spacmun 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Hi Folks Heading to Niseko in January for the first time and staying at the Higashiyama Prince Hotel. Was wondering how well the 4 resorts are linked via the ski lifts/gondolas. Are all 4 resorts reachable from the top of the mountain, and if so, what degree of difficulty is there? I'm going with the wife whom doesn't like to push it (on the mountain that is). Is it a safer bet to catch the bus between resorts, or will my hesitant wife be able to handle it at the peak? Cheers BTW Is night skiing worth a go or just a toss? Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 its not an extreme mountain she should be fine Link to post Share on other sites
Peter North 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I don't know what the lifts are but I was just earlier this evening looking at the map pages on here might help. I didn't know how the resorts were positioned before I saw this http://www.snowjapan.com/e/maps/snow-jap...niseko-map.html Link to post Share on other sites
spacmun 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Author Share Posted October 24, 2006 It might not be en extreme mountain, but what I really want to know is whether all 4 resorts are linked from the top of the mountain? Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 yes they are linked and my comment was for your wife Link to post Share on other sites
woywoy 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Night skiing is usually a good time to get relatively uncrowded turns in spacmun. At Niseko I remember more than 1/2 the mountain being lit up so some pretty good riding can be had especially if the white stuff is still falling. Get amongst it. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 best ****in night skiing in Niseko mate It is absolutely magic. Link to post Share on other sites
kaiser soce 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 She should be ok....but, If its blowing snow at the top she may not like it that much. If the gondola is on wind hold you wont be able to make it over to Hirafu and if IIRC the high single chair at the top of higashiyama may not be much fun for the missus in a blizzard. My advice would be to catch the bus if the weather sucks or possibly a cab may be neccesary as busses are infrequent in the middle of the day. Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 buses infrequent in the middle of the day? Perhaps things have changed but I remember a couple of years ago that there's a regular bus service running between the 3 main resorts throughout the day (free as I recall, at least to pass holders). Otherwise you'd be holding an all-mountain pass and stuck on one resort because of the weather... Link to post Share on other sites
Rag-Doll 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The Niseko bus connection is a joke. If the gondolas close down due to high winds you can expect to be stranded for hours - really. Spacmum, the resort connection at the top of the mountain is at worst slow and very cold but that is about it, unless there is a whiteout as well in which case it is slow, cold and more than a little surreal! Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 ok things to pack in your pockets for riding my advice. always have 100 yen stretchy gloves in your pocket. they can increase your glove heat and soak up moisture. HAve another pair of thicker liners as well. face mask neopreane never leave home without it. that will save you on a cold day. Link to post Share on other sites
kaiser soce 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by skidaisuki: buses infrequent in the middle of the day? Perhaps things have changed but I remember a couple of years ago that there's a regular bus service running between the 3 main resorts throughout the day (free as I recall, at least to pass holders). Otherwise you'd be holding an all-mountain pass and stuck on one resort because of the weather... From memory no busses betwween 11:30 and 14:30. They are only free for all mountain pass holders. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Quite a few years ago, but I remember the buses being shite too! Waited for ages trying to get one. I had assumed that the Aussie influx might have spurred an improvement, but evidently not... Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 You can take the Prince Gondola and then ski down to Downhill number 3. Take this up to the top and and ski towards the left through black diamond towards base of Ace number 4 and you'll be at the top of Hirafu. From there you have the whole of the Grand Hirafu area to play in. Or take the Prince Gondola up and walk 15 mins on the signposted path towards Hirafu. Alternatively, if you like waiting around, the shuttle is available. Make sure you have the Niseko United lift pass or they will charge you 500Yen per ride. The last bus from Hirafu is 6:30pm. I usually have to shove dinner down my face at the Alpen if I'm going to make that bus. Prince Higashiyama is a ghastly hotel, you sure you want to stay there? I stayed in Feb 'cos there was no other choice, ended up at Hirafu most of the time because the food is better and cheaper and more slopes, less huge school parties. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I know NPC has created Niseko Ground Services (NGS) to help foreigners up there. You might be able to find some info on that here and it could be cheaper than a taxi and faster - but dunno... Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 NPC and good ole SkiJ. Before you know it, they've sweet talked you into a day trip to Rusutsu, starting off early in the morning with a slight detour to see some of the lodges coming onstream in 2008 and oh, you're just in luck we have these two under offer but you may get a look in..... And now to Rusutsu..... Link to post Share on other sites
js 0 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by thursday: NPC and good ole SkiJ. Before you know it, they've sweet talked you into a day trip to Rusutsu, starting off early in the morning with a slight detour to see some of the lodges coming onstream in 2008 and oh, you're just in luck we have these two under offer but you may get a look in..... And now to Rusutsu..... So you've done that little side trip too?! Perhaps the most important thing that wasn't mentioned above - the Hotel isn't the best place to stay. Would've been better to stay in one of the Pensiones closer to the village as it provides better opportunities - but I guess that's too late now? Link to post Share on other sites
damian 0 Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 If she wants to take the bus between resorts rather than use the lift system then I suggest skiing is not the sport for your relationship. Consider golf. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 you might not be surprised that the bus is half full of old biddies who at the age of 70+ are still actively skiing. (Dig their one piece suits in yellow and purple from the 80s.) And the other half is the school run, parents dropping off their kids at the ski school in Hirafu. Perhaps that's why it's so infrequent. Link to post Share on other sites
johndknm 0 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by Fattwins: ok things to pack in your pockets for riding my advice. always have 100 yen stretchy gloves in your pocket. they can increase your glove heat and soak up moisture. HAve another pair of thicker liners as well. face mask neopreane never leave home without it. that will save you on a cold day. amen to the neoprene Link to post Share on other sites
spacmun 0 Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 anymore? Link to post Share on other sites
snosurf 0 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Always carry money to buy a hot can of coffee out of the vending machines. It's cheap, and nice. I like the black sesame hot chocolate...They are a bit on the small side though, you need 2 Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by spacmun: anymore? tell me what more do you need? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 on the subject of vending machines, I like the sake vending machine in the Alpen. Hang there with a sake or beer after going to the john. Link to post Share on other sites
coldcat 0 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Can you go from one resort to the other at night skiing/boarding? Or is the top of the mountain close at night? Link to post Share on other sites
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