 Poster: A snowHead
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Has anyone been to this resort who can comment on the quality? All write-ups point to fantastic powder throughout the ski season but I am keen on finding out if, as a result, it gets really busy with long queues at the lifts etc.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just frequent Earthquakes 
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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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| stanton wrote: |
| Just frequent Earthquakes |
Earthquakes I can deal with, but big queues...NO way!!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Hornster wrote: |
| Has anyone been to this resort who can comment on the quality? All write-ups point to fantastic powder throughout the ski season but I am keen on finding out if, as a result, it gets really busy with long queues at the lifts etc. |
I've been twice, and powder is as good as reputed.
I was there NY Day, and there were lines. It also gets moderately busy during the Sapporo Ice Festival in Feb, but wasn't too bad. Otherwise lines are pretty much non-existent.
Things to ponder - it's become the Aussie equivalent of Bali. Can be a little raucous in busy periods (Aussies there mostly early Jan to mid-Feb). Terrain is reasonably extensive, tree skiing is amazing, but very little seriously steep. And of course, lots of pow means some pretty wild weather - don't expect much sun from mid-Dec to end Feb.
Personally I'd highly recommend it. Food is rather spectacular too ...
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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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Thanks for the useful information. I have booked 10 days in the first two weeks of February so, as you mentioned, I will probably be there the same time as the Aussie holidays etc which could make it quite busy. Anyway, as long as there is plenty pow i'm sure I will cope!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Hornster wrote: |
| Thanks for the useful information. I have booked 10 days in the first two weeks of February so, as you mentioned, I will probably be there the same time as the Aussie holidays etc which could make it quite busy. Anyway, as long as there is plenty pow i'm sure I will cope! |
look forward to a dose of Aussie 'culture'. Ice festival is 5-11 Feb, so that will probably be the busy time. I'm sure you'll have a ball tho.
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I am going after first week in March, hoping to miss the Aussie queue.
Think there is a snowhead instructor there. Just ask for Welsh 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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Been to Niseko a few times over the years. Good early on but a lot more crowded these days and the pow gets chopped up a lot quicker. March is quieter as the aussies tend to go earlier in the season. I tend to head to the resorts on Honshu (the main island) now. Nowaza Onsen Shiga Kogan and onother little place that I will never mention. When asked by friends I tell them to head to Hakuba in Nagano. It is probably the most user friendly place for foreigners, the skiing is endless, the pow is deep and the apres has been influenced by westerners enough to be pretty good. The Japanese usually have an onsen a meal with a couple of drinks and then go to bed. Food and drink is cheap. Try to spend a couple of days in Tokyo as well. The place is wild.
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Mike Pow, Japow,
Cheers for all the information - very helpful.
Just a couple questions:
1) Although I may love pow (which is why I chose Niseko) the wife prefers to keep to groomed pistes. I'm assuming that the pistes are kept well groomed?
2) Is there a popular area in Niseko with regards to certain runs and places to be seen? Only ask as those will obviously be much busier areas.
3) Is there a local ski tech. place where I can get our skis waxed and edges sharpened and how much does it cost?
4) We are staying at the Higashiyama Prince Hotel in Niseko. Do you know what the hotel and area are like?
Thanks in advance.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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1) Yes.
Easiest pistes are in the Annupuri area of 'Niseko United'. Not the local football team, but the conglomeration of 4 ski areas under 1 pass - Annupuri, Higashiyama, Hirafu and Hanazono (the last two are under Grand Hirafu). Convoluted but it works.
2) Grand Hirafu is the busiest. But that's relative.
3) There'll be one at the Prince. There are tech places in Hirafu, but it wouldn't be convenient for you. No idea of the cost sorry.
4) Hotel is great. Couple of shops and restaurants. Pretty isolated unfortunately. The main action is in Hirafu village approx 7km from Higashiyama. There's a free bus that'll get you to and from Hirafu every hour and if you have a late one there are taxis.
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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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Mike Pow, Thanks again.
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Pleasure.
Keep in touch. We'll make some turns in Feb.
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You know it makes sense.
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Mike Pow, that sounds like a plan. Always good to get local knowledge.
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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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When does the snow season usually start in earnest? How about early January? Last time I was in Naganoin mid-December and it didn't have enough coverage (it also happen to be a warm year, according to the locals).
