Picture is just missing Mich, who is taking the photo, and Dre who was in his Kiddy class.

I must admit, this Japan trip was one of the highlights of 2010. Sigh, wish I could afford to go snowboarding every year!

‘N Sync actually stands for Niseko Sync. Niseko’s slope girls lookin’ all baller and keepin’ it Fresh!

Again I apologise for the duck face.

There are 3 ways to get to the top. Gondola, Ski lifts, trekking and the morning tractors.

The gondola takes you pretty high up, probably half way up the slopes. It’s sheltered from the elements, so it’s quite a comfortable ride up.

Then comes the ski lifts which are usually used to get to small sections of the slopes. Make sure you’re bundled up, because it gets pretty cold on those things! And be forewarned, you thought getting on was easy? Getting off was terrifying!!

If you want to get to the very top and experience the barren and almost solo decent, you got to earn it. The last bit of Hirafu requires a 30min trek to the last “checkpoint”.

And last but not least, for the more advanced skiers and boarders – the morning tractors. As the night brings about a fresh coat of powder, the dedicated few wake up before dawn to get the morning tractor up to the top. There you will be rewarded with deep untouched snow which was dumped during the night.

“Kimmy, it looks like snow goat poo!”

Snows every day, every night.

Can’t help taking so many photos in Niseko. It’s just so beautiful!

Back to the Japan Niseko posts, by the third day, we were feeling more confident and decided to venture higher up the peak.

Morning ritual: I’d be the first one to get out of bed. So I’ll sneak out quietly to wash up without waking drea, and prepare some brekkie and hot water for the rest. I make myself a hot cup of coffee and that’s when the rest of the chalet starts to stir.

Over the kitchen island, Chris and Mich will start planning the day’s routes and runs.

Soon we all start to get ready and gear up, and make the long trek up to the ski lifts. And for the rest of the day till dark, we’re on the boards or on our bums.

But I must admit, was really proud of first-timers Kimmy, Drea and myself for tackling the blue and black runs. And we had blue and black bruised bums to prove it. Even if we were doing the “Falling Leaf” most of the way down, at least we gave it a solid attempt to stay up!

I really really enjoyed snowboarding, and hope I’m able to do it again sometime soon. Korea? China? Kashmir? Canada?

Was a beautiful day in Hirafu, and after our half day class in the morning, we were ready to tackle the ski lifts and blue runs. From then on, it’s all a matter of practice. Less time on the bum this day, and more time doing the skills below:

Credit: Snowboarding abc

Photos from left to right: Michelle gracefully takes a break. Kim and I just before we headed out the door. View from the bottom of the slopes. And a shot from the ski lift!

Chris and Kim looking all so pro!

I know how to wakeboard, so does that mean I know how to snowboard? Most definitely NOT.

When me and Kim signed up at the ski school, we had the choice to learn skiing or snowboarding. With our background in wakeboarding, we chose snowboarding. Also for another superficial reason – Snowboarding looks way cooler than skiing.

Snowboarding seemed like it had the same sports attitude as mountain biking. Cool, relaxed, chilled, and at times, extreme. We decided to sign ourselves up for 1.5 days of ski school and see how it goes.

First morning in Niseko, board in hand, we walked up to the slopes, dropped Andre at kids ski school and went for the adult classes. Veterans Michelle and Chris went ahead and did their own runs on the slopes while me and Kim spent most of the time on our arses!!

Snowboarding is not as easy as it looks. Be prepared to fall down ALOT on your bum and your knees. I was in pieces by the end of the day but chuffed.

Here’s a summary of what we learnt which I managed to find online.

Credit: Snowboarding abc

First picture below was taken by Chris and Michelle from the cable car while me and Kim were having our lessons on the slopes. So glad I had a buddy for ski school, am so proud of Kimmy and I. We really learnt a lot in 1 day.

Another item off my bucket. Snowboarding.

After my eventful trip to Tsukiji Fish Market, I came back to the hotel and had a one hour kip before the alarm rang again.

We had a 11:30am domestic flight to catch to Sapporo.

We took the train to Tokyo Haneda Airport and hopped on to our Hokkaido International Air flight to New Chitose Airport, Sapporo.

Chope!

So I should first mention here how I felt/feel about snow.

The last time I’ve played in snow was a VERY long time. Think I was 7 years old and it was snowing in England en route to Auntie Christine’s place in Wales. Ever since then, I’ve been longing to see snow again. I correct myself, not just seeing snow, but I wanted to be standing outside in the falling snow.

It was also one of my items on the bucket list.

So can you imagine my excitement when we were flying overhead snow covered fields and mountains! I was smiling ear to ear, heart pounding with excitement. Get me down there quick!!

After touching down at Sapporo, we had a quick lunch at one of the ramen houses in the airport before we set off for the long drive. To be honest, we didn’t expect much, it being an airport restaurant. But oh my word, absolutely freakin delicious! And of course you can’t come to Sapporo and not have Sapporo biru!

With the tummy-filled, we were soon on our way on our 3hr mini-van ride to Niseko.

We spent the time in the van watching a DVD on Chris’ computer and chit chatting. I took a short snooze, and when I woke up, I promise you my eyes were welling up. It was snowing outside!!!!

We stopped at a rest house for a toilet break, and I just stood there in the snow with arms out, head up and tongue out! Snow flakes danced down so lightly and kissed my cheeks.

Pure elation from the simplest thing. I’m a happy girl.