Powder

That's Kanbei, my powder pal on our morning ritual--I tether him to my no-board and we hike up the hill above GP Mura--he gets his exercise and I get a taste of fresh snow before my morning brew. Makes both taste better! This is what I call front country...and I'm surrounded by it...so whenever you want to earn a few turns, or try a new trick, or board, or what have you...it's out there waiting for you.

But where to look...that's always the trick.  The powder forms in this part of the world thanks to warm (everything's relative) seas giving up moisture to Siberian winds, which are then lifted up over our hills and mountains, cooled and dumped out. The most important thing to know is that it falls in bands, which are pushed North or South, according to the whims of the jet streams. So, sometimes we get slammed with a half a meter overnight, while Sapporo to the east and Niseko to the southwest get nada. And vice-versa. But being in Otaru means we have the shortest drive, on average, to the freshest cold smoke. And when it simply snows too much to drive, or for even the lifts to operate, well, we always have our secret stash of front country.

+Plus

• No-Boards--making your own board is something you won't be doing anywhere else. Then learning to ride without bindings...nothing like it for getting really centered on your board and in tune with the snow.
• Own Lodge--great place to hang out and meet other nomads, ski and board addicts, and some locals. Some nights it's a live jam session, others, it's game night, others, it's movie night....or hanging out with locals for a little cultural exchange--and you can view your day's ride on a big screen...all without breaking the bank.
• Dedicated gear rooms-- 1 with a bench for working on your gear, another for drying.
• Sauna--in our own bathhouse. The scents of cedar-lined walls mix with a hint of sulfur for a relaxing sweat. Feeling brave? Get your sweat on and then make some snow angels....then right back inside! 
• Back Yard, Dark Sky--go for an evening snowshoe to the top of our little hill, across the saddle and around to enjoy the night sky and fresh air. Or enjoy slip, sliding away right down our road--we close it in the winter!
• Bright Lights, Little City--Otaru is attractive in its own right, with the best sushi in Japan, and not crazy expensive if you know where to go. And without cover charges everywhere, like Sapporo. Then there's winter surfing, arts and crafts--glass blowing, cutting, cooking classes, calligraphy, language classes...so much to do, so little time!
• Community--everyone stays for at least a month, so you'll have a chance to hang out and make boarding buddies, roommate pals and other friends. We've only had a couple marriages start here, but who knows?