mfriedm
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Posts posted by mfriedm
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In Niseko, Sports Takiguchi had an event last year in March to demo the 2012 new ski models. They might have another event, but may be better to just rent some pow skis since you probably want them before spring.
It looks like Sports Takiguchi's "new model trial" will be on 3/22 according to the Annupuri ski resort site.
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On the topic, I don't understand all the 'demo rental' stuff that I keep seeing in Niseko. Anyone explain the story behind this?
Is it just a higher quality level of rental gear?
First of all, there is a rental company called "Demo" in the area.
Beyond that, many rental companies have two levels of rental gear. Normal level is "mid-range" or normal or regular or whatever. Upper level (powder boards, powder skis, etc.) is called "demo."
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thanks, GN. Also, do you know of any squash courts in Niseko?
No go on squash courts either. I've been searching, too.
A buddy of mine priced out building one a while back. There's still no squash courts, so...
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This is the new Grand Hirafu Mountain Center. Combined with the new gondola building, you will be able to book rentals, tickets, and eat lunch right at the gondola base - it used to just be a break room and a small-ish restaurant with short hours.
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And how jealous you should be!
Just added some more photos to the gallery... There's been probably 15cm or more in the last 12 hours.
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Good way to wake up in the morning, and it's still coming down!
http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/gallery/album/75-niseko-hirafu-new-snow-nov-15/
Winter is here!
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Snow has made it to Niseko, that's for sure:
http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/gallery/album/75-niseko-hirafu-new-snow-nov-15/
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Do you get a good view of Yotei out of that "all glass" side?
Unfortunately not, Yotei's pretty much on a line with the gondola path, so you can see Yotei out the back window.
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You know what? Just looking at those pictures makes me so jealous. It must be awesome living around the mountain you ride and seeing it when its not just a white mass with trees. To just be able to take a stroll up there and mentally map lines on a nice sunny day must really make you feel a part of the history of that place. I live in the wrong place
Another amazing thing is the difference in the mountain between early season and late season. If you always come to Niseko in early January (like a lot of my Tokyo friends do), then come back in March, you're skiing a totally different place.
A lot of the year-round locals say that the summers are better than the winter here, too. It really depends on how much summer infrastructure can be built up in the next few years, particularly to target "low-impact" tourists. A handful of easy gravel mountain biking roads and some easy hiking courses from Hirafu/Hanazono/Higashiyama would do wonders for our summer appeal.
Also, those trails would then be cross-country courses in the winter. That's what I want.
They really had no choice in doing something with the gondola. The cable it ran on had reached an age where they were unable to continue to get insurance to run it. Thankfully they really bit the bullet and are replacing it with much better cars that will increase capacity and have greatly improved the base and top stations. I do wish they'd relocated the top station higher up though so it's easier to connect up with other lifts. Really looking forward though to seeing Hirafu zaka without powerlines. The views towards Yotei without those damned lines in the way will be awesome.
This is new to me. I assumed that the decision not to move the upper station was due to late applications and tons of bureaucracy associated with it, since we're in a national park. My impression is that Tokyu doesn't want to spend too much money due to pressure from the national company that they're under, even though they understand that it would be worth it in the long run.
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is this just the gondola they already have at hirafu but with some nice new pods? I looked at the pics, but no snow on it means i cant really visualize it
it looks like the spot the old gondola went up to, and itll be nice to have the bottom redeveloped since it does look a wee bit baka beyond at the minute (or rather, last winter).It's definitely an exciting change! To be fair, I think the most exciting part of it is the road construction going on right now. Power lines really are the bane of views in Japan. But you're right, it's the same gondola end location.
A shot of a lone car hanging on the gondola:
http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/gallery/image/814-hirafu-gondola-on-the-cable/
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For the coming season, it will run as the "Niseko Hirafu Lodge." From there (and for next season), the site's fate is undecided, including whether or not the building will be demolished or not.
They put up a sign that says "Niseko Hirafu Lodge" quite recently.
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The patrol in Niseko have the right to take your pass, and there is certainly that chance. If you're using gates appropriately and not ducking gates into "no-go" zones, then you're in the clear. I've been lightly scolded by patrol before when I told him I ducked a rope, but that it was into an area that you could get to without ducking ropes.
There's lots of "off-piste" in Niseko without violating any rules that would get your pass taken.
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Happy to let you take the glory for the forum post! I just added captions to the photos as best I could.
Last I spoke with the company, they're planning to do a test-run tomorrow, but that seemed subject to change.
One things for sure, the new cars are pretty, and the view from them should be spectacular.
If you have other questions about the goings-on of Niseko, this may be a good place to ask though.
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A lot of the suggestions thusfar have been for Hirafu or Kutchan-based restaurants, which misses out on the much closer and awesome cuisine in Annupuri.
- Del Sole: Japanese guy goes to Europe to learn to make pizza. Returns, blows people's mind.
- Rakuichi soba: Meet the master of buckwheat noodles. To quote a funny guide in the area, "This is where Frodo goes to eat soba." Better value for lunch.
- Karabina: I think it's run by the son of the guy who runs Rakuichi. Nextdoor, and terrific izakaya style food and chill atmosphere.
- Cafe Grove: Good, not too expensive, cafe atmosphere with izakaya-ish Japanese food.
Those top 3 will cost you a bit more than other "typical" restaurants, but they're worth the money and time to get out there.
If you can make your way into Niseko town proper, a bit further out, Hanayoshi is one of the best sushi places in the area.
As with anywhere, reserve, and reserve early. Work with the guys at BDL to figure out what's most convenient for you and them from where they are. I don't know if they run shuttle or anything, but I know they'll take care of you.
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I eat myself silly every time I'm in Sapporo. It comes highly recommended, especially if you have a few extra stomachs.
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Last I heard it was going to go into Kutchan. Kutchan is a pretty large town by population, especially compared to Niseko-cho.
I think it will have a pretty major effect on the area, especially at first. It may encourage investment from domestic companies (think JR/ANA package tours and hotels partnering with JR to bring people on weekend trips from Tokyo).
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The shink will do a lot more for domestic tourism than international tourism, that's for sure. Not just due to prices, but because of convenience and cultural preference, a lot of Japanese people really like trains.
One concern lately is that with the arrival of the shinkansen, a lot of the smaller train stations in the area will shut down (i.e. Niseko). That would hurt certain programs on the Niseko Village/Annupuri side of the mountain.
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Originally Posted By: Black MountainThe Hakkodate extension is due to open in 2016. I think I remember reading that the Sapporo extension is being planned for 2020. Certainly in my lifetime (fingers crossed
). Anyway, there are no current plans to even have a stop at Niseko.
Not at Niseko station, but yes at Kutchan, which is where most people who arrive by train come in anyway. -
Originally Posted By: FontyThere is a Niseko Express and it leaves around 8am and returns at 4pm (approx). Not sure if it goes all the way from the airport or just from Sapporo.
Just from Sapporo, unfortunately. There's been a bit of pressure to make it an airport run, but JR claims it doesn't get the traffic to make it worthwhile (probably due to all the buses).
Trains will get more popular when the shinkansen arrives... if it ever does. 70 kilometers at 300kph... probably 20 minutes door-to-door!
Niseko Weiss
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
You're probably correct that it's the Weiss.
I've definitely heard good and bad things about Weiss. It's not too expensive and you get fresh tracks. However, the terrain isn't terribly exciting. Great for some, less for others. If you're seeking some cat skiing excitement, there are definitely other places to go in the area that are more exciting...