Comedian 0 Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Hello all, Unfortunately I won't be able to get off work before the 26th of march, so I was wondering if it was still worthwhile to think about skiing in japan from 26th of march-26th of april? Thank you for your help (and my apologies if this in the wrong section of the forum). Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 wow that is late. Why Japan? The Swiss Alps would be nearer no? Having said that, Hokkaido would still be open as would be the Nagano resorts who legend has it will be skiiable into July. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Heck Val d'Isere would be closer still! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 That is France. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Yep...and France is really close to England. Switzerland is a little bit further away... Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Maybe he is scared of avalanche.. who isn't Big snowfall in Feb, March in the Alps. Italy is south facing so mid April it gets slushy in low places. I say Switzerland, too. Ma'bear it's not that far away by air, and there's cheap carriers and the Swiss transport system makes it quicker I reckon. 996 Link to post Share on other sites
Comedian 0 Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 Hi guys. Of course France is a lot closer but it's after spending three weeks in japan about 1 month ago that has wet my apetite. And I want to go back, if i can ski it would just be a major plus Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Originally Posted By: Mamabear Yep...and France is really close to England. Switzerland is a little bit further away... France and Inglund don't mix. That's all, whereas Swiss will mix everywhere Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Originally Posted By: StefanVP Hi guys. Of course France is a lot closer but it's after spending three weeks in japan about 1 month ago that has wet my apetite. And I want to go back, if i can ski it would just be a major plus You won't get the powder paradise that we are all used to. You'll get spring conditions and some rain. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Originally Posted By: thursday You won't get the powder paradise that we are all used to. You'll get spring conditions and some rain. Good luck. I have been in Niseko around that time a few years back - was great. But buses stopped running, some restaurants and bars had closed. Was supremely quiet! Defo spring skiing, but plenty of snow, and still had fresh falls a few days. If you are after the deep deep stuff you may well be disappointed though. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Or not. I've skied plenty of pow in March and April the past 3 seasons on Hokkaido Primarily Grand Hirafu, Kiroro and Asahidake. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 that is great. But for the majority of holi holi dayers, the stashes are far from the beaten track. Link to post Share on other sites
Weegeoff 0 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I did it last year and the year before. 2009 19 March to 18 April.2008 About the same dates. I always used to go at Easter as I could not get away at any other time. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Originally Posted By: thursday that is great. But for the majority of holi holi dayers, the stashes are far from the beaten track. Asahidake yes. Grand Hirafu and Kiroro absolutely not. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 The end of March still had good snow conditions and new snow falls at the Ura-Bandai resorts. Link to post Share on other sites
freshpow 0 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Definitely doable, although you will find some of the runs shutting down by end March. Last year Furano was still (very barely) skiable top to bottom on May 6!! Depending on melt the resorts may close their bottom runs by that time of the year. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Go for it. you might get lucky like I did and get a late season dump with no one around. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Every season I've been here (Niseko) there's still been a great cover at the end of March. Quality can vary greatly though. I remember one March where we had 40cm on the last day and others where it was definitely very springlike. As Mantas suggests you might get lucky and get powder. It doesn't really matter though, spring skiing on a great base with sunny weather and amazing views is pretty damned good too. Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Bit dodgy round these parts in late March. Can be good, can be all but over in most lower places. Go up to Kagura thought for decent snow still. Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Remember the scary parts of the last few seasons in February when it looked like it was ending/ Could do with a good run through with tons of snow left in March. Link to post Share on other sites
employeeof 0 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 in Hokkaido... depends on what you want to ski-- Asahidake/ Kitataisetsu (an old ski hill in the middle of nowhere with one seater lifts.. cheap, and awesome if you jump off-piste (skiers right)) for some potential powder- Kurodake if you dig hiking-- other than that furano is still in full(ish) swing that time of year. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 is Furano a swinging place? Not imagined it to be so. Not that I swing that way mind. Link to post Share on other sites
minto 0 Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Originally Posted By: StefanVP Hello all, Unfortunately I won't be able to get off work before the 26th of march, so I was wondering if it was still worthwhile to think about skiing in japan from 26th of march-26th of april? Thank you for your help (and my apologies if this in the wrong section of the forum). Last year I did Mar 29-30 in Naeba / Kagura .... great snow cover + a lot of fresh snow. Door to Door from Tokyo is less than 1.5 hour What a superb convenience place! If you landed in Narita in the morning I guess you can be on slope before noon Link to post Share on other sites
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