TJ OZ
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Posts posted by TJ OZ
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Winter is coming tomorrow night. i can't wait to catch up with her.
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Saw the prediction of snow at resort level and it gets me excited too. First lifts could be as close as a month away now. Hopefully.
Holidays can be expensive. Some good airfares around though Mr. Wiggles. Saw flights return from the UK for 430 ponds recently. Perth had air asia for about 500 bucks last week. 50000 yen return from KL also.
7 days for a family of 4 could start around 120000 yen for lift passes. Cheap accom for 120000 yen. Another 70000 for food. Transfers for 80000. Rental gear if you don't have your own 80000. Sticking within the budget is the main thing as it can easily blow out. The airlines are a perfect example where they start with the bare minimum and then upsell. Next thing you know you are flying premium economy or business class
Family holidays when I was growing up were the most memorable times for me. Mainly the Gold and Sunshine coasts in Queensland. I would much prefer to spend my money on a holiday with my kids than a new TV or computer game.
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Burton supermodel X 164 Best ride I've had. Suits my style of riding or should I say lack of style.
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that is indeed a pretty driving range.
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The road through Toyashina on your way to Hakuba. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and I'm happy to be here. Sometimes you have to look beyond what is directly in front of you to appreciate the beauty.
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Another insightful post by someone who knows little. Thanks pie-eater. Still only one laugh from me though. You have to get some better material.
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Like to Hazard a guess at how many new building went up.
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"the rest of the Hakuba area isn't even making an effort."
I must be dreaming when I go into new restaurants and cafes. The new buildings are a figment of my imagination. Business owners telling me they have had there best summer ever - another fairytale. Investors putting a million on the table - couldn't happen.
I'm glad others know what's really going on to keep me honest.
Not sure where I said it was going "excellently". Maybe read the quote first.
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Hakuba? well the area right around Happo-one is starting to get a little improvement, but it's five to seven years behind Niseko and the rest of the Hakuba area isn't even making an effort.
Maybe a trip to Hakuba in the warmer months will change your mind. There has been a lot of construction and renovation going on over the time I have been here. Lots of money still coming in to town from Japanese and internationals. New businesses starting up also. 47 are still proceeding with their development plans. This summer has been the biggest ever in terms of turnover for many business owners.
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Having only been here in Australia and hearing friends go on about Japan, I have high hopes!
Welcome to the forums Kingin. Japan will blow you away.
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Stay in Echoland if you want to walk to the restaurants and bars in the evening. It is easy to get to the different resorts each morning. It is not necessarily a good thing to stay at the base of a lift especially if that lift is on hold on a powder morning. Make sure you have access to other options.
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Just wing it. Make the decision on where to go to, a few days before. That way you will get the best conditions available in Japan.
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Always looking to score some free booze so here goes and welcome to the forums.
I'll comment on Hakuba as it is where i live. It certainly covers your requirements that you listed.
As you said, airfares are easy. I would suggest in regards to accommodation check out the list on snowjapan. There are a few to choose from. http://www.snowjapan.com/e/hotel/nagano-hakuba-accommodation.php There is some good lodge accommodation available from 4000 yen a night.
Don't worry about lift pass deals. You are better off buying on a day to day basis taking advantage of the special deals the resorts have. Budget between 3800 and 4800 yen per day. There are 9 resort areas to choose from.
Getting here is easy on the bullet train to Nagano and a bus. Total travel time is about 2 hours 45 minutes.
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What we have here in Japan in April will be better than what Australia can dish up in peak season (especially what they had this year). I know the locals in Hakuba are loving that time of year as I'm sure the Niseko guys would be. The weather is good, you will get cheap accommodation deals and there is still plenty of snow. If you are lucky then you might get some fresh stuff but it is about the spring skiing. For me if it was the only time in my calander I could come then I would certainly make the trip. 850 vert is still available at 47. Happo will have it's upper runs going and Tsugaike will still have plenty of snow up top. Get a few lessons for your beginner mates and then do the heli drop at Tsugaike. Lots of long lunches and beers in the sun. The powder here is awesome but I think that many people get so spoilt by that, that they don't even get on the mountain during the spring time. I love it because my work is done and I can finally chill out and enjoy my mountains at a leisurely pace.
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Australia can be fun but the problem is the conditions can be variable even during peak season. Japan is guaranteed to have a lot more snow which stays dryer for longer. Snowmaking and farming is the only thing that keeps the resorts viable in Oz. It is visually beautiful and I have some very fond memories but as far as I'm concerned it's all about the snow quality and quantity which is why I moved here. If I lived in Oz I would probably ride there still but I would be choosing my trips based on conditions rather than booking in advance and hoping for the best.
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Mid April this year in Hakuba. It's not about the pow.
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Hakuba was going well this season in mid April especially Hakuba47. It was top to bottom and the park was in good order. Plenty of backcountry options and a side trip to Tateyama will impress. Echoland has a couple of bars open and there are a few others around the area. It is quiet and a good vibe with the locals relaxing after the peak of the season. Warm days and cold beers. I can certainly recommend it.
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Originally Posted By: SJ-DavidHello folks just been informed of an charity event in Hakuba this coming weekend with all the money going to kids in Tohoku who were affected by the disaster.
There's a line up of Australian entertainers as well as some Japanese groups.
For more information:
http://www.materock.com/
Thanks David. Jimmy Barnes and the Angels headed by Dave Gleeson is a brilliant line up if you love live rock. It should be a great day. -
The deals you can get directly at the window are usually better than buying a multiday pass. Considering you have to go to the window each day to exchange the voucher I never recommend getting it.
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I would talk to the hotels direct and see what deals you can get. Early bird specials will run later this year but I would think that it will all go back to normal pricing by November. Interest in foreign tourism has started to grow again but the big surprise is the Japanese are now travelling. When you take a quarter of Honshu out of the tourist market then I suppose everywhere else is going to be busy. Hakuba is probably having it's biggest summer for a long time and a friend of mine who owns a ryokan on the other side of Nagano says it will be their busiest August ever. We may just find that this will continue for the winter also.
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Originally Posted By: snowdudeIt tastes like eel, that we catch in the rivers back home! But here they tend to put a kind of sweetish source on it.
Here too the eels have the muddy tastes to them!
I catch them in the lake here. We don't have mud in the waterways so they are very clean tasting. A quick pan fry with a bit of butter, garlic and chilli is the way to go. -
Hey Mamabear - what dates? I'll be down in Jindabyne late August for a bit of a slide. I rode Thredbo and Perisher one day each a number of years ago so If anyone is keen to show me the mountains I would be happy to reciprocate here in Hakuba
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Just wait until you get here and book on the spot. That way you will have the best snow conditions available. You will be able to book any hotel you like during that time and no need to arrange lift passes. You will most likely not see a lift line anywhere. Everything at a resort can open after one good storm so keep an eye on the weather too 4 days out. Some places give snow guarantees early season if you do want to book something.
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When it comes down to it, it's all about the curry. I've seen your type before. Stay away.
2011/12 Who, When, Where? - A Definitive J-List
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Put me in Hakuba for the season. Hopefully some roadtrips around the place thrown in.