 Poster: A snowHead
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I'll be skiing in Hokkaido in 3 weeks time 
Time to start obsessing over snow and forecasts. From what I can see (looking at the SnowJapan data), it looks to be fairly average so far in terms of accumulation and snow depth in Hokkaido. Not the best, not the worst. Looking a bit mild at times during the next week with winds often slack or coming from non-ideal directions for snowfall. Fingers crossed for a big January + February.
Last winter I skied probably the best snow of my life in Hokkaido around the end of January. Hoping for a repeat!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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me to! Flying out in 3 weeks time myself.
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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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| Quote: |
| I think I'm the only westerner without a tattoo in most of Hokkaido's onsens... |
I thought they didn't allow tattoos? The one we visited last Feb didn't. We even saw a restaurant that prohibited tattoos!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| mountainaddict wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I think I'm the only westerner without a tattoo in most of Hokkaido's onsens... |
I thought they didn't allow tattoos? The one we visited last Feb didn't. We even saw a restaurant that prohibited tattoos! |
They often don't, but one of my favourite onsens in Hokkaido does allow tattoos and you often see people with tattoos there:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/a8MBiCyNbHEybGcC9
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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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Any Onsens in Grand Hirafu? To much of an effort to go anywhere else 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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GFS ensembles for Niseko showing good agreement on a mild-ish period from now until 5th January with a brief colder interlude on 31st. Temperatures probably going above 0 at times at resort base levels.
After 5th very messy, generally looking colder but various runs are bringing low pressure systems up Japan causing short (relatively) warm periods.
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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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Everyone keeps asking me if I am still going after this & the earthquake!
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| Gored wrote: |
Everyone keeps asking me if I am still going after this & the earthquake! |
Got caught in a Richter 7 quake in Tokyo a while back.
The top half of the skyscraper swayed like a flower in the wind.
Kinda fun. Like a free Disney ride.
Japanese (new) buildings are so well built. Little to worry about.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Gored wrote: |
Everyone keeps asking me if I am still going after this & the earthquake! |
Many people don't understand risk. Japan is one of the best-prepared countries in the world for earthquakes and tsunami. The risk is tiny, but is no more or less than it was before.
The plane incident was a terrible accident. But no doubt the Japanese (and everyone else) are being hyper vigilant to not let something like this happen again right now. The risk was tiny before, but is probably even less now.
The phenomenal fast evacuation of all 379 people from the burning A350 reinforces how safe and well-trained the JAL staff are, and how impressive modern aircraft engineering is.
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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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| Quote: |
| The phenomenal fast evacuation of all 379 people from the burning A350 reinforces how safe and well-trained the JAL staff are, and how impressive modern aircraft engineering is |
And how compliant the Japanese are in following authority/instructions. Apparently everyone remained seated, as instructed, until told to move and no one attempted to take their hand luggage with them. Textbook evacuation.
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What would seasoned tourers esp with Japan touring experience think about this - I use norrona roldal long jacket and trousers as well as lighter shells that are usually put to use during touring or when warmer spell hits. Wondering whether even packing the light/shell bits. Heading to the coldest part of Hokkaido and previously never even unpacked the light stuff. Will be doing a week or guided tour with some touring but still think going in full/warmer gear.
Temps swing from -5 to -20 at town level and will be lower on a mountain I would imagine.
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You know it makes sense.
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@mooney058, Quite a personal choice really. Personally I always get hot when I exercise. Out of 5-6 trips with ski touring in west and central Hokkaido (always mid January to mid February), I'm usually wearing either just a base layer, or a base layer + fleece, or base layer + shell jacket on the climbs. Usually with thin gloves and a buff around the ears to keep the wind off. Then put on all three layers for the descent.
