zobinarx 0 Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Hi guys, I want to go skiing in Japan and can only go End of March to early April. Would you recommend: 1- ...to totally avoid! there is only slush left 2- ...not to hesitate! 3- ...some selected resorts where the conditions should be pretty good still Grazie Mille! Olivier de Hong Kong Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 I'm no expert, but I went to Niseko 2 years ago in end of March/beiginning of April. The conditions varied from quite good to hard and icy to slushy, depending on the time of day, the weather and the part of the mountain. Last year I went to Arai in late April and it was 15C (quite warm) and rainy, but the snow quality was surprisingly good, not slushy at all. I had a great time in both sorties and will be going again this Easter, this time to Kiroro. Don't expect any powder though! Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 I think the latest "good" I've experiences was at Kagura (Niigata) in mid-April - still decent conditions up there and the weather/views was fantastic Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 Hate to say it, but I think most places will be about done the middle of March this year. Just not enough snowpack and the weather is warming up quite a bit already. It has definitely been an all around below average season for Japan. Link to post Share on other sites
Xer 0 Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 Most places will be done probably, but places that are usually open until May will most likely do so again this year. Link to post Share on other sites
Makoto 0 Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 Hi, I'm Japanese. That depends on where you go. Hokkaido region will keep good condition even in early April. It needs 1.5 hour flight from Tokyo. Around Tokyo, I can reccomend some resorts, such as Mitsumata-Kagura (someone already commented), Shiga-Kogen, Myoko, Nozawa and so on. They must have plenty snow but it must be pretty wet. Link to post Share on other sites
Siren 0 Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 Has anyone done a 春スキー at Hakkoda (八甲田) or Gassan (月山) ? I heard that they are pretty good even in late April. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 In a "normal season", you'll find very good conditions still at Kagura in late March, it can be quite surprising up there. Well into April the conditions remain good. Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 Enderzero, how much are they paying you to sabotage the tourist industry of Japan for Easter. Last year, I let you talk me into shortening my ski trip to Arai to just one day on the snow! I regret that. It's easy for you to say the conditions aren't good in April, but for people like me, who don't stay in snowland and can't go every weekend, that's better than nothing. Anyway, my sortie to Kiroro this Easter is bought and fully paid for and I'm going even if I'll be sliding down grass! Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 Makoto. Thank you for your reply. I hope more Japanese will join this forum. Your feedback is very valuable. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 The problem is that when it gets to April, it of course depends on the weather of the moment. Last year (?) tons of places were finished by then because of little snow in Feb and later on. But places up high will more than likely be more than ok. End of March certainly no problem. Link to post Share on other sites
Plucky 0 Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 I can't speak for anything down south of Shizukuishi (northern Iwate), but any of the bigger resorts up in upper Iwate and Aomori (and certainly Hokkaido) should be just fine at the end of March. Even though the lower elevations aren't doing so well this year, the mountains are having a pretty good season. There is more snow at say, Hakkoda right now, than there was at this time in the last two seasons. Last year one of the biggest blizzards of the season to hit happened around March 10th and we still got some snow down to sea level on April 5th (I remember cause it is my bday) You will be just fine coming out then. If you're lucky, you may be able to catch some good powder days even (although it will be a bit heavier). Link to post Share on other sites
miteyak 0 Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 I'm confused about Enders post, actually. This season, although late in starting, has dumped a lot of snow, and most resorts seem to be posting above average snow depths... This is my nineth season here, and although lower elevations aren't fairing so well, the season higher up is a good one. The second half of February has often given the impression of an early thaw, only to give way to a very cold early March. I have definitely skied powder, in Hakuba, in April. No real signs yet that this year won't offer the same. late March, no worries, just go high or go North. Link to post Share on other sites
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