Helmet Cam Rental at GALA

The internet is awash with home videos of skiers and boarders carving it up on the mountain and now you too can get in on the action.

GALA Yuzawa have teamed up with Contour to offer camera rental this season.

You'll need some ID and 2,000 yen, and then you'll be the proud possessor of a Contour head cam and mount for a day. It comes with an SD card to capture the thrills and spills. Make yourself the star of the show, capture the face shots as you rip through the powder or as you kill it in the park. It's great fun to watch afterwards and you can show friends and family what a great time you had in Snow Country.

GALA links up to Ishiuchi Maruyama and Yuzawa Kogen as part of the 3 Mountains Area so there is plenty of terrain for you to capture on film.

If you are interested, head up to the Information Desk at the Cheers Building at the top of the gondola.
More info (in Japanese).

Ride On Series at Ishiuchi

The cool kids are in the park these days and there are plenty of opportunities for them to show what they are made of in Snow Country. There are competitions throughout the season and almost every resort these days boasts a terrain park of one form or another.

One of the best in this area is Ishiuchi Maruyama. It boasts 2 half pipes, a couple of parks and lots of good features for freestylers.

They also host the Yonex Ride On Series which is three events in January, February and March. If you think you have what it takes fill out an entry form and book your place. If not, turn up and enjoy the action from the safety of the side. It is fantastic to watch and some of the tricks are breathtaking.

January 27th - Big Air
February 24th - Technical Trial
March 24th - Half Pipe

Yonex Ride On at Ishiuchi Maruyama

Day Return Packages to Yuzawa Nakazato

The beauty of skiing in Snow Country is that it is so easy to get to and is therefore possible to do as a day trip from Tokyo. A day on the slopes can easily fit into the busiest itinerary and needs no special accommodation arrangements. Kagura and GALA are the well-known options for day return skiing but there are plenty of other resorts that offer the same package and have their own benefits. One great option that is off the radar is the day trip to Yuzawa Nakazato.

If you have ever driven in this area you will have seen this resort on your right as you approach the Yuzawa IC after the long tunnel. It also has its own JR line station right next to the resort. The slopes range across the slopes of the local mountains and there is plenty to explore with a good mix of terrain. There is lots of space for kids to play in the snow and some old train carriages make a novel place to take a breather. It is one of those resorts that people have heard of but never tried. Those that have given it a go often keep coming back.

The package makes everything as easy as possible for you.
Bullet train tickets, pick up from Echigo Yuzawa station, rental equipment, and lift passes.
For full details and prices by date, hit up the link.

Snow Camping at Maiko

We are big advocates of the outdoor life and open to new experiences so were pretty excited when we got wind of camping on the snow.

This weekend at Maiko they are offering the chance to get a taste of the winter with some snow camping and cooking in the open air. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but with the right preparations and equipment you will be amazed by how cosy it is. Also with a day of activity in the great outdoors the food that you prepare and cook slowly in your Dutch Oven will be some of the best you have ever tasted.

You get to learn how to pitch a tent in the snow, cook with a Dutch Oven and then there is also a snowshoe tour and the chance to play a bit of disc golf. If that is not a great day out on the snow with a difference, we don't know what is...

Maiko Snow Camping and Dutch Oven Workshop in Japanese

Children's Day at GALA - 20th Jan

The third Sunday of every month is Children's Day at GALA Yuzawa which means that children of elementary school age will get a free lift ticket for the day.

A great excuse to bring the family up to the mountains for the day. There is also a dedicated sledding area and play area for the youngsters at the top of the gondola. Both of these are in sight of the restaurant so mum and dad can enjoy a quick sit down while the kids get their fill of the white stuff.

This is every month so if you are looking for a regular break with the kids, the dates for the diary are:
Sunday 20th January
Sunday 17th February
Sunday 17th March
Sunday 21st April

Chalet La Neige in Minakami

If you are looking for the complete break this winter you should be considering ski-in, ski-out accommodation on the side of a ski resort. Add in amazing cuisine, friendly English speaking hosts and a log fire and you are guaranteed a great time. One place that ticks all these boxes and many more is Chalet La Neige in Minakami.

It is right on the slopes of Houdaigi Ski Resort which is the biggest and best in that area. Great beginner slopes for the learners and some really challenging courses for the more experienced. Stunning views over the surrounding mountains too.

The chalet is cosy with spacious rooms with real beds. The decor is stylish and you would be forgiven if you forgot you were in Japan for a moment, so much does it resemble the European chalet style.

Time on the slopes is the big draw for a winter break but once you have eaten here you will constantly be counting the hours until the next delicious dinner. It really is that good. European-influenced dishes that  are the perfect end to the perfect day.

Highly recommended and it is easy to see why they have such a loyal customer base who keep coming back for more.

Carrots from under the snow

Food and cuisine are important parts of life and culture in these parts. Many of the foods that are traditional to this area are tied up in the climate and geography of the region - warming dishes for the long winter months and ways of preserving ingredients to last until after the snow melts.

There are plenty of dishes and treats to explore and some of them are pretty unique. One that pops up again and again are carrots that have spent the winter under the snow.

An accidental discovery but one that meant sweeter, tastier carrots. It is now common practice in these parts and if you are staying up this way you are likely to come across them at some point in your travels. You can even buy candy made from them and there are also places that put them in their soba noodle mix!

For more of an explanation, check out this page at snow-country.jp