Felix 0 Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Hey guys, I've been meaning to hit the slopes in Japan for some time but have constantly been sidetracked by work/uni/friends holidaying elsewere. (Managed to make it to Colorado, Aus and NZ a few times) However, I have finally booked a trip for this winter. I thought I'd provide a quick breakdown of what we've booked and if anyone could provide any insight or advise as to what we should do/see it would be greatly appreciated. My mate and I are leaving the Gold Coast on the 25th (good old christmas day) and staying with a friend in tokyo (he's currently living there teaching english). We will stay in tokyo until the 2nd, when we transfer to Hakuba. The 3 of us are spending 7 nights at The Lab. My japenese friend then has to go back to work, so unfortunitely our friend and translator is no longer with it. We are then doing a further 7 nights in Myoko Kogen, staying at the Akakura Park Hotel. At each resort we have a 5 day ski pass included in the package. I'll be snowboarding and my mate will be skiing. Both quite competent. The first period in Tokyo is pretty much covered as my friend can show us around, however he knows nothing of the ski culture/life over there (he's never been before). If you could provide some recommendations it would be appreciated, additionally I would enjoy hearing some reassuring words revolving around the fact that in early January there will be HEAPS of snow Felix P.S. Sorry for the long essay P.S.S. The whole package - flights, accomodation, lift passes, breakfasts etc... is less than $3000 AUD - from what I can gather it seems we got a pretty unreal priced package. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 It will likely be "bottomless" by New Year. Sure hope so. Check all the daily reports from past seasons - see the big red button up top Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Hakuba & Myoko should both be very good & getting even better by then. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 This is good. So your Japanese friend living in Tokyo teaches English to Japanese. Link to post Share on other sites
Mintyjulep 0 Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 I hope the snow is good, cos we'll be in Hakuba/Nozawa at the same time. Hope you have an awesome trip Don't worry about having a translator in Myoko - Japanese folk are mostly really really lovely and just want to help you and try their english out I only learnt about one A4 page of words/phrases (things like Hello, Thank you, Sorry, Please, Toilet, How are you, My name is ....) before I went for two weeks in school - lived with a family who didn't speak a word of english for one week, and we managed perfectly fine. Immersion is the best way to learn. Link to post Share on other sites
Felix 0 Posted October 1, 2010 Author Share Posted October 1, 2010 Originally Posted By: muikabochi It will likely be "bottomless" by New Year. Sure hope so. Check all the daily reports from past seasons - see the big red button up top Cheers mate, Will suss it out now Originally Posted By: thursday This is good. So your Japanese friend living in Tokyo teaches English to Japanese. Correct, he's working at a school as an english teacher. He's half japanese and finished his teaching degree in Aus last year. It will be awesome to catch up with him after a year! Originally Posted By: MintyNZ I hope the snow is good, cos we'll be in Hakuba/Nozawa at the same time. Hope you have an awesome trip Don't worry about having a translator in Myoko - Japanese folk are mostly really really lovely and just want to help you and try their english out I only learnt about one A4 page of words/phrases (things like Hello, Thank you, Sorry, Please, Toilet, How are you, My name is ....) before I went for two weeks in school - lived with a family who didn't speak a word of english for one week, and we managed perfectly fine. Immersion is the best way to learn. Yeah, I'm not too worried about it, however it would make life a bit easier and a hell of a lot more entertaining. I'll hopefully pick it up quickly. I studied japanese for a few years in school lol. I was tossing up between Nozawa and Myoko, myoko seemed to tick more of the boxes for me BRING ON THE POW! Sooo keen Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 I really wouldn't worry about the language thing. I've been here nearly 7 years and still can barely string a coherant sentence or two together in Japanese. I've bought cars, property, a business, had my first child here and of course get to ski some of the best powder on the planet every winter. Not being even close to fluent has never been a big issue. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 usually around New Year there is a big storm that dumps a shed load of snow on the mountains, I wouldn't be too worried about conditions (hopefully!!). Hakuba and Myoko are great mountains to ride so you should have a blast Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Fingers crossed you should be deep in it. Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Originally Posted By: Go Native I really wouldn't worry about the language thing. I've been here nearly 7 years and still can barely string a coherant sentence or two together in Japanese. I've bought cars, property, a business, had my first child here and of course get to ski some of the best powder on the planet every winter. Not being even close to fluent has never been a big issue. Niseko ain't 'normal' in that respect though as there are so many English speakers living there. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Absolutely! And the very reason I live here. Wouldn't want to live in 'real' Japan!! Link to post Share on other sites
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