I envy you your snowy mountain views, Alia – though not the sadness of their passing. Dawn and dusk in a snow-covered mountain landscape are magical, aren't they? I remember watching the mountains around Reykjavik turn pink, mauve and blue: individually, as the last rays of the sun left their snowy slopes.
Yes, it is sad. It's not often spoken about. The ski resorts don't want to publicise it, plus they have snow machines to make up for it on the slopes. It's still a beautiful sight, but the trend in snow depth and the length of the season is headed in a clear direction.
The same in the European Alps – there is still resistance in ski resorts to discussing the problem, which seems counter-intuitive to those outside the industry.
There was an article in The Age yesterday in which the CEO of Grollo Group referred to snow as 'product'. And it is to them, especially since they produce it themselves. But it is sad to view it that way.
I understand why they don't talk about it--it scares tourists off. Best to just jump on a plane to Japan. But it would be nice if they used it to lobby for climate action rather than just produce more if it themselves. I suspect water will eventually become an issue when things swing too heavily in that direction.
What a lovely post! Here in Japan where it's 40C today it's cool to read about snow. And 'tracks ... imprinted by wombats, emus, wallabies and dingoes' -- such a variety of wildlife you have!
Thanks Peter, it is such a unique environment, and it's sad to think such a special ecosystem with eventually be lost. But for now, we can savour what remains.
I never think of it as getting that hot in Japan! I look forward to visiting one day.
Yes, the tropics come to Japan in our (northern-hemisphere) summer. Japan is the northernmost rice-growing country in the world, thanks to this, and the monsoon, which keeps the rice paddies wet. Great that you are exploring the unique Alpine wonderland of Australia, and hope some reversal of solar climate brings more than a dusting of snow to that ecosystem. If you like snow, best to visit Japan in winter -- we have Alps here too.
I'm very keen. Almost all the ski bunnies around my town spend our summers in Japan, which is probably why I never associate it with heat (although it makes perfect sense when I think about it). While I love snow, I'm most interested in the pilgrimage trails. They look beautiful.
Aussies are very thick on the ground -- or in the snow actually -- at Niseko (https://kamprint.com/niseko.html) in Hokkaido, a great ski resort. One of the pilgrimage trails is the old Silk Road, called naka-sendo, to Shirakawa (https://kamprint.com/shirakaw.html). Another is the 88-temple route around the island of Shikoku. Inspiring places for your sketches.
I enjoyed this story Ali. The snow line is retreating here too. Although we are experiencing cold spring storms and lots of snow right now. Our children are so lucky to experience it.
I envy you your snowy mountain views, Alia – though not the sadness of their passing. Dawn and dusk in a snow-covered mountain landscape are magical, aren't they? I remember watching the mountains around Reykjavik turn pink, mauve and blue: individually, as the last rays of the sun left their snowy slopes.
That would have been beautiful, especially in the short dusk-like days.
That is so very sad to contemplate. I had no idea our snow was diminishing.
Yes, it is sad. It's not often spoken about. The ski resorts don't want to publicise it, plus they have snow machines to make up for it on the slopes. It's still a beautiful sight, but the trend in snow depth and the length of the season is headed in a clear direction.
The same in the European Alps – there is still resistance in ski resorts to discussing the problem, which seems counter-intuitive to those outside the industry.
There was an article in The Age yesterday in which the CEO of Grollo Group referred to snow as 'product'. And it is to them, especially since they produce it themselves. But it is sad to view it that way.
I understand why they don't talk about it--it scares tourists off. Best to just jump on a plane to Japan. But it would be nice if they used it to lobby for climate action rather than just produce more if it themselves. I suspect water will eventually become an issue when things swing too heavily in that direction.
What a lovely post! Here in Japan where it's 40C today it's cool to read about snow. And 'tracks ... imprinted by wombats, emus, wallabies and dingoes' -- such a variety of wildlife you have!
Thanks Peter, it is such a unique environment, and it's sad to think such a special ecosystem with eventually be lost. But for now, we can savour what remains.
I never think of it as getting that hot in Japan! I look forward to visiting one day.
Yes, the tropics come to Japan in our (northern-hemisphere) summer. Japan is the northernmost rice-growing country in the world, thanks to this, and the monsoon, which keeps the rice paddies wet. Great that you are exploring the unique Alpine wonderland of Australia, and hope some reversal of solar climate brings more than a dusting of snow to that ecosystem. If you like snow, best to visit Japan in winter -- we have Alps here too.
I'm very keen. Almost all the ski bunnies around my town spend our summers in Japan, which is probably why I never associate it with heat (although it makes perfect sense when I think about it). While I love snow, I'm most interested in the pilgrimage trails. They look beautiful.
Aussies are very thick on the ground -- or in the snow actually -- at Niseko (https://kamprint.com/niseko.html) in Hokkaido, a great ski resort. One of the pilgrimage trails is the old Silk Road, called naka-sendo, to Shirakawa (https://kamprint.com/shirakaw.html). Another is the 88-temple route around the island of Shikoku. Inspiring places for your sketches.
What beautiful things you've seen. Thank you. I'll take a closer look at these tomorrow.
I enjoyed this story Ali. The snow line is retreating here too. Although we are experiencing cold spring storms and lots of snow right now. Our children are so lucky to experience it.
The rate of climate change in our alpine regions is terrifying, isn't it?
The excitement and wonder never grows old. We are very lucky indeed.