GordonFreeman

What is the nightlife like in Hakuba goryu? I have to stay there for the lower priced hostels. Is it far from 47 and Happo-one? Is the night life better in Happo-one and if so, are there nightbuses between these areas?

anywhere to get coupons for the rental shops? tx

and will Hakuba have powder around mid December? My Japan railpass lasts til 18 Dec...

What's the easiest way to get from Happo-one to Jigokudani Yaen-koen as a day trip (public transport) to see the macaques in their hot spring?

Problem is that I have to stay in hostels to keep the costs down so up travel agent for me - Ill just get the train to Hakuba if that's easier and there's enough snow by mid December What do you reckon?

Are there coupons that you can get for the ski gear rental on this site?

Originally Posted By: stemik Originally Posted By: GordonFreeman What about mid December? Won't Nagano be just as busy before Xmas? Hopefully the hostels will have space... Xmas and before is still relativley quiet in Hakuba and throughout Nagano. Its the New Year week that is very busy. You shouldnt have any difficulty finding a bed this time of the year. And Niseko? I know Niseko is longer to get to but if there's an overnight train then that makes the decision easy as it's supposed to have excellent powder?

yeah, isn't busy good for a bit of life in the resort I'll be off piste if I want to avoid crowds

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What about mid December? Won't Nagano be just as busy before Xmas? Hopefully the hostels will have space...

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Because I am travelling long term, I have no ski clothes with me but I would like to ski in Nagano or Hokkaido mid to late December. As it's almost winter I could buy a jacket to double up as a daytime coat. Do stores rent out clothes in the resorts? Is there a cheap store in Tokyo/ Kyoto that I could find some ski jackets from?

I'm travelling round Japan at the moment. I would like to go skiing for a few days on or around 20December. I thought Nagano as it is close to Kyoto and has backpacker hostels. I need to get back to Osaka for my flight eventually. Can I get to Nagano from Takayama? Might fit better with itinerary. I could do further North if the bullet trains are quick or have to ski mid December? Night trains or night buses are an option with the JR railpass though I hear night trains don't usually have sears - all beds I'd couchettes. Are there hostels in Hokkaido? Any suggestions?

what is the nightlife in Hakuba like? and... how many foreigners are there skiing there / in the hostels. As much as I want to experience a different culture while travelling, I wouldn't mind not being completely alone on the hills all day and nothing to do in the evenings

Looked like about mid Nov last year. Will the resorts actually be open if the snow is there though? Any ideas on whether hostels are busy that time of year? I hear Japan is full of Aussies or Aussie season workers lol

Is there any season work for English speaking only people who want to do a season in Japan? If not, is it bet just to get a room in a backpackers place for a while and do the season anyway - doesn't seem like the typical destination for ski backpackers?

I will be travelling round Japan in late October/November. Is there any chance of getting some skiing in in November and which resort is best? If good, I could stay for a month or so if it's somewhere that has a backpackers type hostel. Are there many foreigners visitng durig these times or is it mainly Jan onwards?