bilmur 0 Posted February 26, 2003 Share Posted February 26, 2003 No doubt there are selfish intentions in my enquiry as I am - perhaps with a hint of naivety - considering a (second) snow trip to Japan around Easter (18-21 April). So far, my research tells me that one obvious possibility would be Niseko (which resort I'm not sure - but probably Hirafu) since the snow holds up til May on a half decent season. I have also contacted Arai (surprised?) cos despite it's low altitude it usually receives as much snow as the best resorts in Japan in terms of snow record. Furthermore, the low elevation of Arai "apparently" works to its advantage in late season as it becomes sheltered from much of the sunlight (???). I have even heard Happo/Hakuba to be good but I went there a few weeks ago and it was WARM with only one evening's worth of snow fall (wasn't a dump either). Got any good late season advice people? Don't ask why but I happened to have come across some sakura info and apparently there's going to be early blossom this year (not as early as 2002 tho') which means spring should be arriving early this year ... shit Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted February 26, 2003 Share Posted February 26, 2003 Kagura is usually good in April still and even open (but not recommended) in Golden Week. Others in the same direction...Tenjin, Okutadami - but I wouldnt be coming from HK to go there Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 Quote: Tenjin, Okutadami - but I wouldnt be coming from HK to go there Definitely not worth a trip from HK... Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 Definitely. Arai is usually still ok then, but I wonder how long this season is going to be able to stretch until, given current snow depths/conditions etc. Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 Just give me some snow. Whether it's mucky or icy, as long as the lifts are still running, I don't mind flying over from HK in Easter. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 I boarded pow once at Kiroro in Hokkaido around April 15. Around 20cm there was too. I remember the other days being icy and nasty, but I was a beginner at the time and this may be a slight exaggeration. All but the "advanced" courses off the top gondola station were closed and I had problems on the steepish bits. I also had problems on the extremely flat bit at the bottom of that run, but that's another story. The latest I've boarded decent fresh snow around Nagano/Niigata was on April 1 at Arai in 2001. Even then, it was very slushy at the bottom and getting back to the base involved skating. Hokkaido packages should be really cheap late season. If the snow isn't so good at Niseko, you could always go rafting or kayaking. Link to post Share on other sites
frannyo 2 Posted March 2, 2003 Share Posted March 2, 2003 Especially if you can hook up with echineko, right Markie? Link to post Share on other sites
zwelgen 0 Posted March 2, 2003 Share Posted March 2, 2003 In Nagano as much as I hate the place shiga kogen has some of the best early and late snow around simply because its so high up. I went hiking up there one time in June and there were people driving up with skis and I was thinking whaaaaaaa? Got up there and loads of people had built kickers on the pockets of snow left and were practicing their tricks. Die hard people. Link to post Share on other sites
rajeem 0 Posted March 3, 2003 Share Posted March 3, 2003 Until when does Dynaland usually open? (with fairly decent conditions?) Link to post Share on other sites
aciiiiid 0 Posted March 15, 2003 Share Posted March 15, 2003 Late April I think Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted March 15, 2003 Share Posted March 15, 2003 They will stay open till mid april or longer depending on the snow and costomers. You can hike above takasu and hit the back bowls, big air.... oops did I day that. Link to post Share on other sites
Plucky 0 Posted March 15, 2003 Share Posted March 15, 2003 Hakkoda (Aomori Prefecture) usually has snow until June. The Gondola runs year round too. I'd venture to say they have some of the better spring skiing in Japan. It's not groomed, but if you like backcountry, this should be a place you check out. Link to post Share on other sites
rajeem 0 Posted March 24, 2003 Share Posted March 24, 2003 Anyone? Best resort easy to get to from the Kansai region open late? Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 mid april takasu is still fine, Nagano then shiga kogen and or Myoko. Link to post Share on other sites
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