Wade

Thanks Mr. Bob! I'll give Shiga a shot. I was stuck with Hakuba due to a convenient bus from Nagoya last year. And I like the guys at Snowbeds. This year I've got wheels of my own. Does Shiga run on the magenetic ticket system that you return when your done? I plan to make my first trip this weekend (read: on knees praying for a dump), any cheap lodging recommendations?

Toyohashi (near Nagoya) I seem to be more alone here than I expected.

I plan to go there or Shiga next weekend, snow provided. So let me know what you find.

Most of the foreigners I've seen have stayed at the same pension as well. mmm... same great tastes or do we just share the lodging info.?. maybe both.

I want findable powder, and I don't want to wait in lines. I don't mind doing the same slopes a lot, at least not for a day or two, as long as its wide enough that I don't have to follow in my own tracks. I've been to Hakuba several times, usually Hakuba 47, and I can forsake nightlife (and NoFakie's right, its not like Hakuba is jumping unless you want it to be), for better conditions. So given these things: powder seeking, but not yet backcountry, can Shiga outdo Hakuba? ps. my school rerouted to Kyushu for the school trip.

I'm in Toyohashi. I almost always went to Hakuba last year, due to a convenient bus from Nagoya station. But I've got a car this year and am looking to make it every possible weekend. So maybe a bit closer with a few further trips. I only went one place really near here and it was, well, pretty sad. I'm worried that I'm gonna have to keep going to at least Ontake, or Hakuba for nice conditions. How is Ontake anyway? I haven't made it there. Yet.

I'm in Mikawa (east Aichi-ken). If you meant that, I plan to go as much as possible on the weekends with a few others.

The ticket-refund system works well. You tell by the Q you have to wait in while a few other folks do the same thing. Doesn't take long, but its not a well-kept secret. Maybe smaller resorts wouldn't have so many of us. I frequent Hakuba. Do Shiga Kogen, Nozawa, Zao, etc. work on the same systems? I need to up my budget choices.

Too much... (=most weekdays) Gets my head snowboarding, but a little dissapointing when I see that I'm really wearing slippers.

Where in Nagano is Suwa?