tmiddled
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Posts posted by tmiddled
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Hi All,
I just had 8 days boarding in Niseko (well, 6 Niseko, 1 Rusutsu and 1 Moiwa). I was there 25th-2nd Feb. Firstly, I had an awesome time. Initially I was worried Niseko would have a big crowd, but I was able to find tonnes of freshies!
However, whilst we were there, the lifts were closed a lot of the time, and I am just wondering if this is typical. I know that the top lifts often close (more often than not a couple of instructors told me), but the Niseko and Annupuri Gondolas were closed for 4 of the 6 days I was there. Apparently Moiwa quad was closed most of the time too (we scored and got it on the day it opened).
We still had an awesome time, but just wondering if this is normal in Jan? How often do these Gondola's shut usually? It does really limit options, especially in Niseko village. There were even a couple of times when the Annupuri quad shut down, effectively ending our day early.
Cheers,
Tom
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Hi guys,
I'll make sure to write a couple of reviews when I get some time, cheers.
GN - Thanks for those town names, I'll see if I can have more of a dig around.
We don't need anything fancy, just clean, comfortable and warm. We spent around 350 000YEN for 5 people, 10 nights right on the slopes. From what I have researched, car hire will be around 100 000 YEN, and I don't want to spend more on a place further away from the slopes, so taking into account the car hire, we would not spent more than 250 000YEN for a cottage, less if possible.
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Hi All,
I just got back from my first trip to Hokkaido. We stayed in Annupuri, and mainly boarded Niseko United, but did a couple of day trips to other close by resorts.
First of all, thanks all to who helped me plan this trip, I sought much advice from this forum. My trip awesome! My initial worry was that with the crowds at Niseko, I wouldn't be able to get many freshies. However, with fresh snow overnight 6 of the 8 days, and with my annoying persistance of getting first lifts every day, we got tonnes of fresh lines :-) Not to mention our day trips to other ski hills.
So, I'm (already) thinking about next year. I loved Annupuri, as it was less crowded than Hirafu on the slopes, and only a short cab ride to another awesome hill (not telling which one ;-), so we are likely to do the same thing again.
But, I am considering another option. Does anyone have experience of renting a small house/cottage out of town, and also renting a car/van for 4-6 people? Somewhere like Kutchan, or even in the countryside. If we have a car, I am happy to drive 20 mins to the slopes every day, and we don't need to be close to bars or anything.
My reasons for thinking of this are flexibility of going to Niseko, Moiwa, Rusutsu or Kiroro. I can gauge the wind and snowfall in the morning, and head to the most appropriate location. Outside of Hirafu, I couldn't find anywhere where this was possible without having a vehicle, and I didn't really like Hirafu. I also thought it might be cheaper to rent a house outside of the ski resorts (probably work out about the same with car rental though).
I have been looking on line without much luck. Can anyone recommend a site where we can find budget/mid-range cottages outside of the main ski hills for ~10 days?
I know it is ages away, but I like to prepare :-)
Thanks all
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I know it won't be crowded compared to Niseko, but will the freshies get tracked out a lot earlier than during a week day, or do they last a while any day?
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Thanks,
It would be great if my whole trip was midweek. However of the 8 days I have, 3 fall on the weekend
But if Moiwa is predominately locals then I'll try and go mid-week. I suppose Niseko is going to be just as crowded any day, so I may as well spend the weekends there, and then do my side trips (I plan for Kiroro & Moiwa) during the week.
Cheers
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Just wondering if Moiwa is typically a foreigner or a local visited resort?
The reason I ask, is I'm trying to figure out which day to visit, and I know the resorts that are popular with locals are a lot busier on weekends.
So is there much of a difference between the crowds on a weekday compared to a weekend for Moiwa? Sunday slots in best in terms of my trip, but I will postpone it if the crowds will be a problem!
Cheers,
Tom
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Hi Go Native. Not only do I not know the mountain well, but I don't know it at all. How about a random act of kindness and PM ing me a hot tip or two
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Thanks lastrocker, this is exactly the info I am looking for :-)
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Thanks for all the replies guys.
I'm not a powder snob by any means......a few lines in front of me won't bother me at all. Hey, even if I'm not finding much fresh stuff it will be a hell of a lot better than I am used to here in Aus. I am just trying to prepare myself for the best possibility of freshies when its been dumping down over night :-) I have learned from surfing that carefully picking your spot to go out (or board in this case) can be the difference between a great day and a fantastic day!!!!
I will probably spend most of my mornings making the most of Annupuri and then head over to the other areas once the fresh stuff is starting to get really tracked. It sounds like if I want to give fresh lines a crack at Strawberries then I can get the first bus over to Hirafu. I looked at the timetable, and I can get there at 8.20 or so ready for (one of) the first lifts.
Cheers all!
