Snowboarding Hokkaido

11 March 2010 by Charles Hamel, 1 Comment
Snowboarding Hokkaido

Wanted to give a update on the snowboarding Hokkaido season here, we find ourselves in mid March having been on the slopes sixteen times and we are not finished just yet, although sadly we have to convince ourselves, no matter how much we don’t want to admit it, that the season is winding down.
Even though it is possible to snowboard hokkaido and ski until late June in some places, most of the major locations will be shut down for the season. Farmers are spreading out the black sand to help melt the snow in anticipation of beginning another growing season, and most of the streets are now snow-less.
It has been a great second year for me and the family with ungodly amounts of deep powder that have broke records from long ago. I gained two new family members as snowboarding partners this year so all in all I must say it has been a excellent winter season.
Coming up on my second anniversary of living in Hokkaido, I must say that winter season is by far my favorite time, luckily it lasts for a good 6 months.  I also must admit that it is a sad time for me to know that my weekly snowboarding trips with my son will be coming to a halt soon, and in it’s place will be mountain hiking trips.
Even though I come from a land with very few undulations I have the mountain life in my blood, and have never felt more at home in any place I have lived than where I am at now. The sights are breathtaking and sometimes I wonder which is better, the actual snowboarding Hokkaido, or just being on the mountain taking in the life changing views.
In retrospect I came to Hokkaido thinking life in the extreme temperatures and heavy snow would be a challenge, but have realized that your body adapts so quickly to different environments that it is no harder living here than any place else. In fact, I can’t think of any other place I would rather be. I have found home, and if the Kami Sama’s are willing I will be here until the ghost is tired of this body.
Every-time one of my fellow foreigner friends leaves to go back home I feel a bit of sadness, because I know if I was ever in the situation where I must go back it would be a life changing emotional roller coaster. Luckily for me, as long as I keep my nose clean I can stay forever.
Living in Hokkaido is a dream come true, a place where people pay thousands of dollars to come and visit for a short time and then have to return to the reality of their everyday routines. Hokkaido is pagan in the primitive sense, here man is one with his natural environment. Trees, stones and mountains are as much real beings as man, and according to the Shinto belief, all are divine.
I think life would be such a waste to live a life span and not experience a truly spiritual and magical place as Hokkaido is.Yes it is Japan, but is every bit as different from the main island of Honshu as Hawaii and the main land of America is.
Hokkaido is full of immigrants from the main island, you will find a large majority of them artisans, artists, ecco friendly environmentalists and people with a general Bohemian mindset. This is what makes Hokkaido so unique and one of the number one travel spots for main landers.
How awesome is it to look out your bedroom window and see snow capped mountains, to see wild deer in herds crossing through your yard, to see wild foxes searching for the next meal right outside your window, and to always be aware that we live in bear country, and a chance meeting is just as possible as catching a rainbow trout in the nearest river.
I have found my heaven and can think of no other place I would rather be, wont you come for a visit and check it out for yourself? Snowboarding Hokkaido will almost guarantee that you will leave a changed person.
kamui-1
Kamui Lift
Wanted to give a update on the snowboarding Hokkaido season here, we find ourselves in mid March having been on the slopes sixteen times and we are not finished just yet, although sadly we have to convince ourselves, no matter how much we don’t want to admit it, that the season is winding down.
skiliftfam2-1
Canmore Lift
icecicles-1
Icecicles
Even though it is possible to snowboard hokkaido and ski until late June in some places, most of the major locations will be shut down for the season. Farmers are spreading out the black sand to help melt the snow in anticipation of beginning another growing season, and most of the streets are now snow-less.
exercise-1
Cross Country Exercise
skier-1
Skier
It has been a great second year for me and the family with ungodly amounts of deep powder that have broke records from long ago. I gained two new family members as snowboarding partners this year so all in all I must say it has been a excellent winter season.
me-1
Me and Ollie
me2-1
Charles Hamel
Coming up on my second anniversary of living in Hokkaido, I must say that winter season is by far my favorite time, luckily it lasts for a good 6 months.  I also must admit that it is a sad time for me to know that my weekly snowboarding trips with my son will be coming to a halt soon, and in it’s place will be mountain hiking trips.
oldson-1
Oldest Son
youngson-1
Youngest Son
Even though I come from a land with very few undulations I have the mountain life in my blood, and have never felt more at home in any place I have lived than where I am at now. The sights are breathtaking and sometimes I wonder which is better, the actual snowboarding Hokkaido, or just being on the mountain taking in the life changing views.
boarder-1
Boarder Friend
shyfriend-1
Shy Friend
In retrospect I came to Hokkaido thinking life in the extreme temperatures and heavy snow would be a challenge, but have realized that your body adapts so quickly to different environments that it is no harder living here than any place else. In fact, I can’t think of any other place I would rather be. I have found home, and if the Kami Sama’s are willing I will be here until the ghost is tired of this body.
snowyshrine-1
Shinto Shrine Winter
snowyshrine2-1
Shinto Shrine Snow
Every-time one of my fellow foreigner friends leaves to go back home I feel a bit of sadness, because I know if I was ever in the situation where I must go back it would be a life changing emotional roller coaster. Luckily for me, as long as I keep my nose clean I can stay forever.
me4-1
Me at Kamui
bestside-1
My Best Side
Living in Hokkaido is a dream come true, a place where people pay thousands of dollars to come and visit for a short time and then have to return to the reality of their everyday routines. Hokkaido is pagan in the primitive sense, here man is one with his natural environment. Trees, stones and mountains are as much real beings as man, and according to the Shinto belief, all are divine.
youngson2-1
Youngest Son
lawsons-1
Typical Winter Day
I think life would be such a waste to live a life span and not experience a truly spiritual and magical place as Hokkaido is.Yes it is Japan, but is every bit as different from the main island of Honshu as Hawaii and the main land of America is.
skilift-1-2
Kamui Top
skiliftfam-1
Ski Lift Family
Hokkaido is full of immigrants from the main island, you will find a large majority of them artisans, artists, ecco friendly environmentalists and people with a general Bohemian mindset. This is what makes Hokkaido so unique and one of the number one travel spots for main landers.
lift1-1
Kamui Top Lift
How awesome is it to look out your bedroom window and see snow capped mountains, to see wild deer in herds crossing through your yard, to see wild foxes searching for the next meal right outside your window, and to always be aware that we live in bear country, and a chance meeting is just as possible as catching a rainbow trout in the nearest river.
top-1
Kamui Top
In another life you might have found me in front of the computer all day very rarely taking a glance outside, but that person is gone now and life is too short to be spending it indoors when you live in paradise.  I have found my heaven and can think of no other place I would rather be, wont you come for a visit and check it out for yourself? Snowboarding Hokkaido will almost guarantee that you will leave a changed person.

Charles Hamel

One Response to “Snowboarding Hokkaido”

  1. Robert 23 April 2010 at 10:33 am #

    Hi! Thank you for this beautiful post. Breath taking views. It’s so amazing that these things have been created for man, only that not everyone appreciates how blessed we. Hope to see more from you. Thanks again.


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