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Skiing in Japan

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Kumamojo
Posts: 10 - Karma: 10
Who's been and what's it like? I've seen too many edits of the to understand it is d0pe. But I find personal experiences and points of view are better...It is also on my list of places to visit before I die.
Oct 4 2010 9:15PM
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Kumamojo
Posts: 10 - Karma: 10
of the scenery***
Oct 4 2010 9:16PM
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C-DAWGSTYLEZ
Posts: 832 - Karma: 171
apparently for two months a year it starts snowing and it just doesn't stop, my dream is to be there for those two months.
Oct 4 2010 9:19PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
open 24/7
Oct 4 2010 9:19PM
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buddychaps
Posts: 1817 - Karma: 583
I've never been but i hear its pretty damn expensive to ski there.
Oct 4 2010 9:41PM
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Kumamojo
Posts: 10 - Karma: 10
yea but going up with a team for a couple of weeks would be worth it I feel.
Oct 4 2010 10:11PM
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lanny94
Posts: 1374 - Karma: 165
im pretty sure thats korea not japan
Oct 4 2010 10:16PM
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Horizon
Posts: 368 - Karma: 21
I'd love to go over to Japan also.  Seen a lot of great pow segments in movies.
Oct 4 2010 10:19PM
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montgomers
Posts: 34 - Karma: 10
I spent 5 months living and working in Niseko and that place is unbelievable, it seriously snows all the time. Only down side is that you rarely get sunny days (in Hokkaido at least). But the snow is worth it. Highly recomend going.
Oct 4 2010 10:41PM
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ED.
Posts: 210 - Karma: 8

My friend went to japan bout a year ago during those two months. Pow was rediculous, like knee deep fluff

Oct 4 2010 10:57PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
Knee deep fluff every single night, basically. So if you hit a line that hasn't been skied in like a week, it's over the shoulders blower crazyness.

Niseko seg in The Way I See It is probably pretty close.

It's not as expensive as you would think. If you're prepared to stay at a backpackers and eat cheaper food (Lars Longcox nachos are compulsory though) then for me it ended up cheaper than Canada?
Oct 4 2010 11:47PM
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assface
Posts: 4319 - Karma: 2,031
what months are the snowiest?
Oct 5 2010 1:05AM
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uT.
Posts: 130 - Karma: 20
ive been the last 6 years, to both niseko and hakuba

niseko i felt got more snow reguarly but when is snowed in hakuba it was ridiculous.

its not overly expensive going from Australia, but in niseko there are alot of aussies its just like being at home. Hakuba u got more of a feel for the culture and its pread out heaps more. think theres 8 mountains on the one pass
Oct 5 2010 1:19AM
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buddychaps
Posts: 1817 - Karma: 583
the nimbus episode where they go to niseko...looks crazy deep
Oct 5 2010 1:30AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
I'm going back for my third year working in Niseko this year, it's amazing, so much snow, cool culture (even with all the aussies), great food, it's basically all good, apart from the lack of sunny days, but who needs sun when you have neck deep pow?
Oct 5 2010 4:35AM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412

I live in Hokkaido, but have only been here for a few months. I can't wait for my first winter here! We've already had some snow up on the higher mountains.

It's not as expensive as you'd think.

Oct 5 2010 5:15AM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 237
How expensive is a season over there compared to NZ?
Oct 5 2010 5:16AM
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uT.
Posts: 130 - Karma: 20
depends where your comin from but if from aus, its not all that more expensive depending on wher u stay
Oct 5 2010 5:48AM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 237
I was talking more living in general more so than the flight. Flights from NZ are expensive regardless of where you go.
Oct 5 2010 7:22AM
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BobYohan
Posts: 3001 - Karma: 375
for those who have been to Niseko...

