[niseko vs furano]

Good info. Thanks. I'm no closer to making a decision today then I was two weeks ago though.

[niseko vs furano]

So what is considered peak season for Niseko?

[Resorts having trouble working out how to succeed...]

So then the next question would be....how many "viable" areas are there in Japan and do you feel there are enough skiers to keep them all afloat? How many skier days per season over the last 5 years have been recorded? In North America we seemed to have leveled off as far as loss of areas. The mom and pops still disappear on occasion though. I'm not in the industry, just curious.

[Resorts having trouble working out how to succeed...]

The resort guide here on SJ shows 74 closed ares on Hokkaido alone. Is this accurate? I'm sure many of these are one lift community hills but 74? Is this an indicator to the industry in Japan as a whole?

[If you were me.....]

Originally Posted By: thursday

Actually, when you hire your car, choose one with an English speaking GPS. The writing will be Japanese but at least the oral instructions will be in English. Rav4 comes to mind.

Get the phone numbers of the places you wish to visit (or the GPS code) and have those handy.

You may have a little difficulty using the GPS menus though if you don't know a bit of Kanji. But that's minor.

Thanks for the heads up though navigation is the least of my worries at this point. Right now it's getting the lay of the land to plan the trip. What town to stay in and what areas to ski.

[If you were me.....]

Originally Posted By: Black Mountain

Have a look through google maps. You should be able to find all the relevant distance/time info you are looking for.

I'm finding Google maps to be a bit of a chore to use. It doesn't recognize many of the resorts, areas, stations ect.

[Canadian Cage Fighter keeping the peace in Niseko...]

Originally Posted By: MitchPee

Originally Posted By: D train

literally wrote that, walked out the door, and had three Aussie dudes chucking snowballs at cars and pushing them as they left seicomart.

told them time to settle down and got a finger in the face and " get f@cked you ****" within the first ten seconds of talking with them.

We got some awesome, classy folks visiting town this week, I tell ya.

See I can understand maybe a little snowballfight here and there but when a local would tell me to quiet down I would listen.

I wonder are Americans out there better than Aussies in general?

I can't speak for the Ausssies but I will say that many of us Yanks are trying our best to fly under the radar these days. It's not uncommon to tell people we're from Canada when we travel abroad. Don't want to perpetuate the stereotype.

[If you were me.....]

Originally Posted By: panhead_pete

Originally Posted By: The Wheel

It's my thread so hijack away. Small world it is. The Rio is still open and still three's the limit. They have at least 8 locations now, Steamboat, Austin, Boulder ect and The Washbar is still The Washbar.

Wow great news re Rio - stoked to see them grow so much. Well if you get to Steamboat and find yourself at the 8th St Bar, ask for Danya and say hi for me, she awesome, but I am a tad biased as I used to work there

Enjoy your trip to Japan.

I've spent my share of time at 8th street. Great little bar. My best friend has been in The Boat for 18+ years so I make it up every few months.

[If you were me.....]

Originally Posted By: Black Mountain

Have a look through google maps. You should be able to find all the relevant distance/time info you are looking for.

Thanks. Will do.

[If you were me.....]

Originally Posted By: panhead_pete

[quote=The Wheel
Fort Collins. I'm 45 miles north of Denver.

Sorry to get off topic here guys but small world. I went to CSU for a semester and lived in Maple St in Fort Fun. Many crazy nights in Washington's etc. Can you still buy those really good strawberry Margs in town?

It's my thread so hijack away. Small world it is. The Rio is still open and still three's the limit. They have at least 8 locations now, Steamboat, Austin, Boulder ect and The Washbar is still The Washbar.

[If you were me.....]

My last question, for a while. I'm trying to figure travel times and routes between areas. Can someone give me that type of info?

Thanks again,

Jeff

[If you were me.....]

Originally Posted By: thursday

"if you were me" I would hire a car at Shin Chitose, base myself at Asahikawa, go to Asahidake, Kurodake, Kamui, visit Furano for the delicacies, and drive to Sapporo to return the car.

Great info. Thank you.
Asahikawa looks to be a beautiful city, great location and a place I would love to visit but the size of it does not intrigue me for a ski trip. All four of the mountains are right up my ally though. This site lists Kurodake as being closed. Is it real time updated or are most of the mountains on Hokkaido closed?

TW

[If you were me.....]

Originally Posted By: panhead_pete

Welcome to the site, where abouts from Co are you? Wanna stop by the Never Summer factory for me and pick up some boards

Fort Collins. I'm 45 miles north of Denver. I believe Never Summer has roots here and you can see the Never Summer mountain range from town. Just send me a blank check and I'd be happy to oblige your request.

[If you were me.....]

you'd be a 50 year old Yank traveling to Japan/Hokkaido for the first time. Feb. or March. How would you weed through all the info to plan your trip? Your not looking for a high end resort experience. You prefer smaller funky resorts, no crowds, great snow and a reasonably "real" cultural experience. You've been skiing the Sierras, Wasatch and the Rockies your whole life, Telemark for 15 years, you prefer off piste but loves carving a good groomer too. You'll have 5 days to play on snow with a few extra to visit family in Sapporo. Basing out of one location is fine and your willing to travel for a day trip elsewhere if the mood strikes you. Good food is a bonus but nightlife is not a necessity but is also a bonus. Public transportation or shuttles would be your mode of travel and cost is not an issue.

I can imagine this gets asked allot but I'm not asking you guys to give up the gems, well maybe I am, but some locals knowledge really goes a long ways.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff