homepage
stay: Hachimantai Youth Hostel
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date: Tuesday 1st January, 2002
venue: Hachimantai, Iwate
programme: later start - able to ride to and from door of Sasaki-san's excellent hostel
weather: -2 C, sunny but cold wind, cloud building throughout day
snow conditions: good powder
result: discover The Wall and more windlips; great resort as ever
link: Hachimantai homepage
stay: Hachimantai Youth Hostel
date: Wednesday 2nd January, 2002
venue: Hachimantai, Iwate
programme: ride to and from door
weather: beautiful day for Hachimantai in January - still windy but clear enough for great 360 panorama
snow conditions: perfect powder
result: Chaus hike while we have good weather; ride down from summit
link: Hachimantai homepage
stay: Hachimantai Youth Hostel
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date: Thursday 3rd January, 2002
venue: Hachimantai, Iwate
kick-off: ride in and out of hostel
weather: -2 C, sunny but cold wind, cloud building throughout day
snow conditions: more powder
result: more cloud and wind than previous day; concentrate on The Wall
link: Hachimantai homepage
stay: Hachimantai Youth Hostel
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date: Friday 4th January, 2002
venue: Hachimantai, Iwate
programme: early start; ride till 13.30 and then lunch before heading for Fukushima
weather: strong wind at breakfast which had calmed by time we ventured out, clear patches
snow conditions: powder
result: great day on the terrain around the resort
link: Hachimantai homepage
stay: Azuma Star Hunt Youth Hostel
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date: Saturday 5th January, 2002
venue: Tengendai, Yamagata
programme: up early and 2-hour drive to Tengendai and to meet Jenny
weather: cold and windy, poor visibility
snow conditions: loads of it!
result: higher runs closed and difficult to work resort out; great Ryokan and rotemburo out in the snow
link: Tengendai homepage
stay: Azumaya Ryokan
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date: Sunday 6th January, 2002
venue: Tengendai, Yamagata
programme: morning's riding before setting off back to Saitama
weather: clear spells - although still windy up top
snow conditions: powder
result: only Jenny and Mark make it out; meet up with Adventure Guides' Manabu working in Edelweiss (owner = Akiba-san) for season; try out as yet unopen steep Inter-High course which comes out in Shirabu Onsen
link: Tengendai homepage
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team members: Mark Eite, Steven Parker, Paul Adamson, Masato Mogi, Chieko, Kenji Kitagawa, Natsue, Jenny Frankel-Reed
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