[Long time in one place, or short blasts of more places?]

How about longer in lots of places. So little time.

But I do enjoy finding new places often.

[Checking out Hakkaisan in Niigata (31st Jan '10)]

6 people in the ropeway on the weekend?! Wow.

 

Good pics

[Good time to buy new gear!]

Now until April always good. Some places take the stock down a bit early though so don't leave it too late.

[Mobile phones at resorts]

Docomo seems to have the best coverage but I think you'll find it pretty good at most places that aren't deep inaka.

[Good movies you've seen recently]

The best part was Ms Winslet's breast.

[Daily Fix]

Flipping is good

[The Vale Niseko]

I don't know Mamabear. It just does!

I see it, in fact, is!

[What puts you off accommodation?]

I was thinking as much as people operating in the areas as well as guests, but guests too yes.

[Best Late November Resort]

Hokkaido is pretty big hey?

[Greetings from ski resort]

Gambatte resortguy.

 

Hint of where you are?

[The Vale Niseko]

Looks expensive!

[What puts you off accommodation?]

Originally Posted By: grungy-gonads

Perhaps he means the 'I'm the expert' / 'king of the hill' types.
You know the ones.

Yes thats what I meant.

There are some absolute **** wankers out there.
Hakuba has more of them than Niseko which has 'settled down' more.

[What puts you off accommodation?]

Foreign owners and their mostly gaijin guests all posturing.

I'll give that lot a miss.

 

Always wonder why rooms are often so hot. You'd think they might go the other way saving costs.

[Marunuma Kogen - 30th October 09]

Ace.

Hope to go there December.

[First snow on Yotei, winter 2009]

Always great to hear.

[Beatlesmania]

This person was married to a beatle

 

 

[what's everybody listening to now?]

File this under "**** me is this a joke" section

 

[The breakfast thread.]

Ham and eggs, some fresh salad, toast, coffee, yogurt and orange juice this morning. Oh, and some more toast. I was hungry. I like breakfast at weekends.

[2009-2010 winter forecast!!!!!!!]

Day specific or thereabouts too, so I know when to plan for!

[Ski gear rental for a family of four ...]

Rental quality can really vary greatly. Some cheapo places you're looking at stuff that looks like it belongs in the 80s. Perhaps a slight exaggeration. Don't know about ski wear, never even looked at that.

 

Theres a number of places linked up on the pages here

 

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/niseko-guide/niseko-gear-and-rental.html

 

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/hakuba-guide/hakuba-gear-and-rental.html

 

If you ask your accommodation or service provider as well I'm sure they'll have other local alternatives.

[Big pre-season discounts? Is this a new thing or are we in new terrority?]

We are doing our thinking and looking... and waiting. One or two of the party aren't sure if they can make it and I've got to admit I'm still in the "saving" mode. It'll be November or so before we can make a comittment.

[Mad Jacko "This is it"]

La Toya says he was murdered for his money.

 

Must have been under the bed I support. He should be mentioned in that "doesn't pay his bills" thread perhaps.

[Cost of travel insurance]

Mine this time was 7500 yen. For 3 weeks. From the local travel company where I bought my train tickets from and I have no idea what insurance company it is. End of report.

[What Are Your favourite On-Mountain Foods]

Egg and fish? Yuck.

 

Agree that lunchtime is a great time to be out on the mountain rather than queueing for food.

[Marunuma - get to from Nikko?]

Well if you saw a ropeway it will be different, the ropeway is on the south side of the lake. Probably people either hiked up there ride down from the top?