norwegianwinter 0 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Hi there people! We are 4 norwegians planning to go skiing in Japan in early february 2012. Some of us went to Niseko in jan. -10, and the amount and quality of snow was astounding. This time we are looking possibly to combine Niseko with an another resort? Any good ideas? We are advanced telemark-skiers, and the steeper the slopes, the better. Hopefully combined with nose-deep powder And we are still moderately young, so a certain amount of aprés-ski is desired as well All tips and hints are welcome Yours, Eirik Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Do you want somewhere close-by to Niseko on Hokkaido, or is further afield ok? Link to post Share on other sites
norwegianwinter 0 Posted August 20, 2011 Author Share Posted August 20, 2011 All of Japan would be ok, we are just looking for the best suited resorts for our needs An ideal resort would be: -steep slopes with powder -party options -good communications -somewhat reliable weather -in proximity to a larger city Yours, Eirik Link to post Share on other sites
norwegianwinter 0 Posted August 20, 2011 Author Share Posted August 20, 2011 Maybe I am describing Niseko, right now Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Hakuba in Nagano (and about 1 hour from Nagano city) sounds like it fits your needs. Not close to Niseko though! Link to post Share on other sites
norwegianwinter 0 Posted August 20, 2011 Author Share Posted August 20, 2011 Ok, thank you! We'll check it out. Does the Shinkansen go all the way up to Hokkaido? And low-budget airlines, any to recommend? Thanks again! Eirik Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Shinkansen goes to Morioka (I think) in Iwate, not to Hokkaido. You'll surely be wanting to fly though I don't know much about that. On the other end, the Nagano Shinkansen goes from Tokyo to Nagano City (then you get the bus to Hakuba, or wherever else you go in Nagano). Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Can recommend Skymark airlines. They fly from Haneda to Shin Chitose, which is about 90 mins. And then either a train to Niseko, or a bus. Both are about a 2.5hr journey though. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 In Nagano you'd be able to combine a few resorts as well, Hakuba has all the points you ask and Shiga Kogen is a big rideable area but nightlife is a no-no. Air-do also do cheap flights up to Hokkaido from Tokyo Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Agree on Hakuba for what you're seeking as a second venue, with maybe a few days based in Nagano to hit Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen or Myoko Kogen. Skymark Airlines has an easy-to-navigate English website for bookings; you can book up to two months in advance. Bus is better option than train for getting to Niseko from the airport, basically one every hour or so, and they take you right to the ski/lodging areas. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Highly recommend checking out Hakuba. We love both! Link to post Share on other sites
panhead_pete 27 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Echoland in Hakuba is the go. Lots of options re terrain and the odd bar or 2, or so Im told SUPER easy to get to. Plane in. Train from airport to Tokyo central, jump on the shink to Nagano. Quick bus trip and you are there. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Echoland is ok but it's too far from the slopes for my liking. If I don't have my own transportation in Hakuba I prefer staying somewhere closer to the lifts and using a taxi or shuttle bus to go to Echoland for a drink or three! Link to post Share on other sites
HoTRoD 2 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I agree there, a bit far for my liking and would prefer to bus in to Echoland in an evening than have to take all my gear with me to and from there. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Yeah same here. Drove to Hakuba last year, and found that a lot of the pensions are a 10/15min drive from Echoland. A few years before that, went up by train, and got much closer to the slopes, about a 5min walk, which was about the same price as this year's pension. Originally Posted By: DiGriz Bus is better option than train for getting to Niseko from the airport, basically one every hour or so, and they take you right to the ski/lodging areas. Depends. We got the train back from Kutchan last year, and loved the scenary and the views. Had time to stop off at Otaru and Sapporo which we wouldn't have done if we had taken the bus. But each to their own really. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Sounds like a good idea that Man. I'm happy if my camera is happy. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Having said that, my camera hasn't seen much action at all in the last few months. Hopefully autumn will bring with it lots of "shatta--- chansu" Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I've taken the train, Man, and you're right that it's a very pretty ride -- especially along the coast. But it also costs you basically a whole day of skiing (a high price, to me, for a few snaps ). Now, if they'd change the schedule and run a Niseko Express from the airport at 9am, and a return at say 4pm, I'd be all over the train rather than those buses. Link to post Share on other sites
Fonty 1 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 There is a Niseko Express and it leaves around 8am and returns at 4pm (approx). Not sure if it goes all the way from the airport or just from Sapporo. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Not showing up on ekitan.com, Fonty. Maybe it runs during the season, but even so you can't fly into Shin Chitose in the morning in time to catch it. Might be a nice choice for anyone based in Sapporo, though. Still, realistically I'm assuming our Norweigian friends will be flying into Chitose with a boatload of gear/baggage that would be a PITA to shlep around and then finally get from Kutchan or Niseko to their lodging. Just far easier to take the airport bus. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Definitely Link to post Share on other sites
mfriedm 4 Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Originally Posted By: Fonty There is a Niseko Express and it leaves around 8am and returns at 4pm (approx). Not sure if it goes all the way from the airport or just from Sapporo. Just from Sapporo, unfortunately. There's been a bit of pressure to make it an airport run, but JR claims it doesn't get the traffic to make it worthwhile (probably due to all the buses). Trains will get more popular when the shinkansen arrives... if it ever does. 70 kilometers at 300kph... probably 20 minutes door-to-door! Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 When is the shink due to arrive? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 think its scheduled to arrive before the general release of the hoverboard, but after the cure for cancer Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Very doubtful it will be in my ski lifetime (and probably not in yours). Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts