 Poster: A snowHead
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We have a trip planned to Hokkaido landing on the 23rd (Sunday) and staying in Furano for a week and then Otaru for 5 more days.
Forecasts such as snow-forecast have turned for the worst and now show temperatures of 2-5C at the base. Starting mid week in 2 weeks!
Is this sustainable at all? I am used to European skiing where you can have 5C at 2500m in the mountain. I don’t know how this will translate for Hokkaido where most resorts are 100-1000m in height.
We wanted to experience the Japanese powder but will be happy on piste … what I fear is that we may not even have snow at all.
Could the Japan/Hokkaido/Furano experts shed some light here? This is causing a little bit of anxiety.
Thank you so much!
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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 no expert. I’ve been twice in January. For both trips I saw the same sort of worrying thing in the forecast a week or two off. One of the experts (MikePow) said not to worry. He was right. All I can say is hang in there and it should change if my experience is anything to go by.
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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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Yes, it is terrible. Everyone cancel their flights!
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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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@MikePow is required then haha
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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.
Seems we are just unlucky. Snow and cold until the 26 Feb. Then a few days of heat followed by cold again.
We will just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope we get some fluff from the 1st March onwards.
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@Yona, swap your itinerary and go to Otaru first. Looks like it’ll be puking there for your first few days
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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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I wish I could … we arrive the 23rd to Japan and all forecasts seem to agree it will be quite calm for a week.
Also, Monday 24th is a holiday in Japan so that weekend is booked solid across all Hokkaido.
We will be in Furano and booked a nice place long ago for a very good price so we will treat ourselves to the food and onsen if snow is not the best.
We then go to Otaru for the weekend and Niseko for the 2-5 March . I hope to add Kiroro on our way from Otaru if posible.
We will survive …
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks @mooney058
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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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I wouldn't pay much attention to a forecast that far out, it's so liable to change, even the 3 day forecast is shifting all the time.
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Oh and if the current base disappears enough that you have no snow in 5 days time then it will be a lot more than 5 degrees.
I also don't think that temperature works differently here to in Europe, the reason 5 degrees can happen in the Alps is because of the base and the freezing temps over night, that's still a thing in Japan.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Yona wrote: |
We will survive … |
Skiing is an outdoor activity. It’ll be impacted by weather naturally.
While Japan has a higher probability of snow, it’s by no means guaranteed. If you have to abide to a fixed schedule far in advance, you’ll just have to accept the consequence, whatever it is. Read through all the threads on Japan, you’ll see there’re plenty of other trip reports when others hit dry spells. No amount of crying on the forum is going to bring snow magically.
Or you may get buried half way through your trip. Such is the luck of the draw. 
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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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Who is crying?
The whole reason for this forum is to ask for advice from more experienced/local members.
I get making some jokes about cancelling all flights … specially if conditions are good and you want the mountain to yourself.
But I honestly don’t see the point of your message.
(Thanks to the others that took it with humour, provided links and also good tips for food -most important thing in Japan!-)
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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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| Yona wrote: |
Who is crying?
The whole reason for this forum is to ask for advice from more experienced/local members.
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Not crying? You’re on a fixed schedule, can’t cancel your flight, can’t even change the dates and location. So what kind of “advice” is going to do you any good?
Bottom line, weather “in Japan” isn’t bad. Just your itinerary maybe bad.
Or, maybe not.
Not too late to learn some valuable lesson from this.
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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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Good tip on the gallery. have not been there but will try later this week. Agree, great onsen.
Re OP's question it is getting warmer here. Like any other ski destination in spring, the day after snow is great, but it will deteriorate thereafter. You will have lots of snow; the base is deep, but powder might be limited to a few days. Generally, when you get above 1000m here in Hokkaido it stays cold in Feb. The powder can get stripped by the wind though so watch the wind directions and ski the stable aspects and you can always find good skiing. Asahidake is the most reliable place for lift accessed deep powder at this time, and if the weather is good, even warm, you can get up amongst the volcanic fumeroles - a unique and unforgettable Japanese experience.
The best thing is to get a guide for powder days. Unless you know where you are going the locals and groups will get there first. Japan is not undiscovered, after all, for a huge amount of the world's population and Australia this is their annual ski holiday destination and they know it well.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@22 dropout, I did not know what to expect so was very impressed by the pieces in the gallery. For most of the time I was alone in the gallery (high winds, bad visibility, mid week) so possibly that contributed to the impression I got. If/when I am back to the area will certainly visit again.
