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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

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  • SnowJapan Admin

Hello and welcome to the Forums.

 

Those areas you mention certainly do get the snow.

(Take a look at the daily reporting archives for those regions: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/nowcalendar.php)

 

This kind of question has been asked and covered many times on these forums and I suggest you take a good look round the forums as well as the site to get a general overview of things.

 

As well as just browsing through the posts on the Forums you can use the search here:

 

http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/search.html

 

Here's a few starters for you for info:

 

A good page to start from:

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/start-here.html

 

Resort Info:

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/index.html

 

Resort Search:

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/search.php

 

Resort Reviews:

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/voice/review.php

 

Resort Rankings:

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resort-rankings.php

 

Daily Reporting (with archives):

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/index.html

 

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/nowcalendar.php

 

You can also directly contact lots of accommodations that are listed here:

 

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/hotel/index.html

 

I'm sure other people will help out with further comments.

 

Good luck!

 

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The Niseko/Furano/Rusutsu preference with the travel agents in the UK, and Aus stems from the fact that these resorts have been heavily marketed to that target group, and they cater particularly well for that target group.

 

However that does not mean that the other resorts which are less well marketed in our home countries are not worth a visit!

 

If you are looking for the Japanese experience then go for it - browse the boards and find a spot that you like the sound of and get the silly narrowminded travel agent to book it (or do it yourself on line).

 

However. If you or your friends are going to want a a western experience of Japanese Powder with just a little of 'japan' thrown in then your travel agent is probably on the right track. Bizarrely enough I saw people on my travels through Japan getting ticked off because people were not speaking English and the food was not 'pie and chips' type fare. These people need to go the Niseko, they wont cope anywhere else.

 

Personally...I loved Niseko, however I have been there a couple of times now, and with improved Japanese and snow skills I am keen to try out one of the skijo's on Honshu next visit.

 

As for snow. Ummm. Yeah. There's no shortage of snow - on Hokkaido or Honshu.

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Originally Posted By: sendittojack
Hi,
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...?


Hi Jack,

There are many different types of resorts in Colorado. I've skied 24 of them, big and small.

The most important question to ask / information to offer is what type of terrain do you like riding.

Are you a piste only rider?
Is the piste only there to get you back to the lift to get you to the off-piste?
Are you comfortable in trees?
Do you like riding powder?
Do you like mellow or steep terrain?
Wide open or technical?

Give us an idea of your (and your group's) standard and the type of stuff you like to ride and I'm sure you'll have an abundance of opinions and recommendations.

I'm based in the Niseko area and there is plenty here and around here for me for to want to stay for my 3rd consecutive winter.

I like deep, light snow first and foremost, and while the pitch isn't that demanding overall, there's plenty of stuff to make you think.

I like skiing the trees, and having fresh tracks pretty much every time I go out.

The Niseko area ticks all the boxes for ME.
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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.

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While the Niseko area is more westernised than all of the others areas on Hokkaido you still know you're in Japan and you can quite easily immerse yourself in a very Japanese experience.

 

Park really doesn't get going until March and by all accounts it's not all that.

 

The pitch and terrain could well suit your comfort level, and the snow is second to none.

 

Quite easy to do a week in the Niseko area first, then head down to the more challenging terrain on Honshu for the second week (5-6 hours from Tokyo door to door).

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When are you thinking it will be jack? The promised powder snow will almost definitely show up if it is in the main season.

 

Like Mamabear and MikePow said, other places well worth a visit. You have a lot of reading to do my friend wink

 

Take a few weeks off work and read through the posts here etc. Apart from the occasional flames that arise, it should mostly be very informative for you!

 

About moving around. Shiga Kogen and Nozawa are about an hour from each other, so it is not a huge trip to fit those two in.

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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

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The 2nd week of February is a long weekend and also the Chinese new year - that makes it a busy period and one best to avoid. Late January would be a good time, peak season too.

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I've got a 6 month sabbatical from and i'm off to Japan early January, after a week or so in Thailand.

 

Planning on going up to Niseko, then down to Hakuba and a few other resorts, hoping to stay out in Japan as long as my Yen will last me !!

 

Would there be any chance of picking up some casual work in any of the resorts ?

 

I've got my Japanese language cd's and books and i'm going to try and learn as much of the lingo as i can to make things a little easier.

 

Don't think - just get those flights booked.

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Isn't the Chinese New Year early this year in January???? We booked our trip for the first week of February as we thought the holidays were all over. Is there another public Holiday in japan that week??

 

WHO CARES I'M GOING SKIING!! Even a busy week at the resort you still get decent skiing in and if it is to busy SLEEP IN and go night skiing.

 

Has anyone heard if Niseko is still having night skiing next year with the rising costs of everything??

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