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Today was a wonderful day up on the mountain. Knee deep powder on a soft base, with no competition to get all the fresh snow you want. Butch made another great video and the title says it all – today was “THE DAY”. Check out Butchs fall a minute and a half in.

Another cracker of a video from Butch, made on Friday. The powder days have been much less frequent this season, Butch can only hope that there are more video-worthy days in the second half of February.

New Snow (Resort): 15cm
New Snow (Village): 10cm
Weather: Fine
Snow Depth: 220cm (Yamabiko)
Outlook: warmer temperatures and light snow expected over the next week.
Open Areas: Almost everything is open except Kurokura which is not too far away. Kandahar closed for the weekend.

We awoke to heavy snow in the village this morning, about 10 cm was left on the doorstep but it has now eased. Today should be a pretty good day up on the mountain with that top up. Of course, it will be quite busy up there as usual for the weekend.

Warm temperatures and light snow are in the forecast for the next week or so. I have been laid down with a cold for the last couple of days, will get a stick watch up as soon as I make it back up the mountain. Tomorrow is kids day at Nozawa, children under 15 get a free one day lift pass.

The Dosojin Hi-Matsuri is held every year on fifteenth of January. Two groups of villagers play important parts in the fesitval – 42 year olds and 25 year olds. They spend 3 days building a large shrine, then for the main event the 42 year olds climb to the top, while the 25 year olds protect the shrine against fire attacks from the rest of the villagers. The Fire Festival is a big celebration for the villagers, and much free sake is consumed. Be very careful, sake in the cold goes down like water. All visitors are asked to carry a badge to identify themselves and their accommodation, so that those who overindulge can be given a ride home in a fire truck (after a spell in the tent of shame).

The evening started with some ceremonial events such as lighting a fire with a flint to then light the fire sticks. Then the action gets under way: In this video the protectors are saying “hi motte koi” Which means bring on the fire. The first fire attacks come from the youngest villagers, who are carried up by their parents. The 42 year olds are sitting on top of the shrine egging the attackers on (and drinking a lot of sake). Apologies for the shaky video, it was a bit of a scrum.

It gradually gets more serious, and the adult villagers use bundles of burning sticks to attack with full force.

It culminates with the burning of the shrine (no there is noone in the top part).

Everyone really enjoyed the evening

Butch (Tommi Rentals) made this short video using footage that was taken today. I have already watched this about 10 times – it’s hard to get tired of days like today.