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RESORTS |
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The following are the current reader reviews on Snow Japan for the resort
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata.
Currently there are 30 reviews.
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| Readers name : |
Stephen
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| Date Visited : |
Dec 30th 2009 |
| Snow Condition : |
Icey then blizzard |
| PROS : |
Close to the station, relaxed staff. |
| CONS : |
Stupid lift system and too flat. |
| Review : |
I sounds harsh but DON'T GO! 3 lifts for one descent run. A momument to the burst bubble. This resort should never have been built. I spent all day on horizontal lifts! Jouetsu Kokusai is not a mountain, it's a series of hills. Beginners everywhere and soooo flat. My GF booked this trip assuming the more lifts the better the resort. Big mistake. Park wasn't too bad but it's was still such a hastle to get around the mountain. |
| OTHER REVIEWS of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (30 in total) |
| READER JOURNALS submitted about Joetsu Kokusai Resort (6 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (189 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Friday 1st January 2010, 9:05pm |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
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60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| Readers name : |
Pusher
Member
Personal page here
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| Date Visited : |
Jan 5th 2007 |
| Snow Condition : |
Hard and bumpy on runs.. Heavy,deep and wet off the sides. |
| PROS : |
Large resort. Lots of options. Amazing views. |
| CONS : |
Busy on weekends, loud crappy music, a few SERIOUS flat spots. |
| Review : |
1st time to Joetsu kokusai and I was not disappointed. Large resort with quite a lot of different options to choose from, some kickers of different sizes if thats your thing (half pipe not available yet) wide runs and amazing views.
When we was there the snow quality was not that great and it was a very warm day but I'm sure after a major dump and lower temperatures this place would be awesome.
The chair lifts are quick and easy and you can ride both sides of the mountain. On piste maps can be a little confusing and watch out for a major flat run over on the far left of the resort (after a decent steep run down with powder options)
I'll be going back when there's more snow regardless.
See you there. |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
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60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| Readers name : |
tpot
Member
Personal page here
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| Date Visited : |
Jan 1-3, 2007 |
| Snow Condition : |
First day: Excellent dry snow---Second day: Some rain made for wet conditions---Third day: Slow, slushy snow |
| PROS : |
Small lift queues, Plenty of snow, Large riding area, Great views, Non-existant ski patroslushyl, Plenty of restaurants, Lots of natural features |
| CONS : |
Too many retarded beginners cutting an open face into mini-moguls, Terrible music on a repeating playlist, No halfpipes yet and not enough kickers/booters, One big-ass traverse on the far left of the mountain, Not enough advanced runs |
| Review : |
So I went there on Jan 1-3, thinking it would be a bit of a nightmare with the new years snowboarding crowds. Monday I was super-surprised to find almost no lift queues and fairly uncrowded runs on the advanced slopes.
I have read every report on here and almost everyone bitched about the lifts which you need to take to get to other areas of the resort. In fact there are only 2 of these (3 on the day I went because 1 run wasn't open) and as I said in the pros section - the views at this resort are awesome. So to the pissers and moaners I say - give yourself a swift slap in the face and enjoy nature, because snowboarding isnt only about carving.
On that note it could seem that this resort is poorly planned, however if you understand the geography of the landscape and know how to understand the trail map (which I must say could use a re-work) it is possible to get some damn long and enjoyable runs.
There is a nice diversity of natural hits such as walls and ridges and a few sweet runs under the lift. Unfortunately, like many Japanese resorts, it is almost impossible to get a decent tree run. I had one mishap involving a tree and my knee, but also one short but VERY sweet powdery tree run on the first day.
The park could have used some more kickers and a big booter or something. They also NEED a pipe, but I think that will come soon after a little more snow. Also the park was a little icy on the landing (especially the first day) but I must say it was well maintained. Too many beginners queuing for the hits but it did make my intermediate level tricks look wicked by comparison.
Generally good snow but unfortunately it rained on the second day and it turned to slush on the third (and crusty, hard encased snow in the powder areas). Seemingly non-existant snowmaking but I dont think this place needs it.
Food was great - if you like Japanese food (which I do) - but there was a few western styled food options. Didn't try them though. General lack of beer vending which isnt good for the alcoholics among us. Also not much english around but it is a good Japanese lesson.
It has its own train station which is literally next to the lift so if you dont have a car this is a good option.
I recomend you ride here if you get a chance. The trail map doesnt give this place justice... it is f**king HUGE (look at the measurments on the trail map for an idea of size). From one lift I asked my friend if another lift in the distance was part of the resort to which he replied 'no'. We later found out it was.
