[Can I buy ski clothes in Niseko ???]

I would try and but your gear in Australia. There are some stores in Niseko but there isn't a great deal of choice and you'll be paying at least the same as Australia. Size may also be a problem ,North Face for example make gear particular to the Japanese market however the large sizes are smaller for obvious reasons

 

It's always worth spending the extra money on good quality gear.

[Is Shiga Kogen all piste connected / Should I just go to niseko instead]

Hi ,

 

Is Shiga Kogen (most of it at least) connected by runs and lifts ? i.e can one have a long varied ski withoput having to rely on buses?

 

Also which is the best resort in Shiga to stay in , looking for ski in ski out and some apres ski?

 

I'm keen on checking out another part of Japan and that's the reson why i'm toying with Shiga however should I just head for the reliability of Hokkaido where Ive been a few times already?

 

How are the conditions in Shiga?

 

Any advice is much appreciated

[Hakuba or Shiga Kogen for holiday]

 Quote:

Originally posted by kkk (they're my initials):
I'd say the most central part of Shiga Kogen is the Ichinose / Mammoth area - in one direction from there you have Yakebitaiyama/Okushiga and in the other direction you have Sun Valley and then the Kumanoyu / Yokoteyama section.

[Hakuba or Shiga Kogen for holiday]

 Quote:

Originally posted by muikabochi:
I have been to Shiga Kogen and not seen any patrol at all the whole day. Always feel it is a relaxed place over there.

How far is the bus transfer between Happo and Shiga Kogen. Where is the best interlinked place to stay in Shiga?

Thanks for everyones'help on this.

[Hakuba or Shiga Kogen for holiday]

 Quote:

Originally posted by dale#1:
The best part of Shiga Kogen will depend on what you are looking for. What kind of place are you looking for?

I understand that Shiga is made up of several resorts. Are they all interlinked?

I'm looking for accommodation that is convenient and preferably ski in ski out , also western style and not too bothered about price.. Skiing wise I'm obviously looking for some nice off piste whilst the wife likes the cruisers.

I'm thinking about combining my seven days in Japan between Happo One and somewhere in Shiga? Is this a good idea and is it easy to transfer between the two at the end of the day?

Thanks for the feedback

[Hakuba or Shiga Kogen for holiday]

 Quote:

Originally posted by brit-gob:
First off I'd decide which area of Shiga Kogen you want to be in. It's very big and coveres a wide area. The 2 extremes are Okushiga and Yokoteyama.

Thanks , Can you recommend the best part of Shiga to stay in and a good hotel thats ski in ski out.

[Hakuba or Shiga Kogen for holiday]

 Quote:

Originally posted by eskimobasecamp:
i think the mominoki, evergreen outdoors and other places run trips to the monkeys from hakuba, so you could easily go on an organised mini bus tour. shiga kogen is less than 3 hours from hakuba... i think?

Where in Shiga Kogen should I stay and which hotel?

[Hakuba or Shiga Kogen for holiday]

 Quote:

Originally posted by charlotte:
I would do both - it is a good idea to split the 7 days like that. Take a look at the listings on this site (top links) for some good places.

Are you skier or snowboarder?

Thanks for the reply.

I was thinking about staying at the Mominoki hotel in Hakuba assuming that Happo One is a good base.

How far is it from Hakuba to Shiga Kogen? Is it possible to combine this with a visit to the monkeys ?

We're skiers (I assume one of these resorts doen't allow deckers)

Thanks again

[Skiing links between Niseko resorts]

 Quote:

Originally posted by spacmun:
Hi Folks

Heading to Niseko in January for the first time and staying at the Higashiyama Prince Hotel. Was wondering how well the 4 resorts are linked via the ski lifts/gondolas.

Are all 4 resorts reachable from the top of the mountain, and if so, what degree of difficulty is there? I'm going with the wife whom doesn't like to push it (on the mountain that is).

Is it a safer bet to catch the bus between resorts, or will my hesitant wife be able to handle it at the peak?

Cheers

BTW Is night skiing worth a go or just a toss?

Just a guess but have you booked with CX Holidays?

I stayed at this hotel last year and it really isn't that bad , whilst the hotel isn't great looking the setting is nice and I'm sure your wife will appreciate the fact that there is a gondola and chair lift pretty much in the hotel lobby and a nice nursery slope to get her warmed up. The view from the hotel Onsen is awesome. I must admit that the remote location means that I won't choose this hotel again as Hirafu is the place to be though a little busy and starting to get a little bit like Kings Cross in Sydney (great snow makes up for this)


If you like the powder Higashiyama is where I'll be heading first thing in the morning , even from Hirafu.

Night skiing is good out of Hirafu . I think its the biggest night skiing area in the world.

Have a great time,you'll love Niseko

[Skiing links between Niseko resorts]

 Quote:

Originally posted by spacmun:
Hi Folks

Heading to Niseko in January for the first time and staying at the Higashiyama Prince Hotel. Was wondering how well the 4 resorts are linked via the ski lifts/gondolas.

Are all 4 resorts reachable from the top of the mountain, and if so, what degree of difficulty is there? I'm going with the wife whom doesn't like to push it (on the mountain that is).

Is it a safer bet to catch the bus between resorts, or will my hesitant wife be able to handle it at the peak?

Cheers

BTW Is night skiing worth a go or just a toss?

[Hakuba or Shiga Kogen for holiday]

Having had great times in Hokkaido I'm keen on checking out what else Japan has to offer. I'm keen on Hakuba and Happo One looks like the place to stay however what about Shiga Kogen ?

 

My questions are

 

1) Hakuba or Shiga Kogen?

2) Where to stay in either resort , I'm looking for somewhere close to the slopes , western style and I'm not too concerned about price.

3) Is it possible to combine 7 days between Hakuba and Shiga Kogen , we're thinking about taking a day off to see the monkeys and transferring resorts the same day , is this possible?

4) Getting to these resorts from Narita. Is there transport such as a bus service to these resorts straight from the airport thus avoiding trains etc

 

Any advice is much appreciated.