adante 0 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I'm going to be in Japan on the 18th for a wedding, and was hoping to do a week in the snow beforehand. I realise this is right on the tail end of the season and hence is a bit marginal but was wondering what was my best bet for around this time? I'm certainly not expecting mad powder but good odds (ie 80%+) for usable groomed runs is fine by me. Being used to some pretty crappy Australian seasons I'm not exactly a snob. A couple of people have independently recommended Niseko , and looking at last years reports they still had coverage up till the end of April. Is this the best bet? Are there alternatives? And finally to throw something else into the mix, I also want to have a go at snowkiting and was wondering if that would open up any additional opportunities (with regards to being able to play around for a week in areas that would not traditionally be usable by regular ski/board). I'm an intermediate level kiteboarder so am happy to bank on picking it up reasonably quickly. Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Yakoteyama in Shiga Kogen, Nagano is over 2000m elevation and can still have good snow in April Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 You always write that don't you snowjunky...any particular reason? It is called Yokoteyama, I have just checked we my jellyfish sauces. Link to post Share on other sites
Dunga 1 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 There's a sauce made from jellyfish? This sounds amazing! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 They eat jellyfish as well over here, I don't care for it tho Link to post Share on other sites
Kansaiash 6 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Snowkiting - I had to Google that one. Never seen it in Japan, not sure many resorts if any would allow it. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Jelly fish. What's not to love about this dish? in sesame oil. Link to post Share on other sites
deadlymonkey 0 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 A bit out of the way but Hakkoda is usually open until early May with good powder. Link to post Share on other sites
anything 6 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 each year i usually only stay in Niseko until first week of April, and unless you're already nearby, i probably would recommend going elsewhere. by late March/April its frozen ice in the morning from the previous day's melt, or sloppy wet grippy slush melting very fast in the heat in the afternoon. there's about 30 minutes in between that is ok to ski (i am quite a snow snob tho, spoiled from many seasons). there is still some extremely rare fresh snow falling, but often rain with it so I wouldn't rely on it. additionally most of the shops, restaurants, and accommodation in Hirafu close up on last day of march and it almost becomes a ghost town. ive been keeping an eye out for where to go late season instead of going home. but even by mid march the main island resorts further south (ie, warmer) report lots of rain /etc. as suggested I'd probably be looking for some elevation and hoping that it holds onto the cold long enough. Niseko is only about 500m above sea level. ive only ski kited (hella fun) in Colorado on a frozen lake. i haven't exactly been keeping an eye out, but ive not noticed any area large enough and frozen enough nearby to do it. but ive seen many an open field of powder and often wonder if a ski kite is powerful enough to get my ass out of the deep snow. sometimes its definitely windy enough! probably get chased away by some farmer on a skidoo tho. wonder what he is protecting, is he farming skidoos? youve rekindled my interest tho, this season i think i'll try looking around. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Kagura in Yuzawa still has snow the 2nd week of April. Last year I went April 6th and lucked out with an awesome powder day.....snowed overnight and then the clouds opened to bluebird conditions with untouched powder all over the top forestry course. Of course I could easily have got iced crud or wet cement that time of year but if u are happy to just have a slide around then the snow is there and any unexpected snowfall is an uber bonus. Where is ur wedding going to be? Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 My Easter is booked for 18 April in Tokyo. May have to do a Kagura day if it's still white there. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 It'll definitely be white....might be slushy or crusty, but definitely white. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I think you'll struggle to find snow kiting in Japan in April. Most folks do it on flat land and there won't be many places with snow on them by then. Even if there's a plateau up on the mountain, its going to be really difficult to predict the wind and know what gear to take all the way up there. There are people who do it mid-season for anyone who wants to try. Link to post Share on other sites
adante 0 Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share Posted November 1, 2013 Hey folks, thanks for the advice. @TubbyBeaverinho - wedding is 18th April so hoping to ski 11th - 17th. And yeah, not looking for freshies but would be quite happy with existing snow on the ground. Based on feedback I'll have another search tonight for high elevation resorts, but might just can the whole idea Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Where is the wedding tho? Link to post Share on other sites
adante 0 Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 Where is the wedding tho? Wedding is in Hakone - bit out of the way but I'm quite happy to travel wherever in Japan in search of snow Link to post Share on other sites
sapporo 8 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I had fresh powder on April 20th last year at Asahidake!! Link to post Share on other sites
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