[Newbie - Where to go? Shiga Kogen? or..]

I think it will almost definitely have been a freak season. I'm looking forward to a cracking one coming up.

[Favourite Japanese resort]

Can't see it being a slangfest? Or are you trying to make it one perhaps?

 

Mine would have to be Niseko. Because it is.

 

[Memory lane tv]

...and it's on Super channel!

[A question about resorts - what is important to you?]

Quality of snow a place gets in general.

Size needs to be big enough for a day.

Lifts only bother me if they are really badly laid out or slow.

Courses - for on piste I like steep but without kobus.

I'm also partial to resorts that are within fairly easy reach

[Furano - strict on backcountry reputation.. deserved?]

Not all from this forum - it is something you hear a lot in general about Furano. It certainly is run differently from Niseko but doesn't bother me as I like the courses there and not that bothered about all the other places. As thursday says, people go to Asahidake from Furano.

["Atom bomb attacks were inevitable"]

What kind of words did the guy use? Open to mis-translation?

[iphone]

I often like gadgets but a phone just doesn't do anything for me.

Count me in the fossil group.

 

[Where to go in Hokkaido??]

Well with Hokkaidough being up there at the top end, quite a distance from most other parts of Japan and with no high speed shink to service us I suppose it is only natural that there would be lots of flights, nice lovely place it is and all.

[Hokkaidough was hot today]

I missed the worse but over 30 degrees in eastern Hokkaidough today. Sounds strange! Lets cooler please!

[Snow in Japan]

55 Cool age, but I have another 20+ to go... young at heart is what matters.

[Niseko Probs]

I agree with most of what you are saying Rag-Doll.

 

However it doesn't change the fact thought that on the personal level there are a fair number of Japanese who have very mixed feelings and find it almost impossible to catch-up/remain. They do exist in all this other wonderful news about "everyone benefitting". They may be insignificant in the big picture, but they are not insignificant to themselves.

 

That's all I was saying, in answer to someone asking about it.

[Niseko Probs]

I would describe it as complicated yes - different people are having different experience. Quite a few feel they are being suddenly pushed out, some are reaping some benefits. It might be easy to suggest that those who aren't as happy must adapt, but for some adapting is very difficult - especially if they can't speak the language and are up against for example foreign-owned pensions etc who can do their appealing to the gaijin much easier and more natually.

[Yakushima]

Where is Yakushima?

[Posh shops at Japanese ski-jo]

I think you'll see some of that kind of thing in Niseko within a few years.

[J first timers - any recommendations/tips?]

Some of the less well known places in Hokkaidough also get Hokkaidough snow. Kiroro and Rusutsu are popular. Furano is getting more popular and will suit the wife.

 

Hokkaidough ain't just about the N word.

[Snow in Japan]

Kuma - how far is it from where you are to Hakuba? Don't you have to drive a long way round?

[Which is bigger - the Niseko mountain or Happo?]

Ah... but it wasn't Niseko powder.

 

I want to visit Hakuba next season to see for myself.

[ATM in Niseko]

Interesting that there isn't a 7-11 there yet. I wonder why. They seem to swarm everywhere else, you'd think one there would be hugely popular.

[Renting stuff]

20 man?! That is just ridiculous, what was it made of gold?

[Staff getting "experience" - total waste]

I've seen some of those hangers on as well. If it were me I'd feel so totally useless and embarrassed having to do that.

[Funny shop names]

 

Clean Ass is better than a Dirty one.

[So I really need to get a phone]

Yes they really rip you when you go to change machines. The same machine can be 0 (or close to 0) yen with a new contract and at the same time 2 man for the long term loyal user. Now way round it though if you want to upgrade.

 

There are going to be some new fomas released this month/next if you want the latest and greatest Snow-Woman.

[Music file formats]

I wonder what % of ipod users only use the crappy buds you get with the player? Probably high, but golly aren't they crap?

[TR: last call from Whistler]

Brilliant.

 

Awesome >>

 

[Golden Week plans]

 Originally Posted By: Hokkaidough

In the 2nd half, I'm visiting friends in Hakodate and going to explore that area a bit.

Well I was. He's gone and broken his ankle though so those plans are out the window.

Wonder what the weather will be like.