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I had managed to convince the other (most of them) that we should try the slopes today as well. Just before 8 am we were on the first lift up under a blue sky

At 1:47 pm I was on a Shinkansen back to Tokyo. The only fun thing about that was to meet Chie again.

At 7:55 am we were all waiting at the lift. We were on the second lift up and could have a wonderful ride on an untouched slope

The first 2 hours were great. Then it got a bit crowded and you had to slaloming around slow skiers and snowboarders. It was still good, but more because of the good weather. Most of the time the sun was shining on us… Except for 30 minutes or so before lunch time.

Once we had lunch all wanted to take a rest from skiing, except me. I continued skiing by myself. Exploring the area. It was great fun. Fresh air. Great weather. What more can you ask for?

Well you could ask for it tomorrow as well

Friday morning and I woke up earlier than usual on a work day, which Fridays usually are. But today I had a day off Still I had to be an early bird to catch the Shinkansen train to Nagano.

At Nagano I and Shimizu was picked up by Saito-san and the three of us was on our way to Shiga-Kogen. About an hour’s ride and we met Mash-san and Hachobori-san at the Prince Hotel West in Shiga-Kogen.

First things first… We checked in. Rented a snowboard for me. And had lunch. Then we were off enjoying the slopes on a very fine day’s afternoon.

At 8 am we were on the Shiga-kogen shuttle bus to one of the gondolas. We were off to yet another beautiful day in the slopes.

We were skiing and snowboarding together until around 11 am. Then Everyone but me was exhausted and wanted a rest. I continued to snowboard for another hour when I met the other for lunch. They hadn’t moved at all.

When I finished lunch I got out to the slopes and the sun again. The other continued to rest. I enjoyed the slopes until around 2 pm when it got cloudy. From then I did not enjoy it as much but continued for another hour before returning to the other. Still at the restaurant where I left them.

Actually they had moved. About 5 tables. But now they joined me in my effort to get back to the hotel.

At the hotel I had time to take one last bath. It felt nice after a day’s snowboarding.

At 5:17 pm I was on the Shigaden bus bound for Nagano station. And Mash-san and C/o was jumping and waving me off outside the bus. Some people inside the bus laughed. I was not one of them.

Saturday morning at 7:28 am. I am onboard the Asama Shinkansen bound for Nagano. I spend the 1 hours and 30 minutes it takes to get there to read.

Outside the gates I meet Satoko-san. Together with her and Shimizu-san Kuma-san drives us to Shiga-kogen where we meet Mash-san and Hachobori-san.

First this we do is to get into our ski and snowboarding gears. And get out to the slopes. The white snow. And the sunshine.

We continued skiing and snowboarding the whole day. And enjoying the great snow conditions, yesterday Shiga-kogen got 10 cm of fluffy snow. And of course enjoying the good weather.

In the evening we had dinner with about a million other people at the hotel. Shabu-shabu. Quite yummy. Though Chie’s shabu-shabu with Jimmy and Emma (a few days ago if you remember) was more yummy.