timcraig

Hi. Does anyone know of a company doing day trips to shiga kogen to ski and see the monkeys leaving from nozawa. It is a bit of a mission by train and with skis and boots even harder. It might be ok to get to shiga, ski then leave the gear in a locker and bus down to the monkeys and back up to shiga to get gear and go home. Bit annoying though and a company day trip would be much easier. Otherwise could just leave the gear at the start of the path or at the petrol station, as it is japan and theft isn't that common. A recommendation for a day tour would be much appreciated though. Thanks

I bought a pair of long red powder ribbons in kutchan feb 2006. I don't think I've ever used them because can never be bothered especially with gondolas

www.hyperdia.com has train timetables and costs. English page option on top left of page

Had 8 days last late feb/early march at hakuba and nozawa and had 8 days of fresh tracks in a row. 3 knee deep or better. Early march on Honshu should be good. Nozawa has accomm and food all near the lifts and is a nice village. Hakuba not as close but shuttle buses are easy and regular between the food/hotel areas and the slopes and there are hotels and food near the slopes too, especially happo one

If you take away the airfare to get to japan even now it is good value. Vending machine drinks are still under $2 Aussie and lunches about 15, and that's not for a burger that's been sitting in the warmer all day and 12 French fries like you get at home. Lift tickets are still $20 cheaper per day than aussie resorts. Accommodation is also cheaper than home. All this and the snow quality. Just booked 4th trip in a row. Won't be as cheap as the last 3 but still when you're waist deep it will be worth it. And I'm not going to be able to curb my vending machine addiction....

http://www.niseko.ne.jp/en/price.html you can get an 8 out of 10 day ticket there are plenty of organised day trip to rusutsu, not sure about other resorts other than moiwa which is small, but close by.

bus to nagano then bus to shiga kogen - the monkeys are at a stop along the way, i think it's called yudanaka. there is a petrol station at the stop and the monkeys are a slippery 20 minute walk away.

we land in osaka 6:30PM on a friday planning to go to kyoto on sat and then ski sunday at nozawa do you think the bags will be there in 24hrs or will it be better just to lug them?

there is a bar over at goryu (tracks?) that is pretty good. 47 and goryu are on the same lift ticket and you cross from one to the other at the top of the gondola. there is a bus at night between goryu and echoland where most bars etc are. i think it goes til midnight. after that you need to take a taxi

thanks!

Anyone?

Ski/Snowboard gear is cheap in Japan compared to Australia. However, the weakness in the aussie dollar has made this less true and some of the off season deals in Aus might actually be pretty good. The range in Tokyo is far superior to shops in Aus though and generally skis/boards one season old are really cheap. Skis/Boards are more expensive up at Hakuba in my experience. I bought skis and bindings last year for about $800 aussie dollars that I could have got for $600 in Tokyo if I had have been travelling through there. You can get a Chuo taxi door to door from Narita to Hakuba which is

Hi everyone. I have sent skis by courier in Japan before, but can't remember if it was midweek or on the weekend. Someone told me that the service doesn't run on the weekend. Is this true? How long would Kansai to Nozawa take and how long Nozawa to Niseko? Thanks for the help

Tesselator I think you have your wires crossed. I am pretty sure Fat Twins has not been directing his responses at you for the most part. In this forum it is easy to put in a new post by clicking reply to the last post. I think this is what FT has done a few times and you have taken it as meaning that his remarks were purposefully directed at you. For example the comments about going into surf threads and commenting were actually directed at Indo, but because you had posted after Indo had and this moved the forum on to a new page it was easier to simply click reply to your message than go ba

UVfleur Just courier your bag from Niseko to Narita airport. It will take 48 hours, but will be there ready for you to pick up when you fly home. Pack a few changes of clothes in a small bag for Tokyo which will be easy to carry on the trains/subways. Courier for a ski/board back is only about 1500 yen. Works really well and saves any needless dragging. Your other options above about sending it from airports are valid, but sending it straight from Niseko to Narita is the easiest.

The Naxo's were pretty good for the season. Starting to get some flex now after about 30 days of skiing. They did get me out the back of Happo and up to 4200m at Gulmarg in style. They tour great, they ski powder fine, just struggling a bit on the piste now they have loosened up a bit, but hey what am I doing on piste on a pair of Gotamas? Just getting back to the lifts!!

A few tracks in the sun

Have to update on the situation. Evergreen have come through in a big way. Yesterday was my last day in Hakuba and the night before Dave from Evergreen rang up and said there was a tour going the next day (yesterday) with some experienced riders who were doing some filming/still shots and we could tag along. Myself and another of our original group took up the offer (unfortunately another participant who was keen for the make up trip has done his knee!!). Yesterday was perfect weather up top, good group, 30cm snow on top of stable snow pack. Hiked above Happo for 2 hours and dropped in

Monkeys are very easy to get to on the shuttle bus from Shiga Kogen. 500 yen entry. Shuttle mis about 500 yen each way. The walk in is not so fun though.....

I reckon Saturday seems busier. Monday is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And thanks EBC for the correction.......Bluecliff

SerreChe, I agree with what you are saying. Not sure if you are having a go at me? We were disappointed with the tour because we were put in with people of lower ability when we were led to believe that they would be better. I think in the washup it may be that they said they were better than they were. Evergreen has 3 levels of tours. We paid for the intermediate one and the other group of people when we arrived at the top of the hike admitted to not having skied powder before. I think we felt a bit hard done by at this point. I have been away for a week and my friends have talked to the ow

Bringing your stuff is the best option. Although if you are in the market for new board, Tokyo has some pretty good deals. Riding around Nagano is sweet

I'll admit to buying lift tickets after lunch, but I wouldn't have paid for a ticket that day anyway, so no financial loss!

Yeah locks are cheap. 1600 yen, even on the hill! Just buy one and don't worry. Having said that I should ake my own advice and get one too!!!