 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Make the most of it.
Only about seven months until the end of the season 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Excellent 
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Thursday 06 November 2008
Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area
Rained from yesterday afternoon through to the early hours of this morning. Torrential at times.
Woke to glorious sunshine and Indian Summer temperatures.
Reminded me of my forays into the snow back home in Wales. One day it's there, the next it's not.
Hard to believe Glen and I made turns on the hill yesterday.
Perfect day for a day off snow.
Snow forecast for the weekend. And more importantly colder temps.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Sat 22-11-08 10:18; edited 1 time in total
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great stoke, keep it coming from Nihon
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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i must get out there some day soon 
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Oh what a shame the last days rain, but at least you did some turns before!! Nice news, keep us informed!! Some day I'll ski there.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Mike Pow,
Great early season stuff, always enjoyable
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Saturday 08 November 2008
Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area
Started snowing around 5ish last night.
Coming down pretty good but very small 'flake' size.
The village is covered this morning (2-5cm) but temps have risen and there is melting going on.
Still snowing as I write, but not enough to make turns.
Maybe tomorrow 
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Sat 22-11-08 10:19; edited 1 time in total
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You know it makes sense.
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Monday 10 November 2008
Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area
Much nicer day today.
Sunny, windy, dry, colder.
No snow below the top of Ace Quad. A little above.
Yotei seems to have fared better with the rain and milder temps.
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Sat 22-11-08 10:20; edited 1 time in total
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Autumn has returned to the Niseko Resort Area with no opportunity to make turns on the hill or on Mt Yotei.
The coverage on Yotei looks impressive, but I was caught out twice last winter hiking up with my skis only to hike back down without making any turns. Twice bitten, thrice shy.
We've had some beautiful sunrises and sunsets as the temps have cooled and the air has cleared.
After three days hiking the hill and making turns the wait for more snow was killing me.
A crew from the Niseko area headed up to Sounkyo last weekend for the opening of the Kurodake Ropeway and the opening of Black Mountain Lodge.
Black Mountain Lodge
Blog
But with the promise of clear skies the following week, Glen and I cooled our heels in Hirafu and headed up this past Wednesday morning (the 12th).
The 5hr drive up from Hirafu passed quickly, especially when we started to see more and more snow on the side of the road and blanketing the peaks in the distance.
This part of Hokkaido has mountains, not hills, and it was great to have that sense of being in the alpine again.
On the way to Sounkyo we took a detour to check out a little known gem in the area, Kitaitaisetsu Ski Area
Kitataisetsu Ski Area
There was a healthy covering of snow top to bottom and this unassuming mountain is must visit when it opens in early December.
We rolled into Sounkyo around sunset and headed to the Ginga and Ryusei Waterfalls about a click out of town.
It was colder than a witch's tit with the waterfall and river frozen in many places.
Sounkyo
Kurodake Ropeway
We did Sounkyo large and stayed at the Hotel Taisetsu overlooking the mountain and the town centre. Shared tatami room (boiling hot) with buffet breakfast (decent) and all you can eat Viking buffet dinner (excellent) for 8,000 yen.
We were the only two non-Japanese staying at the hotel and the youngest by about 15 years. There were about 500 guests from Honshu on a bus tour of Hokkaido. The bonus was a live entertainment in the lobby from what appeared to be a famous Japanese artiste singing along to a backing tape. She had the very appreciative crowd in the palm of her hands as she sang and glided through the group shaking hands and having photos taken. This was followed by bingo.
The onsen in the hotel are spectacular, especially the open air one on the 7th floor looking up to Kurodake peak. At night it was illuminated by moonglow and in the morning by alpenglow. Very civilised.
Hotel Taisetsu
We left the hotel before 8am with the walls of the gorge bathed in the early sunlight.
Caught the second tram up and with the feeling that the clouds could roll in at any moment headed straight to the double chair and then the hike up to the 1984m Kurodake Peak.
Our prize the 'Grinch' like off angle face and gully below.
The hike took about 90 mins with only the odd waist deep wallow.
Glen Claydon hiking to the summit of Daisetsuzan Kurodake
Some great views on the way up of the terrain between Kurodake and Asahidake, at 2290m the highest peak in the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range and on Hokkaido.
After the obligatory summit shots it was time to drop in.
The snow was windblown in parts with a 15-20cm breakable crust and boot top dry powder in others.
The pitch was consistent and steepish, high 30s, and fast.
