Day 3- The bucket list killer
Despite the constant snowfall, you can still make out the Sapporo city lights on the right side of the photo above the snowboarder's head. Where those lights end on the left is where the coastline is. There was really only one that we could go on, but we still had a blast being on the snow. It was easily the driest (meaning fastest) snow we had ever been on. Plus, there were some boxes and jumps so Kate and I took this opportunity to practice our tricks. No broken bones = success.
Day 4- Beer:30
On our final day in Sapporo, we knew we had to end it right. How might we achieve trip ending perfection...? Oh, by going to the Sapporo Beer Museum, that's how! All of us were very excited for this adventure.
Sapporo Beer Company was the established in 1876 when a German brew master was brought in to teach the Japanese how to make beer. As you may already know, Sapporo beer has made its way all across the globe, including America. Everyone really enjoyed the museum as we learned about the brewing process, Sapporo Beer history, and current trends.
Probably the most interesting thing we noticed was Space Barley beer. This beer was made from barley grown in space on the international space station and was sold in 2009 for roughly $120 per 6-pack. Apparently it tasted like "normal beer." Pretty boring, but I suppose that's the point in proving the feasibility of growing crops in space.
Of course we had to do some tasting. Lucky for us they had a three beer sampler platter. After the four of us ordered it, we became aware that we looked like a bunch of raging alcoholics. The fact that it was barely lunch time didn't help either.
The next day we woke up early again, got breakfast, and headed to another festival site that was about an hour away. This was an exciting day for Reagan because this was the day where we were going to actually play in the snow (something that kids like to do, apparently). There was many fun activities for children. There were slides for children, rides for children, toys for children. Are you sensing a trend?
Kate and I commented on how much we would have loved this place as a elementary school student. Although we are famous for acting like small children, we decided to take this opportunity to let the Haines' have some family time while we seeked out a ski resort.
We decided to stop by the tourist information office at the main Sapporo train station. Once there, we got the "hook up" for the ski resort. For 6,700yen ($81), we received two round trip train and bus tickets, lift tickets, and rentals! I just about had an accident in my pants. Comparing this to the $118 we would spend on lift tickets alone at Durango Mountain Resort makes my head want to explode. Not to mention the fact that we were going to the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics, Mt. Teine.
In front of the Olympics main lodge. This mountain hosted the alpine skiing course, the bobsleigh course, and the luge course.
Kate and I had never done any night skiing/snowboarding before, so that was the plan. Once we got on the slopes, we noticed that we could see Sapporo AND the northern coastline. For a couple kids who grew up snowboarding/skiing in the highly elevated, landlocked Rocky Mountains, this was especially awesome.
Day 4- Beer:30
On our final day in Sapporo, we knew we had to end it right. How might we achieve trip ending perfection...? Oh, by going to the Sapporo Beer Museum, that's how! All of us were very excited for this adventure.
The Sapporo Beer Museum was an active brewery from 1903-1965. Before that it was a sugar factory.
Sapporo Beer Company was the established in 1876 when a German brew master was brought in to teach the Japanese how to make beer. As you may already know, Sapporo beer has made its way all across the globe, including America. Everyone really enjoyed the museum as we learned about the brewing process, Sapporo Beer history, and current trends.
Sapporo Space Barley beer (kirainet.com)
Of course we had to do some tasting. Lucky for us they had a three beer sampler platter. After the four of us ordered it, we became aware that we looked like a bunch of raging alcoholics. The fact that it was barely lunch time didn't help either.
All of the beer was great. Everybody agreed that this was a fantastic way to end the trip. Peace out Sapporo!
-Seth
BO-BO-BONUS ROUND!
When we got back we thought we had left the snow. Turns out, the snow came back with us. Katie and I seized this moment to build a snowman on top of the Ninomiya House.
February 28, 2011 at 7:44 AM
Wow! Amazing trip. And topped off with beer and rodeo flips in the half pipe!