This was a day of highs and lows.

Staying in Akakura, we had to at least try a day in Akakura, even though it’s not such an interesting mountain. Moreover, there must be a discount our hotel can offer us.

It was complicated.

Akakura has two resorts, the Kanko, and the Onsen. If you only do the onsen side, you can get a ticket just for that. And that’s what most of the hotels sell you, discounted tickets for JUST the Onsen side. The Akakura Kanko, Akakan if you will, is owned by the luxurious hotel up at mid mountain. Legend has it that the previous Japanese Emperor stays there for vacations. So no one has a discount except for guest at their fancy hotel. You can get a combined ticket for ¥6000, which isn’t too much, but why pay 100% more for just a few more lifts?

This particular day wasn’t spectacular, and our main event was to see my friend’s kids learn how to snowboard, so really we needed just to stay on the part of their resort they were in. Akakura Onsen it is then.

That’s where it started to go down hill. First, on paper, this place has 12 lifts! Twelve is a lot for a Japanese resort. Even Akakan only has 5. However, on the day we were on the mountain, only half the lifts were operating! Times are tough, so let’s give them a pass.

We started on the left side and slowly made our way across to the right. Once we got to the right, we got another punch to the gut. The high speed quad on the right hand side broke down. Our only way to get back to the other side of the mountain. So no way back, apart from the bus.

It was a packed powder day, there were some untouched patches here and there where we duly ruined. If you look at the map, it’s mostly green runs. And definitely can confirm, it’s a beginner’s mountain.