Thundercat

Reminds me a bit of the ridiculous situation between Akakura Kanko and Akakura Onsen. Neighbouring resorts that have recently started to enforce the boundaries between them.

GN, got a quote on the 50 hour pass?

ikenotaira is alright, not so big, not so crowded. good for a day after some fresh snow...

From Nagano station its less than an hour by local train. From Myoko station to Akakan or Akakura Onsen its about a 5-10 min taxi... I know there is an hourly shuttle bus between Onsen, Akakan, Ikenotaira and Suginohara which might stop at the station. If you are planning on staying there over night pretty much all of the accommodation will pick you up at the station and most will shuttle you to resorts.

Hey TB, I spend a lot of time in Myoko and Akakura Onsen (Akakan) is my favourite place. The last time I went to Seki Onsen it was terrible terrible terrible (terrible!). The area is tiny and its only worth going if they've just got a dump of fresh snow. Give Akakura a go. You'll find lots of off-piste/side-piste if you stick around the top of the mountain. Particularly the Olympic and Challenge areas. You can also hike to the top rather easily... enjoy!

Yamanashi...

Weird, my usual spot is in Shimoda and we almost never get jelly fish... even when they come its always September~ish.

Jellyfish were in Southern Shikoku as early as the beginning of August(because of el~nino!). I was stung 3 times so winter will obviously come 3 weeks early this year!

TB, its a massive area and would take a LOT to fill it up. It may be the busiest time for Australians to visit but there is plenty of room on the hill. Last season, for example, I can't remember waiting more than a minute or two in the lift line the entire 3 weeks I was there.(over the xmas and n.y. vacation) It seems that the only line you have to wait for there is the gondola first thing in the morning (even that is only a few minutes... nothing like the gondola at Goryu!). Of course, there are busier areas but those seem to be the beginners areas.

Just to add a little fuel... Mt. Ashidake got its first snow fall of the season today. A full 12 days earlier than average!

Me too. Excited. Booked and paid for a trip to Hokkaido last week. Looking at the calendar is a bit painful right now since its so far away and its still totally summer(ish) here in Shizuoka...

TB, I go to Niseko every year during New Years and I never find it that busy at all. (Compared to anywhere in Nagano during the same time.) In my experience, it also has the best conditions for that time of the year.

Yeah, I don't live in a place where we notice winter... AT ALL! Never have to shovel our or anything like that... usually the only snow I see is on the top of Mt. Fuji... My experience is that 3 years ago was worse than last year. And 2 years ago was better than both of those years. If we wanna go back further than I'll have to start searching the memory banks... painful right now!

I have to say that 2 seasons ago in Myoko it was without a doubt off the hook. That's my usual haunt and 2 years ago was a the top of the list for best seasons I've had since moving here. I also remember an absolutely epic dump in Hakuba during New Years 2 years ago. Something crazy like 130cms in a day or so (and 2 meters over only a few days) Guess it really depends on where you end up picking for your trip.

Should total beginners ever be allowed to exist.

In that case I'll take it back one day and say the 21st! I have a feeling its coming early this year too. AND...I'm being completely serious when I say that its because of jellyfish.

I agree with Ski. Last year's results will have almost no impact on my decision making (in a negative way) this year. In fact, because I have the luxury of being able to make weekend trips and last minute decisions I had a fantastic year last year. It was slightly shorter than usual but I had fresh pow almost every time I was on the hill (which was at least 25 times last season). I also think that Muikabochi made a good point. I start every season with about two weeks in Hokkaido from the end of December to the beginning of January. This tends to reduce my chances of having bad luck

MB, You are probably right. If I showed up at the hill by myself without having ever been on a board I would probably consider getting a lesson. But having even one friend with me, regardless of whether or not they know how to snowboard well, I'd probably just prefer to give it a go without lessons. (which is basically what I did the first time anyway). Then again, maybe my situation is unique as a started skiing (and skating) when I was about 5 years old followed shortly after by skateboarding, wakeboarding and then some years later by surfing all before I learned how to snowbo

agree... 3 days ago was a hot 32C but feeling more comfortable the past 2 days...

I agree with Ski. I've taught countless friends how to snowboard and have never considered it a waste of a day. Furthermore, all you really have to do is get your friend up and running. I've always found it quite easy to bomb a run or two while my friend is making their way down the hill. When I was quite young I was taught how to ski by an instructor but when I switched over to boarding a few years back I had a friend point me down the hill and give me a few tips. Really, if you are only spending a few days on the hill then I would suggest just having a friend give you a few poin

Whao! Didn't notice it was so big... taken the picture down now

LOL, view of Vancouver from Grouse Mountain... btw, great pic nagpants!

Surely one thing that Niseko doesn't need any more of (definately now) is more 5 star luxury uber priced accommodation. Seems to have quite an abundance of that now. Its putting us ski bums (who are very loyal even in times of economic hardships!) in the poor house. Having just booked a 2+ weeks vacation there recently I was pleasantly surprised by the discounts being offered this year. I'm interested to see how it works out for property owners and renters in the coming years... One more thing that might be slightly more on topic is the renaming and eventual rebranding of 'Niseko

How about the view from Grouse Mountain across from Vancouver? Its gorgeous in any season.

I've got a few tatts and have never had a problem at Yukuro. I've been there a few dozen times so unless the policy has changed this year I don't think there will be a problem. As for the other osens in the area someone else will have to fill you in as I've never been to them.