iggy

I can't believe it's snowing!! The temp was up to about 15C and totally took a nose-dive this weekend! Huge fat flakes, but wicked heavy.......the season lives on just a little longer

I've been to both. I didn't pick a great powder weekend at Niseko, but from the pictures I've seen the powder looks just as good in Niseko as it is in Hakkoda. Since Hakkoda is only 2 hours away, it's my obvious favorite pick. But if you have to make a trip out of it and you're looking for amenities (bars, restaurants and places to stay) to go along with great boarding, I'd chose Niseko, especially if you don't speak Japanese. The guys at Niseko powder connection are great and they'll hook you up with anything you need!

I agree with hem now. This is my second season at Hakkoda and it was amazing, I didn't bother going anywhere else, except Hachimantai forest a couple times and a trip to Niseko, which unfortunately wasn't the best weekend to go, but obviously there's major potential. The weather at the top can be brutal but this year I caught at least 6 days where it was absolutely clear at the top, indescribably perfect boarding!!

Running outside!!!! No more treadmills:) Kayaking, water skiing (wakeboarding) climbing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, rafting and of course bonfires and BBQs on the beach!!! Yee haw!!

I'm more into phrases, "mack daddy" "big dog" "that rocks!" "killer" "smack down" "yeeehaw!!" "giddy-up" etc..

I post every now and again, but mostly I lurk. This thing is totally addicting and the best way to get away from the stressers when I'm at work!!

In Japan??

I had a buddy who freaked when a mama-san walked into the bathroom to clean it while he was standing at the urinal doing his business.

I have a mama-san, she rocks!!!!

Yeah, Misawa is definitely a snow town! For boarding it's awesome, but I haven't been able to run outside since November!!!

It's actually still wicked cold up here and still snowing big fat flakes

I'm near Aomori also......looking forward to Hakkoda this weekend

I think you're right db. I think people use it more to receive affirmation.

Hem now, it's probably about a 20-30 minute drive from Appi. I can give you specific directions if you plan on giving it a shot! The directions are easy from the toll road exit (hachimantai).

hem now, knowing Appi I'm pretty sure it'll be icy and crowded (especially on the weekends), don't have high expectations!! If I were you I'd stay with your buddies at Appi and hit Hachimantai forest.

Hey Ray!! Yeah, Saturday was great! I'm just sorry we didn't run into you until our last run! I'm still a little embarrassed about the head-first into the tree well move- that's what happens when you get lazy at the end of the day! Looks like it's supposed to snow mid-week. As long as the temp stays down we might have one more good go at it in Hakkoda-- the powder bowl is calling my name!!

I think the parking situation all together in Tohoku is far different from down south. It's definitely a lot easier to find parking up here than down south!

The powder at Hakkoda on Saturday was outstanding!!!! I agree that it could be steeper. The best part about Hakkoda is the bowl and forest under the gondola, rockin' fun and powder for all!! Another fun place is Hachimantai Forest, I don't know how the powder is doing there, haven't been there the last 2 weeks, but my experience is that it's usually just as good as, if not better than, Hakkoda, yeee haaawww, the season continues!!!

Pay to park??? That's a new one, I've never run into that, not cool....

Going through the forest under the gondola just past the bowl at Hakkoda Saturday (awesome powder everwhere!!) started playing in the trees....got into a fight with one of them, he won! If not for my massive quads I definitely would've broken my leg or knee Have a pretty cool bruise though....

This will probably make me unpopular with the kids at school, but I do like some country, not the twangy stuff though, that's irritating... Deana Carter, Martina McBride, John Michael Montgomery, etc.... are pretty good, try it you might like it...... I'm into all sorts of music... definitely not hardcore rap though, maybe that'll earn me some points back

Danz, yeah, I remember you, I was the chick flying solo...... How's your buddy?? I still crack up when I think of all the stuff he was saying while concussed.....

Yeah, I was there, way cool people and place! What group were you with??

Hakkoda, if it's good it'll be really good!!

I'm new to the forum, it was suggested to me last weekend when I was at Niseko Hirafu. (and now I'm addicted) After reading some messages, I think I might have met some folks, but I can't figure out who was who.....