[Snow monkeys]

Anything else good to see in the general area of the snow monkey onsen? I'll be out there early March.

[Japan in March - Hakuba or Niseko?]

Thanks, guys! I will wait and see how conditions evolve to make a decision. How long can I wait to choose if I'm arriving Tokyo around March 2? My worries would be (a) accommodation availability and ( flight availability to Chitose (if I chose Niseko).

 

@nagoid - Niseko for obvious reasons (pow potential). Hakuba, because Happo One is supposedly one of the best resorts in Japan, and apparently Cortina can be great too. But I'd consider other areas (Shiga Kogen? Nozawa Onsen?) if you think they fit my goals well... any suggestions?

@panheadpete - the 2 internal travel days are already accounted for, so I would actually have 4 days on the snow

@snowjunky - I mention that b/c a bunch of websites say things like "young loud Aussies have invaded Niseko, so if you don't like that avoid Niseko"... but that doesn't affect me.

[Japan in March - Hakuba or Niseko?]

My friend and I are going to Japan in early March for about 9 days for the first time.

 

Plan is 3 days in Tokyo, then we head for the mountains for about 4 days on the snow.

 

I've narrowed it down to Hakuba or Niseko. I know this topic has been discussed before, but still for the life of me cannot choose between the two.

 

Part of my worry is that Japan snowfall/powder may not be that great in early March, and I wonder if we should either throw all our chips on a Niseko powder bet or hedge our bets with Hakuba, where at least there will be steeper runs and other attractions like a more Japanese culture or a day trip to see the snow monkeys.

 

Some advice, please, based on the following:

 

- we're advanced snowboarders (20+ years experience each), we love powder and natural hits / rock drops / cliffs

- perfectly comfortable riding out of bounds or in trees if that's what it takes, but getting old so the less hiking the better

- while we are definitely going to ride as our first priority, we'd also really like to see some Japanese culture, and I admit I'm curious about the snow monkeys

- time is the big constraint, not budget

- Aussies don't bother us one way or the other

- not flexible on the timing or on the length of trip, or the time spent in Tokyo -- we have business meetings there

 

Any advice much appreciated!