 Poster: A snowHead
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I am debating whether to head to Japan next year for a few weeks and I am not sure if the extra cost and hassle compared to a EU trip is worth it. Really I am thinking about the powder rather than anything else.
If you have done a trip there was it worth it or not??? I'm guessing yes, but would be good to get some feedback on people's experiences. Thinking of maybe heading to the Myoko Kogen area as it is seems more authentic and terrain looks to be good as well
Cheers
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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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BMG, in a word, yes. But it's not guaranteed. I've been three times. Last year's trip was disappointing by local standards (I was in Niseko), with relatively high temperatures, some high winds and not much snowfall. The two trips previous to that were awesome. First trip I had 30-50cm of lovely snow every other day for the two weeks I was there. Second trip is started to snow on day three and was still snowing, non-stop, when we left the resort a week later. Aside from the snow you have the opportunity to sample apres-ski Japanese style (amazing food, onsens, etc) plus some sightseeing on your way back home if you want (you can fly via Tokyo, Seoul or Hong Kong).
If you like to ski very steep terrain Niseko might not be ideal as there is not a huge amount which is very steep, but for (generally) unrivalled snow it's a good place to start.
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I also went last year and confirm it was well worth it. Our group had skied extensively in Europe and Noth America and were delighted for all the reasons given by rob@rar. Price wise I think it compares to catskiing in Canada (from the UK) but is a completely different experience.
There are lots of thread son here re Hokkaido etc which support the few comments above
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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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Extra cost compared with where in the EU?
Wide variation of prices in the EU after all.
A 2-3 week trip will be expensive, but the per diem rate won't be much different from the same duration in the more expensive French and Swiss resorts.
I've heard Myoko is a great area.
Contact Ben at Japan Ski Experience for the lowdown and a quote.
http://www.japanskiexperience.co.uk/
This will be my 7th winter on Hokkaido.
Agree with the above posters.
This was last season and there was great powder to be had outside of the Niseko Resort Area during rob@rar's visit.
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=93446
Best, most, and most consistent powder I've had the pleasure to ski
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If your only interested in fresh snow i'd be inclinded to pick a time period and base the destination on conditions at the exact time and get a last minute deal.
that said, i'd give my right arm to go riding in japan as i've never visited that part of the world.
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It is a good piece with a good local company Niseko Xtreme.
Couple of significant factual errors which I pointed out in the comments section.
| Quote: |
Hi Louise,
Congrats on getting up, down, up & down Mt. Yotei.
However, Mt. Yotei is dormant not active.
And the descent from the crater rim to the bottom of the crater is at best 3 minutes, not 30 minutes.
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Had a great ski inside the crater one August 
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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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Mike Pow,
3 minutes skiing, 27 minutes looking for lost skis?
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BMG, definitely. Skied Niesko and Furano for a week before heading down to Myoko Kogen. Loved it all. Myoko Kogen was great for the experience but found that the North Island resorts had a lot more skiing in them. I reckon I would go to MK for only a couple of days.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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BMG, it's the deepest most frequently refreshed snow I've skied in 20+ years.....but as rob says there is no guarantee
However if you want steep, 2000m long descents it's not really got that
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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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BMG, oh yes, it is worth it. I used to live in Hong Kong and could get to Zao pretty easily. Much better than nearer places like Korea.
Culturally interesting, with the chance to make a proper prat of yourself drinking local sake from local square mugs made from thick balsa wood planks. The surprise souvenir tape the manager from the karoke bar made was so bad it was fed into the fuel system of the nearest nuclear plant.
Ended up liking Zao because it was easy to get to for us but a only had 1 major city near by, Sendai.
Avoid the Japanese winter holiday week.
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You know it makes sense.
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BMG, I lived in Japan for a number of years and have had fantastic times skiing there. The snow if genuinely deeper and lighter than anywhere else in the world I've skiied.
But, you need to remember that if you are just visiting for a week or two then you are as much at the whim of the weather as you are anywhere. It could be great, it could be less so. So I'd say in measuring up the cost question how much value you place on doing something adventurous, enjoying a very different culture and cuisine as much as the skiing experience.
If all you want is great snow then you could save yourself time in travel and cost by grabbing something last minute in Europe just after a good snowfall. The Alps after all are pretty amazing.
But if trying something different, risking a bit and enjoying some cultural challenges, as well as a good chance of really amazing snow is what grabs you then Japan will repay the investment you make.
If you want steep think Hakuba rather than Niseko.
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Wed 9-10-13 23:01; 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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| skiingian wrote: |
local square mugs made from thick balsa wood planks.
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Rather hope they were hinoki not balsa.
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Poster: A snowHead
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nozawaonsen, serves me right for blabbing on, there is always a person who actually knows stuff about things. Must say it sort of tasted a bit like balsa, however I did have a real lock jaw grip to try and not pour another round down my shirt. May not have had my taste buds fully engaged.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I second what Nozawaonsen said. I was slightly disappointed in my experience because all the hype about Japan (espcially here in Australia) is about the snow. Despite going at what should have been peak season I barely got any new snow and quite a few down days with rain. Problem was I was so busy being annoyed about the conditions that I didn't fully appreciate the cultural side of the place and still gorgeous mountains around me.
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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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Raven, out of interest, what time of year did you go, where did you goto and for how long??
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But skiing in Japan i more then just the skiing - it is all around it-onsen-food- people- the living, that is why Nozawaonsen is one of the nices places to visit - even though it is quite smal compered to the Alps. 
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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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BMG, in 20 years time if you look back at all the places/trips you skied, many trips will have the same feel and merge into one, skiing in Japan or anywhere out of the UK mainstream destinations is same on snow but experience off slopes makes it memorable. It would be a trip that would stand out.
