deanrobi

I was told about an area up north on Hokkaido that is supposed to be the goods.The only information i can remember is that I think it only has one big lift that goes up the mountain every 40mins and its made up of a few big bowls. Anyone have any ideas where this area is and what its called.

A few shots from today at Rusutsu. Havn't got much to choose from as we seem to be taking video this year rather than photos. Rusutsu back bowl. and again.

The figures reported each morning in the 'Niseko Now' - new snowfall is that compiled from the previous 24hr period? say from 7am to 7am.

Went to Rusutsu for the first time to day and I think i have found the place for next years trip. The place is amazing with so many fresh lines right up until we caught the last lift home. fantastic. we had arranged for our lodge manager to take the four of us over there today but unfortunately while showing another group around there yesterday his board caught a tree while going thru some deep powder and he broke his leading leg in two places. His partner was kinda enough to arrange one of the local niesko boys to take us over there and show us around. Local knowledge is awesom

Looks like your Reaper Boy will be waking up to 10-20cm of freshie,going by my snow gauge on the lodge steps, and its still coming down nicely at the moment. Looks to be nice dry flakes as far as I can tell from looking out the window. I'm sure he is about to another great day here in wonderland.

Been snowing constantly since mid afternoon yesterday but only light. I think there may have been 15-20 in total. Should be enough to cover in yesterdays tracks. The wind didn't seem to get as was forcasted.

Still snowing in Niseko this morning, started about 3pm yesterday and only light stuff. I cleared the snow off the handrail on the way home last night about 11pm and this looking at the same spot this morning at 6.30.I think we would have got about another 10-15cm in total over night.

A bit of fresh snow over night and its currently coming down at the moment. I say from the truck parked out side we may have got 10-15cm, to see what the official report says later this morning.

Arrived in Niseko tonight at about 4.30 and it has been snowing, at times very heavy ever since. Went straight out for a nighta which was a blast, just about every thing was tracked out but still it was so much fun. First timers here are blown away already, cant wait to see there faces in the morning if keep on snowing.

Just arrived in Tokyo tonight and after a long day of travelling I'm looking forward to jumping in to bed, its a long way from Melb via Cairns, think I will stick to the overnight flights next time. Anyway tomorrow we fly up to Sapporo in the morning and should be on the board by PM, fingers crossed.

I will be there Sat afternoon, laptop is packed and as of Sunday when the last member of the crew arrives, who just happens to be a bit of a photographer in his working life(forensic photographer) so i will hopefully be able to upload some photos of the next 10 days or so.

These charts are a good example. http://weather.unisys.com/gfsx/9panel/gfsx_500p_9panel_easia.html

I did do a double check and It says its the Nesiko All Mountain pass. So fingers crossed. I will post once we have arrived and have the ticket in our hot little hands.

We have ended up going with Donan, I rang our lodge the other day and they were very helpful and have made a call for us and booked our seats. Ended up going with Donan as they have the 'Nesiko Bus Pass' option that get you a free 8 Hr lift ticket included in the cost, so that should cover our first day on the mountain

Originally Posted By: Soft Landings Correct, Did the course today, they are on three times a day at the old gondola station at the top of the rope tow. You must ski with the patrol when you enter. First timers get priority over people who have done it before. Maximum 45 people three times a day. It is sick! So where excatly are the briefings as I'm no familar with the location of the rope tow. Is the old Gondola Station the structure at the beginning of the ski run called 'Zangi'. Also what time are the briefings pls

Its going to be a Bear hunt.

MB, Melb had its equal hottest day on record last Monday. It hovered around 30 degree at midnight. Today gale force winds, rain and snow on the VIC CAM.

Thanks BM, sounds like a plan.

Planning to travel from New Chitose Airport to Hirafu by bus on Sat 30 Jan at about 1330. Do I need to pre book bus tickets on either of these lines for the trip? or can I easily rock up to the bus booking counter in the arrivals hall and get a ticket then. I have tried to book on line but their on-line booking pages are predomately in Japanese.

Mitch, that video is going to be worth waiting for.

MB I will be in Niseko for the first week of your eldest cub's trip, will be heading all over the mountain so will keep any eye out for him. Better still is he having the UHF radio with him, what channel will he be on and I will listen in for you. Then again your probably better off not knowing what he is up to. You know the saying:"what happens on the snow trip, stays on the snow trip".

Thanks MB, less than two weeks for me. Hopefully I will be able to post some photos while we are staying there as I will be taking the laptop, just got to hope there is wifi access in the lodge we are staying at.

Hey MB when do you finish up in Niseko?

Im about to try and book the bus from Sapporo to Niseko, was thinking of booking either Chou, Niseko Bus or Donan Bus so as we can get the bus pack and free lift ticket. So far I can only find a local telephone no, would any one have an email contact for either of them

How much longer do you have there MB? hope you are there for the predicted snow falls due next week. Be a great way to top of your trip