Skiing in Hakuba

Last weekend we rented four sets of skis and drove up to Hakuba to enjoy some deep snow. Hakuba is the ski town near Nagano where the Olympics were held a few years back. The girls were really excited to play in the snow and equally excited to go to Yeti Ski School.

It was a 3.5 hour drive from our house to the Mountains. We stopped at a rest stop to get lunch. 

Getting ready for ski school 

So excited! 

We signed them up for a full day at Yeti International Ski school. Most of the instructors were Australian and we found out that Hakuba was filled with Aussies. They come up during their summer to go skiing.... and it is apparently cheaper for them to buy plane and lift tix to Japan then it is to ski down under. 

After dropping off the kids, Shannon and I jumped on the gondola and headed up the mountain. 

It was a bit warm the day we skied and even rained. But only for a few hours. 

Nice views from mid-mtn with a rainbow. 

Shannon -- shredding the slopes!

I think it had been about 10 years since Shannon had skied last but it came back pretty fast. 

We skied at Happo One. It is the ski place where the Olympics were held. 

Lindsey Vonn.... I mean Shannon Campoamor in action

I ditched Shannon twice for a few runs all the way at the top. The views did not disappoint. 

Gondolas. 

View from the top. 

Last run of the day. 

We ended a little early, giving us some time to go spy on the kids. We saw E on the bunny slope and she was quite impressive! E is in the pink jacket. 

Walking up the mat for another run. 

LC was taken over to the bunny slope to do her lessons. Here she is returning for the day along with her sensei. 

E headed back to the lodge after her full day's lesson. They both had a blast and kept asking to go back. 

We went back to the lodge we stayed at and played out in the snow. LC wanted to build an igloo. 

Sno angels. 

On our last morning, we went to a kids snow park for sledding and fun. Here is the Magic carpet that LC spent her time on during her lessons. One side is for skiing and the other is for sledding. 

LC headed up. 

They also had a kids play area that was pretty fun. 

More snow angels. 

Then we followed up the snow park with Ramen and ice cream. Overall, a great trip and we had a great time. The girls had so much fun in the snow.