Eunice

Hi everyone, cool to see that people are actually reading my report and that the effort wasn't wasted!! Yes the Storm Troopers stuck to the Ichinose area as it is a beginners area. Its only annoying when you get a whole line of them going down a narrow bit. I only managed to ski over the back of one of their skis once, haha. As with the lack of nightlife... the Japanese are very well equip with their own beers and snacks, so they just drink with friends in the hotel room. And as to why our boss hired us foreigners - I'm sure it was for his entertainment! (and to practice his

Which hotel are you staying in? 3 of us are working at Chu Hotel in Ichinose, but prob only until 31st Jan. I'm dying for some gaijin contact lol. There's a resturant run by Nepalese here with good naan bread/currie. There's Back Bowl Cafe with your nachos and pasta and good range of drinks. Price here is quite reasonable. Chu Hotel does ramen at lunch for 800 yen.

Oh ok, we're just looking for work in pensions at the moment.

That pension is not called Mutti is it?

I want to try Japan coz I've already spent a season in Vail, Colorado, and want to try another part of the world, immerse myself in another culture, that kinda thing. I guess I just got really spoilt in Vail ~ everytime I went up it was perfect sunny skies and great snow. Ofcourse we're talking about ankle-deep powder rather than waist-deep powder, which is fine with me.

Thanks for your replies, including the bits about bananas. Now I'm looking at Naeba haha. I know people will tell me to get over it, but I'm the kinda person who needs some sunshine now and again.

Wow, great report. Do you know what the weather's like other times? I was kinda turned off by Niseko coz every reading mentions how it's hardly ever sunny in Niseko ~ hope it's not like that on Appi??

Has anyone out there been to Appi Kogen?? I'm looking at spending a season there. I know it doesn't really have a night life. Any other comments? Thanks!!

Yes it is more a student thing, which is what I am. I just want to make use of my summer holidays (it'll be summer here in NZ) and go ski. I dun really care if I learn anything or not from the jobs. Not a big fan of working outdoors or in farms.

WWOOFing is where you go work for someone (like a pension or farm) and in return you get free accomodation and food. It means I can stay a whole season in Japan with my essentials sorted. Since I can't speak Japanese finding work will probably be difficult, therefore WWOOFing is a good option.

No snow, unless you count the fake stuff that comes out of a can, in Hong Kong. It's my home town tho. Maybe I'll look at Nagano... Was also looking at Shiga Kogen, but to me it looks like a whole bunch of little ski fields dumped together.

Hm, mixed reviews on Appi Kogen. Hey Thursday you're in Hong Kong? I'm looking at hitting HK as well

What about Appi Kogen? Anyone been there? All I know is that it's half the size of Niseko and without the Aussies.

I'm looking at going WWOOF-ing. That's where you work for a host and in return get free board and food (and maybe a ski pass). I like my days sunny with clear visibility. I did a season in Vail and it was good weather most the time, and snow was good too. Think I got way too spoilt there...

Hm, I'd probably be one of them ><