skidaisuki

rainmaker, your initial post was both provocative and inaccurate, even if you didn't intend it to be. You wanted a debate, and you got one. Seasons vary everywhere. The decline in Japanese ski resorts is not due to the amount of snow - in an average year it's plentiful - but primarily the result of the domestic economy and because, simply put, there was a ludicrous amount of overcapacity. Ski trips from Europe to Japan will remain a very small part of the market - the potential for growth is visitors from Asia and Oceania, especially China. SdS

I've never skiied in Japan before mid-December, so I'm not fretting. In Tokyo the bonenkai season's kicking off now, so we are concentrating on the liver-bashing at the moment

"there is no apres ski in Japan" hmmm....nowhere....none at all... Are you for real?

Rob's right - I was at home last December and together with the Missus went to do some shopping in Oxford Street - the usual chaos of course. A combination of recession-busting sales and the pound at under Y130 made everything look shockingly cheap. While it makes our savings look big in Sterling terms, the trouble is that a strong Yen is generally going to be bad for the Japanese economy. Exports get more expensive and those companies earning in USD from overseas trade - most of my clients, for example - are getting strangled. I'd therefore much prefer a weak pound combined with the D

Stemik, I have to say that's a bummer - presumably that means that the steep chair lift going up to Kashimayari won't be running. The views of Aokiko from that lift could be amazing. I fear that the two that are open will suffer for Aokiko being closed. Sanosaka I don't particularly rate but it is a good place to go with beginners. What a pity. These 3 resorts cooperate sensibly, employ plenty of people and work honestly and deserve our support. If you are in Hakuba and you want to get away from the crowds, get to Kashimayari anyway. It's well worth it for 10 minutes extra

Answer: depends what level of ability you are, and when you're going. I've skiied both and Iwatake is better - it is on average slightly higher and more exposed, with more interesting runs. Sun Alpina is a good mid-season resort when there's been plenty of snow and it's also in shade for most of the day which is a plus. On the minus side it offers very little challenge for intermediate & advanced skiiers - but for beginners there are plenty of wide and gentle pistes which I've never seen crowded. Mid-season, Sun Alpina is well worth the effort if you want to avoid the sort of c

Classic literature from Niseko Now today: "When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. But then, Chekhov (whoever he was) never spent his winters getting face-shots full of Niseko powder, so who cares? The lifts are running. Enjoy!" You gotta love that....

I remember getting stuck up there in what I'd term a blizzard...that was pretty crazy. Horizontal snow and blasting super chilled winds. Needed a serious onsen after that.

muika - a normal day at Kagura, then!

For what I think's the first time ever on the real time resort weather reporting system, a blizzard is being reported at Niseko. Hopefully a sign of things to come throughout this winter. SdS

Look at the Niseko webcams - it's getting heavy there....excellent.

The JR Rail Pass is for visitors to Japan - if you are resident (they check your passport) you can't buy or use one. Tubby's advice is accurate. For weekend trips from the Tokyo / Yokohama area, the shinkansen from Tokyo station to Echigo-Yuzawa (about 90 minutes) is the quickest way to get to the slopes. JR do special one-day and weekend deals which cover a return rail ticket, lift pass for a resort and a discount ticket for equipment hire (if you need it). These are really good value and very convenient. SdS

SantaCruz - takkyubin's not too difficult to arrange. I've never arranged it at Narita, but naturally they have English-speaking information people there who are usually very happy to help you out with whatever you ask, even if the takkyubin desk people aren't so good at English (though at Narita they probably speak English OK as well). Obviously the main things are having the correct address and making sure that they know when you are due to arrive at the hotel, so you can be sure your gear's there before you are - though their logistics networks are so advanced that anything can be sen

You mean different resorts, or countries? Countries - only 3 Austria, France and Japan Different resorts and places to ski - 25+ (of which most have been in Japan..) So many places in Japan the names of which I never bothered to remember. Except recently. SdS

freeskeeze - it's by no means impossible that there might be enough snow to build a base in Niseko over just 2-3 days. When it snows there, it can really snow.

Tubby - on the Nagano shink the ski / snowboard racks are located by the toilets at the end of carriages and are cunningly disguised as a cupboard with a shelf when they are not being used. What you do is fold up the shelf, which will lock folded upwards (if I recall correctly), stick in your ski or board bag(s) and then fold down a restraining bar which clicks into place to stop the whole lot falling out into the end of the carriage. It sounds complex, but it's quite straightforward and you'll know what I'm talking about next time you catch the train to Nagano. Takkyubin's great as lon

As Tubby says, it's usually a piece of cake and you see a lot of people on trains with boards and skis - just be considerate where you stow your gear and make sure it won't fall down and brain anyone during the journey. Train to Sapporo is all very romantic, but the shinkansen currently only goes as far as Hachinohe (before Aomori in Northern Honshu), from there you have to change trains and it takes several more hours to get to Sapporo. Flying in about 90 minutes makes much more sense unless you have a rail pass and ample time on your hands. SdS

Sanjo - absolutely. Pity here in Honshu we have to wait a while longer, but I'm glad to see it snowing somewhere. I think the North Alps will get some this week, too, though.

As predicted - webcams show the start of this week's snow at Niseko overnight. Let's hope, as old Micky J's show producers said, "This is it"... SdS

Take a look at the Niseko webcams today. Judging from the weather forecast for this week, today will be the last day we see that lower slope at Hirafu uncovered by snow, hopefully for at least 5 months... Good luck Koopa, you may find your timing's spot on. Keep us updated, GN! Cheers SdS

Next week's looking like a proper late autumn week - cold and snowy across Hokkaido. Hopefully something for Nagano and Niigata as well...

Handbags at dawn ! Yawn...

gaijindrifter - there's still plenty more to burn off, don't worry! SdS

about 2.5 kilos....

I think you'll find Sapporo accommodation is very expensive during the Snow Festival period...I'd go straight to Niseko if I was you...but all I care about is skiing, as you can tell. Snowmen are for kids... SdS