Planning ahead? who, me? WINTER BREAK

Yeah, that's right... planning vacations and maximizing life.... of course there will be some random trips in the upcoming months... but here is an idea for winter break. I post it now (though it will change, of course- dates, places, times, etc... IT'S JUST AN IDEA) in order to share with those of you who might find yourself interested.


(Gorgeous Tahoe Day)

DATES:
Dec 22-Jan 6th

PLAN:

Fly into Sapporo (like the beer!), Hokkaidou- far northern island of Japan. Perhaps I can get a discount for my domestic Japanese flight and up to three other friends on a possible JAL birthday discount... if its not in the blackout period.

(Dad on the X-country sticks at Lake Mary, Mammoth)



Hokkaidou snowboarding/skiing in:
-Niseko, "one of Japan's prime ski resorts" at Annupuri Ski Resort (western Hokkaidou)
-Rusutu, northern Hokkaidou
-Tomamu, eastern Hokkaidou



Train a bit further south to Yamagata prefecture (northern Honshu [main] Island):
Mt. Zaou- another awesome ski area

(all powder and no trees, makes for great Andes slopes, right, Doctor?!)

Nagano is another idea (home of the 1998 olympics)

-Happo-o-ne Ski resort

-Shiga-kogen

(what are you waiting for? Get in that pow pow!)



And, unfortunately, all of these slopes have local onsen to go with them... thermal hot baths...

Typical schedule looks like:
8:29am- wake up
8:30- hit slopes
16:30- stop riding
17:00- after-ski (drinks, duh!)
19:00- onsen to relax tight muscles
21:00- go to bars
before Dec 22, after Jan 6: Sleep


(Me looking like a girl with long hair as I hang on Eze's shoulder in Aspen-Snowmass!)



ideas for New Years: uhh, downtown Tokyo, in Shibuya. Or, at the Dewa Sanzan, on the peak of a mountain near Yamagata, spiritual retreat area. Seemingly opposites, no? What else do you expect from me?


Yeah, I am thinking about it and saving money, its gonna be a pricey one. There will be crowds- lots of people- but I think it will be bearable. I am thinking about it, alright. I am thinking. And i am acting soon.

(Me on Super Bowl Sunday 2006 in Mammoth! Yeah Kordell!)


You in? d.strich@gmail.com

[ps: missing pix of Whistler and Banff, Canada and Chamonix, France- I only real ones, no digi ones]