6AM. I should still be in bed, but my alarm has gone off a long time ago. My ski boots are on and I'm staggering out into the cold dark of pre-dawn in Hakuba.
We've managed to organize an early morning session for photos at Happo One. Excited, but tired, the old AK crew, Lee, Miles, Will, and myself, yawn as the car rumbles down the snowy road towards the resort. People are already in a line that reaches the parking lot, hungry for some fresh corduroy.
Ski patrol opens the day with the morning announcements. A cheerful "Ohayou gozaimasu" rings out through the crowd of excited early bird skiers. Then there's the morning rush. It's like a powder day in the states, but everybody is really polite and quiet. And they aren't here for the powder. Japan is awesome.
We've already been skiing for six hours. We've met up with and peeled off of friends. It's now just us four. Then the sun comes out. After clouds and wind this morning, it seems like a completely new day. As if on cue, the Silk Woods call, and the snow is perfect.
As the sun disappears, we know there's more skiing to be done. It's only 3PM. We haven't skied the whole day. We head to a new zone, find good snow, and squeeze in one last lap. Friends graciously give us a ride back to the car. What else is needed on such a long and awesome day? Massive AK burgers.
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