 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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@Cedrick, yes I'm super interested. I've PM'd you
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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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I would definitely be interested in new year/early Jan
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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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@admin, just an FYI - we have used these guys https://www.mnkniseko.com/the-chalets-at-country-resort for a group trip 20+ across multiple chalets in Niseko before and using them again in Feb 2020. Absolutely great value for money and flexibility and they have numerous chalets. Granted they are a 5min minibus ride out of Grand Hirafu- but I cannot recommend them enough if there was ever going to be a snowhead JAPOWbash. And as we were such a large group we effectively ended up having our own private minibus on demand to get out to the pistes in the morning.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Fri 18-10-19 14:22; 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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@benru@admin - how dumb of me getting last year's post I'm just really looking for a trip after boxing day anytime anywhere but Japan would be great, I'm based in Brussels but will be home for Xmas so flights from wherever are Ok for me
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Not dumb @LolaG: threads get revived all the time.
You never know, your posting might even rattle @benru's cage and awaken him from his slumbers 
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@admin, I think we need a snowheads JAPOWbash.
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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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| Seahoob wrote: |
| @admin, We need a snowheads JAPOWbash. |
FIFY
We talked about a JapSB at last year's PSB, disappointed it won't be this winter, but I'd be up for it next winter, 20/21. In fact I don't see why we couldn't have a UnJapSB if a few of us got together.
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Andanotherthing and I are due to arrive on the 25th Jan in Sapporo for a couple of weeks and looking for ski buddies after a couple of the original party are now unable to make it. Our plan is to hire a car and make it a road trip, following the snow and booking as we go. Last time we headed East to the other side - Trip report here:
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=137182#3211603
If anyone fancies hooking up with us that would be cool. A couple of cars keeps things flexible and gives more options.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Sun 17-11-19 13:40; edited 1 time in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| fifiskis wrote: |
| Fifiskis and I are due to arrive on the 25th Jan |
But you are fifiskis 
Are you going twice? fifiskisskis
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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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...defo interested for 2020 if you don’t mind older guys! Booked St Anton for jan and Verbier for mar so no room in this seasons diary. Read today about the new finnair route via Helsinki avoiding Tokyo , sounds sweet.
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you mean 2021?
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You know it makes sense.
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I do
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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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| Adski69 wrote: |
Hi guys . New to the forum been wanting to do Japan but only have xmas and new year as doing whistler in February.
As seen few of you looking 2020 would be up for that if there is group going |
I will be in whistler solo in feb if you fancy meeting up. also in niseko in Jan.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Seahoob wrote: |
| @admin, I think we need a snowheads JAPOWbash. |
I'd be on for that in 2021. I've already committed all my leave in 2020 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Seriously thinking (again) about a trip for next year... anyone interested?
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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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| tc001 wrote: |
| Seriously thinking (again) about a trip for next year... anyone interested? |
Potentially… went to Japan for the first time last year. Loved it. Must return.
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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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| tc001 wrote: |
| Seriously thinking (again) about a trip for next year... anyone interested? |
yep!
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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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Would be super grateful for advice from those who have done Japan a few times before..... Is it best to pay a premium and go with a T/O (flights transfers and accommodation) or DIY?
I am super keen to go 2025 but worry about trying to organise these things so far away from home. Currently don't have a buddy to travel with as normal buddy isn't interested in any uphill stuff.
I realise it is a long way into the future but want to put away a stash of cash monthly to be able to spend well on the trip. Either way I will be looking for a good deal but equally don't want to spend 1K+ on a flight to ski pistes.
A few questions:
Firstly is it truly worth it? Am I guaranteed to get deep light snow?
Do you really need a guide?
Is Niseko the best resort for first and possibly only trip?
Is enough English spoken and written to be able to get by?
Is New Chitose the best airport for Niseko and what are the transfer options?
(If any one is able/ willing to be my 'mentor' on this [thank you en-advance] I am sure I will have a few more questions.
Has anyone used SkiSafari?
Has anyone used Explore-share.com
I have seen an option to join a guided group for 10 days at £2600ish plus travel and I think food. This seems to be reasonable based on the £500+ per day guiding that I have seen on other sites. I was surprised to be only able to find guiding at over £500...?
If anyone is interested in putting a small trip together get in touch (even better if you are a JapPow expert) I'm a fairly decent skier, male, 31...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
A few questions:
Firstly is it truly worth it? |
yes
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| Am I guaranteed to get deep light snow? |
No.
Nothing is ever guaranteed but you can make choices that substantially increase the probability.
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Do you really need a guide? |
depends what you want to do as to how useful that is but it's not essential in order to have an epic trip.
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Is Niseko the best resort for first and possibly only trip? |
Niseko most closely resembles what we regard as a ski resort in Europe. Other places have other strengths.
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Is enough English spoken and written to be able to get by? |
In Niseko 4 sure - everyone in the bars and restaurants may look Japanese but they mostly speak with a broad Aussie accent.
We spoke very little Japanese and got by fine. Not that everyone spoke English, many don't, but I'm not daunted by trying to communicate with gestures and signs when there's a language gap: I tend to think it's fun.
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Is New Chitose the best airport for Niseko |
yes
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and what are the transfer options?