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Hi All,
I am staying at Annapuri for 8 days late January. Can I get over to Hirafu, Niseko Village and Hanzono early enough if I take the first Annapuri Gondola, to make fresh tracks in Strawberry fields, Miharashi, Superstition etc.? It looks like I can traverse across from the top of jumbo pair 4, but can't be sure as I have never been....
Or do I need to get the bus to these before the lifts open if I want to make untracked powder runs?
Cheers,
Tom
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Hi all,
I'm considering booking accommodation at Annupuri, and just hoping for some advice from the Niseko experienced. I will be spending 8 days somewhere in Niseko. My main priority is to find as many untracked powder runs (preferably in trees) as possible. It doesn't have to be super deep, or steep. I am quite experienced, but definitely no expert. I am wanting to go off-piste a bit, but nothing too hectic or that requires massive hiking. I don't mind other people being around, just want freshies :-) Don't give a rats about jumps/board parks etc.
My main reason for wanting to stay at Annupuri over Hirafu is that I think I will have more chance of freshies, due to: a) less people than Hirafu, and 2) Access closed in high winds. I might be lucky enough to get freshies all day with access blocked off to the Hirafuians. Am I wrong in my thinking? I know Annupuri is smaller than Hirafu, so does the smaller size make up for the less people? Am I just as likely to get freshies in Hirafu as I am Annupuri?
My main concern with Annupuri is lack of facilities/choice. I am going with a few mates, so wouldn't mind a couple of choices of bars and cheap eating. We don't need good nightlife, but a bar or two is neccesasary. Budget eating is important, too. Also, we would like to visit at least one of Moiwa/Rusutsu or Kiroro. Are there cheapish options of doing day trips direct from Annupuri. Shuttle/car/bus or a mix of? Is there reasonably priced hire gear available? We will have boards, but want to bigger powder boards. Are cheap guided tours of the mountain available in Annupuri to show me how to best avoid the crowds?
Is there anything else I should consider? I know I can board the whole moutain, but I'm just trying to decide between Hirafu and Annupuri based on my priority of making fresh tracks in powder. Variety isn't a massive concern (I only have 8 days). It doesn't need to be super steep or super deep (in fact, it is probably better that it isn't).
Cheers,
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Hi all,
Just booked my flights to Sapporo and going to Niseko (Grand Hirafu) 23rd Jan - 2nd. I will be going with 2 or 3 mates whose flights are yet to be finalised.
I have been looking around and a lot of the places unsurprisingly seemed to be booked out. Anyone have any recommendations on places that may be harder to find online that will still have availability for either 3 or 4 people.
We are looking at spending up to $100 USD per night per person (ideally a bit less). We don't mind sharing a bathroom (although would prefer not to), but we definitely don't want to be in dorms. Nothing fancy required, although within walking distance of food options are a must.
Are we dreaming?
Ideally we would like to stay at Grand Hirafu, but are open to other options if the have cheap eats, board hire options and bus/hire car options to visit other resorts (e.g. Kiroro or Moiwa) on other days.
Cheers,
Tom
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Thanks for all the replies!
So looking at going between 23rd Jan -2nd Feb at this stage. I know it is will be busy, but any additional recommendations on resorts closish to Sapporo to meet my requirements would be appreciated :-)
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15 years, with maybe 5 days a year on average. I started when I was maybe 10-15 after skiing since 5. I have ridden a bit of knee deep powder and managed fine (except when it got a bit flatter). I have mainly ridden our 'hills' in Aus with a bit of riding in Chile & France. I have not really come into any terrain that has challenged me too much though, but then again there isn't much here in Aus that can :-) I spend most of my time 'off-piste' (as much as you can in Australia) chasing those few days powder days we get here in Aus, spending most of it off piste but in bounds.
Never anything extreme though. No big hikes, no waist deep powder, never used a powder board. My love of board sports (surfing, kitesurfing), also helps a little bit. I would say I am competent, but am not experienced, especially in Japan like conditions.
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I was looking at Niseko after getting some advice from this forum. I suppose that classfies as one of the big Aussy destinations. I want as much untracked powder runs through trees as possible. I'm no expert, no avi skills, no interest in big hikes, but am quite experienced. Don't need massivley deep powder, just as untracked as I can get, whilst staying mostly in bounds, but off piste. I know it is a hard to find and am still open to other suggestions, but Niseko seemed like a good option after great advice from people on this forum ;-)
http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/23106-10-day-powder-snowboarding-trip-recommendation/
So really, not too much difference between Jan and Feb then?
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Hi all,
Just wondering the difference in crowds between January and February? I have been told that it gets less crowded after Chinese New Year (31 Jan), and also considering the end of Aus school holidays the end of January. Does this make much of a difference in crowds, or is Feburary almost as crowded as January?