MikePow skiing from the summit of Daisetsuzan Kurodake
Unknown riding from the summit of Daisetsuzan Kurodake
Glen Calydon riding from the summit of Daisetsuzan Kurodake
Some excellent terrain up there that will be spectacular in waist deep pow.
The coverage below the top of the Ropeway was thin so we decided to head back to the groomed area beside the chairlift. But when conditions allow the run from the peak to the town will be epic. 1314m of vert from wide open bowl to tight, technical trees.
Can't wait.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Sat 15-11-08 10:17; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ha ha 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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8 weeks to go! cannot wait
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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great pics!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thursday 20 November 2008
Grand Hirafu, Niseko Resort Area
24 at the door.
24cm in the past 24 hrs at MQ in the St Moritz / Kabayama area of Hirafu at an altitude of approx. 250m
Cold, dry pow.
Set off from the cabin at 8:15 and got to Ace Hill at 10.
At least 50cm all over the mountain with continual snowfall since 8 this morning.
Ace Hill down to the start of the Kokutai Course was less than epic. It entailed me straight lining and poling and travelling about 1 km per day. The bottom third of the descent wasn't much better.
But the filling in the sandwich - the turns on Kokutai Course - was powtastic. Boot top to mid-thigh with legit chest and face shots. Superlight.
My uptrack was barely visible as I made my way to the Alpen Hotel.
Spoke with patrol and they were very non-commital about Saturday's proposed opening. If the wheels do turn, then downloading on the Ace Quad will be the order of the day. They were roping off everything below Ace Hill as I dropped in.
By the time I got back to the cabin it was time to shovel again. At least 10cm had fallen in the time I was out.
No sign of this letting up, so expect 1 to 1.5m on the ground come opening day.
No pics sorry. Me, myself and I and it was dumping the whole time.
Big Thursday
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sat 22-11-08 10:22; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Mike Pow, some amazing pics here........looking forward to your reports 
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Meanwhile here on Honshu we got about 70cm yesterday on the upper slopes of Zao(Yamagata Prefecture) where the 1979 Interski was held......for those of you who know what Interski is and can remember that far back! 2 lifts were open. Today, Friday, it has continued snowing so more lifts should be open tomorrow for the long weekend.....3 days of powder, yeah Here at sea level we had a couple of cm yesterday. Hope your big Alpine Dump arrives folks!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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ii na, wakai kara nomi houdai daijobu desu.......Zao now has 100cm up top and 60cm bottom.....on our scale of S(powder), A,B,C,D we're at A, more lifts opening and tomorrow maybe we can ski 600m vertical. Enjoy your beer, shochu, wine and even the odd whiskey, but respect the sake......it likes to be drunk from the beginning of the evening until you fall asleep 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Wise words Mac46.
Wise words
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Sunday 23 November 2008
Annupuri, Niseko Resort Area
26cm in the past 24 hrs at MQ.
Great nomi houdai at Wild Bills. Most of the village was there. Real buzz at the moment. Lots of familiar faces, plenty of new ones too. More ladies in town it seems this winter. Niseko to lose its 'Sausage Fest' reputation? Only time will tell.
Pulled an all nighter after Wild Bills watching the rugby from Europe, so today's turns at Annupuri were less than stellar. Opening day there and there were plenty of good turns to be had. A little windblown in places and a little bare in others, but a solid start to the season. Katsu curry was top notch. Just what the doctor ordered.
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You know it makes sense.
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Another great day......access to our 'Wall' was open....fun, fun, fun! about 38degrees(the Wall!) and again excellent snow. The town still looks dead.....autumn guests gone, winter ones yet to arrive....the town tubs(hot springs) are not crowded....lucky early birds Back to work tomorrow.....ok, my legs need a rest!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Worth a cheeky trip. Or wait until Feb?
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Poster: A snowHead
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+5cm this morning, but warmer weather in the offing......we are higher than your base in Hokkaido so we can only hope 1cm in Sendai today....had to clear the tennis court for our lunchtime game. Feb should be better.....we hope!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Cheers Mac46
Monday 24 November 2008 to Thursday 27 November 2008
Asahigaoka Park, Niseko Resort Area
0cm at MQ in this period.
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday were cold, dry and sunny with hard surface conditions.
Woke early this morning intending to ski but my Spidey Senses were tingling so bailed.
Glad I did. Started pissing down at village level around 11:30.
Still raining, hopefully snowing further up the hill. Can't see it's socked in.
On a lighter and brighter note I was in Kutchan on Tuesday and drove by Asahigaoka Park. Small ski area with a disused ski jump that some brave souls huck their meat off.