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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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@musehead, thanks, will chuck the light shell jacket too. Still new to touring but never did it in -15/-20 conditions. But as it will be mixed group on boards and skis I do not expect long stretches, mostly easy access from what I understood. Will chuck the light stuff in skibag then, should still be under 23 kg
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Poster: A snowHead
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After a fairly dry few days and a mild afternoon today (up to 4.7C in Sapporo, 2.9C in Furano), forecast seems good for Hokkaido for the next 10 days. This is for Niseko Hirafu at base level:
Winds generally from W to NW and staying cold, should cause daily increasing snowfall totals. Should expect (much) more than the mm suggested above.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sorry for thread drift but any decent restaurant recommendations for Niseko? We’re in Niseko village but have a car. Thanks in advance
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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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If you like Ramen try the place in the Setsu hotel, it's called Afumi or Afuri or something like that. They did a nut based bowl, that was spectacular. Also lots of weird cocktails.......
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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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Quite impressive accumulations west of Sapporo over the last day or so. These stations are all more or less at sea level:
Yoichi
00:00 7th Jan: 35cm
18:00 7th Jan: 96cm (+61cm in 18hr)
Otaru
00:00 7th Jan: 18cm
20:00 7th Jan: 86cm (+68cm in 20hr)
Rankoshi (near Niseko)
18:00 7th Jan: 61cm
06:00 8th Jan: 119cm (+58cm in 12hr)
Not sure what the resorts will report, but the Kiroro live snow ruler camera was cleared around 5pm and fully buried again (+35cm ish) before 9pm.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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yeah. camerea on niseko united & rhythm look likes it is puking.
Looks busy as well!!! long weekend national holiday across Japan.
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Any boots on the ground reports?
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@Gored, I’ll be in Furano Sunday will update when I’m there
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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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Has anyone got any physio/massage recommendations for Furano? Thanks
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From the man on the ground in Okushiga  Not me!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Snowed almost the whole day in Asahikawa/Kamui
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One day it is snowing the whole day, next is a bluebird
2.5 snowheads at Kamui Ski Links
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You know it makes sense.
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Have started to adjust my body clock. +5 GMT at the moment.
Aiming for +7 before flying. Would be difficult with work otherwise.
Very weird getting up at 2am. Monday will be a big test as I am in the office that is an hour commute.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Just arrived in a very snowy Furano after going large in Tokyo last night - we finished up at 4.30am, what an amazing place will definitely be back. Flight on ANA from London was brilliant would definitely recommend them.
We’re staying at the Nozo hotel which only opened in December, very nice too.
First day skiing tomorrow with Phil Howell from Hokkaido Vibe who is with us for the week
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Think my next trip will be in the Japan alps + Osaka/Kyoto
Fly to Tokyo next week & head to niseko a week later.
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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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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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| Guernseyfreerider wrote: |
We’re staying at the Nozo hotel which only opened in December, very nice too.
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Did you book this some time in advance, and was it expensive?
I was planning on doing some fairly last-minute organising for my upcoming trip depending on snow conditions etc. But looking at Furano for the next few weeks, a lot of places are either fully booked or super expensive compared to my last few trips there!
Last season I stayed at Alpine Guest House in Furano for around £30 per night, last week of January. Also Petit Hotel MELON for around £45 per night, first week of February. Both single rooms.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Guernseyfreerider wrote: |
Just arrived in a very snowy Furano after going large in Tokyo last night - we finished up at 4.30am, what an amazing place will definitely be back. Flight on ANA from London was brilliant would definitely recommend them.
We’re staying at the Nozo hotel which only opened in December, very nice too.
First day skiing tomorrow with Phil Howell from Hokkaido Vibe who is with us for the week |
You are SO lucky to be skiing with Phil.
He is an absolute top bloke and a close friend of my son...and dare I say it me.
Give him our very best wishes from Stefan and his dad!
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@musehead, think we booked it a few months ago, £120 per night single room b&b
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@rungsp, he’s a top man will do. We’ve also got Adam Tudgay doing tail guide duties this week to pick up all the bodies 
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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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It's a nice warm up under that chair, short laps and can be nice. A few years back:
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FAQ
