joshnii

Fairly near. Yuzawa and Arai/Myoko regions within easy reach, some Fukushima resorts not too far off either.

From my experience lately in Niigata, the only time that there are queues now is when there is heavy snow falling. No snow, no queues - even at the weekends.

I think some of us who live near snow here don't know just how lucky we are

I've always wanted to make the trip up there.

Spring today, winter back from tomorrow - thank the lord! It's really warm today.

I've never been there, but the pics look interesting. Anyone been?

You want some? To look at or laugh at?!

Souvenirs shops are lame! full of Hello Kitty and cookies. No posters, T Shirts fleeces, stickers etc....come on people what gives!! weak weak weak. ....think you'll find that to be normal, kamoshika.

It's dumping in Niigata too

Cool

This morning was such a pleasant experience. On the local TV they were very good and told me that because it is snowing I should wrap up well in a nice long warm coat, put on a muffler and also put on my wellington boots. On the way to work in the car, I was told a similar thing from the radio people. They also told me to take care driving and not to accellerate or push on the brakes too suddenly (apparently it can cause an accident). So I feel well cared for this morning. I just wanted to share that.

Rain is not good. Remember last year when there was about 2 warm weeks in January, now that was worrying.

I've stayed in a nightmare place in Hakuba (I wonder if they're still going?!), it was dirty, smelly, the rooms were just awful and there was not 1 redeeming thing about the place. I tend to stay in nicer places now if I do stay to guarantee me a certain level of comfort.

Living in Niigata I can often get away with day trips, but sometimes that not possible for places further away. I do like to stay in decent places though, once we stayed in a dump in Hakuba and it was just awful. I really hated that.

Well I was up there a few days ago and I didn't see any signs explaining about that top part being closed, but it was marked on a map of the course layout (but without an explanation as to why).

Not Monday, changed to Thursday - tomorrow!

I'm taking the day off tomorrow and going, so I'll take a look.

Me too. Make that 7am at the earliest!

Go to the more fashionable places and you'll get 'cuties' rather than 'farmers'. Thats 1 good thing about GALA Yuzawa.

Ishiuchi Maruyama near Yuzawa is the best in Niigata-ken I reckon.

I hear the conditions were the best the other day. I'm heading on down there on Monday.

I went into Himalaya Sports in Nagaoka on Sunday and one of the staff came up to me with - guess what - a snowjapan.com flyer! Are you paying them? I can't get away from you guys in Niigata.

Yes, it most certainly is

I think 99% of snowboarders would be skiing if their beloved 1-planking didn't exist.

Blimey. And that's in the middle of Tokyo?