[When do you go??]

7 feb - 14 feb Niseko; 14 feb - 21 feb Furano; 22 Feb 2 March Nozawa.

 

Bring it on.

 

No good re the job Pete. GFC hits again.

[This season compared to last season]

Originally Posted By: snowbender

Interesting numbers on Yuzawa Now today

This season (Feb 15th 08):
320cm at Kagura
230cm at Gala Yuzawa
280cm at Iwappara
290cm at Kandatsu

Last season (Feb 15th 07):
220cm at Kagura
150cm at Gala Yuzawa
100cm at Iwappara
120cm at Kandatsu

Last year the second half of February was a disaster. (I bet some of those numbers were pushing the upper limits of believability as well).
Looks so much better this time around!

This season (as at 13 January 2009):

200cm at Kagura
160cm at Gala Yuzawa
120cm at Iwappara
150cm at Kandatsu

So far the numbers are stacking up much more favorably than 07 - more like 08.

How is it tracking at other resorts comparitively?

[Day trips from Furano]

We are spending 10 days skiing Furano in mid February.

 

Just wondering what other resorts there are within day trip distance of Furano in case we want a change of scenery and terrain?

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Ski Hire in Nozawa Onsen]

Just wondering whether anyone can recomend a ski hire place in Nozawa (we're there mid feb)?

 

Is it wise to book ahead for ski hire?

[Worst start to a season yet?]

snowhunter,

 

interested generally but will be visiting niseko, nozawa and furano this season.

[Worst start to a season yet?]

Looking through the SJ archives for this time of year over the past 7 or so years things are looking comparitively grim. The forecasts for the next 9 days dont look much better.

 

Is this the worst start to season in recent memory? Does it normally improve quickly come early January?

 

Either way, I wouldnt like to be heading up in the next 10 days or so.

[Snow to near village (Niseko)]

sorry lads, i didnt realise mike was so popular. I am just after some lessons. I will settle for homer simpson if he can teach me to master powder and tell me about a few good bars.

 

I am sure there are plenty of very good instructors going round in Niseko.

[Snow to near village (Niseko)]

Mike Pow, I noticed a thread by you on another board

 

"I ski instruct for a living and the pitch of the terrain and the density of the snow in this area is the best I've experienced to enable recreational skiers to transition from piste to off-piste and from shallow depth powder to nip deep powder

 

I am in Niseko for a week from 7 Feb (then Furano then Nozawa) and looking to get a few lessons along precisely those lines. How can we get in touch with you?

[Best month for snow?]

What is traditionally the best time for skiing in Japan? Is it early season/late season; December, January or February?

 

If you had 2 weeks skiing all season when would you take them?

[Snow to near village (Niseko)]

in your experience does this first snow of the season (being 1-1.5 in MikePows estimation) usually stick around or does it dissapear with the real - long term - base settling down in mid december?

 

is this as good a start as any in recent years in Niseko?

[Snow Stats]

Is anyone able to help out with info on:

 

1. Long range forecasts for the japan ski season. ie is it foreacast to be a good snow season this year or otherwise.

 

2. Stats or personal observation on the last few years: Ie; (a) was last year a good season compared to previous seasons

( has there been a decline in snow or a noticeable warming over say the past 10 years

© has there been any bumper years or really bad years recently?

 

etc etc

 

Thanks

[The Telephone Booth Watch 08/09]

Could someone please put a copy of or link to the photo of the phone booth as it sounds interesting and I have no idea what you are talking about.

 

thanks

[Re-pricing of ski packaging]

I had a call from my travel agent at 5pm Thursday week ago who advised me that unless my group of 10 paid the $40,000 balance on our February trip by 10am the following day the price for the whole group would increase by $10,000. We had already paid $20,000 deposit and our balance wasnt due until 20 December. To make matters worse, she said the whole balance for the group had to be paid and it couldn't be divided up by families so if one coupld couldnt afford it we all cop it. fortunately we could find the money.

 

It is completely outrageous that they can do that after you have booked and paid the deposit they asked for.