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After this long it's not looking good. God I feel terrible for this guy's family and friends. Like everyone else has said, Hirafu/Niseko isn't a huge place. I don't understand how you could go missing within such a small area. I hate to say it, but what about the river? Who knows what things an intoxicated person may be thinking on the walk home. I'd thought about it for a second but dismissed the thought that foul play could have played a part in this tragedy.

Got another one... I don't know if anyone will be willing to give away info like this on a forum, but is there any suggested way to ride Niseko? i.e.- head here first before it gets tracked out, then head here, and maybe ride here for the afternoon. Also, are there any places where you can usually find pow stashes once the mountain is tracked out? And a final one...where can you go for some "off piste" that isn't considered out of bounds resulting in getting your pass clipped? If you don't want to post this info on here but still want to help out a first timer, PM or email me: stock9

What about removing your shoes indoors? I've heard some places enforce it. Say for example...end of a day of riding going back to our hotel, will we have to remove our boots before we get to our room?

I'm not there to drink, nor am I there to give Australian's in Japan an even worse image...so I don't think there'll be any problems with any of that. Mudguts, I'm 175cms tall, but the Burton Fish and Malolo are powder-specific boards with a flexible nose, a WAY set back stance, and a tapered shape. However, I think the minimum length board I'll be taking now is a 158. Thanks for all the tips guys/girls. Keep em coming. I'd like to feel I'm going there as educated as possible. Oh...what about shopping? Would I be saving myself some cash buying a camera in Japan? I've heard that

Like the subject says, my mate and I are in Niseko from Jan 17th till the 28th. It'll be the first time in Japan for both of us. We're staying at the Scot hotel. I plan on bringing a Burton Fish or Malolo and a Custom 156/158, goggles with clear and yellow lenses, a 10,000mm down jacket, Skins, balaclava, point & shoot camera, and credit card. I don't speak any Japanese, and being that we booked this trip so close to our departure time, I doubt I'll have the time to learn any. Will I get by ok? Can anyone suggest any restaurants? Is it true that riding anything off-piste in Nisek