 Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks all.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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DoubleBombardino, Hi Zao certainly has the Japanese vibe, the town comes virtually up to the slopes and if very Japanese, i would highly recommend Lodge Scole in Zao for accommodation and eating but also venture into town to eat, the snow monsters are amazing I have posted some pictures in the media zone.
Shiga is very different there isn't a town as such asMac46, has said its spread out and there is one area that you need to take the bus to, it has the worlds highest bakery, we stayed at the furthest end of the resort (Okushiga Kogen) and you can take the ski bus to the central bus terminus and then take another bus to teh snow monkeys all on your ski pass.
We travelled with two bags (snow Kart and the big Snow & rock holdall) and a ski bag (two pairs of ski's), train from Tokyo to Yamagata and bus to Zao, though on the way out we where very late and Lodge Scole arranged a cab to pick us up from the station before, but we took the bus back to Yamagata and then to Nagano by train with a change and then bus up to Shiga.
So which would I chose! hard they where both amazing, if you can do both go for it, Zao amazing Snow Monsters and snow, Shiga big resort and of course the snow monkey's
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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'm interested also in recommendations for resorts (other than Niseko, as am there in late Jan/early Feb) esp on Honshu for Feb 2013.
Am busy looking at various places, and Zao and Shiga Kowen also Nozawa Onsen (home of great and tad geeky weather forecasters) def amongst them for a 3-4 day trip, using train from Tokyo to get there v pref. Priority bar easy train access being a more Japanese vibe than apparently Niseko has, character resort and not too fussed about size of ski area, but pref w access to some off-piste w/out guide.
radar, any views given above thoughts re merits of Zao or Shiga from your experience, or both being an equally good fit w maybe the snow monkeys clinching it?
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Myoko Kogen. I haven't been there but stack of friends have been there and rave about the place. Its on my bucket list. It averages 13 metres of snow per season, and does not prohibit off-piste and tree skiing. Its about an hour north of Nagano.
http://www.powderhounds.com/Japan/Honshu/Myoko-Kogen.aspx
Can definitely recommend Nozawa Onsen for an all round Japanese ski experience. Its everyone's favourite. As far as the snow monkeys go....yes they are closest to Shiga Kogen.... but you can do an excursion there from any of the Nagano resorts. On a family trip to Nozawa Onsen and Hakuba we booked a taxi to transport us from one resort to the other with a stop off at the monkey park. They are adorable. The taxi driver parked the van, escorted us all to the monkeys (its a half hour hike) and even bought us all hot chocolates.
Hakuba is a lot more international but with good reason. Its a big resort with lots of options and seems steeper than Nozawa Onsen. Its a totally different experience. I think you cant go wrong at any of the Nagano resorts. There are stacks of them.
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