I'm looking to plan a trip and untracked (and thus less crowded) is a high priority. But it looks like Jan may be more convenient for me...
Cheers,
Tom
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Hmmm. Now I am a bit confused. Everyone is saying that it gets tracked out super fast, but my number one priority is to find un-tracked runs :-)
So, Niseko is THE place to find fresh lines, but it gets tracked out super fast? Does that mean there is no where left in Japan that has variety and doesn't get all tracked out? Or maybe you just don't want to say so on a forum
Are you all mainly talking about the on piste runs? I'm willing to venture out a bit (without hiking for ages), but do even the off-piste runs get tracked out quickly?
Cheers, and sorry for all the same repeated questions, I just want my trip to be as awesome as possible...
Does Rusutsu get tracked out as quickly? I know the snowfall is less, but I'm happy to sacrifice powder depth for freshies :-)
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OK, thanks again all.
The guided tour sounds great on the first day. Can anyone recommend me a good operator who can show me how to make the most on powder days?
I don't want to just go on a typical Niseko tour that shows you all groomed runs and stuff like that so I am definitely happy to pay more IF I can find someone that gives me the highest probability of making freshies all day ;-)
Thanks again!
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Great, thanks for all the replies. It looks like I will base myself in Niseko.
My only concern is that, considering it is one of the most popular resorts in Japan (if not the most), that it would get tracked out pretty quickly on powder days. Is my concern silly? Does it snow enough and is it big enough to be able to make fresh lines most of the time?
Thanks again!
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Hi all,
I'm starting to plan a snowboarding trip around late January/Feb 2014 for 10 days or so and am trying to decide where to base myself.
I am an experienced snowboarder, but would not say I am ultra-advanced. But I am experienced enough to hold my own in all conditions I have found myself in. I have been boarding around 15 years with 3-5 days per year average. I kitesurf/surf etc so my whole life is and has been based around board sports. However I have never done any serious backcountry or super steep riding. I have only really ridden in Australia, with a few days in Chile and a few days in Europe.
So basically what I am looking for is a resort that meets my list of priorities in order below. Now I know I am at the whim of nature, and nothing is guaranteed. I have traveled enough for surfing, kiting and paragliding to know you can never depend on mother nature, BUT I want to go to a place in which I am the most likely to experience the below priorities.
1) Powder. Doesn't have to be thigh (or even knee) deep powder (although that would be nice). But powder is the reason I am going to Japan. I want somewhere where I have a very high probablility of powder.
2) Untracked Off-piste. Tree runs ideally!! I am adventurous but not extreme. My ideal picture of snowboarding is through trees in powder. Nothing super steep and gnarly. I'm not looking for secluded back country boarding where no one has been before. A resort that allows me to go off piste a bit, where I don't need a beacon or need to know much about safety. I don't care if it is not new and if there are other people around, but I don't want to be confined to groomed runs, or limited to off piste that is tracked out by midday.
3) Terrain and Variety. I don't need (or want) super steep terrain, but steep enough where I can ride without having to (at least not often) unclip and walk out 500 meters. I don't need a huge resort either. I am only planning on going for 10 days max (and maybe 3 or 4 of those days I will go to smaller resorts such as Asahidake or Miowa). If I find a tree run that I can keep taking different lines to make fresh tracks, I am happy to do that same run for half the day!
5) Culture/Adventure. I know Japan has amazing culture and awesome scenery, but I spent all last year travelling for culture. This trip, I will just be here to ride!!! So if the best option is to be in a Westernised town, surrounded by other Aussies, then so be it. I don't need to venture out to see different areas/resorts and landscapes. I just want to board in un-tracked powder, everything else is secondary.
6) Location I am not afraid to get myself off the beaten track where I am not likely to find many other English speakers (if that is where I am the most likely to find a resort that meets the above priorities). BUT, I will only have around 10 days, so it must be not too far away from an airport. Ultimately I want to land at an international airport and be at my destination that same night for the next full day worth of boarding!
6) Low-Mid Budget options. A village/town where I can find a reasonably priced private room (shared bathroom ok) and cheap-ish meals. Not mad keen on dorms though, but will take them if it is a must. Hoping to spend under $1500 US not including international flights for 10 days (lift tickets, internal buses, food and accommodation). Is this doable in private rooms?
Hope you all can help me pick a resort :-) At this stage I am looking to spend the first 6-7 days at one resort, and I'm leaning towards either Niesko or Rusutsu based on the research I have done. However, I am more than open to any other options if people think there are better places that will meet my priorities above.
After the 6-7 days at the main resort, I will probably spend 3 days at smaller resorts (Miowa, Asahidake etc.) but I will post again with specific questions about that. I am just hoping for some info on the main, bigger resort that I will base myself in at the moment
Cheers,
Tom
Niseko Wind - Lift Holds
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
OK, so I can expect it next year ;-)