skidaisuki

How about this. I crashed, fell forward directly onto my keitai (mobile phone) which was in a chest pocket of my jacket and fractured a rib. It didn't stop me skiing but it really hurt for about 5 weeks. SdS

Don't let this influence anyone away from taking the necessary insurance precautions, but I would be AMAZED if the Japanese government were to let JAL fail, especially because it's a new administration. They certainly wouldn't let it go down just to spite the outgoing LDP. Too many jobs, and far too much national pride, are at stake. Whether they'll be able to find a long-term solution to JAL's pension deficit and rather obvious operational / management problems is another matter entirely, though... SdS

Just as a matter of interest, can anyone tell us what the JMA season forecast for 2005-2006 was? For newer SJ-ers, that was the last truly epic season in Japan, and the best I've experienced here in 10 seasons: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/hakuba-now-archive.php?month=12&year=2005 I suspect that the JMA were predicting average snowfalls that year, too... SdS

Yeah, now you mention it, I remember seeing some there...I suppose they must sometimes use them but hopefully this year they won't need to.

I may be wrong, but I think it's only Naeba that uses the snow machines to ensure some early-season turns (and the publicity that goes with an early start...) Kagura's high enough to usually have sufficient real snow by the end of November. The only big disadvantage with Kagura is its exposure to the wind. It can get very windy up there and even when the lifts stay open, it can be pretty chilly on the open lifts at the end of a long day when the snow's blasting in horizontally. But better that situation than sitting in an office in Tokyo! can't wait! SdS

A lot cooler, even in the smoke, last night. This cooling off normally happens later, in October. What this means for snow - see other ramblings - who knows, but at least it's more comfortable here. Keep those mountain reports coming...

thursday - spring opening day of the Alpine Route, of which that section is the most famous bit SdS

Bourneville - it's a very localised thing as Honshu's a big island with a lot of prefectures which have skiing. The best skiing (and snow) that I had all last season was over last new year, at Alts Bandai, Fukushima, which is very definitely Honshu. Niseko's always pretty good, but our timing was a bit unfortunate last Feb and we ended up being there for 4 days without a significant fall of snow while we were there. Still well worth it, of course. One other thing I'd say is that there is very definitely a Hakuba-Niseko power struggle going on on these boards, and Hakuba did not have aã

TheOrange - it really depends what you want. Niseko Village is all about the hotel, Annapuri is pretty and quiet, and Hirafu is what the majority of people mean when they talk about going to Niseko.

GN, that's music to my ears...

Great pics, ILoveZao! I'm really hoping to make it up this year... When does the season usually kick off?

Sounds like a plan. So, Sally, any predictions for the snowfall this season?

Kagura (assuming you combine it with the connecting resorts of Mitsumata and Tashiro, which is what most people mean by 'Kagura') is higher, colder, larger, prettier and normally less crowded than Naeba and invariably has more & better snow. If you are travelling by train to Yuzawa from Tokyo, then it's also closer, as Naeba's further up the same Valley, though at a lower elevation. Naeba's only better for rock festivals. Case closed! SdS

Jurgens, if we are very lucky, then maybe. But as Myoko-er said, the season "proper" doesn't kick off until mid-late December in most places. Check here before you fly, and rest assured if there's somewhere with snow, you'll be able to find out about it. SdS

err...yes

mamabear once again hit the nail exactly on the head. I don't know the economics, but even though Niseko's nighta may not actually make money, the fact that they do it makes the resort more attractive for serious skiiers / boarders over all. If it was just one short lift at the bottom of Hirafu, then we'd all be down at the pub instead, but because they enable you to ski more or less top to bottom, it's a whole world of difference. It's cold, fresh, uncrowded and you can see exactly what you are doing. I'm a pretty enthusiastic skiier (my handle hopefully says it all), but before

Don - you must have plenty of time on your hands! Having taken local trains home from the mountains once or twice before, I'd say it's more for the sightseeing than money saving that you'd do it (remember that during the season you can get a day return by shink Tokyo-Eichigo Yuzawa, plus lift pass for just over 11,000 yen). Obviously local trains will be cheaper than going by shinkansen, but in my experience the cost saving : time ratio is pretty poor - it also involves changes, as so clearly explained by Muika above.

thursday - you're right. But my point was that Hirafu has far more open for a nighta than any other resort I've been to. Some of the best skiing I've ever had has been in the trees off the top triple at night. Mindblowing stuff! At other resorts, it's often one freeze-thaw lower slope lit up and nothing else. SdS

Hey GN, are you coming down to Tokyo sometime?

ski. the. whole. mountain. nighta

GN, all I can say is that it feels cooler. There's definitely less humidity compared to the usual levels in early September, which of course makes a big difference and probably explains why only a couple of degrees below average feels much cooler than it actually is. You North-sea-roaders think 24's pretty hot anyway, right? ;-) One odd thing was that the usual blast of hot, humid air that gets sucked off the Pacific into Kanto following a typhoon simply didn't happen this time. I suppose it was something to do with the track in this case? Anyway, please keep your observation

Be sure to have some seafood when you're in Otaru - and try the local microbrew as well. Great place - but I'd try and stay at Niseko if you want to take full advantage of the snow.

SKI - I love autumn, too...but not so much that I don't want winter to kick off early! Glad to hear about the cool evenings in Niseko, it's staying remarkably cool in Tokyo at the moment. More like October than September here. SdS

Mamabear - I bet they love foreigners buying them and then not showing up! That deal makes sense for someone spending a prolonged period in Hakuba, but despite hoping to do several trips this coming winter, I have no plans. It won't be worth it for me. If the snow's good enough and Happo-one / 47 / Goryu are too crowded, we usually go to Aokiko and connected resorts just down the valley. Discounted tickets are normally available for those places and they are rarely crowded. Enjoy SdS

TJ OZ - I understand and agree with what you are saying, but as the OP will be with a young family, practically speaking they'll probably want to sort their plans out before they arrive. As absolute beginners, snow conditions are also going to be less of a priority than somewhere that's easily accessible, convenient and has other attractions apart from snow. Hence Karuizawa's the ideal choice for quick access from Tokyo, I think. SdS