koopa 0 Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 I'm new to the forums so I should probably start out by saying hi and introducing myself. My name's Josh and I'm leaving for Japan from Korea tomorow. Eventually I'm going to be making my way up to Hokkaido (starting November 21st) and I'll be there through the 25th. Here's my question. Where's the best place for early season riding. I had planned on going to Niseko, but I'm worried there wont be snow. I think it's even raining up there now What do you guys think? If Niseko's out what about Furano? Any advice is appreciated Thanks guys and see you on the slopes! Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Hi, koopa are you a skier, or boarder? Where are you landing in Japan? I think a lot of people will be happy if there's a dump at end of Nov for sure. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Snow is expected to start falling in Niseko on Monday and continue through much of the week. There may be enough to get a lift or two running by next weekend, we'll have to see. I'm heading up to Kurodake next weekend myself and I think it's guaranteed it will have a good cover due the extra height. Furano should also get a reasonable amount of snow through the week. Maybe just keep checking the reports through the week at make a decision last minute based on conditions. Finding accomm so early in the season shouldn't be a problem. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Assuming there's snow, will they be running the lifts? When is their planned opening day? (Assuming Koopa wants to ride the lifts) Link to post Share on other sites
koopa 0 Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 @ JYNXX - I'm a boarder. I just got the Burton Vapor which I was afraid to take to Japan, but that board sealed the deal. I'm landing @ Chitose. @ Go Native. It sounds like I should be counting out Niseko and looking to Furano or something more out of the way like Kurodake (which by the way looks pretty cool). What do you think? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Take a look at the Niseko webcams today. Judging from the weather forecast for this week, today will be the last day we see that lower slope at Hirafu uncovered by snow, hopefully for at least 5 months... Good luck Koopa, you may find your timing's spot on. Keep us updated, GN! Cheers SdS Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Woo hoo!! Here's hoping those looking for a November run or three get their wish. [oh my goodness - I think I am just a little bit excited!] Link to post Share on other sites
freeskeeze 0 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 The webpage calls for a 22 Nov opening. Is this possible? Does anyone know if they have any base whatsoever? It doesn't look like there are huge ammounts of snowfall called for between now and then... Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 freeskeeze - it's by no means impossible that there might be enough snow to build a base in Niseko over just 2-3 days. When it snows there, it can really snow. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 We once had close to 2m of snow fall in a period of 48 hours. That was mid-season and flagged up as "mad snow" on the forecast, unline now. But.... yes, things can very quickly change once it snows. Link to post Share on other sites
freeskeeze 0 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 But as it stands now, we need a freak storm to build the base? There is no current base, even up high? Link to post Share on other sites
mina2 6 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Right. Link to post Share on other sites
koopa 0 Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Well thanks for the help so far guys. I'm going to try to make it a game time descision. But based on the webcams at Furano it's looking like I'm going to be heading up there. Link to post Share on other sites
freeskeeze 0 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 So Furano has snow? I am basically jonesing to ski something this weekend and will go where it is open. I am open to anywhere in Japan that is accessible and am even considering whistler. Link to post Share on other sites
-30deg 0 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Furano is planning to open on Nov 21. That will depend on what snow mother nature can deliver this week. Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Has it started delivery? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Originally Posted By: freeskeeze So Furano has snow? I am basically jonesing to ski something this weekend and will go where it is open. I am open to anywhere in Japan that is accessible and am even considering whistler. you do realise that Whistler ISN'T in Japan! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Then why is it mentioned in the SnowJapan site? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Originally Posted By: -30deg Furano is planning to open on Nov 21. That will depend on what snow mother nature can deliver this week. It may be just me, but today is the 19th of November. And there is no snow at Furano yet. Fingers crossed. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver Originally Posted By: freeskeeze So Furano has snow? I am basically jonesing to ski something this weekend and will go where it is open. I am open to anywhere in Japan that is accessible and am even considering whistler. you do realise that Whistler ISN'T in Japan! No that's right, but they do have a lot of snow though. Link to post Share on other sites
freeskeeze 0 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Whistler is accessible from Japan if all options here run out (especially on a long weekend). If only the direct flights to Anchorage hadn't stopped and then Alyeska would also be an option. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Long weekend? How long is the flight to Vancouver? How long back? And how many minutes does that leave for the slopes? Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Well thursday, don't forget the massive time difference. The time you'd arrive on the hill would probably be before the time you left Japan. Coming back would be a pain though... The cost performance of a trip like that would be stupidly expensive though... the CAN$ is pretty strong right now and Whistler is a massively expensive place... Link to post Share on other sites
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