I have had a bit of a frustrating day and to see the clear skies outside made it even worse!

3:30pm and I decided it was time to take a break and get some fresh air. Time to check out the nighta at nearby Maiko Snow Resort here in Minamiuonuma.

This season it's just 500 yen from 4pm to 8pm on the right 'Maiko' side of the resort. The top triple lift runs until 5pm and then it's just the central quad that goes until 8pm.

Got there at just after 4pm so I could play on the top triple lift for a while before it closed.

I was surprised actually because it's a fairly decent sized area that's open, and I could really whizz down there. I had this image that it was all just bunny slope, but there's more to it than that.

Not bad at all.

I will be going lots of times I think especially when there's some fresh snow. When it's only 500 yen it makes it an easy 'go'.

Even 90 minutes skiing is much more interesting than an evening walk for sure!

I'm hopeless at night photos, but took a few before it got too dark.





Looking over to Ishiuchi Maruyama





Back in time for tea!


Source: Wan coin naita @ Maiko

Very strange day today weather wise.
Started off snowing, then around 8am it was bright blue skies, then it quickly clouded over again.
Back to sun after 9am and as I hadn't been skiing since Hakuba last week I thought I would go out and have a half day.
Lovely blue skies for an hour or so and then it got all grey and clouding over once again around lunchtime.
Lots of different shades of blue, then grey.
It was almost like it was different days looking in different directions.

I was really pleasantly surprised at the snow - it was really decent out there today.
Actually it was easily better than last week (in Hakuba), which was unexpected given the weather we had since then.

I know I have posted pics from Maiko from this season before, so try some different ones.
Messing about with fisheye, lovely snowy trees, sunshots and.... well, some more trees. I like trees.
What fun!



--

Giant overlooks the little people













I reckon last weeks warm weather did some of this



























Wu-e-hey!




Source: Centleisure Maiko (Minamiuonuma, Niigata) - 28th February 2012

Just a quick entry for the records.
Went to Maiko for the morning.
My, it was busy. Perhaps the busiest I have ever seen it.
Good for them, not good for me - being used to quiet weekdays.
At least I got some good exercise walking from the car to base!
Not complaining, it was fun, but felt lucky that I can do weekdays most of the time.

No photos - for once I didn't take a camera!

So I have waited a week for another clear day and this morning started off sunny so it was time to check out Ishiuchi Maruyama, just to the north of Yuzawa - connected with Gala Yuzawa resort - and actually in Minamiuonuma. About 15 minutes drive from my home.

Lovely weather early on though once again gradually it started to cloud over and was getting overcast in some directions. As I write this now it's very grey all round here in Minamiuonuma.

I really enjoyed this morning - snow was really nice up top, a little heavier down below but still decent. A fair few people about but by no means 'busy'. I've never really loved Ishiuchi Maruyama, it all seems a bit..... 'industrial'. I don't know how to explain it. Lots and lots of lifts all over the place and they even often sound like their cranking noisily up into action, even the quad lifts.

It's never been one of my go-to places either for the skiing or the photos. But today was probably my best experience of Maruyama and I am keen to go back.

I was skiing pretty good today as well.




Hiding in the distance



It has snowed quite a bit



From the old now-closed First Ishiuchi resort





Haro



Chopper!



Yuzawa in the distance



Can you find the way in?



I like trails as well as trees









Chopper! Possibly taking new big poster shots for gaijin tourists!



The (it was hazy so these are) Black and White Photos!













I tried to get them to wave. They weren't having it.



Colour!



Gala Yuzawa



I like trees



Beautiful snow



Natural snow seat



Muikamachi in the background





Lifts all over the place



Hey you! Trendy crew! Having a good time?



Oh yes!




Source: Ishiuchi Maruyama (Minamiuonuma, Niigata) - 13th February 2012

Yes, it's that time of the year again when I post some photos of the flying rice at Ishiuchi Maruyama in Shiozawa.

So, here we are:





Source: Frying rice

My first blog entry!

Well, I have been happy to help out check these new Forums from time to time over the last few months.
They're really so much more than just "Forums" though now aren't they.
Really looking forward to seeing them out in the open and seeing how people like them.

I'll be posting tons of photos once again this coming winter. Before that, lets have some autumn hey... still hot out there!

Hope the launch all goes well guys.