deanrobi

I can second gareth oau recommendation of 'Thats Its, Thats All'. I have just downloaded it on to my new phone this past weekend so as i can get a fix on those quite days at work.

Just booked my internal flights for this coming Jan and used the 'Welcome to Japan' fare, cost 13000 yen as Biri Island stated. No problems with flight times as seats were available on all flights on the particular day we wanted. Another Tip is to book your own transfer from Sapporo to Niseko, not only is it cheaper than thru your travel agent but if you travel with CHUO bus, Niseko Bus or Donan bus lines you get a free 1 day lift ticket cost for return bus trip and Lift ticket is 4900 yen. (well that has been the case in the past few years, I'm assuming it will be the save this coming s

I have ridden the peak and the bowls a couple of times on each visit I have had to Niseko, now the crew I travel with are not up to the standard required to do these areas and I find myself, after spending most of the day with these guys, ducking to these places for a few runs in the afternoons by myself. I always try to ensure that there are people in these areas when I board them but there has been times when I have ended up by myself in the bowls behind Annapuri and it has made me feel a little uneasy. I know that you should never board alone in these areas but some times the conditions are

I'm not that brave, if its not open then I wont risk it.

Is there any further news on the possibility of there being access to the 'Mizuno no Sawa' area this upcoming season. I remember reading an article recently that mentioned the possibility that this area may be opened up and that it was a requirement that all users participated in a short course prior to gaining access. Any news?

On a clear day you can see the ocean from MT Hutt NZ but not a city as well.

GN, not even a little clue to it's where abouts? I love local knowledge

GN, are you saying that they do have an early option / kat runs to the top? I wasn't aware of that. Do you have any more details as i would be keen to give that a go on our next trip.

I think the resorts in question are Asarigawa Onsen & Otaru Tenguyama.

There was a group of hardcore snowboarders staying in the same hotel we were at in Otaru and they were boarding the local resort (the one that can be seen to the right hand side of the city, looking from the coast. Talking to them they regarded the area pretty highly and proclaimed that they would not be going back to Niseko after finding this area and another ski area close by, sorry cant remember any of the names. Evidently there was heaps of un-tracked snow and absolutely no people, not that Niseko is that busy. I did notice that of the four days we were there it snowed constantly and proba

Are you asking about Otari which is down near Nagano or Otaru? If its Otaru then it took us about 50 min on the train (if I remember correctly) from Kutchen this year. Great train trip through snow covered country side and along the coast, interestingly the were a few groups of keen surfers out on the days that we caught the train. Now's that's dedication for you in the middle of winter

You can always head into Kutchen for a meal, heaps and heaps of little places to eat. Come in off the mountain about 4pm, have a beer and a soak, eat dinner about 6pm and then if the conditions are ok go back out for a few hours night boarding, priceless!

This year I have decided to do my own bookings for the groups annual trip to Japan but I'm finding that trying to book internal flights (one world Yokso - Visit Japan Fare) and accommodation (Prince Hotel Group)I'm not able to book anything until three months out. We are travelling at the end of Jan 2010 but on every site I visit there is only accommodation/flights option up an until the End of Dec 2008. Is this the norm? and do I have to wait until next Sept/Oct before I can make my bookings. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Mike, excellent photo's as usual. The sequence shots were unreal. Is that done with some form of editing program

Fantastic report Mike. Thanks for all the effort you have put into keeping us updated on the season todate. I'm counting the days until I get back there on the 29th Jan 2010.

Mike, photo's are awesome as usual. With talk of it having been a below average season in other parts what IYO on how the season has panned out compared to the last few?

Mainly I believe it interferes with the Japan TV frequencies

Did you try one of those chocolate dipped bannan's with sprinkles on it?. Sausage on a stick, bannana on a stick, what more could you want.

Just interested about when you get there, like me you are probably keeping an eye on the weather for next week. We get there Sunday afternoon as well. I'm traveling with two other boarders and one skier so it should be fun

Snowhuntress, Is Tokabochi taking about the Sapporo Ice Festival or one on the main Island. Niseko is looking good at the moment, on track to reach the 3MTR of snow fall for the month of Jan and the forecasts are looking good for next week. Snowforcast still has a conservative forecast for 29cm for Saturday night and as I posted previously the Japan MET has snow forecasts for Mon thru to Wed in Sapporo next week. This time last week things weren't looking the best with little predicated snowfall but until yesterday they have reported 90cm since Saturday, I'd be happy if we get simila

Hornster, The Japan Met Service 7 Day Forecast for Sapporo is now indicating snow falls for Mon,Tue & Wed next week. I guessing that even though they are further to the north and a little more inland that is a good sign for those of us heading to Niseko. I've read on another forum that NW winds are the go for snow falls in Niseko. When do you and your crew arrive.

I was happy to see that, although a smaller amount, that on this mornings forcast update there is snow again forcasted for this coming sat.

Snow-Forecast is now indicating no new snow for Fri & Sat. That was a quick turn around or maybe a glich with there web page.

I'm with you Hornster, we arrive this coming sunday. Monday is looking good for some fresh snow fall on the lastest run of the weather forecast. Fingers crossed.

Forecast for the next 7 days doesn't show a great deal of predicted snow fall, anyone have any thoughts on what we might get. I'm arriving on the 1st of Feb and I'm obviously interested on what we might get that week so I'm counting down the days and keenly watching the seven day forecasts.