neversummer

It is common for all resorts to 'exaggerate' their reporting and to glorify even the smallest details to get people into their resorts. Saying that, it is very frustrating for people making the effort to travel to places based upon the official resort data to find out when they get there that is is all a load of bollocks. Places like the SJ Forums are probably the best indication of what the snow is really like and there seem to be enough people living in resort of travelling regularly to the resorts to get an accurate analysis. The NOW Reports are pretty good if you ask me.

I can't imagine it will change to much. There hasn't been anything happening there that would indicate otherwise.

YOU WILL JOIN THE DARKSIDE OR YOU WILL DIE!

I was going to stay bit longer but a friend, whose recovering from a busted leg, had a bit of a scary moment so we called it quits to be on the safe side. The season is a long one...not point doing anything silly on the 2nd day.

its pretty good today, they clear all through the day as it is such an important road during winter. As long as you are sensible, there shouldnt be too many problems.

No-one in Annapuri today, just a couple of kids and their parents so it was nice, easy, cruisy top of the Gondola to the bottom runs for a first day of the season. A nice warm up on fresh powder for a couple of hours. Still snowing here at the moment so good times to be had for the few that got out on the hill.

I'll let everyone know what Annapuri was like tomorrow. If it was like today I will be well happy seeing Yotei in full view.

Fattwins, i'm curious what the on piste degrees are of the Hakuba valley, like you posted for the Niseko area? I used to ski the Hakuba valley quite a bit and there is nothing in bounds, on piste that seemed very difficult to me. I know it is different between 47 and Happo and there are heaps of nice lines along the whole valley that are perfect for hiking to, but if you could let the masses know just how steep the resorts are in Hakuba there might be more of an understanding of where you are coming from. Generally speaking, and I say that as I've skied a lot and haven't skied a whole lot

I didn't really have a choice, I grew up with snow all around; well some of the time. It wasn't until '94 (I stopped skiing) and my younger bro's were boarding that they convinced me to 'just try it once' that I did. I've skied once since, Xmas 2005, and will probably never ski again. I just love the thrill that boarding gives, of riding powder, and riding with friends.

In Niseko, the 2nd to the 9th Feb are pretty full at the moment but contacting a couple of the property management companies will let you know just how full. It is also Yuki Matsuri in Sapporo so might be a good time to come skiing and then see the festival too.

As has been said above, there are still places but you have to do the hard yard and contact others. I have heard of awesome places that I didn't think were available until someone said "i contacted this guy, who put me in touch with this guy but his was taken but he knew another guy.........." Send me a PM cause I cant send you one, also try Go Native or Mike Pow

There will definately be enough snow in Hokkaido for most places to open this weekend. Kurodake is already open and has at least a metre, in Niseko it has been snowing since Saturday, Furano looks like it will spin lift too and there seems to be snow around for the next couple of days,

You very rarely get to see the peak like that!

Puking here in Hokkaido now

I think you will find it difficult to do it for 500AUD a month without some serious sharing. Most Japanese guests houses will chargebetween 50 and 60 a night but I have heard of a few places for 600 a month, twin share with seasonal workers. Not sharing with a seasonal worker but in the same complex.

How long did the hike take this morning Mike?

As a travel agent we always know the taxes except for round the world tickets which you can approximate quite easily. It marginally changes due to currency fluctuations but not really much. The difficult thing with taxes is the taxes associated with each city and as of about 3 weeks ago there was an increase of 20quid for each departure from the UK due to security issues but that amountseems quite reasonable to me considering a return flight from Melbourne to Heathrow will be 608AUD in Tax

I too am a travel agent and although using Qantas to Tokyo, I'm heading to Niseko on Saturday with JL. After reading this thread I called JL to find out what the domestic weight restrictions were and they said that you get 20 kg for free and 3 kg allowance for sporting equipment so a total of 23kg. After 23 kg it is 33AUD (3000yen) per kg but like other have been saying, when it's cold wear your jacket and anything else that may bring down your weight and always use the full 10kg for hand luggage.

Hey guys/girls.. Has anyone worked in France for a season? What about those who are not from the EU. My girlfriend and I are thinking about it but finding it difficult to as we aren't from the EU. cheers

Romantic evening/weekend away? Don't tell them where you're going, it's all part of the surprise.

Does anyone know any Japanese girls who wax, not shave? There are only a few places in Tokyo that offer bikini, leg waxing and the owner of the one my girlfriend used said she very rarely has Japanese clients. Anyone know why?

At least you guys know the snow is coming sooner or later. I wont see snow, unless its out of the plane window until at least mid march and that'll be on a train going through China and Siberia. It's not that bad..we just got really lucky last year.

A hole..to far from nowhere, although there are some nice beaches on the NSW Sth Coast.

Steak Sanga with tomato, lettuce, smoked capsicum, beetroot, edam, and cracked pepper.

Last year Xmas night/boxing day morn I got stung 5000yen from Shinjuku 3Chome to Meidiemae. Usually cost 1800 to 2000 but we were smashed and this knob took us to Nakano before I realsied what was going on. To make matters worse, I left my watch with warranty, reciept the works, in his taxi. Never saw it again.