smoothrider
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Posts posted by smoothrider
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One last thought....
In Hawaii they have bumper stickers that read "Keep the country, country". I'm going to stand on the corner in Nozawa and hand out ones that say "Keep Nozawa, Nozawa".
Just loved the small town/village feel of Nozawa and the small mum & pop shops. No Starbucks, no Mackers, no 7-11/Lawsons/Family Marts.
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Thanks for the comments on my first TR everyone. I used this forum to try and find some information out BEFORE I went to Nozawa Onsen. The forum didn't answer all my question, so I figured I'd do a "Best of" review to help out anyone going for the first time. Ippy...glad you feel the same about Karasawa run being a great slope--definitely a nice pitch to teach first time riders.
Norcal--they had a Never Summer demo tent up near the Skyline lift that weekend. Cool American guy from Minnesota running it.
As for the picture of the tipping jar, it was on the bar at the Craft Room with a Japanese female bartender Junko. I guess the bar is owned by a yank and an Aussie guy or something. Great location for a bar. I think they only had one microbrew on tap at the time, wasn't bad but not for 900 yen. That was probably the single most over-priced item in Nozawa! I found prices to be very reasonable considering it's a fuggin ski resort 4 hours outside Tokyo. Loved the free apples and nozawa-na (pickled veggies) at a lot of the restaurants.
The Stay Bar also had a tip jar that read "The More You Tip, the More it Will Snow". I agree...tipping is stoopid...people should expect great service, period. Not sure if anyone understands my user name...it's what you call people who have become "too" Japanese (Tom Cruise's character in The Last Samurai). Sounds like some of you are Nate Algrens too, ROR.
Next trip is 15-18 Feb to Niseko...going by myself...looking for a single bed/accommodation.
Nate-Dawg Algren
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First trip to Nozawa Onsen for this intermediate over 40 boarder. It snowed for 4 days and we had a bluebird on Monday the 21st. Loved the fact it is an old village and hasn't been commercialized! Mountain was decent--the only negative for snowboarders is you have to unstrap/walk in a few places as I had read in previous posts. The onsens were a huge bonus and a must visit.
Since Lodge Nagano was full, we were passed to the Honey Bee/Mistubachi Maaya (Owner is Ikeda-san) which is up the street from the Shinden No-Yu Onsen and around the corner from the Post Office (which has the only ATM in town I think). Great location with about a 10 minute walk to Nakasaka Gondola--a great way to stretch/warm up before hitting the slopes is how I looked at it.
BEST PLACE FOR BEGINNERS:
The right side of the mountain (Karasawa) is the perfect place for first time snowboarders/skiers (had a cherry-boarder with me), even on crowded weekends. It's wide open. It's a better slope than Uenotaira (way too flat) to learn on. Probably get bored on this after a while, but the best place for beginners to start hands down.
BEST TRAILS FOR INTERMEDIATES:
Yamabiko A, B, C, D using the C & D lifts at the top of the mountain. These trails had the best snow and were the longest runs (besides Skyline). Lots of off piste/trees/powder.
BEST PLACES TO EAT:
Sushi - Hamacho
Pizza - Billikens and Kaze no Ie
Salad - Billikens (couldn't find any places that served salads...needed my greens).
Wine Selection - Kaze no Ie
Yakitori - Small shack between the Post Office and Mitsubachimaya...been coming to Japan for 25 years and it's the best yakitori ever.
BEST RENTAL SHOP:
Tomy or Tomii
BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE (gloves, goggles, winter shoes/boots, rental clothes)
Kanamori Sports (scored a great pair of Swan double lens goggles for 5000 yen, about $60 USD.
BEST TUNES;
Stay bar
BEST ONSEN:
It's a secret.
Pics in the gallery: http://www.snowjapan...onsen-jan-2013/
Would definitely go back but want to give Niseko a go. Plus the Shinkansen bullet train was 7500 yen ($85 USD) each way from/to Tokyo so why not fly to Chitose or Sapporo? Feel free to ask any questions or PM. This has been my first trip report, hope to contribute many more!
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Any recommendations for single accommodation/single bed anywhere at Niseko? I need a room for 4 nights (15-18 Feb). What places have/rent a single bed? Don't need anything fancy.
I looked on this forum's "Places to Stay" and figured I'd start with the four "backpacker" hostels.
I'm looking at these below and was hoping for some feedback or tips for finding a single bed...first beer is on me:
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Breck is a great town with an awesome atmosphere. It's an old mining town and has the longest operating saloon (Gold Pan) west of the Mississippi River. Vail and Copper are great mountains to ride. However, they both have a fake village an a "manufactured" atmosphere. Breck is the real deal. I prefer riding at Vail or Copper over Breck, but if you're looking for both snow & nightlife then go to Breck! I stay in Breck and go riding at Copper a lot.
Bucket List : the back bowls of Vail
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I want to thank everyone for their posts! Will be in Nozawa Onsen shredding for 3 days 19-21 January (arrive the 18th). It's my shout if I bump into any of you at the bar...two blokes from Okinawa named Miles & Steve.
I'm a "Smoothrider"
Thank you again!
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Sorry, meant Nozawa Onsen. Does it have some decent riding? I don't want to be coming out of my bindings and walking to get to any lifts. Have you been there?
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Sorry, I meant Nozawa Onsen, not Nagano Onsen in the title.
My friend (beginner) and I (intermediate) are planning a boarding trip up to Nagano area from Okinawa. Wanted some insight on which resort to go to, where to stay, etc.
Have surfed a lot of sites/forums/reviews for information, but don't feel I have a good handle on the best place yet.
RESORT:
We were thinking of riding at Nagano Onsen but I read there's a lot of flat areas and climbing between lifts? I dislike that as a boarder. Can someone confirm? Is there a better place you'd recommend in Nagano to board? Or should we head to Niseko in Hokkaido?
LODGING:
Nagano Lodge was full, they recommended Mitsubachi Maya Lodge to us, can anyone confirm if this place is okay?
GETTING THERE:
Have the maps and train/bus schedules from Tokyo to Nagano. Is it a pain in the arse to get there? Is it any easier from flying into Nagoya and going from there? How much time should we allow from airport to resort? 5 hours? Just wondering to allot time on our return flight.
Cheers in advance for your comments/insights. We can speak Nihongo and don't mind roughing it on tatami mats--we're just there to ride, eat & drink some, and enjoy the journey.
Long term snow forecast
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Pray to the snow gods. Mother Nature is one thing you can't control. Get there and let the snow gods sort it out. Food and drinks will be awaiting if Momma Nature isn't.