Slippery Jim

Wherever's got the biggest icy moguls on the day.

Dragonflies are very cool.And they eat mosquitoes

That's a creative thought, Seemore! I see Korean Air leaves Madrid at 10:50, arrives Inchon 06:20 following day and then has a 10:10 flight to Chitose arriving 12:55. that's summer schedule, but probably something similar in winter.

Oh no, the secret's out!

Probably best to go in August to miss the Aussie crowds . Seriously, those dates look quite good, but you're always at the whim of nature.

Easy answer then: check Places to Stay/Niseko on the main page. You don't need to rent a car for entire trip, but can for day trips to Rusutsu & Kiroro, maybe even Kokusai. As Seemore points out, there's more than enough to keep you busy, don't bother overthinking it, just go and have a great time.

Feb probably more expensive next season as Chinese New Year lands.

Eight days with no comments about beer? Inexcusable!

but not bloke!

Could smoke two Cohibas and three Seven Stars at the same time, exhaling through four nasal ports -- OUTSTANDING!

Solo? Do you drive? Need nightlife? Expert/beginner/somewhere in-between? Own gear or renting? Want `Japan' or just `powder' or both? Backcountry experienced or resort only?

From your keyboard to Ullr's ears, Mike.

Called, I believe, Workman!

What are you looking for, Muika?

Nice TR, Mike. Wish I could've been there.

Ghandi is pretty much always rubbish.

There's a pair of skis I'm itching to buy, but have to sell some present models to make it happen -- not the cost, but the house rule of ``one in, one out'' on stuff.

kankohi = sightseeing day (or canned coffee, depending...)

:rollabout:

I find many if not most of the cultural references bewildering when I visit North America

There's quite a few of them on youtube, oo. Some are the classic tales, others outside ``the canon.''

Seems to make it worse, in fact.

Watched an old Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes film on youtube the other night, great fun.

Sad news, Chris. Best wishes for him.

TEPCO Inepts Sounds like a good name for a sports team.