Top of Yokote Yama

As usual, the family took our annual ski trip to Shiga Kogen in Nagano. This year, started out with a really heavy snow and a windy afternoon that shut all the lifts on the mountain and put our fun on the slopes in jeopardy. Luck for us, the weather did break and there was some fantastic skiing over the next few days. After several lessons with the intermediate group, I even made it to the top of Yokoteyama and skied the run at Yokoteyama Shibutouge.

I am not an experienced enough skier to carry my DSLR up to the top for a few photos, so these taken with a Fuji XP50 will have to suffice.

Half of this lodge is located in Gunma and the other half in Nagano.

This is the sign in the bakery at the top of Yokoteyama. The highest Starbucks in Japan is located a short distance away.

Return to Shiga Kogen

Back in February, the family returned to Shiga Koen and New Yokote. The little girl that chased me around in 2012 was still there. She took time off chasing me and practically posed for this photo.

This photo was shot handheld with a Nikon 85mm f1.4 AI-s wide open. The lens is about 30-years old and continues to amaze me. It was bought used in 1988 at a the annual used photography equipment show at the North Miami Armory.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-s @ f1.4, ISO 500, 1/8 sec.

Chased

Last week, the family went to Shiga Kogen in the Japan Alps near Nagano for a ski holiday.  We had a great time, the slopes, lodge, instructors and other tour guests were great.  The lodge owner's daughter took a liking to me and chased me around at every opportunity.  This was her last opportunity, and she caught me and gave me a hug.