matic

i've been checking the updates obsessively. it definitely snowed more yesterday and today vs the forecast on snowjapan.

EXCELLENT day. today was totally unexpected as forecast was light snow/cloudy

sounding better.. i'm off to the airport headed to rusu now!

Yeah Rusutsu has been hurting a bit, along with Niseko. They even missed out on the snow that Teine and Kiroro got on Tuesday Fingers crossed it should be snowing when you get here if not then groomers are ok thanks! would really need the snow gods to pull through! i'm really hoping not to be on groomers though, we have plenty of that where i'm coming from. but looks like there will only be some light dusting according to forecast..super bummed.

will be in Rusutsu from Sunday. been planning for a whole year, but looks like there's been a dry spell for a week+ and continuing, ahhh what's the deal!?

i read you can get them at KOMBINIs as well, but i'm only aware of SEICO in Hirafu. Do they have them at SEICO?

JAPOW any day please.

anyone here buy the YOKUBARI pack before? In addition to the ALL MOUNTAIN PASS, it lists restaurants, shops and rental pass in the value of 800YEN. does this mean that I can use this towards lunch, or something from the shop? which restaurants and shops does this include? there is no info about this on the Niseko United website. It seems like a mega good deal for 4900yen. am i missing something? why is it so cheap? also, where can i pick up the YOKUBARI packs?

2/20-2/22 so my understanding is that the shuttles stop running at 8:30PM!? how do people get around!?

So, I will be staying at the Annupuri base. Not exactly by choice but everything is booked as it's prime season. I'm aware that the restaurants and bars (nightlife of course) is over at Hirafu. What time does the shuttle stop running? Will I have trouble getting back to Annupuri late at night? How is the Annupuri area for accommodation anyway? Thanks.

I've seen the most snow in my life at Rusutsu. While I'm not trying to compare the gnarly terrain of Whistler, I've definitely had more fun at Rusutsu. There's just something special there. As people stated, do a few days here and head over to Niseko. Niseko has way more traffic, so everything does get tracked out.

as stated, it can be done. i did a jam packed day in Hiroshima from Osaka this summer. went to peace memorial park/museum, ate local okonomiyaki at my friend's town, took the train/ferry to miyajima, did a good deal of wandering and back to hiroshima for eats/drinks at an izakaya and back on shinkansen to Osaka. it would be considered "rushed" to those that move at a slow pace. i'd do it again.