The Way of the Mountain Bike November 29 2010, 11:02am via studio343.jp

After the initial excitement of the first snowfall and first tracks unfortunately there hasn’t been too much to get excited about over the last few weeks…”opening” weekend came and went with no joy – although The Barn’s opening was good.

Have a look at this panorama taken last weekend during the balmy opening ceremony of the ‘Safety Center’.

It seems to me that in Japan every organization loves a ceremony and Niseko Hirafu is no exception. The saftey center is run in association with the local police and Hirafu business owners to grease the wheels of internationalization.

Anyways, with the lack of snow it has meant Mountain biking has been a go. Here are a few shots taken over the last month.

These shots were taken on the road up to Goshiki Onsen from Hanazono on the 13th- check out the road markers – the poles must be at least 5 meters high.

There was a bit more snow than we thought there would be up higher !

Last weekend we rode around the Foothills of Yotei…EPIC

Yesterday I went for another ride in fingerless gloves but only made it down one hill before my fingers went numb and I was almost blubbering like a big baby – too cold. Ok snow….lets go!