maded 0 Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 Greetings from Seattle, Our family is considering a ski holidy in Japan next winter-around Christmas- New Years. We have relatives and friends in Japan but don't want to depend on them-- they spend way too much time and money on us and we don't want to wear out our welcome. We have a 9 yo daughter who can handle most blue runs at Whistler, and Mom and Dad are in their 40's and can handle blue and some black-- no ice. We would like suggestions about areas we can reach by public transportation, not too costly and with a pleasent ambience. Of course our dream is to ski and follow up with a rotenburo soak at a nice at a Ryokan but we have also enjoyed Hostels. We would probably only be able to bring clothes, no skiis or boots so rental would be required. We would probably visit with our friends who live around Chiba and Gifu, sightsee and then skii 4-5 days. Of course we will search the articles and archives on this great site but any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks in advance, Maded Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 I always say this but ... Nozawa Onsen. It has it all, including free onsen (12 or so). Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 Chiba and Gifu? Quite a distance apart. Nozawa is a good choice though. Rental you can get at every resort. Link to post Share on other sites
akibun 0 Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 There are some town with many resort in small area good for choice. For example, Yuzawa in Niigata or Hakuba in Nagano or Shiga Kogen in Nagano or Myoko Kogen in Niigata. It might be good idea. I think everybody likes Nozawa. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 I'm sure you'd have a good time in Hakuba. Quite a few resorts, tonnes of hotels (check out the resorts and places to stay page links at the top of this page), lots to choose from. We had a great time. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 You might want to consider the Shiga Kogen areas as well in Nagano. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites
frannyo 2 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Yes Shiga Kogen might be good for skiing family. And you can mix in Nozawa at the same time. Link to post Share on other sites
BulbFish 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 I'm new as well and nozawa is one of the first places I am planning to go to. Cant wait. Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 I have to say that if you have a limited Japanese speaking ability you should head north to Hokkaido mainly Niseko. Also they allow you to ski some of the off-piste up there which is not usually permitted down south. So unless your willing to brake a few rules in the south Niseko might be the best. Also if you like to ski the blacks at W/B then you probably do not want to be restricted to groomed/cut runs and probably want to get into the trees a bit which is pretty good at Niseko. Just my 2-cents. But having said that Gifu has amazing hills. If you go to the right places you can avoid the crowds of Takasu area and ski amazing snow in really good trees. PM me for good locations. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Quote: I have to say that if you have a limited Japanese speaking ability you should head north to Hokkaido mainly Niseko. And why on earth so? There is no strong reason to choose Niseko if you have limited Japanese speaking ability. And going to Niseko will be like going to another country - more gaijin than Japanese. Do you want to make your way to Japan just to be plonked right in the middle of a place just so you can speak English?? Sounds like a rubbish idea to me, even though the snow up there is many people think the tops. I would definitely avoid Niseko. I'd choose somwehre like Nozawa for a nicer all-round experience. Link to post Share on other sites
cheesewoman 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Keep in mind however that many resorts do not do much for cheesefans. So you will need to take your own. Link to post Share on other sites
blinkin'ek 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Family ski holiday? I would also avoid the Niseko monster. Some of the places where you have a good choice for 4-5 days in Nagano are a good bet. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Nozawa has lotsa trees and generally very easy-going patrol. Sounds like Toque hasn't been there... Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 No I havn't. But is running from the patrol a family thing to do? I don't think so. As humerous as it for us to break the rules not many families probably want to. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Where did they say they were dead set on off-piste?? Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 I took the clue from that they like to ski the blacks at W/B. Many of those are off-piste. Not everybody likes to ski on the cut runs. And not everybody likes to run from the patrol. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Toque I would say that this family might not be into the off piste thing plus Im sure they dont want to loose 1.5 days cause of traveling. From Chiba Id go to Yuzawa easy access by train Neaba or the other areas have tons to do. From Gifu you can hit up Hakuba or Nozawa for big resorts. In Hakuba you will find Happo the best for trail selection on piste it has the only true high alpine skiing in the valley. Nozawa is a good choice too by far tons to do and pure japan. Nozawa has a great tree course at the top for people who are just getiing into that sort of thing. Spaces 3meters or more and only 25 degrees max. Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Yah I know. But midway through my first response I re read the post and noticed they wanted to go to Gifu area and another area. So I wrote at the bottom that Gifu has very good resorts and to PM me if they wanted more info on them. And then everybody jumped down my throat Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 ooo, sensitive! Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 We all get jumpy when there isnt any snow to ski on. Im getting my fill of water but it aint frozen. Whats the budget for your ski adventures maded Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 I never, EVER, run from patrol. I'm an adult. And at Nozawa they don't generally bother you anyway. Link to post Share on other sites
IceEiji 0 Posted June 20, 2004 Share Posted June 20, 2004 I would say good places are like people say, in Niigata (Yuzawa area?), or different popular place in Nagano. Gifu has good place also. Link to post Share on other sites
taguchi 0 Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 I might consider going to a place that has different resort like Hakuba or Nozawa/Shiga Kogen. Have a good time. Link to post Share on other sites
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