Vossy

I 18th - 29th December in Niseko and then New Years in Tokyo last year. Tokyo was a massive NYE party. We're paying for our 2010/2011 trip this weekend.

Has anyone been to or stayed at Yotei Tracks?

I stayed at the Vale last year and tried to book again for our 2010/2011 trip. I tried to do this in March and they told me that the rooms I was looking at were reserved for VIP guests. I'm not sure what being a VIP guest involves but they'd managed to book before the price listing had become available and before the rooms were released to the public. In the end I got a luxury 3 bdr/3 bthr penthouse with rooftop jacuzzi for half the cost of the Vale and only a block away. I'm looking forward to making the comparison between the two.

Those pics are sweet. It's bringing back memories. I'm booking this year's trip next week. Can't wait.

I'm about to finish work in an hour or so and then going on annual leave tomorrow. Due to what I do for work, there is no way I'm going to look at a computer for at least 6 weeks! I think I'm more excited about not having to sit in front of a computer than I am about going to the snow. I'll have to ask SJ when I get back to work next year. Have a good one everyone and might see you around in Niseko. I'll be easy to find...just look for the guy with a beer in each hand and bruises all over from eating sh!t on the slopes.

How do I do it and why would mine be full?

Seemore, What is PM??? I'm new to this and only get a chance to look at it while at work and have a spare 30 seconds.

Travel insurance is a must!

Thanks for the info. I'll certainly look into buying some BioMex gloves. The helmet on the other hand I might give a miss. There's just something about wearing a helmet whether it's skating,snowboarding or wakeboarding that makes me uncomfortable. Same applies when I grew up playing cricket. I got hit a few times in the head but hated the feeling of having a helmet strapped to me so I didn't wear one.

I've surfed and ridden a skateboard for over 20 years so I'm confident that I know how to fall to minimise injury. Although, having broken both wristes 3 times in the past I am somewhat concerned about breaking them again. It wouldn't stop me from going back up the montain the next day but the cold weather will certainly make it more painful. Does anyone where wrist gaurds or some other device to stop this from happening?

Is it compulsory to wear a helmet though? I wasn't really planning on landing on my head.

Do you need a helmet to snowboard in Niseko?

Having a lot money isn't luck unless that money comes from winning the lotto or something similar. Working you butt off to make a lot of money should be considered a justified reward.

The fact of the matter is I don't want to work at all. I would rather spend my time fishing, surfing, diving, snowboarding and drinking beer. In order to do that, I have to work hard now and earn as much coin as I can. As I've said, I love my life but I don't like my job. Is that so uncommon? If my job didn't pay well then I wouldn't do it but I'm not going to shy away from it because it involves massive hours and a high degree of stress.

Instinct is good until you make the wrong decision because you didn't consider the outcomes of your actions. I would prefer to know where I'm going and what I'm doing rather than "just go with the flow". Everyone has to have a plan. Just my opinion and I'm sure many will disagree. Mamabear, I consider career happiness to be enjoying what you do for work. Being successful at what you do doesn't always make it enjoyable. I had a dream, went to uni for quite a long time (5 1/2 years) landed my "dream job" but then realised it wasn't what I thought it would be. So, it has changed from "

Don't get me wrong ladies, I totally agree with you. I don't like my job but I love my life! I work 30 days straight (15hrs per day)in Papua New Guinea but then I fly home for 15 days break. I get to see family and friends and live a semi normal life while at home. Although, I have to leave my phone on in case something goes wrong at work and I have to return so suppose I'm not really on break at all. Snowhuntress, I'm sorry for the loss of your friends at such a young age. I just keep telling myself "that won't happen to me" and I sem to going ok so far.

I agree with you Mamabear. Although, in most cases, sacrifices are required to make considerable gains. Being under the age of 30, I am currently putting in the hard yards so I can retire early and not have to struggle as I get older. If that means working huge hours overseas when I'm younger then so be it. If I continue with what I'm presently doing, I should be retired by the time I'm 40. I am will ing to put career hapiness on the backburner for now in order to enjoy personal life in the future. That is the sacrifice I'm willing to make.

My dream is expensive no matter where you are in the world. Buying a house big enough to anchor a 150ft luxury boat out the back isn't cheap. Especially when you have your own personal island, ski lodge, wave pool, race car team and brewery to manage and maintain. But good on you for living your dream

Well you are lucky. I hate my job and am seriously considering a career change. These 105hr weeks are starting to wear me down at a rapid rate. Working in a area of a country that is on the verge of being third world certainly doesn't help either. The only thing keeping me coming back are my 2 week breaks at home on the Gold Coast and, at the moment, the rediculous pay cheque. Anyone got any available work going at the moment

I'm trying to live the dream. The problem is, the dream seems to change each week. I need a second or maybe a third job to achieve it.

How much are lower standard, older apartments selling for in Niseko at the moment?

I've been looking for a second home on the Gold Coast but if I like Niseko and prices are reasonable I'll certainly consider investing there. As far as the cost of rental accom goes, cost didn't enter my travel plans. Having not been to Japan before, the fact I haven't been to the snow in over ten years and not taking annual leave from work in 2.5 years I thought I might as well do it properly. Japan is just the start of my travel plans for the end of the year. In saying that though, I didn't think it was expensive at all.

Are the lines at the lifts really that bad? I thought Niseko was relatively quiet? Seemore, I take it that the 6k is for 2 people??? If so, 3k isn't too steep for 10 nights.

No porkies here mate. The entire package of return airfares from Brisbane, transfers to Niseko, accom at the Vale, ski pass, snowboard hire, 6 nights accom in Tokyo was $4300. My friend manages a flight centre store so she may have given us a cheaper deal or something perhaps. Dunno mate. How much are you paying to stay at the Vale?

I'm getting to Niseko on the 21st December and leaving on the 29th and spending a week in Tokyo for New Year. I booked my accom at the Vale about 6 months ago so that may be why it was cheap. When you say exspensive what do you mean???