[Sydney - Tokyo - Hokkaido ?]

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.

[Sydney - Tokyo - Hokkaido ?]

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 options uch as Cathay, Korean, China, Continental - they may not be the cheapest or most convenient but you can always get there for a price.

[Sydney - Tokyo - Hokkaido ?]

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 the hassle.

Hakuba numbers are definately up on previous years even though they had a crap season last year, Furano is struggling big time though.

I have been to most major (and many minor) resorts on Hokkaido and Honshu, i don't have blinkers on.

I'm quite happy as an employee thanks, i get paid to spend 4 months of the year in Niseko every winter - wouldn't be doing that if i was an employer !

[Sydney - Tokyo - Hokkaido ?]

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 thanks Qantas.

To add to my misery we are still without proper phone/fax/internet thanks to the contractor that cut through the phone lines in Sydney over a week ago !

[Airfares - Narita to Sapporo?]

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.

[Sydney - Tokyo - Hokkaido ?]

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 connecting flight.

[Exchange rates at the moment]

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 !

[Sydney - Tokyo - Hokkaido ?]

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 low season airfares from Syd/BNE/Perth to Sapporo with JAL or Qantas start at $1215 including taxes, subject to availability.

*The airpasses from JAL ect have embargo periods (end Dec - early Jan & start of March), during this time your forced into a full priced domestic fare which can cost around $700 to $800 return.

*All Jetstar flights from Australia will force you to have an involuntary stopover in Tokyo or Osaka, it's impossible to get a same day connection to Niseko with them.

*Airfares with Qantas & JAL will never get cheaper if you wait, once the cheapest seats are gone they're gone.

*All travel agents and online websites have access to the same availability, if one agent can't find you the cheapest seats on a particular day then none of them will.

* Your local flight centre agent is not an expert on ski travel and does not know all that's involved. If you book a ski holiday through a regular agent they will call me (or another ski wholesaler) for a quote and will relay my information & prices to you. Prices will be indifferent so i suggest you just go straight to the ski wholesaler for the concise info.

*Some regular travel agents are unaware of the airpasses which is why you could get quoted the full priced fare for the domestic flights through them.

*Can't comment for all companies but we sell the bus transfers for the same price that you'll pay at the counter but we guarantee you a seat. Coaches do fill so if you wait till you get there you could end up waiting for hours, or if arriving late miss out altogether.

 

My credentials - worked for flight centre for 2 years, spent the past 8 years working for 3 of the major Australian ski wholesalers, currently as a Japan specialist.