IM

I use 3 finger mittens

I believe there are few places in Niseko that will give you the access. B's cafe, NAC 2F may be. If you are going to sign up with GOL, the name of the nearest town would be Kuchan- local call from Niseko. If Sapporo, it is a long distance. I would recommend to check with the hotel if you have access to land lines. Small lodges do not have phones in each room.

Ski (tele) Volant w/ G3 (this year Shoji's Schyco) Board Gentem, Burton Boots Burton SI Scarpa Jacket Patagonia, Hoglofs Pants Patagonia, Hoglofs Beacon Tracker Probe Black Diamond Shovel Black Dimamond Lynx Pack Wookey

IIIII, Tsuchitaru, now that's a hole in a wall! I didn't know they are even open, never seen a lift running myself (Ipponsugi looks like running the chairs more often) For me, Kayama Captain Coast (tree run on Niigata pow day) and back side of Kandatsu and Nakazato.

check out: http://www.hey.org/nadare/seminar/seminar00.html http://www.skier.jp/nadare/

Suggest a couple of things: 1. Look into mags like Yamakei, Rock and Snow, Be Pal for the course listings. 2. Go to Mount. shops (ICI, Kamoshika) and ask for advice - they always have some information, esp. this time of the year. 3. Ask David Enright, author of one of the features at SJG. He is a Canadian certified instructor. Now there are tons of coursed offered esp. this time of the year (on land) either free or very cheap. Search the net, ask at a shop. Commercial ones are offered on snow and runs about 5-7K JPY.

Patrols bust everyone gaijin or otherwise. It is true once a gaijin breaks a rule, people tend to paint the same picture across the board(same thing to borders, telemarkers, etc.. stereotyping). Then again, this is true to any other place (country) in my experience. It is sad, but Niseko also falls victem of such misinterpretation.

Try www.engrish.com

Gala is connected to Yuzawa Kogen and Ishiuchi. Gala alone only takes a day to hit every run, but if you get board, you might consider getting to those places. It is not extreamely easy to get to, but Arai has a suttle bus from Nagano station. Another place you might want to look into.

I was just up in Yotei last Sunday/Monday, a day before the first snow. It was clear but cold day, and -2 deg. up there, but was really really great to look down on the Niseko range.

klubhead, SJG folks are located in Yuzawa, suggest to contact them.

Here is the HP for Hummer 2 http://www.hummer.com/hummerjsp/h2/index.jsp

Since I go home (country) so often I don't bring anything back. May be a few books to read on the plane. Plus, I can pretty much get anything here in Tokyo.

If you are looking for a quick trip, Gala should be one of the options. 1hr from Tokyo(gondola station on top of the train station- can't be more convenient for that), has plenty of rental gear incl. outfit(even the bigger size), English signs. I personally would not go to Gala (croweded), but given the situation, and wants to get a taste of skiing in Japan, the place would be fine.

I don't know if this is ultimate, but my next car would be a Hammer 2 (if available in Japan). Nav Good Sound system(a DVD surround would be nice) with Pahat noise.

Niseko watch our for Korea.

Praying for some snow for the trip to Tateyama end of November. After that, decent snow fall till Feb. is all I ask...

Now, you can get to Nozawa from Yuzawa. Just go through the pass (forgot the name) then head down South, it should be easy since there would be very little snow in early December. It took me about 1.5 hrs from Yuzawa a few years ago in April. I sometimes take this path going back to Tokyo when highways are backed up due to accidents.

Prince group is owend by Seibu, which is owned by Tsutumi family and all the raggs do talk about him and the family just like anyone else. I don't think he is any worse or better than others, thou.

BigS, I have been only up to Asahi dake, right after they have replaced the gondola. For Rishiri, you can read my friends report if you are interested (Japanese). The trip seems to be very extreme in every aspect. http://www.yamaboken.gr.jp/rishiri.html

7-11, Ichinokura sawa area at the side of Tenjin is very avvy prone - seen many slides. Be careful, do a pit check always.

I am of the same opinion with NoFakie and Mogski. Yes there are some extreme places, but those have horrible access and need a guide. BC, Teton and SW Colorado have much better terrain for your extreme appetite.

The most Northan Resort in Hokkaido is probably the Asahi Dake, but this is still North Central part. As you go North, the terrain gets less hilly and not enough verts to have anything worth while. But if you don't mind the hike, you can ride the Rishiri Fuji, on Rishiri to.

Ocean11, Arai and Kagura, lots of people are doing them. But one of my favorite off piste, which is not liked to any way to a chair lift is Tairapyo and Makihata. This is just other side(across R17) of Naeba and it has been known as classic route, but it is very interesting and you can get 1500 ft of open slope or/and you can tour to Doai station on Joetsu line at the end. Another place of interst is Tanigawa/Tenjin taira, although served by a rope way, there are many coluiors you can do. Caution is that all the places I mentioned are avvey prone, and you need equipment and a brain t

If Nagano: City of Nagano, Matsumoto or Koushoku If Gunnma: Takasaki, or Maebashi Those are cities with good access to resorts. Compare to Tokyo, all the cities are pretty tiny (but bigger than Vancouver)