Since it's open, we decided to go and head to Tsugaike to catch the 8:00
a.m. gondola ride when there are still not many people. This time, KYOsan
is also coming. This is her first skiing of the season. By the way, last
year, her first skiing was on January 29th. I think she only skied a total
of four times last season. Well, that happens depending on the year. Anyway,
this season, we were able to safely finish our first skiing on an empty
slope. Once you ski, your sense of timing will return. How gratifying.
Anyway, we both chose waxless this time. The reason was that we wanted
to escape to Tsuga no Mori if it got crowded. We thought we could just
walk up a little and enjoy a few runs. When we arrived, Tsuga no Mori was
in pristine condition. We immediately started climbing diagonally on waxless
skis, but we couldn't make it, it was too deep. That's right. According
to Tsugaike's announcement, the snow that had accumulated was a whopping
126cm (!). Today's conditions were like the third or fourth day. It wasn't
just deep, but the weight of the snow was so deep that it felt like it
was dense. So when I walked, the skis sank -> the resistance made them
bend -> the step cut didn't work and I slipped back - and it was a repeated
cycle. Wow, I was sweating. So when I went downhill, the skis didn't sink
(hahaha). Well, I have a technique where I push the tail of the skis to
make them sink (B-tele), so it was pretty good even while taking selfies.
However, KYOsan started to pump the skis using her body weight, but the
skis didn't sink as she wanted and she fell over. Then she started to turn,
but it was difficult for her too. Wow, it's so difficult. It's just too
much snow at once! We enjoyed about three runs and called it a day. We
took the gondola down and got home at exactly 10:00. The coffee you drink
after skiing is delicious. KYOsan, thank you for joining me today. Added
on December 1, 2024: I've added a video of her first skiing of the season
below.