Finally arrived in Narita Airport. There we immediately reserved our next train to Tokyo Centre.

This is the Limited Express Train - the way to city centre.

Don't worry, it actually stops by Tokyo station, where we are to go on the JR for Nagano.

The very busy Tokyo station. It was very easy to get lost in the maze of platforms.

Changed to this Hikari train to Nagano.

See? It spells Nagano.

After a day's trip, finally arrived at Lodge Ohno, our second time visit.

Skier's entrance at the back.

How to wax the ski. DIY Step 1: use an iron to melt some wax over the ski.

Step 2: Iron the wax evenly over the ski.

Step 3: Scrape off the residual wax and smoothen the ski surface.

And... voila!

Must prepare well beforehand - plenty of stretches needed.

Our first ski day - up to Habuka 109 by gondola.

It's snowing...!

Midway down the ski slopes, where trees are lined with snow.

That's how much snow a twig can carry...

Visibility is that bad.

Snow-ridden ski lifts

After a very intensive ski day, a very yummy dinner awaits us.

Ohno-sans favourite beverage, soju (Japanese rice wine)!

Breakfast morning after - fish, and lots of rice...

Framing the snow scene...

Playmobil highly relevant to the occasion - that's why I brought it along.

Doing its warm-ups.

Ohno-san taking video of our skiing down the slopes.

A very cloudy ski day, but nonetheless still beautiful scenary.

Every time it's a pain going down this "red" slope.

Good ol' McDonalds is in this structure which is midway down the slope.

I'm above the clouds!

Ohno-san and his lovely daughter Miki-chan, both very skillful skiers.

Trees are half-emerged in the snow.

A blanket of clouds covering the hills.

Even Playmobil has to rest sometimes!

This tree marks a rendez-vous point where our bunch meet.

Icicles growing from the roof.

A simple meal of udon after some very serious exercise works wonders for me!

The sun is out and finally we can see the Hakuba landscapes clearly.

This is how tired we can get!

By the way, the square piece is our two-day ski pass, equivalent to an Octopus.

Aren't we all glad to see good food waiting for us at the lodge!

Got a crepe free from T because we unknowingly skied via a "black" route (the most challenging level) thanks to him yet he didn't follow in the end.

Night stroll along the quiet Happo streets.

A lone postbox stands in the cold cold street.

Still getting not enough out of ski? Join the night ski, where the main slopes are brightly lit in the evenings.

Many hotels and lodges to choose in Hakuba area.

Small flowers nurtured by Michiko-san, hostess of this lodge.

Ohno-san attained the 達人 status i.e. expert - in ski of course. Isn't that so obvious from the shape of his award?

The next day is good for ski.

Long queues spotted at the gondola