where are the cheapest places to stay?  I'm currently living down in Kyoto will be comin up to ski for a few weeks late Dec. early Jan.
Oct 5 2010 12:28PM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
Well I get paid a lot more in Japan, so I don't really notice the costs. If you were just being a bum I would say Japan is more expensive, not insanely though, food is still probably cheaper than Qtown.
Oct 5 2010 3:16PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
a two week (10 days minimum) trip to Niseko is one of my goals in life.
Oct 5 2010 7:14PM
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assface
Posts: 4319 - Karma: 2,031
quote for answer?
Oct 5 2010 9:03PM
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Ducky.
Posts: 5811 - Karma: 1,420
Feb. in my experience
Oct 5 2010 9:16PM
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assface
Posts: 4319 - Karma: 2,031
how about january? or december?
Oct 5 2010 10:31PM
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HeartBeatFaster
Posts: 723 - Karma: 26
Things are finally lining up! Woo! Going in March to Niseko and can't wait.  Sounds like there will be some people speaking english there too. Awesome! (Don't get me wrong, the culture will be amazing... it's just easier to get around when there are people speaking a language I understand ) Also, this might be a dumb question but what skis did you guys bring? Just the fatties? Or a small quiver?
Oct 5 2010 11:20PM
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Kumamojo
Posts: 10 - Karma: 10
So I gather Niseko is the most popular place of interest? Are there any good more low key, backcountryish places anyone knows about that are close to Niseko?
Oct 5 2010 11:32PM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
Im going to Niseko this janurary, so stoked for it
Oct 5 2010 11:36PM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930

This is the average monthly snowfall (inches) in Niseko from Nov to April, January is the snowiest, but not by far. This is average though, we have had some big falls in March the last few years.

56.08 149.93 168.85 111.79 80.68 6.54
Oct 6 2010 12:39AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
There are a ton of resorts within a few hours of Niseko, Not many of them are what you would call 'backcountry' though, they don't really like you going out of resort over there, Niseko is the only one that I know of around there that has a gated slackcountry policy. I think Asahidake has some good backcountry, but it's pretty hit and miss as it's quite exposed.

This said, you can score mad amounts of pow by just ducking into the trees in resorts like Rusutsu or Kiroro, as noone really skis the trees there. You aren't allowed to, but I have never got in trouble for it, nor heard of anyone getting in trouble unless they were doing something monumentally stupid.
Oct 6 2010 12:44AM
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KevCur
Posts: 378 - Karma: 3,546
Its a possibility I may be heading to Niseko this year, just wondering what the effects on Japan are for a la-nina osculation? My $.02 is that warmer water from the south heads up towards Japan, only warming their winter, please correct me if I am wrong though.
Oct 6 2010 1:05AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
Click for larger image

Saw this somewhere the other day, don't think it'll have much of an effect.
Oct 6 2010 1:21AM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412

I'm based in central Hokkaido, and I have a car. If anyone wants to come and check out some of the lesser known central spots (Asahidake, Kurodake, Kamui) drop me a line.

One thing at the moment that will make Japan expensive is the exchange rate. The Yen is really strong at the moment, meaning your dollars/pounds etc won't stretch as far. Those of us earning Yen aren't affected by this of course!

Oct 6 2010 3:24AM
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uT.
Posts: 130 - Karma: 20
niseko have alot of back bowls that are easily accesible and hardly anyone knows about very sweet, just endless powder all day. You could get a guide to show you the first time then just go it after if you know the backcountry, but it isnt real gnarly stuff, lots of tree skiing
Oct 6 2010 5:28AM
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Abc567def
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 801
hey BUDDDDDDDDDDDDYY sorry i can't be back for another season with you guys. Ill be jealous of all the updates from you while i'm stuck in a class room. Ill miss all the deep days and late nights with the crew. I'm hoping to be back there eventually once i get all of my schooling done.

