[ski helmets must the kids wear them?]

thanks for all the input! ski helmets it is!

[tolls yen or electronic?]

thanks threep and soubriquet

[tolls yen or electronic?]

Getting real close to heading over there for skiing now and thanks to all of you who have helped us with info on driving in Japan. One final question....many of the toll roads in Australia require an electronic tag that must be purchased ahead of time. Anyone know if that is the same with the japanese expressways or whether we must have stacks of coins/yen to pay the tolls as we reach each one?

[ski helmets must the kids wear them?]

anyone noticed if all the mini-skiers wear helmets to ski over there? In Australia they are compulsory for kids and not for adults. Presume it is the same there?

[shiga from Narita by car, are we mad?]

scouser, know your byline is that if you have to explain I will never understand but can you humour me anyway?! Not sure what your message means, do elaborate as all input greatly received!

[shiga from Narita by car, are we mad?]

Thanks for the feedback. So Takayama Tearer, what DO the stop signs look like? I would be happy saving the adrenalin rush for the destination but the other half seems to have ideas of his own! I might need to wear the ski helmet in the car I think! Oh by the way, in Australia it is compulsory for kids to wear ski helmets and not adults. Do you know what the rules are in Japan?

[shiga from Narita by car, are we mad?]

Yes I mean SK We are probably going to be staying at Yakebitayama and Sun Valley (half the time at each). It is a family of four in the car. I read something about a frozen road. When you say expensive are we talking 5000 yen worth oneway, more or less?

[shiga from Narita by car, are we mad?]

I have heard mixed reports about driving in Japan. As an aussie, we at least drive on the same side of the road but whats the journey like if you dont read Japanese signs? Also someone said the tolls are super expensive?

 

Can anyone share their experiences of driving from Narita to Shiga? Is it possible to bypass Tokyo central to do so? Or are we mad and should stick to the Shink?

[what is sun valley at Shiga Kogen like?]

WE have an offer of accommodation at Villa Aspen in Sun Valley Shiga Kogen. We are trying to figure out how that area compares to Yakebitayama and Ichinose as these were the areas we had previously looked to stay. We range from beginner (9year old) to advanced. Is the Sun Valley area easily linked to the rest of the resorts? Has anyone stayed at Sun Valley and can tell us if there is much there?

[desperately need accommodation Shiga]

so far we have had about five hotels come back with availability and will make a decision which one to book today...spoilt for choice! Just goes to show you cant rely on travel agents word that a place is full! Go figure, thanks for all your input guys

[desperately need accommodation Shiga]

Thanks, have emailed the five hotels listed under Shiga Kogen so thanks for that suggestion. Am waiting to hear back but am hoping to widen the search rather than solely rely on them just in case. Would love to stay with some locals, bunk down in a room at someones pad or at a lodge/pension. Just realised I said Shiga above but I mean Shiga Kogen, the ski park. Dont know if there is a difference

[desperately need accommodation Shiga]

Hi, we are 2 adults, 2 kids 9 & 11 flying out from Sydney on 11 Jan. The flights are all confirmed but our accommodation has fallen through and the Aussie-based agent said there is no availability left anywhere in Shiga. HELP!!! Anyone know of some accommodation for family of four anywhere in Shiga from 12th to 19th January?? Naturally we will pay the appropriate rate etc and comfort rather than fancy is fine but we need to sort it out fast so that we dont lose the flights. ANY IDEAS???

[Aussies skiers planning first Japan visit]

thanks for the heads up

[Aussies skiers planning first Japan visit]

We are 2 adults, 2 kids (9 & 11) looking to ski Japan's fields for the first time. Kids and Mum intermediate, Dad advanced and seeking powder.

 

We ideally want, not in any partic order:

1. pretty village atmosphere (for Mum!)

2. not too huge/spread out (hate long traverses or having to shuttle to get from one good run to next)

3. beg/int runs in close proximity to advanced (so we can swap kiddy care between runs without having to move mountains..sorry for the pun!)

4. a reasonable number of blue sky non-blustery days (so that the kids dont get too miserable)

5. somewhere where there is plenty of snow (by aussie standards I suspect that is everywhere right?!)

6. somewhere where the runs are long, the crowds are small and from what I have read on this forum, where the patrols are relaxed and the music PA system is broken!!

 

Not much to ask I know but any input greatly appreciated..By the way is it more of a travel hassle doing the plane/shinkansen/coach to Honshu's resorts or the two planes/coach to Hokkaido's?

 

Thanks Tessa