Pammy 0 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 My friends and I are considering a trip over to Japan but it can only really be early or late season. We're talking mid December or mid-late Match. I know this isn't peak season but which would you experienced people choose out of those two? Snow conditions being most important. Thank you! Pam Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Well mid December can be hit and miss depending where you go and maybe nt all slopes will be open really depends on the year If you go in mid March again conditions will not be top condition, but the snow pack would be built up nicely meaning everything and everywhere is open. Of course in both cases you will not have best conditions. I would have said March would be better to come and you never know your luck it may even snow really heavy just before you arrive,as heavy snow does fall in March. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I'd choose March as there would be the base. There might be no base at all in mid December depending on where you go and what Mrs Nature decides to do. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Hi Pammy If I had to choose and was coming from overseas, I would choose the later option. Where are you thinking of going, Pammy? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Definitely March. At least there will be snow cover due to the seasons pack, mid-December could be a little thin. You can still get fresh snow in March as well Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 And here too As other people have said mid December can be dodgy. It can be good too, but there's a real risk of there being little to no snow. At least you have the guaranteed lots of base in many places still in March. muikabochi has a good question - where you planning on going? Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Top right of the page see that Daily Reports link... check some of the previous seasons reports from December and March to get an idea for those popular places. But yes I would choose March. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 March definitely Better to be on white than brown and you won't have to stresss out if there is a late start Seemore Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Speaking for the Shiribeshi region of Hokkaido with snowfall numbers from the Niseko Resort Area the 'normal' situation is : mid-December normally means daily snowfall or at worst snowfall every 2-3 days. Light, dry powder combined with cold temperatures. Most of the groomed runs are open and in great shape. Off groomed can be limited with areas like the peak at the Niseko Resort Area not yet open. Low crowds until around 20 December. 15 Dec 06 - 31 Dec 06 130 cm 15 Dec 07 - 31 Dec 07 157 cm 15 Dec 08 - 31 Dec 08 236 cm 15 Dec 09 - 31 Dec 09 305 cm 15 Dec 10 - 31 Dec 10 178 cm 15 Dec 11 - 31 Dec 11 311 cm mid-March normally means sporadic snowfall with clear skies. Still below freezing temps for most of the month on Hokkaido All groomed runs are open and in great shape. Off groomed underfoot is at it's prime with ample snow depths. And when it does snow there's no one around. 15 Mar 06 - 31 Mar 06 70 cm 15 Mar 07 - 31 Mar 07 1 cm 15 Mar 08 - 31 Mar 08 95 cm 15 Mar 09 - 31 Mar 09 164 cm 15 Mar 10 - 31 Mar 10 75 cm 15 Mar 11 - 31 Mar 11 64 cm Photo evidence here Hokkaido 2008/09 http://www.snowjapan...village-niseko/ Link to post Share on other sites
Pammy 0 Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Not interested in Hokkaido. It's Nagano or Niigata I am interested in. Thanks for the feedback folks! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Oop took too long to post. March 2011 http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/20142-tr-spring-on-hokkaido/ 2011/12 http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/21085-sr-hokkaido-2011-12/ Based on other posts perhaps Hokkaido should be considered. Link to post Share on other sites
Pammy 0 Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Based on other posts perhaps Hokkaido should be considered. No thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 This part of Niigata - Kagura usually gets to open before December but limited. Hopefully more open by mid December, all depends on the snow of course. Check out the Yuzawa Now and Naeba Now reports on here for previous season. http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/yuzawa-now.php http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/naeba-now.php Link to post Share on other sites
Hokkaidough 4 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Even on Hokkaidough, I would go for March myself. Link to post Share on other sites
kokodoko 67 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 I would choose March even for Honshoe. Link to post Share on other sites
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