I highly recommend everyone go riding in Japan. It will change ur lfie
Oct 6 2010 5:30AM
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-_-Johnny-_-
Posts: 480 - Karma: 39
http://vimeo.com/12347221

Went there last January. Did some filming, it gives you a pretty good picture of what you can expect. It's pretty awesome over there, soo much pow. The terrain is a little mellow though. At the resorts I skied at least (rusutsu, niseko, chisenupuri).
Oct 6 2010 5:54AM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 576
I had neck deep pow AND sun two seasons ago in France, only for a day though, I'm so jealous.
Oct 6 2010 6:19AM
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.frenchy
Posts: 18221 - Karma: 12,323
Meatheads filmed there for Work It Out, Japan looks really sick, so much pow too.
Oct 6 2010 6:47AM
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Dan.P
Posts: 1351 - Karma: 12
Looks like i might be going to japan in two or so years, Niseko looks sick, anywhere else any one can recomend?
Oct 6 2010 7:10AM
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uT.
Posts: 130 - Karma: 20
Hakuba is a really cool place it has a 7 or 8 mountains around that area, and Shiga Kogen is apparently a really cool place, those are two places near nagano that have endless snow. I think shiga kogen got a new cable car in connecting their two mountains together, i might be wrong but im pretty sure i heard that last year
Oct 6 2010 7:16AM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
I am SOOO much more stoked to go there now, the skiing looked like so much fun. I'm only going to be skiing there for three or four days though. I am probably going to be skiing 8:30-9 everyday
Oct 6 2010 3:44PM
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Kumamojo
Posts: 10 - Karma: 10
I get a free trip of my choice in Jan. My plan is to stay at Niseko for 5 days and search for some cool runs. Will anyone else be down there to possibly share this experience with?
Oct 6 2010 10:42PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
ya i was wondering what the terrain is like.  My biggest fear is drowning/suffocating, so i wouldnt be doing any backcountry, only shit that has been bombed by the friendly folks in red. 

is there any inbounds gnar? cliffs?  45 degree or more slopes with little hits?  im not talking squaw terrain here, but i would like a steep slope with some 5-10ft hits scattered about.  is that possible or are the mountains more like a black diamond at the steepest?
Oct 6 2010 11:12PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
Around Niseko it's mostly pretty mellow, there are a few steep pitches if you go hunting for them but they're not very long. Anything gnar tends to be in the permanently closed areas like Haru no Taki.
Half the patrollers at Niseko are, umm... err... yeah. They rock around on race skis looking important. The backcountry gates often open and close apparently at random and they rarely use explosives, only in some of the closed areas occasionally.
Fortunately you can hit a slope that 100+ people have already dropped and still find fresh, plus the best fun is in the trees which aren't gonna slide anyway.

There's some very, very fun freeride terrain inbounds. Maybe not 45 degree slopes but steep enough to have fun on and hundreds of little hits, drops, tree jibs, that kind of thing. Watch Nimbus En Route Japan and you'll get a fair idea of it.
When you cover EVERYTHING in 3ft of soft snow it's just a massive playground as long as you don't hit a fallen over tree/treestump/bamboo bush under the snow.

Hidden stuff under the blower is a good reason to go in January/Feb once the base has built up and solidified deep down - if you jam a tip under a flattened bamboo bush beneath 3ft of snow it can be damn near impossible to get it out again.
Oct 6 2010 11:37PM
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kzrstf
Posts: 2778 - Karma: 695
dude, brb gotta watch reasons lol
Oct 6 2010 11:46PM
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Ducky.
Posts: 5811 - Karma: 1,420
That place is soooo good, I went back twice:)
Oct 6 2010 11:53PM
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Bridges
Posts: 193 - Karma: 16
Man I got all this money that I made during the summer and I was going to buy a car.....but Japan man.  fuck, I wanna go to Japan.
Oct 6 2010 11:59PM
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JahJahBinks
Posts: 3567 - Karma: 461
Isn't it like 2 hours across the whole island or something?
Oct 7 2010 12:11AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
Haha, hey buddy! We'll miss you too! I am sure Lawsons chizza sales targets will be hit hard by your absence as well. At least you go to school where there are some mountains, all I had was a dryslope!
Oct 8 2010 3:04AM
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uT.
Posts: 130 - Karma: 20
man lawson chicken is the shit, like the only thing that can cure a hangover
Oct 8 2010 5:46AM
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RideDoctor
Posts: 27 - Karma: 14
I'm going out there to teach this winter and can't wait, it should be a blast.

Gonna be living in Hirafu from December so if anyone else is in the area hit me up and we can go shred. I could do with some local ski knowledge.
Oct 10 2010 1:18PM
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