[July.]

Paul sure gave himself a thorough going-over in that clip.

[Cheeseboard]

How about engineering a cheese grater for a stomp pad?

[A Season in Furano?]

Thanks guys. Sounds like a month in the north, a month in the south, and a month somewhere else might be best. I really wanted to settle right in to somewhere for the whole season, but that's cool. I'm lucky to have a season off work so I'm not gonna whinge.

 

Any recommends for a month's stay in Niseko? Any cheap long-term rates or places with that special something?

[A Season in Furano?]

Hmmm... sounds pretty lame. What a pisser. Thanks for the info and map, JA. It's so annoying because Furano ticks all my other boxes - walk to lifts, cheap accom and food, more clear days, awesome scenery, cheap passes. But no trees. NO TREES!!!

 

And a 1+ hour bus trip to Kamui.

 

Okay, so does anyone know if Asahidake, Kurodake or Kitataisetsu have a town with cheap accom and supermarkets nearby? The YHA near Kurodake closes for the season. Shirataki is near Kitataisetsu but I can't find much info on it. Anyone?

 

I guess I'd need a bus to get to the mountain too. No car.

 

This is why I keep gravitating back to Furano and its dozy three minute walk to lifts. But I don't want dozy boarding...

[A Season in Furano?]

Ez - Thanks for the welcome. I've definitely considered staying in Sapporo for winter but as much as I love this city, the allure of boarding through fresh snowfields for 30 bucks a day with stuff like hot volcanic gas holes and fresh tracks all day is just too strong. I'll definitely do a few days here before I go, but I'm not a city guy. And without a car, I reckon I'd be flailing like a drunk monkey trying to get my board and my wife's ski gear on and off two Chuo buses and a subway.

 

JA - the more I hear about Kamui, the more excited I get.

 

Anyone got any late mail on Furano's out-of-bounds policy being relaxed? And are the pistes they leave ungroomed on powder days anything to get excited about? If I can get a reasonable amount of fresh at Furano on average days, and go to Kamui/Asahidake after it dumps, I might be in business...?

[A Season in Furano?]

Thanks for the link, Mike. Looks nice and remote.

 

Boardbaka - Wanaka was laid-back, relaxed, and stunning. QT scenery was stunning too, but the traffic was nuts, the hotels were over-priced, and the centre of town was full of multi-national chains. I went crazy at Wanaka's organic store, but I glazed over when I saw designer beanies in QT's granite & glass Cabbage Patch store,

 

I was impressed, however, that pilots need a special accreditation to land planes in QT. Come to think of it, watching air traffic was a highlight.

[A Season in Furano?]

Any tips on towns to stay in for Kurodake and Kitataisetsu? I want to stick to backpackers and cheapies if possible.

[A Season in Furano?]

Thanks Mike. The closest accommodation to Kamui is Asahikawa, yeah? I wish Kamui had a village next to it. Asahikawa's a bit big for me.

 

Would the trip between Furano and Kamui become annoying? It's a bit over an hour, I think.

[A Season in Furano?]

Thanks Creek Boy,

 

Asahidake is definitely one of the day trips I'm planning on making regularly. It's a bit further than Kamui, but looks well worth it judging by the reviews on this site.

 

Will file full reports.

[A Season in Furano?]

Thanks Grungy, for the welcome and for the massive laugh when I first saw your avatar.

[A Season in Furano?]

Hi All,

 

First of all I'd like to say a big thanks to everyone here for all the helpful info. I've been lurking in the shadows, reading and learning, and the info and vibe in these forums has been top shelf. You've got a great community here, without the usual whingers, flamers and pessimists.

 

Now, enough about you - let's talk about me. I'm living in Sapporo, raiding the Co-op every night when the half-price sushi stickers go on, sitting on the edge of my seat trying to guess the calories in that wacky food game show on TV, and swimming at Ishikari and Zenibako on the weekends, because I'm tough as nails. I'm having a ball, and while my wife works like a slave as an ALT, I tend the houseplants and preen my shitsu in my velour dressing gown by the window.

 

I could live like this forever, however I must stay true to my mission - to point it straight and shred the gnar in the Hokkaido powder that I've heard so much about. So in late December, I shall return the 8000 styrofoam trays to the Co-op, pack the trunks, and board the Furano Flyer.

 

Why Furano? Well, firstly, I far prefer small resorts to big ones and whilst Furano sounds like it's growing swiftly, it also sounds like it's retained some character. I've had fantastic seasons on small hills in Switzerland (Villars/Barboleuese - anyone know it?) and Canada (midweek Cypress), and I will easily forsake area and facilities for a laidback hill. Whilst I have heard convincing arguments made very eloquently for Niseko, and whilst I'm sure the Aussies aren't as out of control as the popular myth suggests, I've only been away from Perth for five weeks, and I'm loving it. Put simply, I could live in Wanaka, but I couldn't get out of Queenstown quick enough.

 

Secondly, there's plenty of cheap accommodation (3000 per night) within a few minutes' walk of the gondola in Furano. And being a decent-sized town, I should be able to keep hoovering down half-price sushi from supermarkets.

 

Thirdly, there are other ski hills nearby that allow you to go under the ropes, like Kamui Ski Links. By the way, thanks to the poster who pointed out that Furano is in a national park, and that the company's lease only extends to the edge of the pistes. Makes sense.

 

So my questions are:

 

1. Whilst I respect Furano's respect of national parks, I also love trees and a couple of posters have suggested that they have relaxed their out-of-bounds policy in recent seasons. Does anyone know this for sure? I realize I'm being a hypocrite, but I promise I'll be careful.

 

2. If I'm in Furano for three months and up early each day for first lift, will I get enough powder on the runs that they leave ungroomed anyway, without pining for the pines?

 

3. The backpacker rates look great, but does anyone know if it would be worth trying to hook up a three month short stay lease in an apartment in Kitanomine or town? All of the fully-furnished stuff I've seen looks too pricey.

 

4. Even though I fully expect to make plenty of trips to other hills throughout the region, is three months too long in Furano? Can anyone suggest another town that has cheap accom/food close to the lifts?

 

Any info appreciated.

 

Thanks