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no idea - we hired a car... With a Japanese satnav
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| tc001 wrote: |
Would be super grateful for advice from those who have done Japan a few times before..... Is it best to pay a premium and go with a T/O (flights transfers and accommodation) or DIY?
I am super keen to go 2025 but worry about trying to organise these things so far away from home. Currently don't have a buddy to travel with as normal buddy isn't interested in any uphill stuff.
I realise it is a long way into the future but want to put away a stash of cash monthly to be able to spend well on the trip. Either way I will be looking for a good deal but equally don't want to spend 1K+ on a flight to ski pistes.
A few questions:
Firstly is it truly worth it? Am I guaranteed to get deep light snow?
Do you really need a guide?
Is Niseko the best resort for first and possibly only trip?
Is enough English spoken and written to be able to get by?
Is New Chitose the best airport for Niseko and what are the transfer options?
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Guaranteed - no, but highly likely
Depends where you go I guess!
Depends on what you want to get out of a trip! As you can see in this thread, most have toured around Hokkaido other areas to smaller less areas & less commercialised.
Not had many problems. Have used papago to translate a lot of text/photos when needed in Japan. Niseko is full of Australians, you hear very little japanese.
Yes & lots of bus options you can pre-book.
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| tc001 wrote: |
Would be super grateful for advice from those who have done Japan a few times before..... Is it best to pay a premium and go with a T/O (flights transfers and accommodation) or DIY?
I am super keen to go 2025 but worry about trying to organise these things so far away from home. Currently don't have a buddy to travel with as normal buddy isn't interested in any uphill stuff.
I realise it is a long way into the future but want to put away a stash of cash monthly to be able to spend well on the trip. Either way I will be looking for a good deal but equally don't want to spend 1K+ on a flight to ski pistes.
A few questions:
Firstly is it truly worth it? Am I guaranteed to get deep light snow?
Do you really need a guide?
Is Niseko the best resort for first and possibly only trip?
Is enough English spoken and written to be able to get by?
Is New Chitose the best airport for Niseko and what are the transfer options?
(If any one is able/ willing to be my 'mentor' on this [thank you en-advance] I am sure I will have a few more questions.
Has anyone used SkiSafari?
Has anyone used Explore-share.com
I have seen an option to join a guided group for 10 days at £2600ish plus travel and I think food. This seems to be reasonable based on the £500+ per day guiding that I have seen on other sites. I was surprised to be only able to find guiding at over £500...?
If anyone is interested in putting a small trip together get in touch (even better if you are a JapPow expert) I'm a fairly decent skier, male, 31... |
As per admin advice. A good easy option furano snow tours. Ken is a top guide, based in Furano and brings your every day to best places and best conditions. He lives locally, speaks native level Japanese, super comfortable accommodation at his house. If that is your first trip and you want to get best conditions available - book with furano snow tours.
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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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| tc001 wrote: |
Would be super grateful for advice from those who have done Japan a few times before..... Is it best to pay a premium and go with a T/O (flights transfers and accommodation) or DIY?
I am super keen to go 2025 but worry about trying to organise these things so far away from home. Currently don't have a buddy to travel with as normal buddy isn't interested in any uphill stuff.
I realise it is a long way into the future but want to put away a stash of cash monthly to be able to spend well on the trip. Either way I will be looking for a good deal but equally don't want to spend 1K+ on a flight to ski pistes.
A few questions:
Firstly is it truly worth it? Am I guaranteed to get deep light snow?
Do you really need a guide?
Is Niseko the best resort for first and possibly only trip?
Is enough English spoken and written to be able to get by?
Is New Chitose the best airport for Niseko and what are the transfer options?
(If any one is able/ willing to be my 'mentor' on this [thank you en-advance] I am sure I will have a few more questions.
Has anyone used SkiSafari?
Has anyone used Explore-share.com
I have seen an option to join a guided group for 10 days at £2600ish plus travel and I think food. This seems to be reasonable based on the £500+ per day guiding that I have seen on other sites. I was surprised to be only able to find guiding at over £500...?
If anyone is interested in putting a small trip together get in touch (even better if you are a JapPow expert) I'm a fairly decent skier, male, 31... |
Have a look at Skilas. Very reasonably priced  .
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A group will be easier for the logistics and guide costs if going solo but you are restricted to their itinerary.
As a group of 5 we DIY’d including 3 guided days - 1 in Niseko (we ended up in Kiroro) and 2 in Furano (1 lift served touring and the other with a 2 hour drive into the back of beyond - best day of the trip). We were lucky with the conditions.
If going again I would fully DIY with vehicle and leave accom bookings to last minute to chase the pow. A few days after we skied thigh deep Japow in Kiroro we went back after a huge storm on the promise of 150cm snow over 3 days and top lift opening after being shut for 2 days. But the last few hours of snowfall had turned warm and the snow was Japoridge. We did 2 runs, sacked it off and drove 3 hours back to Asahidake where it was still blower…
But good guides need to be booked early so if you do that you need one that will travel. This guy in Furano was very adventurous
https://www.furanoadventuretours.com/your-guide
I do a lot of skiing but I won’t forget this day for the rest of my life
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2pS2kPShc-/?igsh=MWsybjB1czQ3Ynh1Zg==
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FAQ
