lena1849
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Posts posted by lena1849
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I visited Madarao Kogen for the first time in awhile last weekend. The snow conditions were good. The website has a good coupon for a full day all-mountain (Madarao + Tangram) plus lunch. This coupon was nice, since most of the area I enjoy is on the Tangram side.
As a boarder, I noticed how I was outnumbered by skiiers. Still, the resort was much less crowded (for a Saturday) than places like Happone and Nozawa. There are a few key runs - with hardly any people on them - that made it worth it. One is powder wave (kind of on the border of the two mountains, you need to use a Madarao lift for this so I'd suggest the all-mountain coupon deal). A couple of the other Tangram black runs were pleasantly deserted, which means the population hadn't overrun them with moguls yet.
I suppose my only complaint is that the lifts are short and slow. Worth the wait though. I'd post some pictures...but I don't use this site often and I can't figure it out how to do it yet (don't have the time to figure it out now) Any tips on how to post would be appreciated, and I'll try to check back here and post some pictures . Happy skiing / boarding! -
I have never been to Hakuba on a fantastically blue sky day. That is something I want to do this season as I know how stunning that scenery is as well.
If you get the chance, Goryu/47 has the most amazing view from the top; on clear days the small hike to the shrine at the very top is worth it.
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I can't speak for Sapporo, but if you want to keep it closer to Tokyo, Hakuba isn't usually that bad in early March. For powder chasing I would keep to the North facing resorts of Tsugaike or Cortina, they catch way more in the event of a snow shower. The big Hakuba resorts might not have as much snow in the spring (as the north resorts) though, and they are likely to get packed and skiied over quickly (unless you get lucky with snow, which does happen now and then). The night life near them is better, though, so it is a trade off.
If you're okay with the other side of Nagano, resorts near Iiyama (north of Nagano city) like Nozawa Onsen are your best shot for finding powder when it is harder to come by. It is always snowing there. Nozawa is a great mountain, good tree runs, and it has an ok village, full of hot springs, shops, and some bars (nightlife ok but not too crazy). It might be harder to find info on affordable accomodation in English, but there are still plenty of options. There are also some other smaller resorts nearby for variety too, like Togari, and even Shiga kogen is not far away. Myoko area in Niigata is also good for spring skiing/boarding...it's always been a bit foggy whenever I go in spring, but not a problem with a good pair of goggles.
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If you plan on staying there for six weeks, I advise NOT to limit yourself to one (or two) mountains. Happone is big, but you might get bored on it after awhile (especialy if it is crowded). Plus, Hakuba has so many resorts packed into one area (Tsugaike and Cortina just north of the village borders, some smaller resorts in Omachi just south).
If you're okay with just going with the flow and seeing what happens, you can score daily deals by checking nearby sports equipment stores and convience stores for coupons. Often these coupons include discounts on rentals, too if you are looking to switch up the ski/board thing. And as other posters said, there are often 3-day and 5-day deals at some resorts.
I guess it just depends on how often you actually see yourself spending full days on the mountain. With coupons, etc. you can estimate to spend between 3000-5000yen per full day of lift service (with deals often giving you a 1000yen lunch, onsen, or else rental discounts).
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If you're going through Shinjuku, there is the Alpico Shinjuku-Hakuba highway bus route. It might be a little slower than a Shinkansen, but the price is more reasonable and you don't have to hassle with stops. Plus, busses are easier for luggage.
To get to Shinjuku from Narita, there are several orange airport limosine buses direct from the airport for about 3000 yen.
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Waxing yourself can be a way to save money... I did it back home when I had the space and time for the mess (and other people in the same house with waxing demands).
However, keep an eye out for good deals in ski shops on or around the mountains. If you find a decent deal, it might be more convienient than getting the whole set up.
Last time I was in Nozawa Onsen (Nagano), there was a rental shop just at the base of the Gondola. I had a wax and edge done for 1000yen (500 for each service). Although it was just a quick, do-it-while-you-wait job, it was a step up from rub-on wax, and -combined with the edge - it made a difference for that day and the next several weekends I went out.
If you find the smaller rental shops right near the mountain, you can find quick deals like this. In Happone I got a hot wax for 2500 as well. It was completed within my lunch break.
I usually just wait until the mountain, get there a little early and find a cheap shop. If no luck, there are always rub-on kits for emergencies.
Madarao Kogen
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
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Thanks for the link
You can see the sea of Japan from the top of Tangram, which is pretty cool for Nagano (we don't see the sea so often here!)