I'm heading to Hokkaido 10th-23rd January (areas around Niseko, Sapporo and Furano).
I've been checking the forecasts and reports obsessively since mid-November. I understand it should be cold and very snowy from about now onwards. Should the warm/dry forecast worry me??
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@musehead, I'm going be there from mid Feb, so I'm doing the same. As I understand it the season for heavy snow is quite short from mid Dec to early Feb. One of the local experts will be along soon to hopefully set our minds at rest.
Btw: that looks like a Snow-Forecast snow report, and I have never seen an accurate one yet.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 8-12-15 19:47; edited 1 time in total
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?
@musehead, not if you are not going to late January.
When The Lad spent a season in Hokkaido two years ago everyone there used to agree that Snow-Forecast were always wrong.....because their model hugely UNDERESTIMATED each and every snowfall. Their model/program just does not work for the "sea-effect" dumps that come from Siberian cold air.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
rungsp wrote:
When The Lad spent a season in Hokkaido two years ago everyone there used to agree that Snow-Forecast were always wrong.....because their model hugely UNDERESTIMATED each and every snowfall. Their model/program just does not work for the "sea-effect" dumps that come from Siberian cold air.
+1
But it is very accurate on wind speed & direction and the freezing level.
After all it is free
After all it is free
We generally looked at the Snow-Forecast prediction in cm's as the snowfall per hour. Seemed to be more accurate that way.
Looks like a fair bit of rain in Hokkaido over the past day or so
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.
Down low.
Snowing up high
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2015
Light rain and wet snow overnight turned to a cold, clear bluebird day at Kiroro.
A little granular down low but great packed powder off the Nagamine lift.
The off groomed had a light sun crust on it with a 1cm rain crust about 10 cm down into the snowpack.
Could be problematic with next storm cycle.
Tracy
Unknown skier
Tracy
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Looks you got some mild and stormy weather headed your way Tuesday followed by a steep drop in temperatures.
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.
Yep. Looks like normal service resumes from Wednesday
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015
Still waiting on the snow.
In the meantime bluebird bumps and groomers for Tracy and me.
You could see all the way to the Shakotan Peninsula around 50km away.
Tracy skiing Asari 2-A with Yoichi-dake in the background
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
God that looks lovely and so quiet! When does Kiroro get busy? Mike I was hoping you could give me some advice please?
I am planning a trip in 2017 either Jan or Feb - it's my first time and I want it to be epic. I am probably travelling on my own (for the snowboarding part of my holiday) so bearing this in mind would I be best off in Niseko as I am more likely to find reasonable accommodation and doing a day trip or two to Rusutsu and Kiroro or is Niseko just horribly busy, would I be better off finding accomodation in a different quieter resort? I don't drive by the way so would be relying on public transport or similar?
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Sparklingly clear photos!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Mmm, that looks NICE (even if it's hard-packed). I won't make it to Hokkaido this year, but looking forward to some Niigata/Nagano turns in the new year
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Minion1980 wrote:
God that looks lovely and so quiet! When does Kiroro get busy? Mike I was hoping you could give me some advice please?
I am planning a trip in 2017 either Jan or Feb - it's my first time and I want it to be epic. I am probably travelling on my own (for the snowboarding part of my holiday) so bearing this in mind would I be best off in Niseko as I am more likely to find reasonable accommodation and doing a day trip or two to Rusutsu and Kiroro or is Niseko just horribly busy, would I be better off finding accomodation in a different quieter resort? I don't drive by the way so would be relying on public transport or similar?
It's very quiet at the moment. Mid-week, pre holidays. But Kiroro is quieter than Niseko United, Niseko Moiwa and Rusutsu. If the top lifts are on windhold then the resort can be busy, but otherwise no queuing all day.
There's certainly more accommodation options - at all price points - and nightlife in Niseko Hirafu.
If you're solo and it's your first time to the area then basing yourself in Niseko Hirafu could be the go.
Then do day trips to Niseko Moiwa, Rusutsu and Kiroro via public transport or organised trips.
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?
rob@rar wrote:
Sparklingly clear photos!
Thanks. New lens - Canon 10-18 mm.
And more importantly I took a course with Timothy Allen of Human Planet fame over the summer and learned so much both 'in camera' and post-production.