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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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Turned for the worse today, so much snow we couldn't get to Sapporo Kokusai
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Yona, I don’t know if they have a guide free but I can recommend an excellent guide outfit in Furano if you pm me
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| Quote: |
Like any other ski destination in spring
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You know things are getting bad when late February is being described as "spring"
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| SnoodyMcFlude wrote: |
| Turned for the worse today, so much snow we couldn't get to Sapporo Kokusai |
My heart bleeds for 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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@adithorp, had to go somewhere with less snow. You know you've had a good week when a day skiing powder that's only above the knee (with the occasional titty shot) is slightly disappointing
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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For the OP i would offer a couple of bits of advice when visiting Hokkaido at this time:
1. Hit the ground running. Japan gets a lot of snow but not every day is a powder day. You normally get one or two days per trip that are truly mind blowing, so if you see them coming make the most of them even if it is the day after you arrive. Thursday 27th at Asahidake will be one of those days - not too windy, insanely deep powder and will probably give you the best memories of your trip. Book a guide and pack your camera! The 6-trip ticket is the best as you can shre it between the group and it lasts for the entire season.
2. Do everything in the day earlier than you normally would. You are shifting timezones in any event so get up early, get to your destination early, finish early and go out to eat early.
3. When the weather turns warm and the sun shines get above the treeline. Nissho, Tokachi, Asahidake (again) will all stay cold and ski well during warm spells.
4. Watch the wind speeds and direction and plan your backcountry excursions to ski on aspects that are filled in.
Spring is a great time in Hokkaido. Today we saw a white-tailed eagle, deer, Hokkaido fox and several woodpeckers. If you have time on the flight to read Hokkaido (on Kindle) you will really understand the place and why it has the cuisine and culture you will experience. Have a great time...
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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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The answer is a car, touring gear and back country. I don't know that I'd travel to Japan for lift served skiing from the UK although some of smaller resorts offer options.
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| AndAnotherThing.. wrote: |
| The answer is a car, touring gear and back country. I don't know that I'd travel to Japan for lift served skiing from the UK although some of smaller resorts offer options. |
If you’re thinking of that one big trip, tick the box, who knows if ever go again kind of trip… YES, maximize the opportunity with everything you’ve got.
I’ve been to Japan 3 times, all lift-served skiing. Only one day I’d say was “beats all else” condition. On the other hand, every trip I had a few days of fresh snow (some deeper than others). That’s a betting average I’m quite happy with. 
Yes, the flight is costly, for just a ski trip. But I quite like Japan as a destination of travel, with or without skiing. I like the food, the Onsen, the orderly setup of everything. It’s just a delight to be IN japan for a week as a holiday!
That said, of my 4-5 trips to the Alps, I’ve also been blessed with 2 or 3 powder days. So maybe I just live a charmed life?
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You know it makes sense.
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
| Quote: |
Like any other ski destination in spring
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You know things are getting bad when late February is being described as "spring" |
February is most certainly not Spring
It’s a slight warming period
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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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I’ve been away one season and it seems Hokkaido has changed irrevocably
Spring is now in February
Lift served isn’t worth the trip
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Poster: A snowHead
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| abc wrote: |
| [Yes, the flight is costly, for just a ski trip. But I quite like Japan as a destination of travel, with or without skiing. I like the food, the Onsen, the orderly setup of everything. It’s just a delight to be IN japan for a week as a holiday! |
This is true. It is a lovely place and I'll be heading back.
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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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@mooney058, went to the Goto Sumio gallery today. Outstanding. Thanks for the tip. Extraordinary works, each taking between 10-20 years to complete. Lovely cafe as well with superb views over Kamifurnao lavender fields (just snow atm). Really nice staff as well. I will definitely go back on a future trip as the paintings are changed frequently.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@22 dropout, glad you liked it! I did not try the coffee place,one more reason to come back.
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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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We used to visit Niseko a lot more frequently in the summer than the winter. Great hiking, cycling and general mountain activities, plus some decent western food!
The whole of Hokkaido is amazing in summer, there's so much to see and do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@MagSeven, shhhhh! 
While stying at my guide’s place last January learned that Hokkaido is super busy in summer as Tokyo etc crowds try to avoid Honshu’s heat and humidity and floc to Hokkaido. Similar to Spaniards escaping Med coast in summer and heading North to Galicia and the rest of the Atlantic coast.
The only things my guide mentioned - black flies/mosquitos (limited period) and bears
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Gosh. There are a couple of really hard to watch bits in that first section. I'd have turned off if I'd actually realised what was happening with the small car being pushed down the road by the coach.
However, the person clearing the roof at 1:11 showed some really impressive footwork.
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| GuyrillaMonsoon wrote: |
Gosh. There are a couple of really hard to watch bits in that first section. I'd have turned off if I'd actually realised what was happening with the small car being pushed down the road by the coach.
However, the person clearing the roof at 1:11 showed some really impressive footwork. |
Top bus-driving at 15-25secs.
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