So today was going to be our last day on the snow. We looked at the weather reports and there wasn't any snow predicted for tomorrow. So we might as well head back to Tokyo early. Because of this, we decided to make the most of our day. We headed straight up to Terakoya in the morning, and played around there. There were a few ski patrol guys out, but I still managed to have a play in the trees without getting my pass confiscated.
We did a couple of runs there before we headed over the top to Yakebitai via Ichinose. With not many ski schools venturing over that way, we had some good bare runs to ourselves. We got to the South wing of the Prince Hotel where the lift takes you up to the top of the terrain park. I would like to say I'm awesome and can rip it in the park, but I'm not. I chickened out of things a few times with Conrad there to catch my failures on his u-beaut camera. We decided to have a bite to eat as it was already pushing 11.30, but with the prices at Prince hotels a premium over usual ski food, we decided to head to their gift shop instead. Some nibbles and a drink later and we were semi refueled for another try at the terrain park. Both me and Dean made sure we stretched, but it didn't do much good. Bailing on hard-pack hurts, and with a few offs, I ended up hurting both my wrists and my stomach for the eleventy billionth time. We got a gondola up to the top and started heading back to Ichinose, but by the time we got there it was probably 2.45 before we got lunch at Rocky's.
I was feeling very unmotivated after a big, late lunch of ginger-pickled pork on rice, with a beer and cappucino. It didn't help that on the way back I had twisted my arm/shoulder but after a wait while Dean went and fetched his video camera, we went for another run from Ichinose/Terakoya/Higashidate/Ichinose with both Dean and Conrad holding their video cams on the runs. We were had it by this stage, but as it was our last day, Dean and I headed out for one last run (the lifts were closing soon anyway). We played around in some trees and such, with Dean filming still, but once we got to the bottom, with we knew it was over. In someways it's bitter-sweet, I love the snow and snowboarding, but I've wrecked myself worse this time than I did last time, so my body will be happy for a couple days respite in Tokyo.
We had decided last night to have dinner in the restaurant in our hotel. Ganji had asked us where we had been eating a couple of times and we felt bad that we had been eating out nearly every night since we got here. At traditional Japanese hotels (this one is run in a similar way), you eat whatever has been prepared. We weren't sure though because the cold breakfasts we'd been having made us wary. I had asked one of the managers the night before what would been on the menu, as well as letting him know that I can't eat cooked fish, but when he said that it would be Karaage (fried chicken), Japanese-style steak (thinly cut), some veges and salad and soup, we said ok. And all for the princely sum of 1200Y (about $15). It wasn't bad actually, with the steak being nicely marbled, and all the food being quite good. It was served early though, so it has allowed us time to pack and do some washing for the trip back to Tokyo tomorrow.
Sorry if this hasn't been as exciting as last years, but there is only so many times you can say "I had an awesome day snowboarding" or "I totally axed myself today" before it gets a little repetitive. Next couple of days will be from Tokyo though, so it should be more interesting.
Pics will be up later/sometime.
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