[TR: Our trip to Japan (Hakuba, Shiga Kogen & Nozawa)]

Thank you very much for the information.

 

Jack

[Thinking of going to Japan next year]

I'm thinking of going end Jan/early Feb

 

Have already started reading and there is tons of info!

 

Does anyone know how/when Japanese school holidays work. I wouldn't want to get out there and discover it is half term or something!

 

Jack

[TR: Our trip to Japan (Hakuba, Shiga Kogen & Nozawa)]

Would you be able to give a quick idea of your itinerary? If you could that would be great, just to give me some kind of launching pad!

 

Thanks

 

Jack

[Thinking of going to Japan next year]

OK here goes....

 

Firstly, the group is all of a similar standard, been riding for 10 or so years, getting maybe 2 weeks a year. Two have done several seasons so are more up to speed with backcountry safety than the rest of us.

 

We are aiming to go for 2 weeks, in and out of Tokyo (probably with a stop there first).Keen to get a great experience of Japan and its culture as we've never been to this part of the world before. Niseko is an option that i saw in my snow brochure (i'm worried it might be a bit "western" though), from reading this site I have been thinking about doing a trip on Honshu, possibly Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen (or Hakuba) (something along the lines of PacketofCrisps' trip). Would probably only do two places so we aren't on the move constantly.

 

Terrain parks would be good to have also, in case promised snow doesnt turn up.

 

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice.

 

Are you a piste only rider?

No, but I'm only really keen on "safe" offpiste, as have no real training in avalanche safety etc. I love ducking in and out of the trees in Colorado resorts.

 

Is the piste only there to get you back to the lift to get you to the off-piste?

Sometimes. I do enjoy a good fast groomer though.

 

Are you comfortable in trees?

Yes

 

Do you like riding powder?

Very much so!

 

Do you like mellow or steep terrain?

Steep enough to crank my turns in powder, but overall relatively mellow i guess.

 

Wide open or technical?

I've been in some tight old trees in the past, but generally prefer it more open. Widely spaced trees are fun to add a bit of spice.

[TR: Our trip to Japan (Hakuba, Shiga Kogen & Nozawa)]

Hello

 

Really interested to read about your trip. Did you organise it all yourself? How did it work out in terms of prices?

 

Thinking of doing a similar thing myself next year but its a bit daunting!

 

Jack

[Thinking of going to Japan next year]

Hi,

 

I'm thinking of taking the plunge and going to Japan next year, as a party of 6 snowboarders for 2 weeks.

 

I wanted to ask for any tips about experiences of Japan skiing? All the UK tour operators seem to go to Niseko/Furano/Rusutsu - I'm used to holidays in US (e.g. Colorado) and am worried these areas look a bit limited if the promised powder doesn't turn up...?

 

Has anyone been to other areas closer to Tokyo, e.g. Hakuba or Shiga Kogen. These look like more conventional big linked areas that I'm used to, but might not get the snow...

 

Thanks

 

Jack