Slagfart
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Posts posted by Slagfart
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If you go up the hill buy a ticket and have a bad day it's not like the ski jo forced you to part with your money. Caveat Emtor (buyer beware).
Speaking of which, if they close the lifts in Japan due to weather, is it general policy to give a credit?
I was at Appi and they closed everything at noon except the main gondola, I think just as an excuse to say "we're still open". People would fall over from wind stepping out of the building etc - was madness. Went down to the ticket booth and asked, and was told "No refund! No credit! Pay again tomorrow."
Standard practice?
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Sadly I was there the day before yesterday and there were no monsters!! I got almost to the very top (1 lift short) but had to turn around due to conditions.
The rain has melted them all away. My eyes rained too...
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Curious: why Appi Kogen?
Fair call! I'm taking the train up from Tokyo to Sapporo, and I'm doing a couple of days at Zao. From what I've read, Appi seems better than Zao in most respects.
Is there somewhere better in the area? I've got almost 50 days, so I'm hitting, in order, Hakuba, Myoko, Zao, Appi, Hakkoda (1 day), Furano, Kiroro, Rusutsu, Niseko. It's sorta like a big path, and I'm solo after Myoko and before Niseko.
So - should I go somewhere else? Shizukuishi is in the same direction as Appi, but I've read that it gets icy - yuck!
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People who are quite new to the forums! please read our guidelines regarding links.
http://www.snowjapan...nes-the-basics/
Thanks.
Sorry! It is the official website of Appi Kogen though - thought it would be ok...
Never again!
I don't know if you have tried Pension Mutti listed on our Places to Stay section....
Would obviously be nice to have more of a selection there!
Yes sadly - Mutti will only do 2-people to a room. For a poor lonely lad, we're talking having to pay for both beds.
Anyone want to share? I don't smell too badly. Also lil miss slagfart exists - no touchy!
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Hey cold boyz/gurlz,
I'm trying to find accommodation in Appi. I've dug up the Pension Village, except from what I can see, nowhere will do a single bed for less than 8,000 yen a night.
Am I missing something? Even in Niseko I found a reasonable bed for about 5000. Can anyone recommend anything?
THANKS!
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Where do you buy a tourist prepaid data SIM from?
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Fewer places and more time in each - okey dokey! Appreciate the advice
My revised tour:25 to 29 Jan Hakuba (4 days)
29 Jan to 2 Feb Myoko Kogen (4 days)
4 to 6 Feb Zao Onsen (3 days)
7 to 9 Feb Appi Kogen (3 days)
10 Feb Hakkoda (1 day - tour)
13 to 16 Feb Furano (4 days)
17 to 19 Feb Kiroro (3 days)
20 to 24 Feb Rusutsu (5 days)
25 Feb to 10 Mar Niseko (14 days)
Prior to 4th of Feb and after 26th of Feb I'll have company on those mountains, so they're not flexible. But I really wanted to see Tohoku, and it sounds like Fura/Kiro/Rusu all have something unique on offer. So, with the risk of a white-out at Hakkoda, I'll stick to gambling a day on it. I've never done backcountry before either, and the tour isn't super cheap.
Any further tweaks before I pull the pin on accom? So excited!
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Hakkoda might be epic or it might be a white out on the day you go there. You just cant pick it.
I definately wouldnt travel on your route without hitting it, i would probably spend a week there
Jeez, a week? It's that good eh?
I've never done backcountry before, and I'll be solo for that part of the trip, so everything I've read says I'll need a guide to tackle Hakkoda. Are they right or can I have some fun on the cheap by myself after the first day?
Secondly, are you sure I should still make time for it? You've said a week, but that means I'll have to drop a couple of places. What about 2-3 days for it? If you think it's worth dropping another place for it, what should I drop?
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Just for reference you will be doing 12 days of travelling between places? (11 resorts and 1 extra day to get back to somewhere.)
Actually I'm trying to do most of my travelling at night. I think about 3 days of travel are in there, but the rest are days off.
All this boarding will be hard work!
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One last Q - how big of a deal is Hakkoda? Looks like I'll have to go out of my way for it.
Depending on the review, it's either god's gift to snowboarding, or a shitty scam for the overstoked. I'll be going on Feb 10th, so winter will still be in full swing.
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score....maybe thats his plan, no one in the gondola with him
Ugh - I've used the nick online since I was 13 (half a lifetime ago!) and I'm yet to get comfortable with anything less juvenile!
I promise I won't stink out the hooded chair.
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it makes a bit more sense logistically in this order
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Thanks buddy! Checked the JR timetables and you're right. So, with a minor tweak, I present my silly odyssey:
Jan 25 to 29 Hakuba
Jan 30 to Feb 2 Myoko Kogen
Feb 4 to 6 Zao
Feb 7 to 9 Appi Kogen
Feb 10 Hakkoda
Feb 12 Sapporo Kokusai
Feb 14 to 15 Furano
Feb 16 to 17 Kamui Links
Feb 19 to 21 Kiroro
Feb 22 to 24 Rutsuru
Feb 25 to Mar 10 Niseko
I know I'm floating around like a lost dog, but I'm really keen to work in Japan for a couple of years, and with the exception of Nozawa Onsen, I think I've hit up pretty much every big resort in the country. Will definitely factor into my final decision on where to live
If anyone is around for any part of this, I'd love the company. Cheers for the offer Seemore - if the dates suit you, I'll take you up on it.
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Awww. Someone told me Rusutsu was the promised land
Powderhounds loves it, but I'm not going with enough people to be confident off-piste.
