Last Run

Back now from our weekend in Shiba Kogen, Nagano Prefecture with a few of the people from Owain's 'project team'. We took the bullet train up Friday night, then got a bus to a snow mobile, which took us to the cosy slope-side Alpen Glow Inn. The area was so beautiful, mountains ( that clearly look like volcanoes ! ) in all directions and while there were loads of hotels scattered about, the area still felt very rugged and undeveloped. There was no town, or even a 'resort area' to speak of, and yet the area actually links about 20 different ski areas together, it is immense ! Owain and I donned our snowboards for the first time in five years. I have been so inspired watching the women's Olympic snowboarding, and I was really excited to try some proper intermediate slopes ( Jackson doesnt really do intermediate ) but I was so much rustier then I expected, and I am aching, if not shattered. Still the place offered such variety, I may get back in the saddle, when I can walk again...