Wangta 0 Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Hey guys, So a buddy and I are in the first stages of planning a return to Japan for some powder runs. Last year, with the help of the members here, we hit up Hakkoda and Niseko - both of which were UNBELIEVABLE. Seriously - we had an epic time and got lucky with a ton of powder and great days of boarding. This time around, we are trying to debate going back to the same ones (Hakkoda and Niseko) or trying out Furano and Asahidake. In terms of preference, we really enjoyed Hakkoda's backcountry runs. At Niseko, we spent four days there but less than half a day on the actual resort runs - we climbed up the top and ran down the backsides, which again was backcountry and equally amazing (maybe even a bit more wide open at the top). I've done some preliminary research on Asahidake and it seems right up our ally and it looks to be similar to Hakkoda. But I don't know much about Furano - so would welcome thoughts. Also open to other recommendations in addition to Asahidake and Furano. Here is the thread from last year: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/22497-what-to-expect-hakkoda-and-niseko/ And here are some pics from our trip! Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 nice pics I am a creature of habit and if you had good snow and a great time why go somewhere else? Link to post Share on other sites
ozsnowbum 9 Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 because you might get better snow and have a better time in a better place. theres only one way to find out. the journey is part of the fun. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Grass is always greener..... Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Asahidake and Furano are different kettles of fish. Asahidake is quite gnarly whereas Furano is nice n comfy. My humblest opinion, so for whoever considers Furano gnarly, I apologize in advance. If you're into the Asahidake kind of terrain, you might find Furano a bit of a bore. Maybe you'd be better off doing Kurodake instead of Furano. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 My goodness...I think I may actually agree with you Thursday.... So ya...what he said. Link to post Share on other sites
Wangta 0 Posted November 29, 2013 Author Share Posted November 29, 2013 My goodness...I think I may actually agree with you Thursday.... So ya...what he said. thursday? Huh? Yeah so I completely understand that sentiment - I'm a creature of habit too. However, Japan being so big - I'd love to try out at least a couple more spots - then, next time (and the time after), I'll probably just pick the two best and go with that annually. Winter vacation - is Asahidake similar to Hakkoda? It looks like it - looks like one tram and backcountry down to the bottom. Is that what you mean by "gnarly"? Is Kurodake similar - ie; open riding, not groomed? Link to post Share on other sites
gozaimaas 61 Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Asahidake and kurodake are both a cable car to half way up the mountain and skin to the top. Neither are like resort riding at all. I have not been to hakkoda but it looks more rider friendly than both the others. Kurodake is brilliant for the scenery but the riding wont blow your mind, nor will asahidake. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Wangta.... Winter Vacation is AKA "Thursday" from years gone by.. Link to post Share on other sites
Wangta 0 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Asahidake and kurodake are both a cable car to half way up the mountain and skin to the top. Neither are like resort riding at all. I have not been to hakkoda but it looks more rider friendly than both the others. Kurodake is brilliant for the scenery but the riding wont blow your mind, nor will asahidake. Got it - do you have any other recommendations? What is your favorite place? Link to post Share on other sites
Wangta 0 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Wangta.... Winter Vacation is AKA "Thursday" from years gone by.. LOL, got it, thank you for the explanation. Oh, also wanted to ask...how do these places we discussed (or others we did not discuss) rate in terms of nightlife? Last year, we had a couple nights out in Sapporo and to our surprise, had a blast! We actually enjoyed it much more than Tokyo. The focus of the trip is to board, but would love to get a couple fun nights out if possible and not too far away. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Sapporo is a pretty big city.......any reason why you didn't expect it to have decent nightlife? eh.....eh....EHHHH????? only joking Which part of LA are you from? Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Kurodake is brilliant for the scenery but the riding wont blow your mind, nor will asahidake. The most technical skiing with dramatic scenery I've had on Hokkaido has been top to bottom Kurodake. 1200m of mostly fall line skiing with wide open bowl up top and tight trees down low. Link to post Share on other sites
jacko 3 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Furano. Had 4 days skiing there in 2012. The snow was excellent but I found the terrain was kinda dull. A few too many gentle flatish runs for my liking. I'm glad I've been but its not on my list of places I'd return to. Link to post Share on other sites
SmokingMonkey 0 Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Can't quite believe kokodokokoko spent whole seasons there - not working! Link to post Share on other sites
kokodoko 67 Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 ha ha poor me. there is good stuff to be found if you know where to go.. but yeah. there are better places in Hokkaido... Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Better places for skiing, yes. But Furano is a very decent place for living. Link to post Share on other sites
kokodoko 67 Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 yes, there are some very nice people in Furano and the town is very nice. Link to post Share on other sites
norcal 5 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 Nice pics man! Can't say anything about Furano, as I'm heading there for the first time this year myself, but hope wherever you go that it's a blast! Link to post Share on other sites
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