Sakura Tei was a short walk from the train station. Not too bad unless you count the freezing cold weather and slippery ground. While we had booked the accommodation package months in advance, it was two weeks before departure that I chanced upon new promotional packages at this hotel - a higher-grade kaiseki that the one we had booked yet at a lower price (total saving of 6000 yen for the two nights). Unbelievable! Thank God for His miraculous blessings. We were really early and check-in wasn't until later but we stored our luggages and got all set up to rent the gear and headed up to Gala Yuzawa ski resort.
Decided to do the afternoon session and did a simple lunch at the ski resort cafe. Also invested in ski goggles cos it was sunny and we didn't want the wind and snow to get into our eyes. These photos were all taken with my trusty iPhone cos I didn't think it was practical to lug my DSLR up to ski. Imagine the real thing to be a thousand times better pls:)
There were ample slopes for beginners (3 or so). We concentrated on the 2nd longest one for a bit to warm up before gaining sufficient confidence to go up the longest, which included meandering slopes. It was crazy because the meanders are flanked by the mountain on one side, and nothingness on the other. It was almost as if I can ski right through (or fall right through, for that matter) so I was highly stressed up while doing that course. And after that one try, I think I was quite uncertain and wanted to go back to do the 2nd one. Tobs was quite pro and found the meandering slope fine so I let him go do his stuff.
We got a hot drink at the rest station when it got unbearable too. And you could smell some crepe station and the yummilicious crepes I was sooo tempted to get one!
By about 3ish or 4, it started to snow quite heavily and visibility was not as great. The winds were also strong so you get snow blown into your face. Thank God we bought the goggles. It was not a fun thing at all cos the snow melts within your gear due to your own body heat. When it started to get really bad such that it made skiing such a chore (too damn cold, can't see much, irritating to have snow blowing in your face), we decided to call it a day and prayed for good weather the next day so we can ski longer.
Enroute down on the cable car, this was the mini storm (storm to us may be a small case to them, really)
When we reached the hotel and checked-in, I was extremely pleased with the room, which came with a door area for coats and shoes, a living and bedroom area, plus a balcony area with a view.
We each went to soak in the onsen before dinner. It is really a wonderful combination - ski hard in the day and then relax and recuperate in the onsen at night. I love it!
Dinner was served in the restaurant on level 2, kaiseiki style. I was blown away by the sheer number and quality of the dishes. It was really fantastic. Towards the end, I could not stomach anymore food cos even though the portions look small, it can be deceiving!
I have never tasted prawn sashimi (obscured by the cooked one) and totally fell in love with how sweet it can be. It was amazing!
According to Tobs, when I slurped the noodles, I kept exclaiming I could eat another serving of this.
Tobs loved the rice, which he said could be a separate dish on its own.
I thought the tempura was orgasmic. I super wanted it on the next day as well!
I may have omitted to take photos of some dishes in my excitement to savour the food but please refer to the menu for more details. It was truly a gastronomic experience. I love the attention the Japanese chef put to detail, presentation and quality. (and am very hungry as I am typing this now)
This photo reminds me of an extremely annoying T-group sitting at the back of the restaurant. Somehow, on this trip, we were plagued by T-people who can't seem to behave. In this case, they were making a lot of noise in the dining area and after they cleared out, we finally had some peace and quiet.
When we returned to the room, the bed was lovingly made. So inviting right! Super comfy I slept through the night.
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