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I must be a proper snowHead.
I only went for as much fresh stuff as I could get in; and it didn't dissapoint in that respect. The food was good and the locals much more kind, funny and friendly than I expected. I did an Onsen, but it wasn't that memorable for me. And I'd say that unless you take in a stay away from the ski resorts, then there isn't too much culture to immerse yourself in. But I didn't go looking too hard - I was there for the snow.
However before you plan your trip, try to find out your target resort/s feelings towards off-piste skiing. Some don't like you doing it, some limit the area you can use, some require you to have a guide, but others have numbered gates into the back country with laminated O.S type maps to show you where to go.
On balance I'd say it's worth a crack.
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At the beginning of this year I went to Hakuba on the main island of Honshu end of January / beginning of February for 7 days skiing and a few days sightseeing and a couple of years ago to Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen late Feb / early March. That was 2 weeks skiing and 3 days in Tokyo. Out of the those two trips the only two powder days I got were in March.
If you go all the way to Japan to ski I'd definitely recommend adding on some side trips to experience a bit more of the place. I've been to Tokyo and Kyoto and they're both fascinating places with reasonably priced accommodation if you shop around a bit.
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I skied in Japan for a number of years. Until four years ago, I decided to try USA instead of Hokkaido. It turned out to be a great decision, been skiing in Colorado, Utah & Tahoe the last 4 years, no regret.
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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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| Raven wrote: |
At the beginning of this year I went to Hakuba on the main island of Honshu end of January / beginning of February for 7 days skiing and a few days sightseeing and a couple of years ago to Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen late Feb / early March. That was 2 weeks skiing and 3 days in Tokyo. Out of the those two trips the only two powder days I got were in March.
If you go all the way to Japan to ski I'd definitely recommend adding on some side trips to experience a bit more of the place. I've been to Tokyo and Kyoto and they're both fascinating places with reasonably priced accommodation if you shop around a bit. |
That's some bad luck.
Up north it's more consistent albeit not as steep.
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| Mike Pow wrote: |
| Raven wrote: |
At the beginning of this year I went to Hakuba on the main island of Honshu end of January / beginning of February for 7 days skiing and a few days sightseeing and a couple of years ago to Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen late Feb / early March. That was 2 weeks skiing and 3 days in Tokyo. Out of the those two trips the only two powder days I got were in March.
If you go all the way to Japan to ski I'd definitely recommend adding on some side trips to experience a bit more of the place. I've been to Tokyo and Kyoto and they're both fascinating places with reasonably priced accommodation if you shop around a bit. |
That's some bad luck.
Up north it's more consistent albeit not as steep. |
I'm hoping my snow luck turns around in my Euro trip next year. In the future I'm hoping to try Hokkaido. For me the lack of steep terrain isn't a deal breaker.
Just a tip from my experiences with Japanese reports close to major Japanese cities. Weather permitting try and plan any rest days for the weekends. The slopes can seem almost deserted during the week but come the weekend they're invaded by hordes of day / weekend trippers from Tokyo and other large centres. There are a high percentage of snowboarders among the young Japanses and one of their favourite ways to spend the day is sat in the middle of cat tracks on the phone to their friends. Slalom practice!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I will put up a re-thread soon....but if anybody wants to ski Japan this coming season:
I will be going to Japan on or about 26th February for 12-14 days.
I can be a little bit flexible about the dates.
I have sufficiemt BA miles to get "free" ticket...and another "free" ticket for somebody travelling with me.
I say "free" because the taxes and landing charges have to be paid...approx £350 return.
I'll be going to Niseko where my son (aka The Lad) will be teaching the full season for Pro Powder ski school (excellent name!).
I plan to stay in a Lodge, probably this one: www.Slowlifeniseko.com
If you don't want to be with me, even don't want to sit next to me, or even speak to me....that is fine.
However it would be good to share the adventure, sadly my wife does not want to come.
I've had a couple of snowHeads say "yes" but then "no, the wife won't let me".
Only say yes if you mean it....and say it soon....I plan to book the flights early next week.
Me: 50 (ish). Good skier, not expert. Budget = modest, not skimping, but not flashing it around.
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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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rungsp, would have loved to have joined you, but I'll be in Grance for all those dates. Any other time and I'd be there like a flash!
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there we go then - it seems the answer is YES. Thanks for all the feed back. Now just to make a call on where to go. Tending towards Niseko region I think but maybe not staying in Niseko itself.
Cheers
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You know it makes sense.
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| BMG wrote: |
there we go then - it seems the answer is YES. Thanks for all the feed back. Now just to make a call on where to go. Tending towards Niseko region I think but maybe not staying in Niseko itself.
Cheers |
Niseko town itself is definitely not the ideal place to stay, I don't think anyone really does. Hirafu has the best village and night skiing, but is busier.
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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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BMG, as Mike said earlier, your best bet is to simply Contact Ben at Japan Ski Experience for the lowdown and a quote.
http://www.japanskiexperience.co.uk/
He has been out there the past few winters and is really honest about the location of his properties etc etc.
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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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I'm teaching in Niseko this year (at NVSS rather than one of the independents) but am well up for new ski buds on off-days.
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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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Defo worth it! Spent a week at new year in Niseko (had been living in HK for 6 months prior so would have been rude not to!). Really different from a trip to the Alps. We had about 4 days of waist-deep, plenty of great places to eat, one fun nightclub. The quality of snow was head and shoulders above what I'm used to - even when tracked-out it didn't seem to get compacted down but rather just got re-dispersed. Not very steep terrain, but brilliant tree skiing.
Would echo the comments above in suggesting factoring in some tourist/sight-seeing times.
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