When 48 hours of near continuous snowfall dumped on Sapporo this past weekend, I had one thought on my mind – laying the first tracks in the 3-4 feet of unpacked powder. Even as I shoveled snow for nearly 5 total hours, I mentally planned my routes for the snowshoeing season that was suddenly upon us. A full 2 weeks earlier than the last couple years I might add!

So when I was released from the prison of work shortly after lunch on Monday (great timing for an early release day), I bolted to the tram, got home in about 25 min, did a quick change, grabbed my Tubbs Wilderness size 36, and run-walked to the closest trail head featuring ungroomed snow trails.

When I reached the trail I literally had to do a standing jump up onto the snow to get started. The powder was nearly too deep! Took me a bit of time to re-calibrate myself to snowshoe life, but within a few minutes I was on my way up a pristine virgin snow trail, untouched by humans.

There’s more snowshoeing to come in the coming months, but Asahiyama Park is kind of my home turf and a great place to start winter snow trekking – especially when your body is severely in need of a tune-up.