bubz 0 Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 Hi all, I'll be traveling to Osaka/Tokyo at the end of Oct this year for the first time and was wondering if any of you could tell me of any possible ski resorts opening at the end of Oct or beginning of Nov? I have noticed on this website in the 'General Info - The Season' section that it does mention the possibility, if snow conditions allow. All Australian travel agents that I have inquired with advises late Nov/Dec. Hope you can help me.. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 Thats just it - if snow condition allow, but only a very few places - some with the help of artificial snow. It is December before most places can properly open. Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 If I can recall well, the last time that the resorts near Tokyo were able to open from early November was 5 seasons ago. Usually they open late November and only 1-2 of the top lifts. It takes till mid December till you see all lifts open and till late December till you get some decent cover. Link to post Share on other sites
69 5 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Marunuma Kogen in Gunma usually opens in early November. Link to post Share on other sites
69 5 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Yeti in Shizuoka opened on October 19th. Artificial snow, but it still opened. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Wasn't Naeba one of the first this season? Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 With artificial snow, yes. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Naeba doesn't really properly get going until December. Check out the Yuzawa Now pages and you will see! Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 you can ski in Hiroshima in November with artificial snow - I wouldnt get your hopes up with finding any decent snow unless you hike Tateyama towards mid/later part of the month. Link to post Share on other sites
bubz 0 Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 thanks for all your replies.. since gunma and shizuoka is close to tokyo compared to hiroshima - can this trip be taken in 1 day or do we have to stay overnight? also is it possible for you guys to provide me with website links for booking?! artificial snow is okay, my girlfriend and i are only beginners and the boys will probably go off snowboarding anyways.. at least the artificial snow will be more realistic than the ice in the freezer as that's the closest i've come to it!! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Bubz, I know it is controversial - and certainly not as good as the "real thing", but if you find that there is no tangible snow on the ground when you want to go why not check out one of the many indoor snow facilities in Japan. I have never been to one - so I can not recommend or endorse - but I googled and came up with this website that lists the locations of domes around the world, and the type of "snow" they use. Indoor Snow Venues Worldwide You sound like this will be your first look at snow - and if you can get a resort open at that time - you are going to love it. But if there are none up and running within coooee of you at the time....a dome is better than the ice in the freezer...better something than nothing, eh? Good Luck! Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 At best it will be a one run affair. You can book on the day as it wont be busy Link to post Share on other sites
bubz 0 Posted September 18, 2008 Author Share Posted September 18, 2008 thank you for all your help.. just finalising details now and was wondering if it's looking good for early ski resorts or not? Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 And how could we possibly know that? Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 Start doing the snow dance GG Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 Bubz, we all wish we knew - particularly if it's going to be an early start (if it's going to be a snow drought or a late start, I don't want to know). Another option might be the slope at the Karuizawa Prince Hotel - just an hour by shinkansen from Tokyo. That usually opens early / mid November with artificial snow, and would feel a bit like 'real' skiing. Not a bad place if you want to pick up a discounted Coach bag on your way back to the station, as well... Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 If artificial slopes is what you are after, then by the beginning of November Yeti in Fuji and Naeba in Niigata will be open too. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Who in their right mind would be after some artificial slopes? Link to post Share on other sites
JA2340 16 Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Someone desperate for a slide, that's who! Right mind??? not sure, but certainly desperate. Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Scouser - the clue is in the title of the thread. The OP is coming to Japan early in November, so apart from heli-skiing some 3,000+ peaks in the North Alps or in Hokkaido, they aren't going to have the option of natural snow, are they? Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Originally Posted By: skidaisuki so apart from heli-skiing As far as I know there is no heli skiing operating that early, unless you have money to spare and charter a heli. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I'm calling for Halloween turns on Hokkaido. I can feel it in the bones Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Can I came too? Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 tsonda - you're quite right, I was only making a theoretical suggestion to illustrate my point. As far as I know they simply won't allow helicopters to operate in any national park areas, so that knocks out Daisetsuzan and most of the high peaks in Honshu as well. Personally I'm impressed that someone is keen enough to want to go before natural snow cover's accessible. If you are a beginner then it's good to be that enthusiastic. It's easy enough for us residents just to wait, but if the Karuizawa Prince was my only chance to ski during the season in Japan, I'd still definitely take it... Link to post Share on other sites
Greenroome 0 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Originally Posted By: MikePow I'm calling for Halloween turns on Hokkaido. I can feel it in the bones Great news that! Keep us posted, Mike. The weather forecast is calling a six degree drop from Tuesday onwards. Mid 20's down to high teens and staying there. It's a start. Link to post Share on other sites
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