Mechanical B-movie killer crab above the door?

Ez - I'm interested in that bike path too. I've been up and down the Makkomanai one a bit. As for the doctor, if that bike I saw him on had any more swing and springs, the cranks would hit the ground. Maybe that's the goal, pedal lines in the fresh.

Giant Crab? Near the host club "King" across the street from the 109 Plaza?

The more conventional thing to do is ride the path in spring and camp out at the lake overnight and take in the view at the onsen, maybe hike around a bit, then ride back. Would make an ace long weekend trip! I should probably at least ride the path in the non-snow season once before attempting to do it in winter!

nope, but good try

Sounds like an excellent long weekend Ez. Beautiful countryside out there. Must try it.

Well, Niseko's got all the fresh today, but yesterday the fresh was here in sunny Sapporo. I had another great day up at Teine Highland, with about 10-12cm of fresh. Just enough to soften out Sunday's tracks and whilst it wasn't deep or dry, it certainly was soft, spongy and fun.

Plenty of action in the woods, and plenty of Japanese ducking under ropes. The lifties and patrol don't really seem to mind. I got a bit too enthused at one point and had to do an embarrassing walk of shame for the last flat 30 metres under the lift, down across a creek and slithering around to the lift entry, trying my best to be invisible. I was prepared to get a lecture, but all I got was a smile and a 'dozo' onto my chair.

Sapporo. Great.

Out n about in Summer time, hiking camping etc in Hokkaido how often do you guys see bears?

So far, I haven't seen one in the wilds yet. Came upon some fresh scat hiking at Asahidake and smelled the bear, but didn't hear it crashing through the bushes or see any movement.

I see bears more often in Whistler.

Summer Beer Garden, Susu and kino, Toyota Big Air, Daimaru Buffet, Snow festival (altho only need to see once - one in Asahikawa is good too), close to Niseko but also Furano and the Big Snowy Mountains, Teine Highland, .... could keep going...

I'm shralping it as you read this. Good dump Thurs night, after a saddening Christmas Day thaw.

Tell me more, tell me more...

(Edit - correction to that - I'm not shralping anything. just woke up to a foot of snow, but 13 metre a second winds and a gale warning! And thunder!? )

Toyota Big Air - Monster jump air-style fest held yearly with stops in many major snowy cities across Japan. I went to the 2004(?) one in Makomanai. Pretty awesome. Shawn White was competing... I can't really remember who else was there...

Toyota Big Air - freezin, but a bit of whiskey keeps you warm, top international pro riders, top Japanese riders, live bands, huuge jump in open stadium, live acts...a good time definitely and the after party is one not to be missed. this year on Feb 14th. check out their webpage for more info.

Ezorisu, good decription but this one only held in Sapporo, every year, no tour. X-trail Jam was just held in Tokyo but they are the only two major big air comps in Japan.

Thanks for the info boys. In the meantime the Car Danchi crew are gonna be at Bankei tomorrow night for an expression session and then the movie. It's all free and starts at 5pm. Buses from Maruyama Station (Tozai Line). For more info (in Japanese mostly) search for 'Bankei Night Ride'.

I stand corrected - I thought it was a tour.

If I could choose to live in any city in Japan, I think it would be Sapporo. Good city, great in winter, great in summer (if not only to be out of the heat of others!) good all round place.

looking to book the Chuo buse from the airport, came across a good find:

Sightseeing bus route F-1, Winter Susukino transvestite show. Different from summer one I suppose.

WHAT THE???? May have to put that on my list of things to see do.