Will be in Asia Christmas/New Year of 2008 anyway. So if there's good potential for enough snow, it'll be worth extending my vacation to do some sliding around...
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Poster: A snowHead
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Japan is one of the cleverest, most sophisticated nations on Earth. Whatever they do is usually good.
Niseko rocks, but it is not overly steep. Top scenery, with pointy mountains.
This website is a useful tool for tracking that part of the world:
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/index.php
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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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abc. Not sure what year you were there but I have skiied 05 and 06 in December in Nagano. 05 they had 8 metres fall in December. Best skiing I have seen anywhere in the world. January you will be fine and should have everything open including all the off piste.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Japow, great! I'm all excited!!!
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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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Lifts start turning in the Niseko area mid-November if there have been some early dumps, end of November otherwise.
Oh go on Japow there's only a handful of us reading this post 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Nagano vs. Hokaido?
I know Nagano can now be easily reached by the bullet train, which probably make the journey a bit shorter than going to Hakaido. But how's the snow & terrain compare?
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Mon 6-08-07 0:16; edited 1 time in total
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Sorry MP, I better back it up with something. I haven't got the official snowfall data only what I was being told by locals and some personal observations. My joy of having so much snow was saddened after so many people lost their lives. http://www.adrc.or.jp/view_disaster_en.php?Lang=en&Key=922&Frame=yes
The terrain is the biggest difference between the two. You will notice that you will very rarely see pictures of Niseko. What you will see are pics of Yotei, the old volcano across from the resort. Nagano has a few resort areas. Hakuba is probably the most preffered by internationals with big mountains and 10 resorts in the valley. Happo One is the biggest. Snow falls depend on where you ride in the valley. Apparently Cortina at the northern end of the valley has some of the highest snowfalls in Japan. Either place is great fun. For me I like the terrain around Nagano.
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Do I assume the Japanese are somewhat similar in their equipment hiring scence?
I'm not going to be able to lugg my skis all over Asia on that trip. I could easily bring my boot and hire skis, as long as they don't get too "surprised" at such an option/request.
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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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No problem with hiring (unless you have huge feet). There is more than 500 ski resorts in Japan.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Liam,
Not another pedant who prefers are to is 
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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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Vocab police. [nerd]
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You know it makes sense.
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| abc wrote: |
Nagano vs. Hokaido?
I know Nagano can now be easily reached by the bullet train, which probably make the journey a bit shorter than going to Hakaido. But how's the snow & terrain compare? |
I've been to Niseko twice, and then spent a week at Hakuba, mostly skiing Happo, one day at Hakuba-47 too. Also went to Nozowa Onsen and Shiga Kogen - not Hakuba ski areas.
We hit 'Hakuba Beach' weather, so didn't get to experience the reputed great snow they get there. It was fun spring skiing though (in feb 2006), and terrain at Happo is good - consistent and excellent fall line.
Happo was frustrating tho, as altho it has a pretty good open boundary policy, the terrain is steep and off-piste is not patrolled or avi-safe. In fact it looked down-right dangerous due to melting conditions on a deep base, So that was all off limits. Hakuba-47 is not as big, but has a strongly enforced no off-piste policy - patrol will rip your pass if you're caught. So nice trails, but until off-trail is accessible, I wouldn't rush back.
Didn't visit any of the other 8 or so Hakuba hills, as they all seemed pretty small, and we found enough interest at Happo for a week. Some really fun bump fields ...
As for apres, Hakuba is not a patch on Niseko. Much quieter, hard to get food/drink after 9.30 during the week. Food is excellent tho. English not widely spoken, but it's easy to get by as locals are very friendly.
We stayed a 5 minute walk from lifts at Happo. Was a shuttle bus too. Town was about 3 miles away, so taxi required, and apart from restaurants, we didn't find much of interest there.
Don't think I'd rush back. While terrain is certainly good, unless you get a shovel and beacon and guide, you're not going to experience it at its best. I'd rather go to Jackson, Whistler, Big Sky or Snowbird. And it doesn't have anything as 'special' as Niseko's powder.
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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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The problem with Hakuba is the lack of information.
Happo has some hard to find terrain as the trees hide a lot of the skiable off piste areas. I have been there enough now to know where to go and am still learning new spots. I like the fact as they are difficult to find as my main reason I go there is to ride untracked powder. (So no tips from me)
Goryu/47 does have a nazi off piste policy that is pretty well known so I usually wouldn't ride there.
