More snow = more skiing

We went skiing at Mt. Tiene yesterday.  It was my first time to Tiene.  It was the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics in alpine skiing, bobsled, and luge events.  We took a ride in a gondola with one of the ski instructors who pointed out where the skiing competitions had taken place.  He also pointed out where one of the buildings still has the Olympic logo on it.  Near the bottom of the mountain we were able to see the Olympic torch from the '72 games.  For our last run of the day Jody and I skied down what had been the women's slalom course.

In the first photo you can see (from left to right Bre, Tanya, and Jody.  The guy in the bright green coat was not skiing with us.

Here is a photo of Adit, who also went with us.  For Bre and Adit it was their 3'rd time skiing.  They are both picking up skiing very quickly. 

The weather conditions were generally cloudy/foggy with light snow.  There were a few breaks in the clouds and I was able to see this view looking out over Ishikari Bay, part of the Japan Sea.

When we were skiing through the woods Jody found this sign marking the boundary of where you are allowed to go.  I enjoyed the first line immensely.  It says We at Sapporo Teine mark excessively hazardous areas as "Closed Areas" and for the sake of your family, friends, and future life, suggest that you stay away from these areas.

I can't imagine a sign in the US saying "for the sake of your family, friends, and future life, suggest that you stay away from these areas."  It seems so very Japanese to consider first the sake of your family and friends when making a decision.

Here is a photo of Jody skiing through the trees.  The powder was great off the main trail.

I put together a short video of our ski adventures.  I think you will like it.

Here is Jody's last run with no editing.

That's all for now.

-Kyle (and Bre)