Hakuba Touring

SpongeBob and crew went out the back of Tsugaike Kogen ski resort a couple of days ago, up above the summer rope way (gondola).

SpongeBob reports: 'Felt like I was actually in a Christmas card! Best day of my life

Backcountry touring usually involves climbing

SpongeBob, Tim and Kristin

Open slopes with some 'wicky wacky'

The pine glades well spaced

SpongeBob enjoying the fresh 30cm

Kristin

James in deep

A long descent into the valley

Kristin getting some speed on the open slopes

SpongeBob enjoying last turns before arriving in Thredbo tomorrow

Photos continue to arrive from Rosco and Peter on Hokkaido, so the reports won't stop for a while yet.

We had a big storm in Thredbo yesterday evening but the temperature remained high during the night.

I note that the Bureau's forecast for snow in Thredbo has, not surprisingly, disappeared from today's forecasts.

Thredbo Blues Festival starts tomorrow afternoon with a large and talented line-up of artists.