Wabo 0 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Hi guys, I'm getting married October 31st this year, and while we were going to go to Thailand for the Honeymoon, living in Brisbane we figure we can do the tropical trip anytime and maybe something out of the ordinary would be better. So with flight sales at the moment, I was thinking a Japan trip could be the go. I haven't been to Japan before (since I was 11 anyway) so I was wondering if anyone had any advice about where to go? I've snowboarded before but my fiance hasn't skied ever, but we're not looking for a fullblown ski holiday, somewhere with good scenery, relaxing, good bars & restaurants etc is key, with the occasional bit of boarding/skiing here and there almost as an afterthought. We do want somewhere that will have some snow though. I'm not keen on delaying the honeymoon too far after the wedding which is October 31st. So maybe leave around the 3rd, spend the first week doing some siteseeing down south and then heading to hokkaido for the second week. So some questions (in next post) Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Hi Wabo and congratulations! Thats a wide spec you have there, especially as you don't need hardcore stuff. So much choice, I'd basically pick somewhere you like the look of in general or somewhere that has other stuff nearby and go from there. But I just noticed the date there which is going to be a problem. Ski resorts don't general get open until December, though there are exceptions..... (click on the red Daily Reports button near the top of this page and check out some reports from past seasons to get an idea of when popular places open). Link to post Share on other sites
Wabo 0 Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 a) Is it feasible to go early November and still have at least some snow? I don't mind if its mostly snowmaking. Would any snow just get washed away by rain at that time? I could delay the honeymoon slightly if need be but not too keen on it. Where would be a suitable resort for relaxing and scenery with a bit of boarding here and there? Looking at the info page for places with snow early to mid november, I've built up a list of the following although I don't know anything about them (they are in order of ranking I think): niseko grand hirafu, kutchan-cho hokkaido naeba, yuzawa-machi, niigata sapporo teine, sapporo, hokkaido kiroro snowworld, akaigawa, hokkaido megahira onsen megahira, yoshiwa-mura, hiroshima (hmm, honeymoon in hiroshima?) sapporo kokusai, sapporo, hokkaido daisetsuzan kurodake, kamikawacho, hokkaido snow town yeti, susono, shizuoka - does this open earliest of all resorts? Opened last year later october I think? Why the bad rating tho? c) Would you recommend this as a good idea in general or should I just pick another country and drop the snow thing? Just that we've done fiji and live in queensland and she's never been ski-ing. Warm fireplace, snow outside, etc etc... d) finances - want value for money but prepared to spend a bit If you guys could give me any advice I'd really appreciate it!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Wabo 0 Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 Wow thanks for the quick reply SKI, didn't even get time to get my questions out. Any advice considering a, b, c, and d? Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Wabo - snowmaking is not big in Japan. They dont generally need it. I think there is a resort or two on Honshu that has a snowmaker or three to get an early start to the season, but I am not the one to give advice about that - there are others who know better. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I'm on my way out for the weekend now but on the subject of why the low rating for yeti? Well, it's a small place and known basically for opening early with artificial snow. That's about it. I wouldn't be coming from overseas for it, that's for sure! Snowmaking is expensive and places are cutting back (see Naeba). I imagine one or two places might be doing the same this coming winter, perhaps not Yeti though as that's it's big thing. I'm afraid early November is just not the time to come here for snow. If you look quite a lot of resorts in the last few years have been struggling to be open for Christmas... Link to post Share on other sites
Wabo 0 Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 Hmm thanks for your help guys. Keep in mind anywhere with one or two lifts open, some light snow here and there is fine. Could easily come mid to late november, or bite the bullet and delay it longer, but with work commitments it needs to be before xmas and cant be next year. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I wouldn't be coming here in November expecting snow. Early December is a little risky as to what conditions to expect, I wouldn't really come anytime before mid to late December at the earliest. You'll be spending a lot of money and you'd want to get value. Link to post Share on other sites
Wabo 0 Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 After some consideration and your comments we've decided to go to the pacific islands for the honeymoon and do a proper japan ski trip around feb 2011. November will be awesome in the south pacific. As long as I get to swim up to the bar I'm happy! Sweet as. Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated. Hope you get a good season this year and carve it up for me. Link to post Share on other sites
Karnidge 2 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Good choice. Proper is good. Gives you timed to get stoked and find out properly what there is. Stick around! Link to post Share on other sites
Karnidge 2 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 PS Have a fun time on your honeymoon! Link to post Share on other sites
Nisoko 6 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 How good would the world be if we had guaranteed snow in November. Link to post Share on other sites
veronica 2 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Sounds like a great plan. happy wedding Wabo. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Somewhere in Hiroshima has early snow? Wouldn't have thought that. Have a good wedding and honeymoon wherever you end up. Link to post Share on other sites
Wabo 0 Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 Thanks guys, I've got Borneo (Sabah) all booked. Awww yeah Link to post Share on other sites
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