Speaking of which, would there be a backcountry community I could lean on? I'm really keen to try it, but I'm solo for so long that I'm doubting it would be worth buying the equipment. Thoughts?
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Ok I've come up with the below - would anyone recommend any changes?
Jan 25 to 29 Hakuba (5 days)
Jan 30 to Feb 2 Myoko Kogen (4 days)
Feb 4 to 6 Zao (3 days)
Feb 7 to 9 Appi Kogen (3 days)
Feb 10 Hakkoda (1 day)
Feb 12 Sapporo Kokusai (1 day)
Feb 14 to 16 Rutsuru (3 days)
Feb 17 to 18 Furano (2 days)
Feb 19 to 20 Kamui Links (2 days)
Feb 21 Asahidake (1 day)
Feb 22 to 24 Kiroro (3 days)
Feb 25 to Mar 10 Niseko (14 days)
Basically, keen to know if I'm spending too much or too little time somewhere.
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So there is an itinerary. Niseko, Sapporo, Furano.
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Those options cover a large part of the skiing in Hokkaido.
Thank you!! I'm pulling together an itinerary now, based on both this, and the chance of getting to Zao and Appi Kogen.
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Bump! I have lots of questions!!
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I've just pulled the pin on my life
Can you explain what that means?
Making a big change or something?
Yeah! I came into Telstra straight from Uni, 6 years ago. Had some pretty good times, but I've decided to quit and have a huge overseas trip before I'm too crusty to do it!
It's also pretty easy to get institutionalised - need some time to learn to be human again.
I'd agree that if it's japanese immersion you're after then Niseko won't really be the best place. As GN says there are plenty places in Hokkaido accessible without individual transport.....base yourself in Sapporo and you could easily access Teine, Kokusai and Kiroro, as well as Rusutsu, Niseko, Furano and Kamui.
Yeah! I've been doing some reading since I originally posted, and I was coming around to the idea of making the trip south, to see Shiga Kogen, Nozawa and Hakuba valley. But, if Hokkaido has more than enough adventures by itself...
Does anyone have any example itineraries for just the north island? I find that, along with transport problems, figuring out how long to spend somewhere the most difficult part. Some people rave about Chisenupuri for example, and only after doing some research do you find out that it only has one lift. Copying someone's well thought-out guided tour takes the guesswork out of it.
Really keen if anyone has ideas on how long to spend in each big resort, and especially if there's a specific bus to catch from one to another.
Anyway i'm still thinking about what to do this year. Moving by public transportation is not the easiest way, let's say you base yourself in Sapporo (one of my options as well), you'll never get to Kiroro or other resorts in time for first chair if you don't have a car.
I've only done Aussie resorts and Lake Tahoe (USA), and if you're not there for first tracks on them, forget it. I'm starting to get the idea that Japan is totally different though.
I was going to write off staying in Rusutsu, Kiroro and Tomamu, and maybe just do a day trip to each, because the accommodation looks super expensive for a solo. At the same time though, people rave about them, so they're probably worth more than just one day. Ideas guys?
Anyway if you opt for some car danchi and need someone to share the van drop me a line!
Man, I would love to do this! Yes please!!
My only worry is that if I hike around, I'm not going to have anywhere to sleep! Everyone's saying 'BOOK NOW' etc - how busy does it get outside of Niseko? I want to do it on the cheap, but spending a night without accommodation would be kinda shitty! I really have no keen desire to freeze to death, or to pay a $200/night walk-in rate.
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I've just pulled the pin on my life, and have booked a return trip to Tokyo, from the 22nd of January to March 11th. So far, I'm spending 22nd to the 2nd of Jan, and 1st to the 10th of March on Niseko with friends.
What I'd like to know:
- Should I spend the whole time on Niseko? The Niseko United season pass and a lack of transport costs obviously make it cheaper to stay in one place the whole time, but I'm not super broke.
- Are there other areas around Hokkaido that are worth spending time in? Is it worth going to the mainland?
- My budget for accomodation is 4000Y/night. Does this limit my options?
[*]How bad is Mini-Australia on Niseko? I don't watch footy and I don't punch people - will I meet chill travellers I can talk to/ski with?
- I'd love some Japanese immersion, rather than more aussies. When I last came to Japan, I stayed in some cheap Ryokans in Kyoto, which I loved. Are there similar situations on the snow?
[*]Should I be buying the Niseko United season pass? Or, should I just buy the days I need, and then spend time on other mountains?
- Are there other areas around Hokkaido that are worth spending time in? Is it worth going to the mainland?
I know I've written lots, but basically, with the benefit of experience, how would you spend 7 weeks in Japan, snowboard in hand?
- Should I spend the whole time on Niseko? The Niseko United season pass and a lack of transport costs obviously make it cheaper to stay in one place the whole time, but I'm not super broke.
Appi Appi Joy Joy?
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
I was at Appi in mid Feb. I think that as long as the temperatures aren't too warm by now, it's perfect for a couple of days - I had one of the best on-piste days of my life there. The mountain is large by Japanese standards and you won't get bored, but there is absolutely nothing to do except ski.
However, I think unless you're really keen for a western-style hotel, avoid the Prince. I was inside a few times and its dated quite badly. I would suggest instead Resort Inn Miwa - a totally underused Japanese pension run by a lovely elderly couple. I stayed there this year and it was wonderful, especially because I was the only guest - make sure you get both dinner and breakfast. (I'm not getting commission for this post!)