deanrobi

After our stay in Niseko we are planning to catch the train from Kutchen to Otaru, we will be in Otaru for two nights before we then catch the Train to the airport. During the stay at Otaru I'm guessing that we will do a train trip or two in to Sapporo for the ice Festival. Question is are we best to buy a Regional Rail Pass rather than individual tickets and does this allows us to travel when ever/where ever? Also are there any off those bullet Trains on Hokkaido and is it possible to do a trip on them ? any recommendations

I understand that it is all dependent on many variables and the place can create its own weather but is the weather Patten in Niseko similar to say here in Aust, in that a cold/snow front will possible come thru every 5 - 7 days?

Snowhuntress, i'm in the same boat, talked a few friends into coming along after the great time I had there last year, now with 11 days until we arrive i'm getting nervous about the weather as I really want these guys to experience some of that great powder. I should be a lot happier this time next week when I can see the 7 day forcast. Fingers crossed for both of us.

Hang in there Pete. We are heading to Niseko 1st - 7th Feb, sapporro for 3 days and then 4 days in Tokyo

This year I want to get into the area through the top gates, anyone have any recommendations to who i should contact for a days guiding. We could probably find our own way but I think it would be best to have at least one day guided and maybe get shown areas that we might have struggled to locate ourselves. There will be four of us, 3 snowboarders & 1 skier.

How do i go about getting Private Message access? If I attempt it now all I get is a message stating that 'Private Message' is currently disable. I have searched the FAQ section and sent a few emails to the forum moderators, but have had no luck, any help would be appreciated.

So how do I get into the queue?

Mikepow do you hire your services out for back country guiding/photography? What do I need to do to PM a person? every time I try it just comes up telling me that PM is disabled

Nino, had the same idea as you but this year I notice various resort's web pages have a warning that radio's from Aust, because of the frequencey that they are set to are banned. Not that i could imagine ski patrol going around checking individuals sets out to ensure that they abide by the rules. Maybe you will need to purchase a set in Japan to be on the right bandwith. Have a look at the link below http://www.hokkaido-bt.go.jp/eng.htm

Question for Go Native or anyone else that can help me. After our stay at Niseko we are spending a few days in Otaru, I believe that we have two option to get there, we can either take the bus back to Chitose Airport with our package and then make our way by train or we can get dropped off in Kutchen and catch a train directly to Otaru. What is the preferred way? is it worth going directly from Kutchen and naybe seeing a bit more of the country side? thanks

Checking out the new forcasts section on this site I see that there is a fair amount of rain forcasted for this coming Thursday at the village level with a decent amount of snow up top but nothing really much in the middle, how does that work?

Personnally i would be looking at getting the best that you could afford. In my early years of snowboarding I did get away with having only a shell jacket and wearing a few layers of fleece garmets underneath and that worked fine for the Australian snow fields but with your trip to Japan you would need to look at getting a proper high end jacket,pants & gloves. Try looking at some of the on-line stores as there are some great buys around (although affected by the lower exchange rate). Also some members on here may be able to advise you if itis cheaper to pick up clothing in Tokyo

Whats happening today? any more snow?

I think I can see a slight covering of white on the CAM this morning, Fingers crossed

I particulary liked the night time shots from, last year i think, of just the roof top peering thru the snow and the glow of the telephone sign. Anyway i will be happy this year when there's to much snow to open up the door. Great photo's,now i'm looking forward to the new shots after the next dump. Maybe there's a telephone booth in main street Niseko that we can do the same with.

Looking forward to seeing those photo's of the telephone booth covered in snow again this season. Where were they actually taken?

Mantas, these guys look very familar, especially the guy in the first photo. Where they staying in lodge Garmisch as i was there the same time and there happen to be a guy in his late fifties there with his sson and his mates. By all accounts they hit it pretty hard.

MikePow, I'm arriving this Sat and have been looking at the JMA web site at the 'week in advance' snow forcast but would love to know your thoughts on what the conditions maybe for next week, particulary as we come to the end of Feb / early march