krausej 0 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I know stereotypes always get people worked up, but a lot of times they have some truth in them. I'm just trying to get the "big picture." I was hoping to get some one liners on the following resorts: Niseko Furano Rusutsu Hakuba Shiga Kogen Zao Onsen Naeba Nozawa Onsen Myoko Kogen I'm the one who needs this info, but here is what I've gathered so far. I know I'm probably totally off, haha; Niseko -- Basically an Australian resort with great off-piste and powder. Furano -- Less busy than Niseko, with no off-piste. Rusutsu -- Less developed with no apres. Popular with families? Hakuba -- Most popular ski resort in Japan? Shiga Kogen -- Largest ski resort in Japan -- too big? Zao Onsen -- ?? Naeba -- Skiing and casino town? Nozawa Onsen -- Traditional Japanese village, with character. Myoko Kogen - ?? Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Naeba - casino town?!!? What's with all your 'differentiating' and 'stereotyping'? (Are you a real person?) Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Niseko- Way better snow than Vail Furano- Useless (off-piste not allowed) Rusutsu- Lots of dry snow which doesn't get tracked out as quickly as N Hakuba- Excellent sidecountry and backcountry Shiga kogen- Under-represented on SJ except by CB who says they have the best powder in the history of the Universe Nozawa- Kicks ass for a number of reasons by most reports Naeba- A mountain for beginners with an ugly hotel Those are the first things that come to mind anyway Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Nozawa, nice hot springs and great terrain, but only traditional one you get inside one of the dull, concrete buildings. Its nice if its hidden in snow. Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Rusutsu - extensive variety of on-piste terrain, so the variable off-piste access doesn't matter. Apres not required - focus all effort on the snow! Link to post Share on other sites
sarat 0 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Naeba - Only good if you're looking to get out of Tokyo quickly Hakuba - Great range of terrain and facilities. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 You really like your tags and groupings don7t you? Oh well... Niseko -- don't know, but some people seem to like it Furano -- don't know Rusutsu -- don't know, International Media Centre for the summit. cool. Hakuba -- good place (but hot hot hot with political heat) Shiga Kogen -- fab best snow, not undervalued by me anyway Zao Onsen -- nice monsters Naeba -- better than other people are saying here ("beginner resort"??) Nozawa Onsen -- fab, a fave with many people Myoko Kogen - fine and dandy Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Niseko - great introduction to skiing/riding in Japan. English widely spoken but can easily get a Japanese experience. Consistent powder. great pitch to make the transition from piste to off-piste, shallow depth powder to nip deep powder. Plenty of restaurants, bars and accommodation choices. Rusutsu - quieter than Niseko area. Similar types of terrain. Less nightlife but not dead as a doornail. Based around the hotel. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Niseko, not what it's hyped to be. Best to stay away......... Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Originally Posted By: grungy-gonads Zao Onsen -- nice monsters Whoa! I better go and check that place out! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Originally Posted By: thursday. Niseko, not what it's hyped to be. Best to stay away......... You don't like sharing your toys do ya Thurs? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 what is sharing please? Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I'd love to go to Zao this season. Just a bit non plugged into how to go about it yet. Maybe a couple of days there and then somewhere nearby... it looks wonderful though (apart from that 'walking' bit people tend to mention!) Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Look out for those monsters GG mentioned! Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Originally Posted By: rach I'd love to go to Zao this season. Just a bit non plugged into how to go about it yet. Maybe a couple of days there and then somewhere nearby... it looks wonderful though (apart from that 'walking' bit people tend to mention!) It's a hike from Kobe. The easiest would be the Shinkansen to Kaminoyama. That's about 3 hours from Tokyo. Then bus or taxi up the mountain. A cheaper alternative would be the overnight bus, again to Kaminoyama. I've used the Yamagata-Osaka bus, and it's quite comfortable (as far as these things go). Staggered three-across seats, with plenty room to recline. Tea and coffee, and a bog. Link to post Share on other sites
for your just 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Shiga Kogen - not undervalued, just not overhyped. Link to post Share on other sites
Mini Me Tarzan 0 Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Shiga Kogen has some very cute monkeys. They take baths in hot ponds. My mum told me not to put my hands in the water because the monkeys didn't wear nappies. Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Such a cute avatar Mini Me Tarzan! Link to post Share on other sites
nagpants 1 Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Nozawa - great. My favorite place, followed by Shiga Kogen. Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Justin, my comments:- Niseko - a "must go" with fine powder, epic trees and a proper ski town Furano - ignore the negative hype. Coldest resort in Japan, great views Rusutsu - dunno Hakuba - something for everyone. Many resorts and a real mountain town Shiga Kogen - high. cold. remote. no apres-ski, but you won't need it Zao Onsen - dunno Naeba - Fuji Rock!!! best thing is the Dragondola which gets you to Kagura and Mitsumata... Nozawa Onsen - the original ski town in Japan. When the snow's good it is great Myoko Kogen - dunno Link to post Share on other sites
snowboarding-sally 0 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Nozawa - the place no-one seems to dislike Madarao - really good snow, near where I used to live, not busy at all Link to post Share on other sites
its-a-clock 0 Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Quote: Nozawa - the place no-one seems to dislike True that, I can't remember anyone dissing Nozawa like you do with other places. Link to post Share on other sites
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