 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All,
I need some help!
I am thinking about going to Japan to ski however i need to make my mind up very soon as i need to leave by Monday next week. But i have one problem in that i know nothing about Japan.
Here are some intial qusetions:
When is the snow seaon? Is there any snow at the moment? Where are the snowsure resorts?
What resorts are good fun with good ski for intermediates?
I am on a budget hence which resorts are cheap?
How much for ski pass, food, equipment and hostels?
If anyone has any hostel recomemdations that would great
Thanks all
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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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Japan + budget don't mix. I had quotes c.£2000 for flights/accommodation/transfers (not during peak times) for 10 days skiing.
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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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A quick Japan primer.
Hokkaido (North Island) = more snow, lighter powder, less radical terrain, more Australians
Honshu (South Island) = bigger mountains, better dirtbagging opportunities
You should be able to find cheap lodging in Hakuba. Look up Nick Kowal at the Hakuba Powder Lodge for cheap digs and tell him Roo sent ya! Ski passes are cheap. Happo One is the big local hill with pelnty of accessible off-piste. Hakuba 47 and Hakuba Goryu are also worth a look but the ski patrol are very hot on illicit off-piste skiing. Up at the top of the valley is Hakuba Cortina Kokusei which might just have the best tree skiing on earth and the Green Plaza Hotel has to be experienced at least once.
Hakuba is easy to get to from Narita. Buy a JR East rail pass at Narita and get the Narita Express train to Tokyo station. Then jump on the bullet train to Nagano. Right outside Nagano station are buses that will take you to Hakuba. Simples.
I think you're still a little early for the deeeep snow. Check the webcams for details. If you want to go to Hokkaido you'll need to factor in a connecting flight from Tokyo to Sapporo.
Plenty of decent restaurants and cafes around Hakuba for us round eyes. There's even a McDonalds at Usagidaira 109 (mid mountain) that serves Chicken Shaker Shaker.
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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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Bad roo.....great post. A big thank you.
Can you put some prices to your info...just so i get an 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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and ski equipment info would be helpful. I have my own but i am back packing afterwards and rocking around the thai islands with a pair of skis is not cool
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Not sure about ski equipment. I hauled my big mountain skis through the Tokyo underground.  But there did look to be any number of rental places around Hakuba.
Here's a link to Nick and Hiro's lodge. http://www.hakubapowderlodging.com/
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| Quote: |
am thinking about going to Japan to ski however i need to make my mind up very soon as i need to leave by Monday next week. But i have one problem in that i know nothing about Japan.
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Why do you have to leave on Monday???
I think it might be a bit early for snow just yet. Especailly for Honshu.
Also, without doing much research and preparation, you're probably going to pay through your nose. Japan is not a cheap destination. Just getting around is going to cost you... (example, the cost of the train to the mountain is pretty expensive unless you get a rail pass, which can only be gotten from outside of Japan. I suspect you're too late to get one for next monday).
I'd say forget about Japan and just stick with Thailand... 
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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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Sorry....i am leaving Monday but for Hong Kong and then will make my way to Japan for Skiing. I will be away for 5 months and want to improve my skiing in this time.
But thanks abc for the tip about the rail pass.
Someone give me some prices??????????????????/
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A return flight from Hong Kong to Sapporo will run you about £500 (w/ Cathay Pacific, didn't bother looking anything else up because realistically you can scramble around the net for the cheapest flight yourself). You can get a train (or indeed a private transfer, Skybus run these) to Niseko, for example, check out the rail company website: www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html. As for accommodation it is down to you, Google is your friend
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just to clarify...i am backpacking so will get the ferry from Shanghai to Osaka whichi hear is cheap.
I need prices on the rest of the stuff like renting equip, hostels and ski passes, etc
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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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livethedream48, If you want to get around Japan sightseeing for a week or two the Japan Rail Pass is very good value - BUT YOU MUST BUY IT BEFORE YOU ARRIVE IN JAPAN. 
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You know it makes sense.
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livethedream48, try these websites if you've not already seen them http://www.snowjapan.com/ for general resort info & http://www.hakubahotels.com/ for accomodation if you decide on Hakuba.
Had a week in Hakuba january before last, really enjoyed it & found prices cheaper than many european resorts at the time eg B&B in own twin en-suite room £32 per night . bowl of noodles in piste-side restaurant £ 3 up. ski hire £80 for the week etc
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