Tsugaike Sun Alpina, and Cortina with their links are big ski areas as well so you missed out there. (Not small - Once again lack of info on the resorts)
Apres is all about Echoland. Great bars and restaurants (maybe 20 of) and probably only a 800yen taxi ride from your area. The Happo area is very quiet at night. I tend to stay around Echoland when I go there. Once again no info. There are a lot more foreigners moving into Hakuba so I think things may change in the near future.
The main thing I look at is the powder and terrain. Niseko is good but in deep pow I want steep terrain. I also have the benefit of it being under 2.5 hours away from Tokyo. so I can choose my days
Whatever floats ya boat.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Looks like for anyone ventureing outside of Europe and N.America, an avi kit and good avi knowledge will be very useful?
At least that's my impression. Most of these "off the beaten path" places are indeed really REALLY off-piste with a big O! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Beyond the boundaries in the Niseko area, then avalanche gear a must. Within the boundaries, not needed.
Very liberal 'off-piste' policy at Niseko United, Moiwa and Rusutsu.
As long as you don't duck a rope and you exit through gates you're good to go.
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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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| Japow wrote: |
The problem with Hakuba is the lack of information.
Happo has some hard to find terrain as the trees hide a lot of the skiable off piste areas. I have been there enough now to know where to go and am still learning new spots. |
We did find some good trees but after 3 days of heat and sun the now was pretty sloppy and sun-affected everywhere. It was seriously warm - like 16C at the base. The sun is strong at those latitudes.
Certainly didn't know other smaller hills were linked. Would've explored if we did. And found out about Echoland after we left, but not exactly convenient for lifts there? Shuttle buses we caught were ok but took time. I'm sure it can be epic there - maybe one day when its further developed .... but not too much.
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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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| Mike Pow wrote: |
Beyond the boundaries in the Niseko area, then avalanche gear a must. Within the boundaries, not needed.
Very liberal 'off-piste' policy at Niseko United, Moiwa and Rusutsu.
As long as you don't duck a rope and you exit through gates you're good to go. |
So it looks like it's worth the hike from Honshu all the way up to Hokkaido then?
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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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| abc wrote: |
| Mike Pow wrote: |
Beyond the boundaries in the Niseko area, then avalanche gear a must. Within the boundaries, not needed.
Very liberal 'off-piste' policy at Niseko United, Moiwa and Rusutsu.
As long as you don't duck a rope and you exit through gates you're good to go. |
So it looks like it's worth the hike from Honshu all the way up to Hokkaido then? |
I'd second that idea ...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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monster77
monster77
Guest
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elbrus, World Class skiing, was run by Andy Lockerbie, John Gardiner and Alex Leaf, well known instructors. I believe that Andy & John are no longer involved and Alex Leaf is the company director.
I have been on some very good courses with WCS. There is detail of courses on their web site.
The price sounds reasonable for what you get and was tempted by the trip to Japan but at that price it would be my only trip of the season. So I am going to give it a miss and get 3-4 weeks in europe instead.
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Don't know anything about the company, but not the best trip for the money.
Furano, while a beautiful area, does not advocate skiing off the groomed. People do it but you can get your ticket pulled.
IMHO you don't travel half way round the world to an area with phenomenal powder snow to either ski the groomed or play hide & seek from Ski Patrol.
Very isolated out at Annupuri and a week of half-board hotel dining doesn't really give you a varied Japanese culinary experience.
Would be better doing a two centre holiday with Inghams.
One week in Rusutsu and one week in Niseko area.
Pick up lessons locally. Quick plug for the guys I work for www.nisekobase.com
As an instructor having 10 days straight of lessons is counterproductive.
Better off having private lessons for a day or two at the start and end of each week.
Lessons at the start will get you up to speed and show you the area, then you go put it all into practice at your pace. Then meet back up for a couple of days at the end of the week to consolidate.
That's my 2 yen worth
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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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If you stay at the Hakuba Powder Lodge then you will get the good oil on when, where and how to ski off piste as most of the lodgers are experienced off piste skiers. The owner are also mad keen on deep pow. http://www.hakubahotels.com/property_info.asp?ID=1037
PS I dont have a stake in the Lodge but Ive stayed there and found them great for info and help.
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FAQ
