D6 - Mt Yokoteyama

The usual buffet breakfast was had, then we geared up and headed out about 8:30am destined for Mt Yokote. We did a quick traverse of Diamond, Family, Tanne and Takamagahara, then up and over the bridge to Nishitateyama. Here we then went up the gondola to the Yamanoeki where a bus was waiting just before 10am. This bus was packed, we managed to get on standing at the front door section.

At Sun Valley another 4 people wanted to get on, we didn't think it was possible but they managed to squeeze onto the already crowded bus. It made for an interesting ride to Mt Yokote, where we arrived about a half hour later.

After taking the two chairs up to the top at 2300m, we took in the amazing views. Then we stopped at the bakery for a custard bread or two at 11:30.

We had a nice run down from Yokote, so we went back up the first chair to do it again. We then continued down and found our way over to Kumanoyu. Only two lifts were running here on the left side. We did one run down . The snow here was not as nice as that at Yokote. We then headed to the bus stop. Again the bus gods were shining and we only had a 4min wait, plus there was room on the bus!. Standing room, but we were on the bus.

We then went down the gondola at Yamenoeki. And headed for the Nishitateyama chair, then rode up the hooded quad before coming down towards Takamagahara. It was just after 2pm and our destination was the pizza place on the same side of the street. Luckily it was open after 2pm. So a couple of pizzas and some awesome fries later we were fed.

Heading off just before 3pm we departed our way up Takamagahara and then across to Tanne no mori for a few runs. Across to Family we went up the quad chair and back down the kids beloved green run (where they cut through the trees at every opportunity). Over to Diamond, where a race was had between hubby and the kids, for the last run of the day. Hubby won. So then it was back to the Prince with an obligatory snow fight on the run down. We arrived back at 4pm, absolutely buggered.

Onsen time and ice-cream to follow, we didn't worry about dinner.Read more