Hornster 0 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 What is the going rate for 4hrs of private powder guiding in Niseko these days? One guiding company has quoted me 44,000Yen!! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I intimated this in another thread, but here goes. To my knowledge there are no certified guides operating in the Niseko Resort Area. If someone can let me know that there are certified guides (UIAGM, IFMGA) in the area then I would be grateful. And I will sit corrected. There are many that call themselves guides because they have one, some or all of the following: Ski / Snowboard Instructor Certification CPR Certification Wilderness First Aid Certification Avalanche Forecasting Certification Experience skiing / riding in the Niseko Resort Area Member of the Niseko Mountain Guide Association But even with all of the above that does not make you a guide. There are so many additional skills and certifications that are needed. I'm pretty anal about the whole guide thing, as many UK resort hosts working for UK tour operators classify themselves as guides when in fact they are ski hosts showing people around the pisted areas of a resort. Qualifying as a guide is a huge achievement. OK rant over, yep that's pretty much the going rate. PS I'm not a guide. But I wish I was good enough to become one. Link to post Share on other sites
Hornster 0 Posted December 1, 2008 Author Share Posted December 1, 2008 Thanks for the reply Mike and I totally agree with you about the significant achievement should someone be skilled and experienced enough to be awared with a UIAGM badge. I have done a lot of mountaineering in the European Alps, South America, Africa and elsewhere where I come across genuine guides i.e. UIAGM. I suppose that for the purpose of this thread I am referring to "guides" who are familiar with the Niseko powder locations as well as being a skilled skier with avalanche training and experience. Is 44,000Yen a fair price for 4hrs of private "guiding"? Thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites
bellavista 0 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Mike, whilst they're not strictly based in the Niseko area ( they are based in Furano), Hokkaido Powder Guides are conducting avi courses in Niseko this season. They are NZMGA/IFMGA certified, or at least one of them is. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Thanks bellavista. I am aware of these guys and heard nothing but good things. This is the standard that Niseko companies should be aiming for. Hornster, You may be better placed booking a 4-hr advanced lesson and then if your instructor thinks you're up to it have him/her show you the goods. Don't know if that will work out cheaper but worth looking into. Plus with all the companies it may be worth asking how long the instructor has been in the area. Link to post Share on other sites
mat smith 0 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 PM me i can give you a contact, dont want to post link as its a friends business. Caters for all types, has some good options depending on what you want. All equipment available for hire. cheers Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 thats more the price range I remember up there dspin Link to post Share on other sites
mat smith 0 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Yeah Seto san is swithched on with the local area & others also. He will show the goods for sure ;-) Link to post Share on other sites
tfcjaga 0 Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 d-spin, i am also heading over to Niseko at the end of Jan and would be looking for some guiding. I will drop you a pm. many thanks Link to post Share on other sites
Hornster 0 Posted December 3, 2008 Author Share Posted December 3, 2008 Mike, did you get my PM? Link to post Share on other sites
tfcjaga 0 Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Hmmm, PM not working for me. Is that ususal for a newb? Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Originally Posted By: Hornster What is the going rate for 4hrs of private powder guiding in Niseko these days? One guiding company has quoted me 44,000Yen!! is private powder guiding the same as backcountry guiding? Link to post Share on other sites
mat smith 0 Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 No problem, once the PM's are back up will send through the info. I can tell ya that the guiding i am refering to is backcountry, some areas accessed by lift or others by good old hard work. Depends on the type of trip you want to do. cheers Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 For newcomers the PM's need to be switched on. I do not think the process is automated. I will 'notify' your post now, which will give SJForums/SJ#1 or one of the others the heads up that people are after PM privaleges. The philosphy here is "ask (nicely) and ye shall recieve"! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 20 posts and a 1000Yen fee for PMs Link to post Share on other sites
tfcjaga 0 Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Thanks Mamabear! 1000 yen is now pretty steep fo us UK based urchins! to clarify, i will be looking for some "guiding" for one or two half day sessions on a hunt for the best pwder in the area. We only have 6 days in Niseko before heading off for the same in Hakuba so need to make the best of the time we are there. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 there used to be a place in the heart of Niseko where you could get 10 bowls of ramen for 1000 Yen. Ah.. those were the days. Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Originally Posted By: thursday there used to be a place in the heart of Niseko where you could get 10 bowls of ramen for 1000 Yen. Ah.. those were the days. 10 bowls of ramen for 1000yen i think you mean theres a 100 yen shop where you can buy 10 ramen bowls for 1000yen Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 instant noodles are cheaper! Sounds like youre getting ripped off for a 1000 yen!! Link to post Share on other sites
vinwee 0 Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 HOw can I find one Private snowboard instrutor? Only from the school in niseko itself? Please advise. Thanks a lot. Link to post Share on other sites
JA2340 16 Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Originally Posted By: stemik Originally Posted By: thursday there used to be a place in the heart of Niseko where you could get 10 bowls of ramen for 1000 Yen. Ah.. those were the days. 10 bowls of ramen for 1000yen i think you mean theres a 100 yen shop where you can buy 10 ramen bowls for 1000yen NOPE, exactly as quoted. There used to ba a 100yen noodle shop in Niseko. They would sell you a basic noodle feed for 100 yen - as I was taught maths, that means you could buy 10 bowls for 1000 yen. Link to post Share on other sites
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