Doesn't open until the weekend after next but a few people have hiked it. Cool little area that would be great on a pow day. Super views of Yotei and Kutchan from the top of the lift.
Must be some of the cheapest skiing on Hokkaido too.
100 yen per ride (double chair)
1,000 yen for an 11 ride ticket book
1,500 all day
And a little bird told me that the Katsu-don in the 'day lodge' is the best in Kutchan.
Will get some action pics soon.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 30-11-08 10:38; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Nice.
Just wondering if you could add a short paragraph or PM me on how to get from Tokyo to Niseko on the night train plus how long.
Im in Japan so either heading there or Nagano.
Ta
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Sir, Japan has lots of Tourist Offices, not to mention JR Information desks. In the meantime I quote from the snowjapan site I previously suggested you access:
The most popular way to get to the Resorts in Hokkaido, and the quickest, is by flying (from Haneda Airport in Tokyo). Many airlines and travel agents have packages to Hokkaido. There are many flights between Hokkaido and the cities throughout Japan. Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Air Systems (JAS) operate most flights. Although most people arrive at New Chitose International Airport (about 40 km south of Sapporo), other cities such as Asahikawa, Hakodate, Kushiro and Wakkanai in the north also have flights to Tokyo, Osaka and other cities in Honshu.
If you are already in Japan, the quickest way to get to Hokkaido from the Tokyo area is by plane from Haneda Airport. Shin-Chitose airport is 1 hour 30 minutes from Haneda airport in Tokyo, and 2 hours 10 minutes from Itami Airport in Osaka. If you are in a hurry, you can also take one of the many internal flights within Hokkaido that go to cities such as Hakodate, Kushiro and Wakkanai. Flights leave from both New Chitose and Okadama airports, so it’s important to ask when you purchase your ticket. If you are flying out of Okadama airport, the bus ride from Sapporo takes about 25 minutes and costs around 300 yen.
New Chitose Airport
Just a few minutes outside the industrial city of Chitose is the New Chitose International Airport. It takes about 35 minutes by train (limited express) to Sapporo on the JR Chitose line. You can also take a bus to Sapporo in about 70 minutes, to Lake Shikotsu in 45 minutes, Lake Toya in 2 hours and 15 minutes, Noboribetsu Onsen in 70 minutes, and the popular ski resort area of Niseko in about 3 hours. Note: Buses only run to Toya-ko and Noboribetsu Onsen from June to October.
By Bus
Unlike other parts of Japan, Hokkaido’s bus network is far more extensive than the railway system. People often use the buses for long distance traveling, but even the metropolitan buses can be just as fast as the trains. Buses also tend to run more frequently and cost less than taking the train. Keep in mind that buses going to more remote areas of the island don’t run as often, so make sure you check the schedule ahead of time. It can also be difficult (and expensive) to get tickets during peak seasons.
By car
The main roads used for getting to the Niseki is the Sasson Expressway from Sapporo to Otaru and then Route 5 towards Niseko.
I am aware that you want to use your JR Railpass.........might I respectfully suggest you get the information you need directly from JR.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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And down here on the main island: on Zao yesterday(Sun) we had an icy start because of the sunshine and high temps on Sat. Snow arrived and most of the morning conditions were a little heavy, but in the p.m. temps dropped and conditions improved a lot. Some very nice skiing. We have 120 on top and still 60cm at the base and everything is open. Closer to home a couple of the local areas have opened earlier than usual so there are lots of happy skiers and boarders Snow is forecast for the weekend........just to please the TV crews up to film the official opening of the Zao ski area. Okazaki-san, the head priest at Zao Onsen Shrine, will bless the slopes and pray for a safe season; ski patrol members will do some formation skiing and the local schoolchildren will follow next dressed in 'anime' characters' suits; finally, and most importantly, sake will be drunk and a 1.8l bottle of this year's brew will be placed in the shrine along with other appropriate gifts.
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Ooooh.
Road trip worthy Mac46?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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That's sealed it. I'm making my booking ASAP. I'll be out your way in Feb/Mar.
Great Thread!
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Stay there.....you're having a lot more fun......and the ski patrol here will be roping off under-the-lift-areas soon! Japan is still the only place I've had my lift pass taken by ski patrol(Appi under Vista Quad in the trees......mind you there had been a death the week before). We have very little off piste on the Yamagata side of Zao, on the Miyagi side it's better, but short and sweet......and I'm too lazy/old to hike! What skis are you on in those great pics?
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FAQ
