Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

I made a trip with a bunch of friends to a place called "Hyonosen-Kokusai" (means "icy mountain international"). I went with Mr. Minato (owner of Minato-ya Okonomiyaki restaurant), some friends from the Wednesday okonomiyaki gathering (Nate, Ewan, Machiko, and Kazu), and some friends of Mr. Minato.

Before I launch into the pictures, I want to highlight a few differences between skiing at Hyonosen-Kokusai in Japan, versus the ski areas in Washington State back home. First, people never ride the chair lift next to strangers. Even if each chair can hold 4 people and there are lots of people in line, a solo skier will still ride the chair lift alone. Second, there were a lot more groups of people skiing under the auspices of a ski school. Third, at least at this ski area, the food in the lodge was totally affordable. ¥500 (≈$5) for a boul of ramen noodles (nice and hot, just like you want after skiing). ¥400 (≈$4) for a couple pancakes with syrup and butter. ¥600 (≈$6) for some udon (thick noodles, also hot and nice after skiing). I seem to remember food being about twice that back home. Fourth, the lift ticket was a little cheaper. It's usually ¥3800 (≈$38), but we had a coupon so I slid in for ¥3500 (≈$35). "The Summit At Snoqualmie" ski area back home charges $42 plus about $3 in sales tax. Fifth, gear rentals were competitive. Back home, I believe there's just one rental shop. Here, there were several, very near the ski area, but totally separate. I paid ¥4800 (≈$48) for skis, boots, goggles, gloves, ski pants, and a ski jacket, reflecting a little friendly discount. Finally, the ski area (at least this one) was the least commercial/glitzy/yuppy ski area I've ever been to.

Conditions were really nice. Lots of deep powder snow. A few times, I skiied into knee deep snow without even realizing it. Really nice conditions. It wasn't nearly as big as the places I go back home, but it wasn't too crowded so I didn't mind at all. I saw about 5 runs, 3 of which are connected such that if you take three lifts up to the top of the mountain, you can ski all the way down, maybe about a mile and a half (≈2.4 kilometers). It was really nice. My pocket GPS said I was going over 30 MPH (≈48 km/hr).

Nate turned the camera to an angle to take this, in order to give the illusion that I was skiing down a hill. It might have worked if not for the people in the background standing at an angle. And, the trees growing at an angle.

Nate, Kazu, and Minato (left to right) in the lodge.

Eating udon (thick noodles) in one of the lodges.

Nate, showing his photo of flashy, snazzy, dashing Minato on his cell phone.

They have couple carosene heaters in the lodge. They put these structures over/around them so people can dry and warm their gloves and other gear. It's really nice to put on toasty gloves before going back out into the cold.

All day, my beard was crusted with ice. It's far enough from my face that the snow melts just enough to turn to ice, but then it doesn't melt anymore. This was after I had already picked a fair amount of ice out of my moustache.

Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

2/26/2005, Ski Trip to Hyonosen