Niseko vs Hakuba

[panhead_pete 27]

Would like to hear your views on the two places. Will be over for a while, is it worth the expense trying to get to both places?

 

Thanks a lot.

[big-will 7]

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/hotel/viewhotel.php?hotid=6

 

Nisenko?

A search would be useful methinks.

[panhead_pete 27]

Thanks big will. Was looking at thier own site and couldnt see an email addy. Fixed my spelling error too

[Mantas 3]

I'll tell you in March. I'm going to both this year

[damian 0]

Well, the sanctioned riding inbounds in both Niseko resort and Hakuba area resorts are limp and uninspiring. Both roughly as bad as each other. Rope ducking is easier in Niseko but not nearly as rewarding as in Hakuba area resorts, which have clearly steeper and longer tree lines that are far less tracked out. The generally reliable opinion is that Niseko gets more very dry powder more often. But that in no way implies that Hakuba area gets infrequent falls of damp powder. Some of the happiest powder lovers in the world live in the Hakuba area (my utterly unproven conjecture). Niseko is far more commoditised than Hakuba, making it a better (more convenient) holiday option for many foreigners. There are plenty of other resort orientated pluses and minuses, for example Niseko is limited in aspect whilst Hakuba area has lots of resorts to choose from. I donmt like resorts in the least, but if I had to choose I would go to Hakuba for the range of options, rather than one smallish resort with other ones sort of nearby. Having said that, if you choose Niseko as a ski holiday resort and fail to have fun then there is seriously something wrong with you.

 

Here is another way of addressing the question.

 

In terms of terrain for the adventurous (not everyone's cup of tea). I quote myself from another thread and use the images again.

 

Ever noticed that the Niseko Hirafu web page http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/en/index.html has a big bold picture of the mountain opposite the resort, but sweet FA of the Niseko peak itself? Even the thumbnail for the trail map is of the small but impressive looking Mt Yotei, rather than the Niseko Hill on which the actual resort trails are groomed. You have to ask why the marketing department is lying?

 

Terrain for the adventurous: The pictures say it all. In terms of committed alpine adventure, it isn't even a fair comparison. Hakuba has real mountains whilst Niseko does not.

 

Niseko out of bounds:

 

Hakuba out of bounds:

[Kumapix 0]

well put, Spud. Now we can close this thread down since we have one of these every couple of months

[bushpig 0]

[damian 0]

I thought the name Mantas sounded bisexual. I was right!

 

 Quote:

Originally posted by Mantas:

I'll tell you in March. I'm going to both this year

[damian 0]

 Quote:

Ever noticed that the Niseko Hirafu web page http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/en/index.html has a big bold picture of the mountain opposite the resort, but sweet FA of the Niseko peak itself? Even the thumbnail for the trail map is of the small but impressive looking Mt Yotei, rather than the Niseko Hill on which the actual resort trails are groomed

In case I didn't get my point across. For the benefit of prospective visitors to Niseko:

[mattlucas 0]

[Fattwins 0]

gotta say that is perfect marketing really.

lol.

[eskimobasecamp 0]

lol nicely juxtaposed comparitive photography there spud - pretty much gets the message across better than words could

[panhead_pete 27]

Thanks guys. Looks like I am heading to Hakubu via Tokyo in mid Deceember to mid Jan. Besides snow beds any views on accomm at a reasonable price for the month?

 

Sorry for all the newbie questions but one last one (this time) where can I look to see what lift tickets will cost me - anything I should be aware of like specials etc?

[fb_steve 0]

http://www.hakuba47.co.jp/06winter/e/ticket.html

 

Grab a season pass, it's great value!

[Fattwins 0]

i get the six mountain pass sun alpina to iwatake for 23000 yen.

[panhead_pete 27]

I have just been doing some reading of older threads, Is mid Dec too early??????

[kaiser soce 0]

I also read an article in a Brisbane newspaper about Hakuba which also used the Mt Yotei volcano in its photos!

[damian 0]

It seems to be a common habit. Here is a moderately detailed description of the 'ski trails' (?) and facilities at Niseko's 4 resorts. With all that text there was but one picture. Guess what its of...

 

http://www.nisekoski.com.au/info/

 

I think Niseko should be renamed Mytheko.

[bushpig 0]

[Rag-Doll 0]

That is still a pretty spekky photo, even if it is a little irrelevant in the context of a Niseko trail map. What is the fourth resort at Niseko or is that yotei?

 

Spud - Thanks for the answer on the ice axe thingy it makes sense now.

[damian 0]

No doubt, Yotei is a great looking peak reaching out of the surrounding flat land.

[I'm Sexy 0]

This season I will visit both!

[Fattwins 0]

I laughed at the hakuba one as well when I saw it. The writer should be shot really.

[skidaisuki 0]

Pete,

 

If you have the money, Niseko for sure. If you are on a budget, Hakuba will probably be cheaper to stay and get to.

 

Last season everywhere was good from mid December to mid January, but other years mid December would be a bit early. You may be lucky though.

 

Stay at the Hakuba Alps Backpackers if you want a cheap place that's friendly and close to the slopes:

 

http://www.hakubabackpackers.com/

[skidaisuki 0]

le spud - Mt Yotei is the symbol of Niseko. Is it really so strange that they use it in their website? I don't think so. If you want to ski / board Yotei-san you can do it, just get a helicopter or hike.

 

If you clicked on the Trail Map icon and it showed pictures of Yotei-san, then I'd be complaining too, otherwise you seem to have some sort of weird grudge against what's an excellent resort...