HelperElfMissy

I like you SKI

Frootstick, Just don't be careless. I still didn't lock my board this trip. But I also didn't leave it anywhere for a long time. Lunch on the mountain was as long as it was left. PBs board always attracts a bit of interest, and he didn't lock that either. But my tip to you is that if it will ruin your trip if it vanishes, then invest in a small lock and use it. We are pragmatic folks, and possessions are possessions... We are at that stage of our lives no longer on a shoestring budget, so 'things' can be replaced. But I know some of the young season staff are locking their boards

Drag lifts and heavy snow don't mix. Can you imagine being dragged up through knee deep pukage? They are super popular in other areas though...UFA, Russia was ALL drag lifts!

Seconded! I learned skiing first from a Japanese girlfriend. She was good and got me started, but when I took a professional lesson, they first had to work to get some bad habits out of me. And while we taught skiing to our own kids, we certainy noticed the difference every time we sent them to a ski school. Skiing has so many different levels and there are so many little things to know, there is world of difference between an amateur and a pro instructor. I suppose it is the same in the snowboard world, about which I know nothing. yes it is. I know the old joke goes...'what's the differenc

Ok. And myself, my husband and my kids were interviewed by J-TV about why we came to Niseko and why we love it so... They were very positive. What does it matter? Interestingly when my son responded to the questions in Japanese, they very quickly moved onto his mate - a first time visitor. They wanted to noob round eye 'Japan is great!' angle. It still doesn't really matter. What matters is we all see one another as individuals. Not branded by what a handful of people from our country get up to.

not so much in Perth...although slowly improving. Therefore indulging occasionally during a holiday filled with local faire works for me. I think my favourite new food this time around (bearing in mind I think this was my 7th Japanese trip in 8 years, and I am adventurous with new food....so many have already been discovered) was BURDOCK CHIPS from Mina Mina. First time I had knowingly eaten burdock in any form, and I enjoyed it so much I ordered Burdock seeds (as hubby is veggie wholesaler and said he hasn't seen any in the local market).

I laid out the facts, Dr. Watson. Try to read before opining next time :-) Your facts are simply anecdotal opinion which is heavily influenced by existing prejudice and expectation. Granted there are plenty of Aussies in Niseko. Granted there is the odd occasional complete and utter tool Aussie. My own son was sucker punched by one in a bar that he works in last week. However, the idiots are not the largest number of Australian visitors. Most are polite happy people who make no trouble and just love to ski/board and enjoy Japan. They are also NOT the largest group of internationa

Yes, Kamimura is awesome but expensive. Or is that expensive but awesome? We go pretty much every year - and spend as much in one night, as in a week otherwise. Still worth it in my book. totally agree. It was one night in a 3 week trip for us, next most expensive was Iki for dinner (also in Shiki) - rest was pretty inexpensive. Given food prices in Perth I don't think I spent near as much as I would've on food while away as I would've at home. Kamimura excluded. The access to a Michelin chef is limited in Perth, and a helluva lot more expensive! Will probably try to book in once

not necessarily... It is small plates of very fine dining food. No ordering/choices, the chef just prepares the menu and out it comes. Hurro wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degustation

SGboarder, click on that map you linked to. Have a look at the family lift. 'Ace Family Pair Lift'. Commonly referred to as Family lift.

Shikaku is an easy walk to the family lift, although it is uphill. You also have a shuttle bus stop outside your door for both the Hirafu village shuttle and the Hanazono shuttle. You can control your spend to fit in most budgets. When I'm not around the boys live on groceries from Kutchan, ramen and 600yen massive bacon and egg burgers from Wazzas. Then there's the other end of the spectrum - degustation menu at Kamimura for example. It's up to how much you are prepared to spend.

so in that case, for biru options learn to use a chair lift Honestly, chairs in Niseko are way easier than any I've ridden elsewhere. Most of them anyway - that single pizza tray isn't hard, but it stirs all my irrational fear of heights anxiety. Learn right the first time, and enjoy from then on. I used the family lift for access every day for the last 3 weeks. Even when people stacked it the lifties were onto it, clearing and helping and stopping/slowing the lift. I saw one guy going up with his beginner wife - he gestured for them to slow the lift and pointed at his wife. They

at Hanazono. There was a teensy short carpet in the little kids ski school are around king lift IIRC from previous trips (didn't go anywhere near it this trip) but other than that the only carpet I recall is at. Hana.

In Niseko? I don't think so. Start on the Ace Family course - it is the perfect pitch to learn on and beginners are lapping it all day and night long. It is serviced by the Ace family pair lift (which now has a safety bar! Upgrade!) Or use the holiday lift on the gondola side of the hill - or bus around to Hanazono for lessons there on the green slopes. All chairlifts. Next progression would be up the Ace Quad - a seriously easy lift to get off! I know some here are not big fans of paying for lessons. But if you start out with excellent instruction (not reinforcing bad h

Surelt it was introduced not by the tourists, but by the businesses doing it. Frankly, no way! A Japanese business would never think of that. If the shop is Aussie-owned, perhaps. Otherwise, no way. The way this developed must have surely been by tourists dropping tips on confused staff, the management asking what the h/&%&ck these foreigners are doing, and then dealing with the situation. You can travel all over Japan, and you will NEVER see a thing like a "tip jar". (Except around US military bases, which is another story). 10% 'service charge' added at Kamimura...Althoug

Really?

Thank you Mama bear for your thoughts after reading your input my wife is going to look at contacts tomorrow., thanks not a problem. Hope it is helpful.

Regardless of whether they are likely to have the sole rip out or not - those puppies need retiring to a museum. Upgrade time! You are worth it. While you're at it, get some shiny new skis I'll be trading in my snowboard bindings very very soon (would've done it this trip but didn't find what I wanted) after 5 years of use. The lock down on the right foot (my back foot) is starting to fail to close in really cold conditions. I really put them through their paces and get lots of days on them, but the big question is DO you want them failing on the hill? Personally I reckon that wo

Yeah still got mine on my helmet, although it is looking a bit ratty these days.

The Shiki ATM is really easy to use. I'm not sure why certain cards are not accepted, can't quite work out why they are being refused. One son has a same bank card that I am using and his isn't working. Immediately spat it back out - one of my credit cards did the same. It might have been a temporary thing. I'd just suggest of you have more than one card, bring them all. Bring cash also. It really is king.

so true. I'm not saying everyone needs professional lessons, although it really made a difference for me. Bad habits did not develop. Started with understanding why we dint hang out in front of lifts and just over rollers/drops where you can't be seen. Did not have to learn that the hard way. MOST ski instructors will pass on this uncommon - should be common knowledge. But there are always a few that fit outside that box. Heck, this season in Thredbo I was crossing a drag lift with some mates. This particular spot necessitates a bit of speed before the crossing or you are unclipping

Pissed myself laughing ipp. Can SO relate! LOL

Oh no Koko, what is your suffrage? I lost 4 days to a flu thing, still not 100% but been back out there this week. Today was awesome! Needed to be - last day. I have some photos (phone camera stills, nothing epic) but spent hours trying to get my iPad or Samsung phone to upload and had all sorts of insurmountable hurdles. Gave up, will try with full laptop when I get home Saturday (to an evil 44 degree day!)

Sadly, I think you are right Muika. If more did there would be no need for this post because a person blocking the lift ramp would be so rare.

or once every 5-10 years holiday makers, usually travelling in large groups.They normally haven't had many (if any) professional lessons - as most decent instructors will ram the 'do not block the lift exit' message home.