munnuz 0 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Hi I am heading over with a small group for 2 week's boarding from the 27th of December this year. I can't make my mind up between Niseko and Hakuba. Hakuba seems like it will be easier to get to, cheaper and more cultural, but being the start of the season, I'm a bit worried we won't get the best snow. Would Niseko be a much better option? And will the powder there make up for the estra time and cost of getting there? Thanks for your help. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Oh dear!!! Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Here's some 'factual' info on last December to compare http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/hakuba-now-archive.php?month=12&year=2009 http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/niseko-now-archive.php?month=12&year=2009 Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Originally Posted By: Andrew Munro Hi I am heading over with a small group for 2 week's boarding from the 27th of December this year. I can't make my mind up between Niseko and Hakuba. Hakuba seems like it will be easier to get to, cheaper and more cultural, but being the start of the season, I'm a bit worried we won't get the best snow. Would Niseko be a much better option? And will the powder there make up for the estra time and cost of getting there? Thanks for your help. You are new here huh? Andrew Munro. You best be investigating accommodation options if it is Niseko you wish to visit, very busy bookings wise. Another one that is tough at the moment is the JAL flights up there - was trying to book those today and either the Travel Agent is a dooshbag or they are heavily booked and charging like wounded bulls. Where you depends on what you are looking for... where you are at, what your expectations are... Most people are going to have a great time in either destination [even from the 27th of December]. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 is it that time of year already? Open season? This thread already needs a Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 This topic comes up about 10 times every season, doesn't it? Decide on what you want first... it'll make the decision about where to go a little easier. Going to Niseko will take about half a day/ full day more and cost about 20% ~ish more. The snow there is very nice. The snow at Hakuba is also very nice. If you are looking for culture I think you'll be pretty disappointed with both places. During Christmas and New Years both resort areas are pretty busy... Hakuba will have more Japanese people, Niseko will have more foreign people (it's not only Aussies these days) Apres is good at both places but Niseko has more options. The terrain is more varied in Hakuba while Niseko has options like Moiwa and Rusutsu not far away... Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 also kids. Any going? Do they need instruction? creche? Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Originally Posted By: thursday also kids. Any going? Do they need instruction? creche? Kids will be well catered for at both, Thursday. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Quote: Hakuba versus Niseko Good luck andrew.....don't look over the parapet!! Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Niseko sucks ! (just to get the ball rolling) Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Hakuba is way too bottomless Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Originally Posted By: Mantas Niseko sucks ! (just to get the ball rolling) Where is Niseko? Never heard of it Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 it's a few clicks from Uranus Link to post Share on other sites
Mintyjulep 0 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Go to Hakuba - it's a train ride away from Tokyo or Osaka, rather than a flight away. Did you get the cheap flights? NZ$1750/pp returns as long as you depart prior to jan 1st Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Originally Posted By: MintyNZ Go to Hakuba - it's a train ride away from Tokyo or Osaka, Unless a new train line has been built, that's not entirely true is it. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 It's a lot more hassle than a single coach ride from Shin Chitose, Sapporo. Link to post Share on other sites
Mintyjulep 0 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Originally Posted By: iiyamadude Originally Posted By: MintyNZ Go to Hakuba - it's a train ride away from Tokyo or Osaka, Unless a new train line has been built, that's not entirely true is it. No, but if he doesn't do his own research then he's an idiot. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 So what's your motivation to post that then? To mislead? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Originally Posted By: MintyNZ Originally Posted By: iiyamadude Originally Posted By: MintyNZ Go to Hakuba - it's a train ride away from Tokyo or Osaka, Unless a new train line has been built, that's not entirely true is it. No, but if he doesn't do his own research then he's an idiot. This thread is a part of his research no? Link to post Share on other sites
Mintyjulep 0 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Originally Posted By: iiyamadude So what's your motivation to post that then? To mislead? I guess so. Not intentionally, but rather through only presenting half of the information needed through my desire to post my opinion as quickly as possible. God it was hard to type that whole sentence rather than just half of it. Link to post Share on other sites
Mintyjulep 0 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Originally Posted By: thursday Originally Posted By: MintyNZ Originally Posted By: iiyamadude Go to Hakuba - it's a train ride away from Tokyo or Osaka, Unless a new train line has been built, that's not entirely true is it. No, but if he doesn't do his own research then he's an idiot. This thread is a part of his research no? I did about 70% of my research before I ever posted here, Nozawa was already booked for a week and I was having a bit of a lull in the planning so thought I'd forum a bit. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Andrew, getting away from this nonsense. As you may already know, to get to Hakuba you either get a bus from the airport or get the train to Tokyo then the train to Nagano and then a bus to Hakuba. You're looking at least 4 hours. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 It's 2.5 hours from Sapporo airport. One single coach ride plonks you in the centre of Niseko. Grand Hirafu Carpark, the centre of the universe. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Originally Posted By: thursday Grand Hirafu Carpark, the centre of the universe. And my lucky monkey of a son is staying 50m from the center of the universe for more than two months!!! GREEN with envy! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Originally Posted By: thursday It's 2.5 hours from Sapporo airport. One single coach ride plonks you in the centre of Niseko. Grand Hirafu Carpark, the centre of the universe. you also MIGHT have to take a bus ride from Narita to Haneda Aiport (on the other sde of Tokyo) to catch a flight up to Hokkaido. The flights from Narita are few and are often booked up Link to post Share on other sites
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