Zao Skiing

We woke up on the last day of the year at about 5 a.m. which was perfect for us. We went back to the baths to soak before having breakfast promptly at 7. Most of the guests used the buffet and sat in the dining room barefoot. It’s customary on tatami mats in Japan. We kept our socks on. By 8 we were standing in line at the best ski rental shop in town. At 9 we had our gear on, bought our lift tickets, and were among the first to hit slopes.

We hit our first run of the season and by the second hill we were ready to go wild. The ski map at Zao is wildly out of proportion but we figured it out; eventually. The resort was a perfect base for a start of the season ski trip. After a good morning we were hungry, and I spotted a place that I wanted to check out. It looked like a Bavarian or Swiss chalet, but it was nestled up in the mountain with no roads to it, so I was intrigued.

Once we went inside we knew we hit the jackpot. A dark wooden room with fireplaces and tables for dining were crowded with 99% Japanese patrons. We later found out that this mid-century ski lodge served the best food on the mountain; so we went back the next day to dine at the same spot. Of course we ordered the most Japanese things ever, but all the locals were having hamburgers and pancakes. I made some people laugh by calling it out.

I will have a more detailed review of Zao in another medium eventually. So be on the lookout for that. (Masu)

Both days we skied till our bodies could take no more. We finished and started the 25/26 year with skiing.

We would love to go back to this place someday and explore even more, but for a first time, this outing was perfect.Read more