 Poster: A snowHead
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I just got words we had to take 10 days off (no pay) before the end of the year! 
My Dad had chosen to live in Hong Kong post-retirement. As his health isn't the most robust, I get the occasional nag of "when are you coming to visit?". It's a long way and the summer is steamy over there. This is a more pleasant season to go over anyway. I might as well make the trip now.
But with the late notice, all the cheap flights are gone between mid-December and New Year. I can head over there between now and end of November but I had to come back before the Christmas price hike.
With the weekends and a holiday coming up in late November, the 10 day off actually add up to be nearly 15-16 days holiday. So I could potentially hop over to Japan for a week of skiing! That is, if there's decent chance of good snow to play with.
I know there're a few snowheads who're winter residents in Hokkaido. I hope some of you could chime in with what the snow condition is typically like. Is it pretty decent most years? Or borderline & too iffy to bother? (this is a trip I will be making once every few years, I could wait for another year when I can plan more ahead and hit the height of the snow season if early December isn't too reliable)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Typically the Hokkaido resorts have an earlier start than the Nagano and Niigata resorts.
Niseko Resort Area snowfall recorded at approx 300 m asl
2006
November = 40 cm
01 Dec - 07 Dec = 110 cm (7 snow events; biggest 24 hr snowfall of 25 cm)
2007
November = 177 cm
01 Dec - 07 Dec = 118 cm (7 snow events; biggest 24 hr snowfall of 26 cm)
2008
November = 109 cm
01 Dec - 07 Dec = 49 cm (3 snow events; biggest 24 hr snowfall of 34 cm)
2009
November = 82 cm
01 Dec - 07 Dec = 18 cm (2 snow events; biggest 24 hr snowfall of 16 cm)
2010
November = 49 cm
01 Dec - 07 Dec = 12 cm (2 snow events; biggest 24 hr snowfall of 10 cm)
2011
November = 125 cm
01 Dec - 07 Dec = 99 cm (6 snow events; biggest 24 hr snowfall of 26 cm)
Most of the pisted runs are open at the start of December.
The off piste can be no go or all time depending on what's fallen in October and November.
Hope that helps.
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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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Thanks, Mike Pow. That looks promising!
Looking at air fare. Hope to find a flight that is stopping over at Narita on my way to HKG. That would be ideal, practically a free detour to have me landed in Japan. Then I'll still have to hunt down either an internal flight, to take the bullet train, whichever is cheaper to Hokkaido. This is looking a bit tight in time to make all the necessary arrangements...
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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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I'd definitely recommend flying up. Especially if limited for time. Air Asia are offering some cracking deals on Narita - Chitose. There are a number of other low cost airlines too. Also worth noting that Cathay fly direct to Hong Kong from Chitose. The Shinkansen is great, but it only goes as far as Aomori. Beyond that you're on normal trains up through the tunnel and through southern Hokkaido to Sapporo, which takes time and usually a couple of changes.
Early December is always going to be a gamble. So far, the autumn hasn't been great. Raining and warm now, with another warm spell forecast next week. Hopefully beyond that the temperatures will drop and we'll get some snow. You'll certainly be able to ski but I wouldn't bank on the Hokkaido you see in the movies!
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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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Skymark is another low cosr airline between Tokyo and Chitose.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Indeed, Skymark are really good. Their best prices will probably have gone now for Decemer flights. (they're released exactly 2 months before)
Also worth making sure your flights are from Narita (if that's where you'll be flying into) The transfer from Narita to Haneda adds a couple of hours and a couple of thousand yen. Skymark, Air Asia and Jetstar are all worth checking. Also, don't rule out JAL, they sometimes come up with some good prices, although they have a very limited number of Narita - Chitose flights.
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I'd say go for it, but be aware that it can be pretty hit and miss, I've been in Niseko for the last 4 winters and only 2 of them had skiing the first week of December.
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Well, my plan to get a "free" flight into Narita is definitely not happening. Flights stopping at Narita cost more than the direct flight by quite a bit. I'll look into Cathay flight straight from Hong Kong to Chitose. Depending on the flight cost, I might wait till I can see the snow condition better. I'll definitely bookmark all the information about cheap internal flight on this page for future use though.
What's the transport option from airport to mountain like? (I've been to Japan twice on business, so am comfortable to use train/bus/taxi)
Lodging?
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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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Buses straight from airport terminal to Welcome Centre in Hiarfu at the foot of the mountain. Takes around 2 1/2 hrs
Lodging, how long's a piece of string?
Duration?
Budget?
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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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abc, Welcome to the World of Washlets! Even certain Japanese airlines now have them. If you do stay in a 'Minshuku', family run guest house, you may end up squatting, but just remember how many breaststoke champions Japan has produced, not to mention great ski jumpers.....folding up one's futon in the morning, then lifting it into the closet followed by a good squat.....great for those lower back/thigh muscles! Mike Pow, ohisashiburi etc Am I right in thinking that buses now depart Chitose later than 15:30 for Niseko.....the old Chuo/Donan timetables?
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Yes. Not sure how late they run, but definitely later than 15.30
Think the last bus is 21.00
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You know it makes sense.
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Isn't looking too likely to happen at this point. The flight from Hong Kong to Hokkaido is higher than I had in mind. With snow potential somewhat on the borderline, I can't justify the cost of the flight. So unless I stumble upon a big discount in the next week or so, I'll give it a pass for this year. Save the money till the next trip when I can plan it better.
Thanks for all the replies. I'll be keeping the information in mind next time.
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FAQ
No more than a week. Might be shorter if the condition is less than great.
