acpowman

Yep scotty has his work cut out at the Prince. The winter market at Furano has slumped as a whole, it started gaining momentum when people couldn't get a room in Niseko or wanted to try something different but Hakuba has taken over that mantle now. Yes Niseko is slandered for many reasons, some of them are very true, but it will always be the king in Japan for it's snow, multitude of western accommodation, access to off piste and great village. People will try different resorts but 9 out of 10 always end up heading back to Niseko.

16th Dec to 20th Jan Narita to Sapporo booked out in economy class. There are only 2 flights a day from Narita, 1 in the morning and 1 at night, flights roughly every 45 mins from haneda. This is only a problem if your flying from Brisbane, or with JAL from Sydney/Melb as you cannot make the last flight from Haneda or last bus to Niseko so are forced into staying overnight in Tokyo - not the end of the world, $100 pp at the airport. From Sydney or Melb if you fly with Qantas it's an overnight flight so no problem with the connections, just need to go to haneda. There are always other o

Actually biri I don't earn commision, happily on salary only. Late Feb after Chinese New Year (13 - 20 Feb)is not a problem for the narita to sapporo flights. Yes regular travel agents like flight centre are on commision and dislike Jeststar but it has no impact on me whatsoever. I have no problem with people using Jetstar - it's actually a lot easier for me to do land only or add on an airpasss anyway. Problem is most people are not aware of the catches and added expenses with Jetstar - having to stay overnight ect, unless you get a very cheap flight with them it's usually not worth t

Best recomendation is to contact a Japan ski specialist as they are the ones that deal with nothing but Japan ski travel and are the most Knowledgeable. Some breaking news, just got an email from Qantas...... They are increasing their airfares from 1st October - 7 DAYS NOTICE ! This is simply because JAL annouced a month ago that their taxes would be increasing from 1st October and now Qantas can increase their fares substantialy so they are $10 cheaper....dog act ! I now have to contact hundreds of people booked to let them know they have 7 days to pay for their flights, FANTASTIC

Welcome pass black out dates are 18 Dec to 5 Jan & 12-31 March inclusive. Yokoso black out dates are 22 Dec to 5 Jan inclusive.

Problem is there are NO seats left on the Narita to Sapporo evening flight from 16th Dec to 20th Jan and limited availability on other days. You can purchase a business class fare but your looking at about $450 one way. You cannot upgrade the airpass or your international flight, you have to buy the flight outright so it's cheaper to stay overnight in Tokyo. Anyone from Brisbane looking to go during this time will have to stay overnight in Tokyo at their own expense, the longer you leave it the more days will sell out. Sydney/Melb/Perth departures can fly overnight with Qantas and get a

SJ & MW are both on the money here, forecasts are for the AUD to continue to strengthen against the Yen. Can't complain with current levels though, much better than last year !

As a ski travel agent it amuses me that people who have been to Niseko twice before think they know all the airline rules and best deals going around. Some points you may or may not know..... *From Australia the airfare cost to Sapporo is exactly the same as Tokyo if you fly with Qantas or JAL (the 2 destinations are common rated). Buying an international ticket with either airline to Tokyo then purchasing an airpass is a complete waste of money. *Ski wholesalers have access to discounted package airfares that you can't get on the internet or through a regular travel agent. *Current l