Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Originally Posted By: Mick Rich Originally Posted By: Metabo Oyaji Pension Currants is nice. Stayed there last year. Thanks Metabo! Did you have your own transport or did they shuttle you about a bit? I drove there. If you don't have a car, you will definitely need to ask about the shuttle service mentioned on their SJ page. Probably only about a 15 minute walk from there up to Marunuma Kogen ski area, but not a safe one at all in the winter up steep, slippery roads hemmed in by snow banks. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Originally Posted By: muikabochi Do they specialise in serving currants? As it just so happens... No. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Ok, after much research, deliberation and re-juggling of dates, jobs and accommodation, I’ve more or less finalised my itinerary. Although I’m going later than planned and fully expect to encounter Spring conditions all the way, my original brief remains the same, namely to check out some new resorts and make full use of my free, SJ competition-winning lift passes and the cheap (seishun juhachi kippu) local trains only rail pass! So without further ado....... Mon 14th March – travel from Furano to Niseko (Kutchan) Tues 15th – Fri 18th - ride Niseko for 4 days including day trips to Rusutsu and possibly Chisenupuri and/or Iwaonupuri; Sat 19th – Tues 22nd - travel from Kutchan to Myoko Kogen (4 days) Weds 23rd – Thurs 24th – ride Myoko Suginohara (2 days) Fri 25th - travel from Myoko Kogen to Shinshu Nakano(Ryuoo Ski Park) Sat 26th – ride Ryuoo Ski Park (1 day) Sun 27th - travel from Shinshunakano to Minakami Mon 28th – ride Tenjin (1 day) Tues 29th – ride Kawaba (1 day) Weds 30th – Thurs 31st – ride Marunuma Kogen (2 days or possibly 1 day and check out White World) Fri 1st April – return to Tokyo and start planning next year’s trips to Hakuba and Hakkoda! Link to post Share on other sites
gnarly-dude 1 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Gnarly! Link to post Share on other sites
kokodoko 67 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 what gnarly said Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Marumuma will only take 1 day, deffo check out White World, its pretty good place Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Thanks for that TB, was thinking along the same lines. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 depending on the weather and the snow condition and whether you get a guide, Tenjin might take up more than an a day. The resort is shit, but if you plan on taking a tour, you could prob spend a couple of days up there. Marunuma is fun, but a day is cool for it, White World is also a cool, compact little place Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver depending on the weather and the snow condition and................ ..........and my financial position, on what will then be the last week of a 3 month winter season!! But then that's what credit cards are for, right? Link to post Share on other sites
dyna8800 3 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Mick Rich, so late in the season, why are you bypassing all of the Fukushima resorts and Zao? The conditions at the Gunma resorts are not going to be that good, low elevations call for slush, most all resorts in that area close at the end of March. As a destination, Hakuba would be a much better bet. White World Oze is a great resort, but not easy to access by public transport, 60 minutes from Numata station by bus or 90 minutes from Jomo Kogen. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Due to a combination of wanting to use my free SJ lift passes and a lack of time and, er... knowledge about Fukushima resorts! Link to post Share on other sites
dyna8800 3 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Mick, seems like the PM system is not enabled, I wanted to ping you, might be available midweek for the Gunma part of your trip. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted March 11, 2011 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted March 11, 2011 Enabled now, I think. On a roll today! Have fun! Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 13, 2011 Author Share Posted March 13, 2011 Originally Posted By: dyna8800 Mick, seems like the PM system is not enabled, I wanted to ping you, might be available midweek for the Gunma part of your trip. Yeah, that'd be cool. Lmk as and when. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 17, 2011 Author Share Posted March 17, 2011 Ok, I’m 3 days into my road trip, which I’ve felt less excited about since Friday though, to be honest, I feel safer in the mountains than anywhere else! So I’m now in Niseko (Grand Hirafu) and have been out riding for the last 2 mornings. Due to a combination of mid-March weather/snow conditions and the earthquake/nuclear concerns, many people are leaving or not coming at all which means that the slopes are really quiet (see photos below). Having never been here before, I’ve been exploring the mountain and particularly like the trees under the Hanazono hooded quad lift #3 - accessed from gate 5 or the Youtei sunset course. Today I also ventured up to the summit via gate 3 and although the snow wasn’t great, there was still lots of untouched powder to play with! More snow is forecast tonight and through tomorrow, so I’m hoping for a couple of good days, and plan to go to Rusutsu tomorrow if I can get up early enough for the bus! Early morning crowds! More crowds on Dynamic! Lift lines! Looking down Jumbo Mt Youtei from the top of King Lift #4 Link to post Share on other sites
sand 17 Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 I'm arriving tomorrow afternoon for 5 days if you're keen to meet for a ski or beer? Link to post Share on other sites
kokodoko 67 Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Hey Mick, might even come and join you too. I am not too sure what I am doing yet. but some wider spaced trees would be nice. Yesterday we had some good snow. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Good to see a handful of people keeping the Japanese ski industry going! Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 18, 2011 Author Share Posted March 18, 2011 Originally Posted By: sand I'm arriving tomorrow afternoon for 5 days if you're keen to meet for a ski or beer? Yeah, that would be good! I was planning to leave on Saturday but it looks like Myoko (the next resort on my trip) will be closed when I was planning to go, so I might stay around here for a while. Tomorrow (Friday) looks good and I had a ball at Rusutsu today - photos and a review to follow in due course! Kokodoko, come and join us too!! Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Gunma not really doing open either Mick. You are probably best staying up in Hokkaido where things are 'peaceful'. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 18, 2011 Author Share Posted March 18, 2011 Yeah, it's a difficult one to call. I've got to be back in Kanagawa by the end of the month and really wanted to check out some Honshu resorts on the way but I guess the sensible thing would be to stay put. Will sleep on it tonight!! Link to post Share on other sites
griller 9 Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 You might not have much choice if many are closed. Will be interesting to see what happens after the upcoming 3 day holiday. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 18, 2011 Author Share Posted March 18, 2011 Originally Posted By: griller You might not have much choice if many are closed. Will be interesting to see what happens after the upcoming 3 day holiday. I'm guessing that most of the resorts will think of it as their final swansong of the season and shut up shop thereafter. Understandable given the circumstances, in which case I'll just have to go on an onsen tour instead!! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Mick Rich One word, KIRORO Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 18, 2011 Author Share Posted March 18, 2011 Have just seen your photos from yesterday!! How do I get there?? Link to post Share on other sites
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