Andesite and Castle with Sam

Sam killed it on his first two BC outings.  Turns out he's pretty good at downplaying his skiing ability and can easily keep up with any one of us.  Can't wait to see how he blossoms in the next few years.  Hope he'll keep at it so I'll selfishly have another BC skiing partner (you can never have enough). 

The first day we wanted to keep it mellow and just head out to Andesite.  Not a huge fan of that place as it is so small with a medium approach.  If the main slope were 3x longer, I'd be there all the time.

Summit pano

Another great morning to be out.

Castle covered in fog.

Sam slaying some pow

Back at the house the kids were sledding and ready to go to Sugar Bowl.  

The scene at Sugar Bowl... The parent Dufours are in the chair behind me.  

Well... this is what happens at low tide.  

Nice Sun Pillar!  

Sam with the pillar hawk

Alexis joining us at the top

blurry summit shot

Weehaw!

After coaching for Buddy Werner dropped into WoodWard to check out the facilities!!! Holy moly... who wants to go!?!?  Like now?  

First Pow day of 2018 season... Jan 26-28

This season has been quite lackluster... especially compared with last year.  And this was probably the first pow day since Nov for this year.  

Xmas in Japan: Part 3 - Off to Jigokudani

At the Minakami train station

Part 1

Part 2

From Minakami, my folks headed back to Kawagoe on the bus, but we decided to utilize our JR rail passes and head to Jigokudani (Hell Canyon)... home of the snow monkeys!  

"Viking" breakfast

On the shuttle bus to the train station

Mind the gap

Nikko on his best behavior to get stickers from the train conductor.  

Soon, the kids got comfy

So did Kimbo.  She's mastered the Japanese, "sleeping while sitting on a train" technique.

Nikko in his happy place... eating snacks, watching doraemon, while riding a train.

And on to the "Snow Monkey" express.  This train had a sweet view.  

Love these Onsens... everything is provided.  You just need to show up.  Get your yukata on and go.. 

Kai = happy

There was no one at the onsen... so I took a few pics.  Not a bad view egh?  One issue with most onsens in Japan.  The temps are too hot for the kids.  Sometimes they'll have 8 tubs... and all are too hot.  

view from the onsen

For dinner, we walked a few blocks to a ramen shop.  We were the only customers.

Awesome hole in the wall with the Sapporo ladies

mmm....

Santa aquarium

After putting our kids to bed...

we went upstairs for a drink in their "igloos".... 

X-mas in Japan: Pt 1 - Getting to Kawagoe

in the airport, the kids were super cute and held hands the whole time.  

Nikko all settled in for the flight.

what a snuggle monster

So many options...

From Haneda, getting to Kawagoe is quite easy... just hop on the "friendly limousine"

Soon the kids were back at Obaachan and Ojiichan's house, jumping around... 

and hiding in the futon closet.

went on a quick jog to get rid of the jet lag

Kai wondering what this is...

Bee aware... 

praying for safe travels

Walking down Claire Mall

Typical Japanese Supermarket campaign...

How you lock up a 10K$ bike in Japan... with a 100 yen lock that I'm sure I could break with a fingernail clipper

Went to the used clothing store to get some jackets for the boys.  Burr....

And ate some amazing food at Sushi-Ro.  One our first stops in Kawagoe... 

They have weird sushi like this bacon cheese sushi there... 

The boys LOVE it...

To hit up all the Kawagoe attractions on our one day there, we went to Yu Yu Land... the onsen.  

Forget why Nikko is so sad here... 

After the onsen, there is a "relaxation room" filled with toys for the kids... 

TVs, tables, magazines, books...

vending machines for french fries, sausages, etc... if you are hungry

beer, which is always nice after a soak.

And Ice Cream vending machine for the kids...

Nikko eating the dinner of champions.  Natto roll and a popcicle

Night night...