 Poster: A snowHead
|
Just starting to plan winter 2012 ski plans, and have had an incredible offer to visit an old friend in Japan , he is suggesting hakuba as the place for us to ski ( he boards actually) and I have only really looked at niseko myself,
So thinking of six days at one or four days at each , any thoughts would be appreciated 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Both.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
looks bloody brilliant i asked one of my pals about oing this year and he just said "shushi does my head in get it out of your head" think Im gonna have to get a new pal 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Neilski, only done Niseko & Furano myself. Will defo go back to Niseko/Hirafu due to it's gated access & avi controlled off-piste. Won't go back to Furano as off-piste skiing can only be done with a guide. No knowledge of Hakuba I'm afraid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
spyderjon, after a bit of research two centre trip seems the best way to go , and niseko is on the defo list for the access that you mentioned, are you still thinking of going out next year , if so would be great to meet up, am thinking early feb.
meandrew, get a new mate, there is more to japan than raw fish !!!! , i am going for the guaranteed pow !!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
For that length of time I would go with one or the other.
If Honshu, then Hakuba, Myoko Kogen and Nozawa Onsen.
If Niseko, then Niseko, Rusutsu and Kiroro.
Ask here or PM me if you'd like more info on Hokkaido.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neilski, We did Zao and Shiga Kogen about 4 days in each this year, the thing to consider is how your are going to transfer between each resort, we took day to move between them and its the same island and did it by train, not a problem as Japanese trains are great, though luggage space is limited.
Check out the Snowjapan site, a bit like snowheads, lots of useful information, also www.japanskiexperience.co.uk.
Hakuba was one of the resorts we looked at, but the draw of the snow monkey meant we went for Shiga Kogen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I did both last Feb, it takes a bit of organisation and transfers eat into time but its fantastic. I'd go with Mike Pow, suggestion though and do the niseko option with a few days in tokyo. Brush the dust off your aussie phrase book and you'll have no worries mate.
meandrew, it's not the sushi thats a problem they do eat other things, it's just they do have a tendency to put fish sauce in things you would't expect. It's a fantastic place and somewhere we will definitely return to.
A general tip is to buy connecting flights, if you are doing tokyo and niseko, through your incoming airline. we flew on lufthansa's a380 (very comfortable and no problems with skis etc) and used their star alliance partner for cheap flights to niseko with skis, again no problem, but we had to inform them before hand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Pow, cheers , will send pm over weekend, as this is a once in a life time trip want to get it right and see the best of what japan has to offer.
Mt, not much snow when you were there then 
radar, thanks for the link will be back with more questions after plenty of research
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Niseko Resort Area, Hokkaido
Four base areas:
Annupuri - quiet, most Japanese of the area, lodges and private homes, some great restaurants, next door to smaller ski area Moiwa
Niseko Village - large hotel, couple of smaller lodges, couple of restaurants
Hirafu - 'the village', most choice of restaurants, accom, and retail. Lively, but least 'Japanese' in feel
Hanazono - day lodge and a couple of private homes. Best and quickest access to Strawberry Fields and the peak
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
You'll have a great time. Did Hakuba (day each in Goryu-47, Happo and Cortina) and Niseko in Jan / Feb this year. Enjoyed both: Hakuba is a bit more laid back and more challenging skiing though the off-piste policy is more restricttive (except Cortina - if you're happy skiing steep, tight tress, go). Niseko kinda like video game skiing: mellow and deep and go anywhere. Great fun but all felt a bit more coroporate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| spyderjon wrote: |
| Neilski, only done Niseko & Furano myself. Will defo go back to Niseko/Hirafu due to it's gated access & avi controlled off-piste. Won't go back to Furano as off-piste skiing can only be done with a guide. No knowledge of Hakuba I'm afraid. |
Niseko has an avie bulletin but no avie control to speak of - they have a volunteer expert write the bulletin and advise on if to open the gates or not - Found plenty of stuff that would slide if provoked - just a warning make sure your ski partners know how to do a tranciver search as they are your ONLY real chance of rescue off piste in japan!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Idris, noted, hence the need for a guide/instructor or the off piste and side country skiing
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Neilski, there are a few area which they seemed to tolerate it in happo but they got tracked quickly. Trees and lift lines were mostly off limits including cameras to enforce it. And the Cortina trees? Judge for yourself in this video: http://vimeo.com/19206750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Neilski wrote: |
Mike Pow, Any recommendations for a guide/instructor/ski school for the off piste in niseko , will be warming up and taking it easy in hakuba then will be looking to see as much off piste as possible in hokkaido |
When are you there? Dates?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Pow, Happo 21st feb to 26th feb then niseko annupuri 1st march to 6th march
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
thebongolian, Think I could be up for some of that , we are staying right on the main slope at happo , so hope to get first tracks for myself 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
http://hakubasnowsports.com/ is a great school in Hakuba, I work for NBS in Hirafu, not sure whether there are any English speaking schools in Annupuri.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
jimmer, cheers for the link, most useful probably do a private one on one for a couple of days in niseko , so hopefully find an english speaking guide/instructor to come over there
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
jimmer, thats great cheers , will be in touch nearer to the time
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Hi All I'm off to japan for work in jan.and wanted to snowboard in hakuba for a few days, any advice about cheap accomodation or night life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
