kay 0 Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Hi there We are thinking of going to some places in Tohoku next season and one idea is to split the skiing/boarding time between Zao and Appi and Shizukuishi. Anyone done that kind of combination before? Sounds like a good plan? Ta! Jay Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Hi kay Haven't done Appi but have done Zao and love it. If you don't already know, you can check out route ideas here: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/route-finder/general-route-finder.php Almost all expressway if you do this route: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/route-finder/japan-resort-directions-large.php?addresses=Yamagata%20Zao%20Onsen(resort%3D82)ANDAppi%20Kogen(resort%3D110)&avoidHighways=false&avoidTolls=false&travelMode=DRIVING Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Three good places I think, but will depend on what kind of resort you looking for - I presume you have taken a look at them all. You can either go the fast way direct up the expressways, Appi is just off the Tohoku Expressway up there, or go cross-country and see more of the country. That will depend on timing etc. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Hi there We are thinking of going to some places in Tohoku next season and one idea is to split the skiing/boarding time between Zao and Appi and Shizukuishi. Anyone done that kind of combination before? Sounds like a good plan? Ta! Jay Never been to Appi or Shizukuishi, but any plan that includes Zao sounds like a good one. You planning to rent a car? Link to post Share on other sites
kay 0 Posted April 26, 2012 Author Share Posted April 26, 2012 Thank you. That map thing is very helpful. Yes we plan to have a car, it seemed to be a much better option just for getting around generally, and like the idea of driving around Japan Link to post Share on other sites
kay 0 Posted April 26, 2012 Author Share Posted April 26, 2012 Not into off-pister or backcountry and will be sticking the the courses or thereabouts! is the plan. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 I may be wrong but Tazawako ain't too far either once you are up there might be worth a look in too. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Yes, Tazawako is just the other (west slope) side of Shizukuishi. If you're sticking to piste, I'd say Shizukuishi is a lot more interesting than Appi. Zao is a completely different experience. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Those 4 sound like a good trip to me actually. Hmmmm. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I'm going to do some Tohoku stuff next season. A plan is brewing. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I have been to them all - not all at once - and they are all decent places. Sounds like a decent idea to me esp. if you have a car and mobility. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Been thinking about this, I'm keen to do a trip like this next season I reckon. Want to check out those places up there. Link to post Share on other sites
fruity-sachi 1 Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 I like Tazawako area a lot actually, it's lovely up there. Just a bit far unfortunately. Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 If you're sticking to piste, I'd say Shizukuishi is a lot more interesting than Appi. Yes I would agree with that. But as they are near checking out both is good. Link to post Share on other sites
meltykisser 0 Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 About 5 years ago I worked for 2 months at ryokan near to Tazawako. it's a bit far for me now where I live but I really enjoyed it, definitely worth a visit if you go. When we went snow conditions were wonderful. Very quiet as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Nice thing about Shizukuishi is that it's easy to do a day at Tazawako, or Amihari, or Iwate Kogen... Link to post Share on other sites
1 4 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Do you mean Appi Kogen? Link to post Share on other sites
kay 0 Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Oops sorry for the radio silence! Thanks for the replies. Great to get some feedback. Back to the cunning planning. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 If that was to me, 1, no I don't mean Appi Kogen. Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 I take it you don't like Appi, DiGriz. I think it has it's appeal. Link to post Share on other sites
echineko 1 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 My family are in Akita and not so far from Tazawako. Lovely area. I think more people should get up there and try these new place. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 No, I haven't been impressed with Appi. Only been three times, most recently 20 years ago, and I just can't see paying those prices to ski what's essentially the same bland run anywhere you go on the mountain (well, ok, that short nishi lift has a gram or two of character). Maybe if I'd hit it on a knee-deep powder day my opinion would be different, but with so many great places to ski in Hokkaido & Honshu, Appi just falls off my personal map. YMMV, of course. Link to post Share on other sites
JellyBelly 1 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I'm still keen to check out Appi though and that area. What is YMMV? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Young Mums Moon Venus Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Ooooh, I like that! (can also be Your Mileage May Vary) Link to post Share on other sites
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