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Thanks for the info guys, TJ OZ ta for the hakuba info but i think i've made my mind up about going to hokkaido > niseko. what do you guys think? niseko during (end jan) - (early feb)? crowds? i want to be in the area for the snow festival (6th - 12th feb) that pretty much my reasoning Also: does ski hire places rent out everything (ski's, poles, boots, clothes, gloves) or JUST ski's? thanks fellas

just got back from the japan tourist info place in Sydney... they say that in sopporo/hokkaido the fields will be absolutly packed due to the ice festival that is running 6-12 feb 2006. what do you guys think about Niseko, Hokkaido? looks like it has nice runs from the trail map i saw in a brochure... do you think it will be packed that time of year? thoughts of it? ta

thanks for that guys, gamera, i've searched through all the fields and read many-a-reviews. the problem is im too indecisive, and thus can't commit to a single field. thus i am relying on you guys for personal input does anyone have any 1st hand experience on what nice fields/accomodation is in early feb? Also...do 'resorts' hire out ski clothing? or just skis/equiptment...? changes: i might even venture north up to hokkaido for a chance to ski BTW: when these places refer to themselves as 'resorts,' they mean the whole ski-field in general, right? NOT a large hotel

thanks for the reply, i plan to spend 4-5 days...so out of the places you listed, what would be your preference if you only had less than a week

hey guys, I am planning a trip to Japan [roughly 21 days] in Jan/Feb, and was thinking of fitting around 4-5 days of skiing into my itinerary I am currently looking into any decent [cheap] places around Tokyo [ie. not way down south] I have looked at the Yuzawa fields, and the www.hunter.co.jp [look nice], but apart from that im pretty lost. I will be staying at the slopes for the duration of my ski trip... sooo in summary, could you guys tell me: *Where's a nice [not too packed] place to ski preferably close to tokyo, but not a Major worry *Do all sk