deanrobi

The new Swann Freestyle is another good option, for the same price as the Gopro Hero you get a telephoto lens, remote control, LCD screen and a laser (sounds cool to have a camera with a laser). Similar in spec, sz and accessories as the Gopro

yep you are right, you can buy a season pass for the night bus. IIRC it was Y500 last year

So i see you are back in Niseko Mitch for another year, are you back at BD this season

http://www.snowjapanforums.com/uploads/gallery/album_75/gallery_11620_75_99951.jpg Max, whats this new building?

Hey GN if I remember correctly your avatar photo was taken early in the season, i remember getting excited when you posted those photos, what time of the year was that?

Luckily No

I think Hokkiado, and particulary the area around kutchan is famous in japan for its potatoes, thats what we got told one night by the owner of a kutchan restaurant who insisted that we try a bowl of potatoes wedges, with butter and salt on top, not bad to.

GN, any chance of highlighting on a map, like the attached, those recommendations? Bouken Restaurant sounds like a most try, thanks for the recommendations. Not familar with eithier the Barn or Yuichi but like so many places in and around town they can be tucked away in those side streets down in the lower village http://www.town.kutchan.hokkaido.jp/mpsdata/web/3415/Town_MAP2009_eng_2.jpg

My advice, get out of niseko village and hunt out some of the great eateries in and around Kutchan. Much better food and more japanese styled places,we tend to eat there 6 or 7 times each trip and I dont think I have had a bad feed there ever and it's cheaper. Now I think about it most nights the places have been pretty empty or just full of locals, very rarely are there many other aussie in these places. If you catch the free shuttle bus to Kutchan and get off at the Sports store, walk down any the side streets opposite the Sports Store and you will find heaps of little family run restaurant

You are also close to the actual township of Niseko (pop 4600), also where the railway station is. While there this year I read about a free bus service called NISEKO TOWN ON DEMAND SHUTTLE SERVICE that the town was running for a two month trial period, not sure if it will be operating next year. Unlike Hirifu you really need your own transport over that way as there is not the many eating houses in walking distance

Yes, thats what I was trying to say. Other than that, excellent job, love th site

Guys, in the old SJ forums there was the feature that showed new post in a particular topic, Iremeber it being the number of post in brackets and of to the right hand side. Then whem you clicked on them it took you to the first ofthe new posts in that topic. I know that in the new Forums there is the 'View new Content' feature but that only directs me to the topics heading not the new posts, is that correct? do i need to make some setting changes so as i can go directly to the first of the new posts.

Its a tough call, but dump the teacher and get over there earlier in the season. There's no friends when it comes to powder

The agent I booked thru probaly did know that but I guess thats something that they wouldn't want to advertise

A group of us were all booked for a couple of weeks at a Lodge called Chill in Niseko via an accommodation booking company and then yesterday I get an email from the booking company advising us that due to circumstances beyond their control the lodge will no longer be opening this snow season. They have moved us to another Lodge but I was a little disappointed as the Chill Lodge looked a better option (it had two onsens for starter. I heard on another forum that the lodge had been up for sale so I wondering if maybe it has new owners and that the booking company is no wanting to direct bu

Originally Posted By: seemore I have just had some quotes from an agent and the accomodation cost is still the killer for us. I hate to say it but maybe they should be more realistic in their pricing and more people would come. Seemore thats surprising, compared to our Aust prices i would have thought you would have been more that happy. I always look at the pensions and there are heaps of good ones that include breakast and drops off at the lifts all for around $70-$90 per night. Good value IMO

We are booked as well. 12 days based back in Niseko with a car booked for four of those days that we intend to use to explore a lilltle further afield, definately going to do some day trip around to Rusutshu, Mowia and a first time trip over to Kiroro. Decided to base ourselves at Niseko again as I have a couple of first timers (to Japan) joining this years trip and its a good introduction point.

I have been emailing a few accommodation houses this week and I'm quite surprised by what seems to be an increase in accommodation costs compared with what i was paying this year at similar places.

I did notice one run at Rusutsu and a small mougals section at Hirafu Niseko but i wouldn't say they were anything special. They are usally covered with heaps of fresh POW, fingers crossed.

GN, whats the line thru the centre of photo no 2, along the base of Annapuri, is it the creek that you ski along the side off when coming out of the back bowls. How much longer have you got there? must only have a few ski's left hey

I will be going back, started the planning already. My initial group of 8 people who were planning on coming is now down to 5 but that is fair enough. Funny enough it is the 'first timers' that have pulled out. Before these terrible events even occurred I had decided to fly via Hong Kong and then directly to Sapporro but that was based on having been to Tokyo/Osaka for the last 5 years and i wanted something different this time.

Had a similar episode with Woodley back in Feb but had forgotten all about it until I read these posts. Remeber thinking it was strange at the time

You can get a bus for 1300y each way from either the Welcome centre or Niseko Village. It takes the long way via Kutchan and around the base of Mt Yoti and takes around 80mins. If you can get someone to drive you then it takes about 30 -40mins. we usally ask the lodge staff if one of them would be willing to take us and in return we normally purchase a lift ticket and lunch for them, split between three or so its not bad. IIRC SKIJAPAN run a bus on a thurs day I think, costs were around the 8,000 mark for both bus and lift ticket

It's a carve board but I wouldn't think it would be much fun in those conditions, better suited for the groomed runs

Hows the flu thing in Niseko, is it still hanging around