100 Day Season and an East Hokkaido Roadtrip
April
We haven’t really been riding much recently. We’ve had a couple of visitors, and some weekends of rainy weather. I did have one really good day down at Nakayama Touge last Monday. The park down there is in good shape and due to stay open for the spring period and into May.
Spring Park at Nakayama Touge
I also bagged my 100th day of the season. It’s the second time I’ve managed a 100 day season here in Hokkaido. The last time was in 2011/12 when I got 102 days. I’m hoping to comfortably break that record by the end of the month!
At Sapporo Teine, 100th day for the season.
We missed a weekend skiing when we headed out to Eastern Hokkaido with my brother who was visiting earlier in April. We were lucky with the weather and saw some really spectacular scenery. A few photos:
Kurodake. They say there’s no steep terrain in Hokkaido.
Oakan-dake at sunset with Meakan smoking in the distance
Lake Kussharo from Bihoro Touge. Shari dake in the distance.
Not eastern Hokkaido, but Lake Shikotsu, near Chitose. We hiked Fuppushi-dake straight after picking up my brother from the airport. View of Yotei, Shiribetsu-dake and Rusutsu resort in the distance.
After some crap weather last week, the forecast is looking more promising for the coming weekend. Hoping to get a final lift access day at Teine, and then a park session at Nakayama Touge. After that, we’ll be hiking for turns.
Ezo Pow 
Amazing pictures up here! :O Kurodake looks interesting, because I’ve definitely heard the no steeps in Hokkaido thing a few times…
June 11, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Thanks man. Generally, yeah, the terrain is more mellow here. But there is certainly steep stuff if you know where to look!
June 11, 2015 at 7:51 pm
I’ll be back one day to check it out! Ski touring Yotei is something I’ve been wishing I’d done. But a good excuse to return
June 12, 2015 at 1:49 am
Always good to have an excuse to come back!
Worth remembering that Kurodake’s ropeway (tram) is closed for much of Jan/Feb. Check out the Tokachidake for some more really solid steeps.
June 12, 2015 at 7:39 am
Thanks Andy. I’ll be back on your blog for the info I need!
July 9, 2015 at 5:53 pm