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Will be in Japan for 7 days in early Feb. Beyond excited, first time. Looks like it's not super easy to resort hop but we are thinking Niseko? Maybe 4 days there - a night or two in Tokyo before and a night in Hokkaido before heading home.
For a relatively short trip (kind of locked in based on my partner's vacation schedule) would anyone recommend going elsewhere? Niseko is plenty of skiing for 4 days, right?
If you're traveling to Niseko from Tokyo you're going to lose a full day to travel on the way there and the way back. If you only have a week then you're probably better off staying on Honshu and traveling to somewhere in Nagano, Niigata, or Gunma.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinned
Early February is Chinese New Year so finding lodging will be your biggest hurdle to overcome.
Didn't even think about CNY. I'll have to see if I can find a decent lodging option.Quote:
Originally Posted by CascadeCrudSkier
I'll give a look to Nagano / Hakuba as well - that could certainly make life easier.
Lots of rain mid month meant that most ski areas were either closed or barely operating in Nagano and Niigata. Fortunately late last week we got our first good storm of the year. 1-2' forecast turned into over a meter for many places.
Rolled into Myoko and you could barely see the Lawsons.
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It snowed 80cm at the hotel, which meant a delayed start while they cleared the roads in town.
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Seki Onsen seemed like a good bet for its opening day, this tiny ski area offers 3900 yen lift tickets and combo tickets that include a homemade lunch are 4600 yen. This was only my 2nd time here, I visited during the COVID times when they only operated 1 lift and only cleared one parking lot, limiting visits to about the first 40 cars of the day. They still didn't open the 2nd (upper) lift so maybe it's just not going to run anymore.
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Seki is probably the steepest terrain in Myoko but it's still Japan so it just isn't that steep. A meter of fresh light snow sitting on grass made for some interesting conditions. After the first run I had to pick grass and bamboo fronds out of my boot buckles. That being said, for skiing before Christmas there were some fine turns to be had.
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Fabulous stuff! Psyched for some January JapowQuote:
Originally Posted by CascadeCrudSkier
Niseko has plenty for 4 days.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinned
Do the boot pack (over and over and over?) and send it skiers left of the summit.
Peak is like 3300 feet of elevation. You’ll feel like you’re 12 years old running up a hill.
Very good shit to be had.
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I got bored with Niseko and over the crowds by like day two. Luckily day buses leave from Niseko base to Rusutsu and Kiroro. Highly recommend branching out for a day.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinned
I think Niseko has enough to offer for 4 days, I would definitely take the bus over to Rusutsu for one of though.
Thanks guys - I managed to make a booking for a decent looking place on the Niseko bus route. Little bit pricey, but not by US standards. Will take a look at going to Rusutsu - appreciate the suggestion.
Nagano / Hakuba area looked good too but actually seem more difficult to get to if we aren't going to be spending much time in Tokyo. Current plan is just to head straight to Hokkaido - possibly one long travel day, we'll see how that works out as far as timing.
Just a quick note to all who plan on being in Niseko this year:
It’s gonna be very busy.
Like, make sure you have transpo and dining options completely lined up, and are conscious of traffic patterns in Hirafu.
Actually, I’d actively avoid Hirafu.
I’ve been checking in with some guide friends over there, and they are pretty amazed at how crowded the commercial parts of Niseko have gotten. I’d be surprised if Kutchan wasn’t extremely busy too.
Maybe anyone thinking about a last-minute trip should stick to Sapporo and explore Central Hokkaido.
That’s my $0.02
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I would second this advice and that’s my plan when I return. One of the best ski days of my life was at Sapporo Teine. 3+ feet of blower overnight and didn’t have to wait in line once.Quote:
Originally Posted by SUPERIOR
Pics or it didn't happen...
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Learning a lot, poking around maps / searching a bit in my free time based on the suggestions in this thread. For those of you who have stayed in Sapporo and skied from there - how did you get to the mountains? Public transit? Private buses? Rental car (seems potentially sketch regarding tires / traction)?
I'm pretty flexible with my plans other than the dates. GF doesn't want to hang out in Tokyo, so being in Sapporo for the whole trip actually sounds pretty good to me and less limiting than being locked into one mountain / area.
I would stay in Sapporo or Otaru and get an AWD rental. Most come with winter tires.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinned
Sapporo is an actual Japanese experience, whereas Niseko / Rusutsu is something else…
If you’re a confident winter driver, it’s not a bad learning curve. You can do day trips and sight see. The only gnarly part is really busy left hand driving in downtown Sapporo.
Obviously, you can take trains all over Hokkaido from Sapporo as well.
Niseko does look much busier this year. Hopefully it's just the Christmas holiday crush and things will even themselves out afterwards. I hope...
I shouldn't be surprised that the Japanese rental cars come with appropriate tires - that's great.Quote:
Originally Posted by SUPERIOR
Looks like there are some good bus options to Teine and Rusutsu as well. Thinking we forego Niseko all together if it's truly going to be mobbed and consider a couple of days elsewhere like central Hokkaido.
If you want to skip the Niseko area, basing yourself in Furano or Asahikawa is also a good option.
Thanks for the suggestion, like the idea of a smaller city and was looking into that too - I'm already wishing we had more time. Thinking Sapporo is a good bet for a first trip with lots of options.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezo_Fuji
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30 mins before takeoff
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East mountain? How’s it skiing?
Sapporo is absolutely a cool, world class city. You have multiple rad ski resorts within 2 hours. It’s really a sweet setup.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinned
Be sure to visit the underground mall near Sapporo Train station and check out Ramen Alley.
Yodobashi Camera is also a favorite. Huge electronics store with everything camera you could think of.
Gondola. Yesterday was fantastic. Sassa grass still apparent tho. Need more dumpsQuote:
Originally Posted by beer30
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Question for the experienced on behalf of a non-mag friend: does it make sense to bring only dedicated resort skis in lieu of either a 50/50 ski or a quiver? Friend is planning a trip and is under the impression that there is no benefit to bringing a touring ski; that there is an endless supply of untracked, lift-served pow on the ikon pass, and that the only tour worth doing is to the hot springs, and that is a novelty tour at best.
Sounds like peak jongery to me but what do I know, I've never skied Japan.
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Is your friend doing Honshu or Hokkaido?
We’ve done Hokkaido twice and have ended up skiing all resorts even though we had touring skis -so I don’t think they are necessary and I probably wouldn’t bring a touring set up the next time we go. if you are even mildly savvy about side country there was pretty much endless pow or quasi pow to be found. (Hokkaido) *edit to add that this is frowned upon so must be savvy/respectful
That said- husband and I generally enjoy cranking lift laps over touring in general so maybe it’s more personal preference but I was also thrown off by the lack of avalanche data and forecasting a bit. The skiing there is so fun- even “basic” japan ski days are fun.
“Not much snow only 8” or so” then ski area cafeteria lunches of ramen only to come out to another 5-6” that fell during your delightful ramen lunch
I’d go 50/50 ski all the way if limited to only 1 setup. But I love touring. Niseko and Rusutsu get tracked pretty fast these days.
On another note — Hope your season will be a good one Babybear!
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