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manfredk

SnowJapan Member
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Posts posted by manfredk

  1. I did a bit more research and I'm thinking about going to Myoko. It seems to be off the radar and there looks like there are a few good interconnected resorts, lots of snow too. Any of you fellas been there before?

    Going to myoko in Feb.Seems like a nice small village, suits all levels, Plenty of places to stay. Stayed In Goryu Jan this year. Our first time and simple to get around,.

  2. When I was planning our trip and deciding on which area to stay the shuttle buses where a big selling point for the different Hakuba ski areas from the Goryu lodges.

    They where great to pick us up from outside the Goryu lodge to take us to Escal plaza (Goryu ski area) in the morning and bring us home in the afternoon when we where skiing.

     

    They were not keen to shuttle us from say Escal plaza Goryu to Hakuba central on our rest day, I now understand why, Escal plaza bus doesnt want to take 2 aussies to another ski resort for a day trip. Im sure if we where there early we could have caught the Happo bus to Happo. Had we been told.

     

    We did travel to another ski area on another day, the lodge owner drove us into the Goryu town to wait at a bus stop for that particular resort shuttle bus to pick us up, they also dropped us back in town. We did get a Escal plaza bus pick us up and dropped us off at the plaza. Where we waited for the next bus to shuttle us to the lodge

     

    Had we stayed in Hakuba I feel it may have been easier to get around to the other resorts. This is not a complaint, just a observation from a first time traveler to the area. The shuttle buses are not a free public transport system. Although I would have gladly paid a fee for the service.

     

    The service they offer is fantastic and friendly and they leave exactly on time,just as long as you are aware of why they are there.

     

    My suggestions for anyone else new to the Goryu area is to use the taxis if you want to have a look around they are pretty reasonable as we found out at the end of the trip.

     

    I hope this helps another newbie to understand the shuttle system.

  3. I agree, the snow shoes we bought in a store in Hakuba $35 au, where snow purpose boots and we used them the whole time when not in ski boots, just wouldnt get lace ups if I had my time again.

    Another tip, buy a return bus ticket from Nagano to Hakuba, cheaper than one way only. Purchased from the small shop on the ground level under the stairs near where the bus leaves from. Also saves sorting out payment with the bus driver with the crowd waiting behind you.

  4. we are going in early January for just over a week doing all the stuff the tourists do.so hopefully can get as much out of the trip as possible. also how busy are the slopes at this time of year as a novice to intermediate once I get my mojo happening if someones stopped mid run I tend to have great difficulty going around them. I see you have just been over any tips on traditional japanese restaurants for a family with kids looking for a more relaxed environment and not too expensive also what do all you guys do for lunch on the mountain I see there are quite a few places but whats the best and cheapest around happo one

    Regarding eating out, all eating places where pretty relaxed, have english menues and a lot have photos of the food to make your choices. We never experienced any negative issues, all are happy to have your eating at their place..and at great prices. Kids will be very welcome.

    Your lodge can make bookings for you they know the best places, and can organise it. We just walked in but there was only 2 of us, with the family probably good idea to book. Starts getting dark around 4, so you might be eating out earlier than normal.

    Hers another tip.. if your buying snow boots, get ones with zips in them. always taking them on and off going out, in and out of places. Especially for the kids. We bought lace up ones when we got there, great boots but ...anything else?, glad to help

  5. You could e-mail them now, most likely. Or any time between now and December, for that matter.

     

    (I would honestly be shocked if they ever reach 100% occupancy in recent years. That is a big hotel...)

    Oh that is wonderful news. I was really getting worried. Kinda stupid that agoda or booking.com would say they don't have rooms. They could have just said "rooms can only be reserved _ months in advance". But anyway, thanks again!

    just for reference the booking companies dont set the details for room rates and availability. thats up to the hotels ect.
  6. Thats because they dont have the 2015 prices out yet,im guessing. they will tell you that there are no rooms available for your selected dates... sound familiar? Dont panic .Listen to what tubby said. I booked my accom, last year in July, and I was" very early" as my host mentioned, but I like to be organised.

    Hakuba is easy to get to, lots of english signs and english spoken. Nagano is great to check out and the bullet train is great.

  7. WOW!! what time of the day was that? did you ski at any of the other ski fields and if so was it like that at the others? can you go from happo to goryu using the same lift ticket?

    I think it was around late morning..ish.

    We stayed at Goryu, {after I hurt my wrist}, so cant say for sure but I dont think it would be too crazy at happo one, Dont take this as gosple I didnt go, but I heard Happo one is a bit steeper and more moguls.

    Japans skier grading is a bit harder than Australia, My wife found some of the beginner runs a little scary at first. My guess is its 1/2 grade in between, if that makes sense. BUT NO ICE..

    So not so scary,

    Just a tip, get up for the first runs, 8.30,runs are at their groomed best. by lunch time you will have had enough, go and have a HOT bath, then a few beers..Perfect..

  8. I cant wait!!!! we are all booked up and ready to go but can this year go any slower??? I love reading all the chats about the ski resorts and am desperate to experience skiing in japan for myself even if I am going to a more populated place - you gotta start somewhere and I'm starting in hakuba where we go next time is anyones guess but keep up all your info certainly getting a few ideas for future trips - thanks people

    Hakuba is a great small town, when are you going?

  9. I feel like most posts I make are about Nozawa but... a lot of the guest houses and hotels are right up to the slopes and there are restaurants and a couple bars around town.

     

    (Maybe it's time I copied Tsugaike's gimmick and changed my name...)

    thanks, I am looking at staying a few (3) days in Nozawa and somewhere elseDid Goryu this year. with a couple of days in Nagano area sightseeing in between.

  10. I posted them at around 4pm on the day I went, so there was minimal adjustments made with these, mostly just bringing down exposure a bit.

     

    Not sure if I had the setting on here but not I often export with a slight sharpen setting thing going on.

     

    I do enjoy playing about in Lightroom when I have time.

     

    :)

    Lightroom is my best friend and enemy. Spend a lot of my day there. Cant believe the guys trekking so far and so deep, they didnt have skis or boards, are the just hiking?

    I didnt take many images when I was in japan this year, more interested in skiing, but I only had a week at the snow. .

    Enjoy your day. We love with Japan, hoping to spend more time next year.

  11. I love the look of these as they are manfredk, so I think that's how they'll stay.

     

    That's they great thing about photography isn't it - you can just do what you want; and everyone has different tastes.

    of course your right, was just a friendly suggestion, some are not aware of the options. Its a thing I am always doing in my work, correcting colour balance. Was impressed with the quality, and the lens, I also use a nikkor 2.8 80/200, did you sharpen images or is that straight from the camera.

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