4 stars because of the lack of really advanced runs, and the lack of a pipe/plentiful jumps. |
| OTHER REVIEWS made by reader
tpot (1 in total) |
| OTHER REVIEWS of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (30 in total) |
| READER JOURNALS submitted about Joetsu Kokusai Resort (6 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (189 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Friday 5th January 2007, 8:45am |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
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60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| Readers name : |
Candlegravity
Member
Personal page here
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| Date Visited : |
2-16-2006 |
| Snow Condition : |
Powder in the morning turning slightly slushy in the evening |
| PROS : |
Nice Staff, mellow family park |
| CONS : |
SLOW lifts, poor ski/lift time ratio |
| Review : |
I give this resort a 3 star rating because it does exceed in making you feel comfortable and the overall mood of the resort is relaxed. The boarding isn't bad and they have a few kickers and stuff to play with on the sides in spots. Having said that, be prepared to wait forever on the lifts! Felt like I could've gotten out and walked up the hill faster. Additionally, the lifts are poorly laid out. My girlfriend and I had never been there before, but after exploring the slopes for two days, still found it a challenge to find a good run that didn't require a rediculous combination of lifts. eg., lifts that take you over flat ground to get to other lifts that take you uphill at grandma speeds.
Summary: A great place to go and relax with your family and do some moderate level snowboarding, but not the place to go with your beer buddies to rip up the mountain! |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
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60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Skier |
| Readers name : |
number9
Member
Personal page here
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| Date Visited : |
Jan 28-29, 2006 |
| Snow Condition : |
Heavy fresh snow, slushy in the afternoon |
| PROS : |
Medium sized resort with nice hotel |
| CONS : |
Flat, low, beginner oriented, and poorly connected runs |
| Review : |
I must agree with the other reviewers who said that this resort was just too flat.
Snow at the top of the resort was nice in the morning, fairly light and fluffy, but with the sun shining it became pretty slushy in the afternoon. It was admittedly a warm day though, but the low elevation was probably part of the cause as well.
The runs were overwhelmingly flat, had to help push my snowboarding friend many times.
Groomed expert runs were nice, though short. |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
|
60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| Readers name : |
krotch
Member
Personal page here
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| Date Visited : |
15-16 Jan 06 |
| Snow Condition : |
None. Snow was already laid out. |
| PROS : |
Decent runs. |
| CONS : |
Snow was either hard packed ice or slush. |
| Review : |
The slopes. While you can have a real nice long run, it had the oddest layout.
Easy runs at the very top, leading into some intermediate, then into expert runs. Then back into intermediate, right into beginner runs, and back into intermediate runs.
How in the world is someone suppose to learn there? Not to big a deal for me, as I rode everything anyways.
I feel a consolidated park would be a lot better then their layout. Off on the left is the half pipe. About 100m to the right of that, is a small 2m jump and a tabletop. Further up the mountain are 3 large jumps. About 3m jumps each. There are 2 rails right next to them. A rainbow and a mohican.
I'm thinking due to the snow conditions, parts of the mountain were never opened up. You have a huge area where another half pipe or park could have been placed, but due to the sort of avalanche, you had huge cracks in the snow.
Lodging was good, but the bathroom was tiny. Food, expensive. 1000 yen for pasta would have been good, if it weren't for the fact that it was more of an apetizer. The buffet food is decent.
I don't like how the restuarants there work. 2 are open, but more than 4 are closed at that time. Then a different 2 open up and the others close.
Night riding is not worth the extra 2000 yen. The grounds are groomed already and riding in the night, simply gives you a nice hard surface to ride on top of. Half the time, I couldn't get my board to dig in, so that I could carve. I eventually had to venture off the runs, to get the the sort of powder.
Snow conditions. Around 10 am is the best time to hit the slopes. The snow has melted down a bit, but isn't slush just yet. Midday, you've got slush. Around 4 - 5 pm, it starts getting hard and within an hour, it's ice.
