Brian168

Suggestions are really piling up, more research to do, thanks! Oh and no comment about the grandkids hehehe.

That....slow....huh?

That long huh?

Wow, breathtaking indeed, thanks! You could probably have your first child during the gondola ride getting up there! Hahaha, I already have two. Single dad for almost a decade. I'd rather have my tubes tied!

Very interesting ideas, I'll be sure to Google this more. Thanks very much!

Wow, breathtaking indeed, thanks!

Thanks for clearing that up, one less aspect to the confusion that is my vacation!

Thanks for the succinct reply. And yes you're right about costs, and crowds, are going to be a pain.

Trust me, it's not something I want to do either. But just like the thousands of foreign divers that try out diving for the first time and rent the whole kit and caboodle, the costs overshadow the unpleasant feeling of using rented attire. Again, my sincere appreciation for taking the time to enumerate the financial part as well as tell me of the various aspects of trying out skiing.

Sonofa... Pardon my ignorance, we have winter clothes but not snow clothes, the latter (jacket, gloves, goggles etc) can't be rented? I thought skiing would be something akin to scuba diving, something I know a lot about, wherein you can come into a dive shop in a shirt/shorts/flip flops and rent an entire scuba gear with wetsuit, mask, snorkel, gloves and fins.

Thank you for the suggestion. All those places are new to me but I'll be sure to do my research. After a dozen times in Japan I've never been up north farther than Tokyo.

Thanks for telling me about that. I checked the snow depths on this website but haven't the foggiest what's the adequate amount to go skiing in. As for budget, again no clue on how much these things cost. If we're talking hotels, I'm ok with 3-4 stars. If we're talking snow clothes, ski rentals, tutoring fees etc. kindly refer to the "haven't a foggiest/no clue" remarks.

Feel the snow, then a day of ski lessons. Vomit romantic sounds expensive, I'll save that for the wedding.

Thank you for clearing that up for me, I do appreciate it. I didn't get the memo.

Actually yes, I haven't a clue what that is. And I'm not a big Bubblé fan, sorry.

Thank you for the link, I'll be sure to peruse it asap. I apologize if I wasn't too specific on what I wanted. Aside from what I said in my original post of being in Kumamoto for Christmas, wanting to go to a snowy place late December, having my kids see snow for the first time, build a snowman, try basic skiing lessons and maybe find a romantic hotel or spot in the snow to propose to my girlfriend (this part is way optional since I'm still saving up for the ring), I'm not sure what other information I can give as to what I want. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Before posting, I did loo

I'll make it as far as necessary! Hahaha. Any recommendations would be really appreciated since I haven't a clue as to where to go. I don't even know if I have to buy snow clothes or if I can just rent them. By snow clothes I mean those parkas, thick gloves, boots etc that I see people wear when they frolick in the snow. Like I said, not a clue.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I'd prefer as near to Kumamoto as possible, but if most of the suggestions are for up north then I'll acquiesce to your recommendations.

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum, to snow in Japan and to skiing for that matter. So I hope this is the right place to put up this post. I've been to Japan a dozen times but never during December. I'm planning on having Christmas in Kumamoto but want to travel to a snowy area on December 27 to January 2. I basically want my kids to experience snow for the first time, maybe get skiing lessons and maybe maybe maybe propose to my girlfriend on New Years day. Any tips on places to go, romantic spots or decent ski resorts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!