Victoria and I rented skis this weekend. We got a good deal. It was only 7,000 yen with insurance. That's a little over $50. We don't have to return them until the end of the season. It is too early to ski now, but my feet are considered large in Japan, so I have to go early to get skis. They found some boots for me, but they couldn't find skis that fit the boots until the fourth try!

Hopefully it will snow tons once I am safely out of the country. Then I can return to enjoy the snow (with clear sidewalks, of course)