 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey guys!!
Really want to do a season in Japan, hopefully this year and not sure where to go. Originally was thinking the Hakuba region because I read that Niseko is very Westernised and wanted something different but then got told to avoid Hakuba for the same reason.
Can anyone give me any other recommendations on different places? Any info would be greaaaat!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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very interested in this, can’t add anything but will be watching closely
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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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@Gazzy118, You will need to define your objectives a little more than "Do a season".
- Are you self funded or will you be looking for work?
- If looking for work, resort related or other?
- Single resort/area, or travel to where the snow is falling?
- Ski/boarding qualifications?
- Do you speak Japanese?
- On piste or off piste, type of terrain, touring/backcountry?
- Accommodation requirements?
- Vehicle hire?
And many more……. 
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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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If you want to avoid very Westernerised areas but still have something to do for a whole season I would go Nozawa for sure. Great town and good skiing. Near to Madarao and Myoko for trips. Amazing onsen scene. Still lots of Aussies. Not that that's a problem 
Appi Kogen is a bit further North and much quieter but a big area. If you are bumming around and not working a few weeks at Tenjin lodge also essential and could be some work there. My favourite place to ski in Japan with Hodaigi down the road.
Agree with the above though. Depends on what you are looking to do. Hakuba is big mountains and worth it if you go touring but pretty Western.
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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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Will wait for Gazzy118 to reply to PowderAdict then chime in
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks a lot kesone1!! I'll be sure to do some reading into these places!! Japan in a while unknown area for me and any advice or help is amazing, thanks so much!
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How old are you?
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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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@Gazzy118, I know that Lodge Scole in Zao take on a seasonaire, however they do ask that they speak some Japanese this might be a stumbling block for you if you want a more Japanese resort .
Zao doesn't get many "western" visitors which makes it quite interesting and a different experience, you do get to ski with the snow monsters which is absolutely amazing not sure how much backcountry / off piste there is, another resort to look at is Shiga Kogen here you get to visit the snow monkeys, there is a ski school that has international instructors sorry can't remember the name.
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| Mike Pow wrote: |
| How old are you? |
Hi Mike, I'll be 30 at the time entering Japan so want to get on a working holiday fast!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Gazzy118 wrote: |
| Mike Pow wrote: |
| How old are you? |
Hi Mike, I'll be 30 at the time entering Japan so want to get on a working holiday fast! |
Well there's your starting point, and gives you the most flexibility in terms of location, work, play.
They're not issuing them at the moment but as soon as they do get on it.
Down south I've heard great things about Lotte Arai
https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/lotte-arai-resort/
There'll be non-Japanese there but not as many as other places
Also the whole Tohoku area is relatively undiscovered by non-Japanese
https://www.powderhounds.com/japan/honshu/tohoku.aspx
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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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what’s the biggest liveliest resort to stay at in Japan (say for a month from when the season starts), just a holiday, resort life, walk to lifts etc ?
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Niseko based in Hirafu Village
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You know it makes sense.
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Niseko maybe considered westernised but it’s still Japan and it’s still a very different experience to the Alps/North America. It’s also f . . . airly expensive. As is the whole ofJapan. If you don’t speak Japanese and you want/need to work, it’s likely the jobs you have a chance at will be based on the fact you speak English. Not impossible but unlikely you can have your cake and eat it on that point. And Niseko is the main destination for international ski tourists in Japan. The scenery is amazing too and if you have a car, can do day trips but having a car will really eat into your budget.
If you are qualified, instructor might be your best possibility. Both Niseko and Rusutsu seemed to employ some, to my eyes, pretty average western instructors. They were very young too so possibly because they’re cheap.
With a lot of planning, budgeting and initiative, maybe you could work as a non-Japanese speaker elsewhere but how are you going to socialise? Realistically Niseko is probably your best bet.
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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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Are there any options for long term car rental ?
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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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What's the season length in Japan?
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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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@Mike Pow, cheers
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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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| rayscoops wrote: |
| @Mike Pow, cheers |
My pleasure
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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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| philwig wrote: |
| What's the season length in Japan? |
Hokkaido
Normally first village snowfall around mid-November
Most resorts try to open for Japanese holiday which falls on or around 22 November
Up until around 20 December there can be very deep days but they're normally concentrated to the piste and fringes as the sasa grass (bamboo) hasn't been covered.
20 December to end of January is the busiest time in SW Hokkaido and Furano area as it coincides with school holidays, Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and the most consistent snowfall of the winter.
We're talking 5-15cm daily on average.
February normally sees 4 snow events each week with the temperature remaining below freezing
March will normally see 2-3 snow events each week with the occasional rain event and Spring snow conditions
March is the sleeper on Hokkaido. Perfect for touring. Driving is easy. Deserted. And still great chance of powder.
April will see the smaller areas close but there's still top to bottom skiing at the remainder. 1-2 snow events each week, but also rain. Loads of sunshine. Great Spring touring.
Bigger resorts close in the first week of May for the Japanese holiday 'Golden Week'
Still loads of touring through to mid-June.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks, still time then
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You couldn't pay me to got to Niseko again. Actually I would go if you were paying  I went 10 years ago and not good if you are looking for a slightly more authentic experience.
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Ta Mike.
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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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| philwig wrote: |
| Thanks, still time then |
Definitely but only if you have worker's visa or a business / property interest
No tourists yet
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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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Depends on what you're looking to get out of a season. I work in Niseko and love it, yes it's quite western, but that makes life much easier, because Japanese is not easy to learn.
The other options if you only speak English are probably Hakuba valley, Nozawa, Rusutsu, Minakami/Yusawa, Kiroro and Furano.
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You know it makes sense.
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Both my son and my daughter did a season in Niseko as ski instructors.
Both had a fantastic time.
I visited both times...and had a fantastic time.
There is some great skiing in Niseko, some lovely (authentic) food, great bars.
It is so easy to get to a whole host of other places.
There is one rule, and ONLY ONE RULE when contemplating a season in Japan:
Listen to @Mike Pow, he is The Guru.
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FAQ
