MagSeven

Looking white up top this morning:

Gonna be away till Monday, so if anyone has something to post - douzo!

That's the parking lot at Kiroro

Here are a few pics from a couple of years ago. Hiked towards the end of September from the Kyogoku side. Day started off bluebird. Pic from the trailhead: View from the crater rim. Clouds had rolled in by the time we reached the summit. Looking down at Shiribetsudake and Rusutsu At the moment, the weather isn't looking too favourable for this weekend. Fingers crossed it'll be ok. If we do it, I'll post any pics I get!

I've done the Kyogoku route, but only in the summer. I believe its one of the shortest, but steepest routes to the top. It was certainly straight into a steep hike, which was consistently so all the way up. It was about 3, or 3 and a half hours up. Heading down this weekend and will hike from the Kutchan route which I believe is longer, but a bit more mellow gradient wise. Hoping for some nice weather!

Saw the other day that Sapporo Kokusai, Kiroro and Asari have released a joint season pass this year. Not that cheap at 8 man, but you'd get a super long season. Could be good for someone based in that area. K-Pass early bird price of 7 man is available until November 11th.

I think that line is just north of Otaru. There's an area with a little amusement park, a lighthouse and a hotel called the Neuschloss out on the cliffs. A short hike from the hotel gives access to some steep lines down to the rocky beach. It's been in a few ski movies in the past, even if its not the exact line in that BD picture. I think there'd probably be quite a few options in that area, and heading around the coast to Shakotan.

My personal ranking would be 1 Teine 2 Kamui 3 Kokusai 4 Tomamu 5 Sahoro 6 Bankei I'm sure that'd be different for everyone you asked though! I've spent lots of time at Teine and Kamui so know lots of good spots. If I knew some of the other places better, they might be higher on the list. Bankei is really small though and not in the same class as the other 5 hills, so is in last place. At Yorkshire Farm, I'm pretty sure they had someone who spoke English as we communicated by email in English to make our reservation. But then in (basic!) Japanese when we were there.

We didn't stay at Tomamu, just the one night at Yorkshire Farm. I think it was around 8,000 for the night including dinner and brekkie. I'd recommend it, a really cosy place and the owners were cool. I think the lift ticket is just under 5,000 (but its covered by the K Pass so I didn't pay that). I'll be heading back that way this coming winter for the odd trip, especially to Tomamu.

Wow, it'll be bleak out there in January! I hope you get a window in the weather both for the ferries and the skiing! I'm thinking of heading out there maybe in April when the weather should be more stable.

I just go up to Teine and get it from the K pass office in the golf course building. Just need to fill out a form and bring a passport photo. You can buy it online somehow, and then pick it up when the season starts. I've never done it that way though, it's become a nice little pre season ritual to pick up our passes and have a wander around the ski jo.

Will be spending most of my time at the hills covered by the K-Pass in Hokkaido. Mostly Teine and Rusutsu. Also keen on a bit more time at Kokusai/Kiroro. Possibly taking a trip down to Honshu this winter, probably Hakuba area, but nothing concrete yet. We went there and hiked it in July. A stunning place and an awesome mountain. It's on the bucket list for a spring ski trip!

It's a beaut of a day today. And, the first snow fell up on Asahidake last night! And it's payday tomorrow, so I'm going to get my K-Pass this weekend. Happy days. Asahidake this morning:

Niseko?

Bear in mind, the advertised opening dates are generally best case scenario. if there's not enough natural snow, they won't open as there's no snowmaking. The past couple of years were good early seasons. The season before that was really late and very little/nothing opened till early December. I remember being at Kiroro in the rain and seeing very depressed people getting bussed in from Niseko as nothing was open there. That was around Dec 8/9th. It's really a gamble before mid December. Chances are you'll be able to ski/board, but it might not be pow, and it might not be in Niseko.

Sorry, didn't read the full brief. If you're needing accommodation next to the ski jo, you're looking at Hirafu, or possibly Rusutsu. Don't think Village or the other areas of Niseko open that early.

Generally you'll have something available late November. Kokusai, Kiroro, Hirafu probably your best bets. Last year we had a great day at Rusutsu on Nov 23rd. Nakayama Touge is often the first to open, but it's pretty small. It's a gamble though, you'll just have to keep your fingers crossed for a good early start to the winter.

It was called しずる (Sizzle!) and it's on the main drag that runs east west through Susukino, maybe two blocks west of the Nikka Man/Maccy D's crossroads. North side of the street. There was a bit of a queue outside when I went, but for 100, I was happy to wait!

A new place just opened in Susukino, offering 100yen ramen for the rest of this week as a promotion. I was in town on Wednesday and even though its a bit hot for ramen, how can you say no to that price?! Decent bowl of noodles too.

Got myself another pair of skis. They're new to me, but one season old, bought from a mate. Line Francis Bacons, replacing another pair of Line skis that broke on me last winter. Also got a new pair of ski pants. Bring it on. (Both the aki-aji, and the autumn!)

Love camping at Shikotsuko! We were out at Shakotan last weekend, that's beautiful too, amazingly clear water. Been abit too wholesome and outdoorsy recently though. Going to be hitting the beer garden and Susukino this avo/tonight to remedy that!

Tubby speaks the truth! There's lots to do in Hokkaido over the summer. I do lots of cycling, camping, hiking, swimming. And of course beer gardens.

Grand Hirafu: 35 (+) Rusutsu: 0 (-) There you go. Hirafu is the only spot worth going to. Go there, not to the other places. They're rubbish.

Wow, impressive detective work!

Yep, indeed it is.