Go Native

Except of course for a lovely little house down in Kutchan that would make the perfect holiday home. I've reduced the price recently!

Well I can assure you I have nothing to gain financially from talking up Niseko. I'm going back in Jan. If anything it's in my interest to talk it down!

I thought it was more obvious what I was meaning in the context I was referring to the fact that hordes of people keep flocking there and was providing evidence of that by the fact that business there just had the best season ever. As I say I'm sorry if it wasn't clear what I meant.

One of the main reasons they push Niseko and I assume more and more Hakuba rather than many other resorts is because it's easy. They can organise everything for their clients by dealing with native English speakers and companies used to dealing with western travel agencies. And sorry if there was any confusion about the 'best season ever' comment. I thought it was obvious I was talking in terms of business. Obviously it wasn't. In terms of snow it definitely wasn't the best season ever.

You seem to doubt that this last season was the best ever for many businesses in Niseko. I'm just asking why?

Well it was universal from all my friends who either own the businesses or are in management positions within the companies. They didn't bullshit me in previous years I've been there when they weren't doing well. Like the first season after the quake. Many did or nearly went under. And yes this was in terms of turnover and profitability. Of course I ask them every year I go how business is going. I'm interested though why you'd doubt it? Do you have any knowledge about businesses in Niseko that I don't? You know so many people there do you? Have a lot of connections in the ski industry do you?

Those people were friends who own businesses in Hirafu. They have no reason to bullshit me.

As I said tubs it's not like 1000's of people who started off gong to Niseko haven't tried elsewhere. Still hordes of people keep going to Niseko. According to nearly everyone I spoke to when I was there in Feb, this season was the best they've ever had. A good part of the market out there obviously feels it's still reasonable value for money. Of course there's the cashed up Aussies and Asians but in the last few years I've seen a lot more Europeans and Scandinavians as well. At least from an Aussie point of view Australian ski resorts are just so ridiculously priced they can still make Niseko

Anyway if the paralysis remains you can get him one of these

We've had dogs in the past before we went to live in Japan and when I grew up we always had dogs. I've never quite had this connection with them though that some of you seem to. I just can't seem to get really emotionally involved with something I can't even have a conversation with.

What can I say? People love the place. And I know from my own experienc there taking bookings for so many years that plenty of people who ventured to other areas came back because they prefer Niseko. I personally enjoy going back because I love catching up with my friends there. I miss them! Still after this next trip I really do think it's time to try some other places. I really want to try some resorts in the US.

It's not like people haven't been venturing beyond Niseko anyway. I mean despite seemore's best efforts they're flocking to Rusutsu as well now and I think many Japanese resorts have benefitted from people trying other resorts after trying Niseko. It's certainly a very popular entry point into the Japanese skiing experience but just from people on this site we know plenty who've moved on to try other areas.

I don't know why people find it hard to understand ski. In Australia it's incredibly common for people to say go on an Easter holiday to the same place every year. I know plenty of people who go to the same national park for their Easter holiday every year. Why? Because they love it. They know they'll love it again and it's something to look forward to each year. Because they work long and hard and just want a holiday that they know they'll enjoy. Plenty of Australians also book a holiday at the same ski resort in Australia year after year after year. When I was taking bookings in Niseko we al

I don't ski at Aussie resorts anymore! Who would after Japan!!

I tried the Jetstar website for Melbourne/Sapporo return and they have nothing yet for my dates in Jan. It might just be the connecting flights from Narita to Sapporo that are the problem though.

In soft Spring snow and if you funnel enough people through a small area it probably can.

We have a Forester with the turbo engine and supposedly we're meant to use Hi-Octane fuel. We never have though. Never had any problems from not using it.

That's been a big problem for years. They don't put on that many extra flights. In fact from memory Qantas reduced their flights some years back. Some of the slack was taken up by Jetstar but in peak holiday periods it's always hard to get flights on dates or times you want if you don't book early. Aussies travel a lot. It wasn't just a problem for Aussies either. We had heaps of guests from Hong Kong who'd struggle to get flights during Chinese New Year. Especially as many would book accom very early to get into where they wanted but prior to flights being scheduled for that period by the air

When I was reservations manager we often had people having to change accommodation dates because they were unable to get flights for the dates they'd booked.

What airline is that manfredk?

Except I don't own dogs

The choice is yours of course. I'm just providing options. I like the tree option myself.

Get em stuffed after they've died and you can have them around for ever!

Remember the lift at Chisenupuri is not operating anymore snowhuntress so it's purely a backcountry peak now. And we've booked our accommodation already as well (believe it or not it was already getting difficult to find a place for the dates we're going and the size of our group). Haven't booked flights yet but will soon.