I'd suggest only day trips to this location. It's simply to pricey to stay for the night. |
| OTHER REVIEWS made by reader
krotch (2 in total) |
| OTHER REVIEWS of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (30 in total) |
| READER JOURNALS submitted about Joetsu Kokusai Resort (6 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (189 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Monday 23rd January 2006, 11:06am |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
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60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| Readers name : |
sakitumi
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| Date Visited : |
March 12, 2005 |
| Snow Condition : |
POW POW all day long! |
| PROS : |
Good park, HUGE kickers and pipe |
| CONS : |
Semi small |
| Review : |
First off, it snowed all day, and although visibility was slightly poor the trails stayed fresh, and off piste was more than a blast. I have been here about 6 times, this time they centralized all of their kickers on one run and made the biggest kicker I've ever seen at the end of the run. I didnt attempt it but all of them are well made unless you go too slow, then its just painful. Rails ranged from low and flat to sectioned drop offs, I only tried first mentioned of course. If you make your way to the summit there is a less populated back area that is nice and open with various lifts running up and down, not to mention a little hidden townsquare with good food and gift shops. The hotel is a breathtaking German or Swiss style structure that seems to go on forever. It has about a million rooms all with good heaters and private baths. Onsens are within the hotel along with several different types of restaraunts. It's not the biggest resort but when it comes to that cozy, old town feeling, nothing beats it. I would give it 5 stars if I couldnt ride the entire mountain in one day but thats the only reason. Go there if you have a chance, especially if they're expecting pow. |
| OTHER REVIEWS of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (30 in total) |
| READER JOURNALS submitted about Joetsu Kokusai Resort (6 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (189 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Thursday 31st March 2005, 7:13am |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
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60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| Readers name : |
Nick Collins
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| Date Visited : |
10/2004 |
| Snow Condition : |
Good dusting of snow |
| PROS : |
Big resort with lots of diffrenet runs |
| CONS : |
Some runs are a little short |
| Review : |
Joetsu Kokusai is a great resort. The massive mock tudor hotel sitting right at the bottom of the slopes gives the place a pretty surreal feeling but don't let that put yoiu off.
The best runs are over the top of the mountain on the other side.....make sure you get over there!!
I had been there twice before I made it over the top and couldn't beleive what I had been missing.
Have fun! |
| OTHER REVIEWS of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (30 in total) |
| READER JOURNALS submitted about Joetsu Kokusai Resort (6 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (189 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Sunday 16th January 2005, 4:03pm |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
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60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| Readers name : |
Bobo
Member
Personal page here
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| Date Visited : |
5 JAN 2005 |
| Snow Condition : |
POWDER!! |
| PROS : |
Awesome Powder, not too crowded |
| CONS : |
Low Visibility (on the day I went) |
| Review : |
Joetsu was great today. The only drawback was the constant heavy snowfall and the fog which made for some pretty bad visibility. Of course if my damn goggles didn't fog up it might have been a little better. The powder was awesome!!! Good variety of trails...not too many off-piste that I saw, but I'm sure they were hiding in there somewhere.
Had a decent snowboard park/run. Several different rails and a decent table top...my left shoulder is currently feeling the aftermath of a nasty spill on that tabletop right now!!!
Good mountain for beginners and intermediate...some challenging runs. Not many challenging runs for advanced though. Overall great experience... definitely recommend going!! |
| OTHER REVIEWS made by reader
Bobo (3 in total) |
| OTHER REVIEWS of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (30 in total) |
| READER JOURNALS submitted about Joetsu Kokusai Resort (6 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of Joetsu Kokusai Resort (189 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Thursday 6th January 2005, 8:48am |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
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60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| Resort name : |
Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata |
Skier |
| Readers name : |
knightvato
Member
Personal page here
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| Date Visited : |
Early January, 2005 |
| Snow Condition : |
Wet and Heavy but decent |
| PROS : |
Easy to access, not crowded |
| CONS : |
A bit flat, park geared towards snowboarders |
| Review : |
This is a decent resort, even though I only skied it for one day so far. It's true that the lifts are slow and not well designed and there are quite a few flat areas, but the fact is that there is more varied terrain, you just have to seek it out. The Tokamachi side (Atema resort) has decent terrain and a different view so it helps to mix things up. Overall, not a place to go to rip it up in the steeps, but a decent place to enjoy a day out in the mountains and bask in the heavy snowfall. |
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| JOETSU KOKUSAI - READER RANKINGS (Vote Here) |
| GENERAL SCORE |
SNOW CONDITIONS |
COURSES TERRAIN |
LIFT SYSTEM |
APRES SKI |
69
( 13 votes)
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60
( 14 votes) |
62
( 14 votes) |
54
( 13 votes) |
47
( 14 votes) |
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| All reviews published have been sent in by, and are the views of, Snow Japan readers. Please note that views expressed are not necessarily those of Snow Japan. Snow Japan reserves the right to edit or not publish any submitted reviews. |
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