ausi ski bum 1 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I know its early but so is my trip arriving in Tokyo 21 December with plans to be at Shiga from 23 Dec and Myoko from 28 dec returning to Shiga 1 Jan leaving 6 Jan. Trouble is my kids are in the Aussie Military and this was the only time we could all have off. Looking at some reports saying lower than average early snow, when would it be the time to cut my losses and switch to Hokkaido where there seems to be more snow. What are the best early starters this season on indicators so far, Furano seems to have some snow as does Niseko but been there to often, how are the resorts like Rusutsu and Tommamu looking. Am I just being totally paranoid and will it dump soon at Myoko and Shiga ? ASB Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 You're not paranoid, but you should keep watching. It's a little early to write off Shiga/Myoko. Do you have a ``cancel by or you don't get a refund'' date? Link to post Share on other sites
klingon 10 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Why do you make these plans if you are so worried about these things and have access to previous years reports etc. How many times have people said that December is a risk? Sorry, that wasn't helpful.... but come on! Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Reports are kinda all over the place. One says lower than average snowfall...another says La Nina will bring a colder than average winter. Who knows but I think you will be ok. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 still a while to go, I'd hang in there just now. Presumably you can cancel anytime if you are even thinking about switching to Hokkaido so why not wait until a lot closer to the time and then change up. I was at Shiga at New Year 2 years ago and it dumped.....wasn't a lot of snow before going and I was worried but actually when we got there I saw that the coverage was all over....then it dumped for 4 days! Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Nagano areas tend to get some big storms right around xmas/new year week, in my experience. Link to post Share on other sites
kokodoko 67 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 wait, watch the reports and then decide just before you leave. Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 I guess if its marginal we can buy a rail pass for seven days then head to the mountains, either way we will have a great holiday. I was at Shiga on 4 Jan this year and it was fine and looking at the records, the odds are deffinatly in our favour. Personally I would have made our trip late January but the kids (well using that term losely) can only get the period over Xmas new years off. Next season I will come in Jan by myself for the better conditions. Link to post Share on other sites
dyna8800 3 Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 If I were you, I would head up to Niseko for the first part of the trip... Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 But, folks, I thought 'it's started' and we were already bottomless etc. Damn, that not the case?! New Year always seems to come through big time, but Christmas is touch and go. Shiga Kogen is high up so has as good a chance as any in the region. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 It's still November! No-one knows what it's going to be doing in over 3 weeks time. I say chill out. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 I guess if its marginal we can buy a rail pass for seven days then head to the mountains, either way we will have a great holiday. I was at Shiga on 4 Jan this year and it was fine and looking at the records, the odds are deffinatly in our favour. Personally I would have made our trip late January but the kids (well using that term losely) can only get the period over Xmas new years off. Next season I will come in Jan by myself for the better conditions. you CAN buy a rail pass, but you might find its cheaper to get a flight when you are here..........or actually to drive up and see if yo can change your return flight. Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted November 29, 2011 Author Share Posted November 29, 2011 After the first four days we pick up a hire car, while we are staying up the top of Shiga at the Bakery, there seemed little reason to have a car. can you get through to Takayama from Shiga Kogen area. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 The only way in and out of Shiga Kogen in winter is Route 292 from Yamanouchi. Link to post Share on other sites
jetx 0 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Both last year and the year before started much the same way from memory. Just had a look at the archives in the daily reports section and sure enough very little snow before the 15th. Give it another few weeks I reckon. I'm going to keep to the plan of getting up there around the 26th and won't change plans until the 20th. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Absolutely. We have this every year don't we? I usually don't ski until around Christmas, sometimes even later. It's only December 2nd. Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Although, where you are headed is nowhere near where I live I would say you will have no problems with snow on the ground. The season has started early (normally) for the first time in two years and it looks like it is going to be a good one. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 The season has started early (normally) for the first time in two years.... Hate to be picky, but what does that mean? Where? ....and it looks like it is going to be a good one. Does that really mean anythig? Are are you just hoping that it will be a good one, like we all are? Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Yeah what are you referring to? He's going to Shiga Kogen and Myoko. They are hardly up and running right now..... Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 I have faith in Tilba the snow god (he lives in a small red chandle my son owns) Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Hate to be picky, but what does that mean? Where? Rereading my post I can see how I did not say much. I was in a rush and in a good mood, so I did not explain my position very well. I am still in a good mood, yet have more time to expound and a chance to also put a dampener on on any high hopes for an amazing early season. I am in Yamagata and nowhere near where he is going and I want to stress I am basing my opinions on my experience in Yamagata. Anyway, for the first time in two seasons we had a pre-opening at one of my local resorts, which stands at an altitude of 700m. Of course there was only about 30cm of snow (it did close again on Tuesday), but compared to the two previous seasons where we had nothing until mid December I am willing to say that this season is going to happen early. Obviously an early season does not mean chest-high powder, but certainly enough to slide the board and have a bit of fun. Also where I live we are looking at some snow fall on Monday and more snowfall during the week, so I am optimistic. Even the Japan Meteorological Agency seems to think this year is going to be colder than normal in December with normal levels of snowfall. http://www.jma.go.jp/en/longfcst/000_2_00.html Last year the meteorological agency did get January wrong, but were pretty accurate with December (certainly in Yamagata) predicting low snowfall . When La Nina kicked in it threw a cat amongst the pigeons and upset a lot of their predictions, but they say it is back again this year and with their data from last season I think they will be a lot more accurate with their predictions this season, which look favourable. The last couple of seasons have started really slowly up here and I am just happy to see snow on the mountains. Link to post Share on other sites
JellyBelly 1 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I love that old lightweight "it's going to be a great season" / "it looks like it's going to be a good one" comment. Straight from the TJ OZ sponsored book of cheesy marketing lines. Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 In my experience, it means nothing. You can have an early snowfall and then a completely dry December. Or the other way round. We simply do not know yet. Zao opened. And then closed. I can't see it opening up again in the next week, or if they do it will be extremely limited. Basically, winter hasn't arrived properly yet. I have the luxury of living close by and so I just relax and see what falls from the sky. I'd hate to be all worked up getting all stressed up about it. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts