kronik 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Hi guys, I'm planning to head out to Japan for some snowboarding and our initial plan was to head to Niseko, cause we'd meet up with a friend from New Zealand there. Whilst looking for accommodation we got a good offer for Hakuba and since our New Zealand friend busted his shoulder, he probably won't make it anyway. So I was wondering, which resort would you choose, and for what purpouse? I've heard Niseko gets the best powder, but Hakuba has steeper slopes and a better park? We're staying for 3 months, so the size of the resort (and price of a skipass) would also be things to take into account... Thanks for your time and perhaps I'll some of you in either resort... Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Bear in mind that Niseko is pretty much just the one resort whereas there are a number of resorts within close range of each other in Hakuba. Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Isn't there another thread with almost the same title, if you do a search! Link to post Share on other sites
Davo 1 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Apples and oranges...Night vs day...or so...they say... Never been to Niseko and wouldn't bother purely because Hakuba is closer and steeper by a long shot if you believe whats to be read on these threads. The powder and terrain combo in Hakuba is waaay better than NZ. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Niseko vs Hakuba Also, just "Search" Niseko or Hakuba and you will get loads of info Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 yawn Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 I'm sleepy Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 niseko doesnt get more snow thats a myth Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 3 months! I'm sure everyone else in this forum is now jealous! Also sure, in both Niseko and Hakuba, few people speak Wallon or Flemish >I've heard Niseko gets the best powder, but Hakuba has steeper slopes and a better park? I think this above is what many people have mentioned about in this forum, too though I have never been to Niseko. Have fun Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 If you go to Niseko and you've got 3 months, it means you can easily try out Kiroro and Rusutsu nearby. A bit further and there is also Sapporo Kokusai, Furano, Tomamu and Sahoro. So there is still lots of variety from a Niseko base. Nevertheless, there is much much more at Hakuba. Not only do you have all the different slopes at Hakuba itself, but there is Shiga Kogen and others in Nagano, as well as all those in Niigata. If I had 3 months in Japan, I'd get that JR rail pass and do some 20 resorts within that time....10 of which would be in or near Hakuba. Link to post Share on other sites
kronik 0 Posted December 3, 2006 Author Share Posted December 3, 2006 cheers for the info so far guys and appologies for the not performing a search noobish like behavior. *cowers away* still not entirely sure what to pick,... though Hakuba seems to be nearer other interesting sights and taking the trip from belgium, and staying this amount of time, i certainly want to take the opportunity to see some sights... otherwise i might as well have stayed in austria. thanks again for your opinions, it seems either choice would be a good one. we'll just have to see which is more convenient. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 Hakuba is a better base because you have resorts like Shiga Kogen, Nozawa, and Myoko, which all probably have some of the best BC and terrain in Japan no more than 3 hours away. If you wanna compare Shiga Kogen also is rated with the driest snow in Japan. Though from mid-Dec through early March it pukes on Niseko so dont be surpised to wake up to 20,30-40cm dumps 5 days/week. Though when the snow stops will the mountain satisfy you for Spring touring? Doubtful. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 If you've got three months, I don't see why you can't go to both. There's a flight from Sapporo to Matsumoto you can use. Hakuba's got a lot to offer, but on public transport, it's not such a good base to visit other areas in Nagano if that's what you want to do. You'd be better off moving all your gear and staying in the area you go to. Link to post Share on other sites
keba 0 Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 I agree with Markie and Mr Wiggles. 3 months is a long time at one resort uless you have a very good reason to stay put, and with the transport system in Japan, there is no good reason not to spread out your trip, maybe even 3 or 4 resort areas... And after a few weeks at Niseko, you'll be over it. Link to post Share on other sites
Hannahs'dad 0 Posted December 4, 2006 Share Posted December 4, 2006 3 months, see the lot, its all good! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 4, 2006 Share Posted December 4, 2006 3 months from when? Jan to March? March to June? If latter, go north, then work your way south to Hakuba as they still ski in June. Link to post Share on other sites
kronik 0 Posted December 7, 2006 Author Share Posted December 7, 2006 we're staying from the 16th of jan until begin, mid april. Guys, thanks a gazillion for all your input. I think however, we'll have to stick to one resort... So Hakuba, here we come!!! Link to post Share on other sites
snosurf 0 Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 hakuba is not one resort... it's an area containing 7+ resorts. Why do you think you have to stick to one resort? Are you in a wheelchair? Do you have mobility problems? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 It's called choice. It's because he can. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 its cheaper to buy a monthly pass and ski only 1 resort...many places are 4500/day... Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 never heard of a monthly pass guys. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 ...maybe just Niseko is cool like that then Link to post Share on other sites
Mudguts 0 Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Because you've never been to Niseko fattwins! Link to post Share on other sites
farquah 0 Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 This is a pretty cool vid shot in Niseko, complete with Car tow and good use for trees!! (Opening is crap though) NIseko powder- DCP Link to post Share on other sites
snosurf 0 Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by thursday: It's called choice. It's because he can. haha choice...because he can! Yeh, sticking to one resort when there is an abundance of ski areas is really a prime example of excercising choice, thursday. I know everyone has the right to choose what they want to do. This is blatantly obvious. But in terms of taking advantage of opportunities, staying at one resort is just plain silly - in my opinion. As for saving money by buying a monthly pass- I did that at hirafu last year and believe me, it makes you appreciate variety, the spice of life. Don't be a scrooge, fork out the extra and enjoy being able to choose to ride different terrain. Link to post Share on other sites
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