@Mike Pow, the new glass and the investment of your time both well worth it! Looking forward to more photos from Powder Central this winter.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
ChrisWo wrote:
Mmm, that looks NICE (even if it's hard-packed). I won't make it to Hokkaido this year, but looking forward to some Niigata/Nagano turns in the new year
The pistes have been in excellent shape.
And the ungroomed cut runs are firm but with a layer of 'sandy' snow on top. Great for improving skills and fitness in preparation for powmageddon
@Mike Pow, the new glass and the investment of your time both well worth it! Looking forward to more photos from Powder Central this winter.
Cheers.
Le powjolais nouveau est arrive!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
After all it is free
After all it is free
Mike Pow wrote:
Minion1980 wrote:
God that looks lovely and so quiet! When does Kiroro get busy? Mike I was hoping you could give me some advice please?
I am planning a trip in 2017 either Jan or Feb - it's my first time and I want it to be epic. I am probably travelling on my own (for the snowboarding part of my holiday) so bearing this in mind would I be best off in Niseko as I am more likely to find reasonable accommodation and doing a day trip or two to Rusutsu and Kiroro or is Niseko just horribly busy, would I be better off finding accomodation in a different quieter resort? I don't drive by the way so would be relying on public transport or similar?
It's very quiet at the moment. Mid-week, pre holidays. But Kiroro is quieter than Niseko United, Niseko Moiwa and Rusutsu. If the top lifts are on windhold then the resort can be busy, but otherwise no queuing all day.
There's certainly more accommodation options - at all price points - and nightlife in Niseko Hirafu.
If you're solo and it's your first time to the area then basing yourself in Niseko Hirafu could be the go.
Then do day trips to Niseko Moiwa, Rusutsu and Kiroro via public transport or organised trips.
Thanks for the advice and information Mike and also your amazing pictures
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, Excellent work that man. Next time with a helmet mount?
Still a couple of months before my first trip to sample some Japanese Powder.
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.
Good vid.
Makes the Alps look rubbish once skied.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
I'm so intent on visiting Japan in 2017, wish I had though of it in May when I booked up another alps trip, it didn't even occur to me to look at Japan. I'm not saying this because of current conditions as I am sure I will have a good time in the alps in Feb but Japan just looks so amazing and not just the snowboarding but the whole experience. Please keep these reports coming so I can live vicariously through your amazing videos and photos
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
PowderAdict wrote:
@Mike Pow, Excellent work that man. Next time with a helmet mount?
Still a couple of months before my first trip to sample some Japanese Powder.
Thanks.
Helmet mount gets plastered after about two turns and all you see is grey
I am planning a trip in 2017 either Jan or Feb - it's my first time and I want it to be epic. I am probably travelling on my own (for the snowboarding part of my holiday) so bearing this in mind would I be best off in Niseko as I am more likely to find reasonable accommodation and doing a day trip or two to Rusutsu and Kiroro or is Niseko just horribly busy, would I be better off finding accomodation in a different quieter resort? I don't drive by the way so would be relying on public transport or similar?
I am going in Feb 2016 - traveling alone so booked onto a backcountry tour with BD Tours for the snowboarding bit of the holiday.
Will be watching this thread with interest!
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?
kat.ryb wrote:
I am going in Feb 2016 - traveling alone so booked onto a backcountry tour with BD Tours for the snowboarding bit of the holiday.
Will be watching this thread with interest!
See I am really not sure about booking a tour as I really like doing what I want to do on that particular day and also worry that I may not be anywhere near as good as others on the tour. Out of interest how much have you spent sorting all this out on your own? I am either going alone for the entire journey or a friend who wants to visit Japan but doesn't board may meet me in Tokyo where we can then spend a week doing stuff. If I go alone I only want a few days in Tokyo and about 10 days boarding,. 'd really love any tips or advice you could offer seeing as you're all sorted for February, maybe by PM or a new thread as don't want to clutter up this one. I bet you'll have a wonderful time and all this El Nino stuff doesn't look like affecting Kiroro so far!
@Minion1980, i'm booked on the same tour with BD Tours as @kat.ryb, but the January version. Plus a couple of days of free-skiing either side. I will report back on my experiences in late January when I return.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 2015
13 cm in the past 24hrs at Kiroro
Tweaked a knee yesterday so having a few days off.
PowderZone opened for the first time yesterday and Tracy and Mika got the goods.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
