pezpunk 0 Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 Thinking about taking some time off work for a little snowboard excursion (3 days or so). I've done Gunma, Nagano, and Niigata but have never been any further north. So I was thinking about taking a trip up to Hokkaido for Niseko or going to Zao. Any suggestions? Or other places people would really recommend. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 If time is an issue then you should go to Zao night buses or shinkansen make it quick and easy. If you don't mind wasting half a day going there and half a day coming back then Niseko. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 yeah 3 days is pretty tight to get to and from niseko. You spend half a day just travelling to get there and also another half day coming back. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 Zao Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 Yes, check out Zao --- is what I would do. Link to post Share on other sites
blu 3 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 and GN has probably sold all the Niseko accommodation by now. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 But, but, but... Doesn't Zao suck for boarders? (From what I read.) Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 It's definitely not the greatest for boarders but there is fun to be had! And losing one day (minimum) on a three day trip seems kind of silly. I stayed in Zao for three days last season and enjoyed myself. If you are there in Feb. it's definitely worth the trip! Link to post Share on other sites
pezpunk 0 Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 I'm not too worried about accommodation and time isn't really so much of an issue. when I said three days I meant three days of riding plus whatever travel time is. I'm really just looking for the better experience, looking to get into some nice powder, good scenery, some tree runs, stuff like that. I dabble in the park, but I can get that stuff closer to Tokyo so it's not a priority. I'm willing to take time off work so I want it to be worthwhile. If anyone has another suggestions I'm definitely open to them. I've lived in Japan about three years now so I'm not afraid to go off the beaten path. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Going in peak Monster Period a must! Link to post Share on other sites
pezpunk 0 Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 Yeah thats what I was thinking too! Getting to ride in the kind of terrain would definitely be a unique experience. and it kind of fits with my time frame of late feb. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Here's my report from Feb 22nd last year http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/354419/Zao_Onsen_Yamagata_22nd_Februa.html Apparently they were past their peak then even. Just a week or so after that, they were quickly disappearing, so I'm not sure how reliable the end of Feb would be. I think Zao is probably best late January / early February. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 If it's three days on the hill then you should probably go to Niseko. Is money an problem? It would probably be about twice as expensive. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I would say Niseko as well, although I've not actually been to Zao and its def a place that I wanna check out. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 If you have 5 days, then Niseko wins hands down. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Definitely try and get to Zao though, it's fab. Link to post Share on other sites
JellyBelly 1 Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Originally Posted By: RobBright If you have 5 days, then Niseko wins hands down. I wouldn't say that. Depends on how long you want to travel. I'd probably go to Zao and wait for Niseko when I have a bit longer. Not into mad rushing around myself. Link to post Share on other sites
pezpunk 0 Posted November 7, 2010 Author Share Posted November 7, 2010 lol thanks for the advice everyone definitely given me something to think about. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Going in mid Feb, got it sorted. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Originally Posted By: JellyBelly Depends on how long you want to travel. Well clearly the OP is prepared to travel. Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 As a person who goes to Zao 5 to 10 times a season and loves it I would still recommend Hokkaido over Zao. Zao can be a bit hit and miss at times with snow and if the wind is up it is very unpleasant. Living relatively close to Zao allows me to pick and choose when I can go there. Contrary to popular belief Zao is pretty good for snowboarders, especially if you know your way around. The (if you are facing the mountain) right side of the mountain has some good tree runs and is fairly easy to use for boarders. However, the left side is more of a problem. If I were you I would go to Hokkaido. The thing is I do not understand the love in with Niseko. Do not get me wrong it does kick arse, but you could go to Rusutsu and be more than happy for three days. Lots of powder, less people and you can pretty much go anywhere. I love Zao, but I think Hokkaido is the better option especially if money is not an issue. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 If you are fairly close to Zao beo, where else do you frequent? Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Originally Posted By: pie-eater If you are fairly close to Zao beo, where else do you frequent? I do not live that close, but close enough to make an informed decision about the weather. However, I spread myself around quite a bit these days. Because I live on the western side of Yamagata, during the week I either head to Akita's Yashima or go to Taranokidai for night boarding. On the weekends I sometimes go to Yudonosan, but usually head to Jangle Jungle if I am not at Zao. This year I am planning on trying out a few more places in Yamagata, like in Yonezawa and Oguni (the Oguni halfpipe looks interesting). Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 You mean this one beowulf? http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resort_map.php?resortNo=550 Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 I go past there on the way to Zao. Link to post Share on other sites
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