Accomodation Hokkaido

if you have a car stay in kutchan

jps2.0if you have a car stay in kutchan

Thanks! Seen that it's close to Niseko, I guess it's a bit cheaper there?

Niesko has a few good spots to stay, but for the most part it gotten more expensive to stay there (Thanks Ikon pass). There are some cheap hostels but they are few and fair between. Kutchan is cheaper and not as touristy, plus they have a couple of place to get groceries so you are not eating every meal at the Seciomart (Also eat at the food carts right next to the Seciomart, there is a sandwich cart that is too damn good). Also watch for shady car rental places(the one place was in New Chitose and the other was in Kutchan), I had a lot of trouble with the 3 different rental car my first time over there. If money is not an issue for hotels, I would stay at the Sky Hotel or Park Hyatt, which you will still give you a feel of Japanese culture but it does feel like staying at a Western luxury hotel (Also its easy to sleep 4-5 in a room at these hotels versus a traditional Japanese room of almost equal prices). There is an Ecolodge in Hirafu which was the cheapest of all hotel minus hostels. There are a few small Mom and Pop places which give you more of an authentic feeling of being in Japan and have private onsens in Hirafu, have a super good dinner every night.Catskiing is pretty cheap over there but most place lack real steep terrain, as does most of Hokkaido. Otaru is pretty cool place to visit, lots of good food, and the Sea of Japan is beautiful. Also if you have a car, make sure to venture away from Niesko because the Ikon pass made that place so crowded. It will be interesting to see what the epic pass does to Rusutsu. Feel free to PM, if you have more questions

https://www.vandurajapan.com/

rudolphNiesko has a few good spots to stay, but for the most part it gotten more expensive to stay there (Thanks Ikon pass). There are some cheap hostels but they are few and fair between. Kutchan is cheaper and not as touristy, plus they have a couple of place to get groceries so you are not eating every meal at the Seciomart (Also eat at the food carts right next to the Seciomart, there is a sandwich cart that is too damn good). Also watch for shady car rental places(the one place was in New Chitose and the other was in Kutchan), I had a lot of trouble with the 3 different rental car my first time over there. If money is not an issue for hotels, I would stay at the Sky Hotel or Park Hyatt, which you will still give you a feel of Japanese culture but it does feel like staying at a Western luxury hotel (Also its easy to sleep 4-5 in a room at these hotels versus a traditional Japanese room of almost equal prices). There is an Ecolodge in Hirafu which was the cheapest of all hotel minus hostels. There are a few small Mom and Pop places which give you more of an authentic feeling of being in Japan and have private onsens in Hirafu, have a super good dinner every night.Catskiing is pretty cheap over there but most place lack real steep terrain, as does most of Hokkaido. Otaru is pretty cool place to visit, lots of good food, and the Sea of Japan is beautiful. Also if you have a car, make sure to venture away from Niesko because the Ikon pass made that place so crowded. It will be interesting to see what the epic pass does to Rusutsu. Feel free to PM, if you have more questions

Thanks man! Gotta talk this through with my friends and will get back at you if we have more questions!

Might be taking a trip out soon as well. What is the best way to get there from the airport?

I did this sick trip with my family with black diamond lodge. Went to a bunch of sick places, hit pow and even a catalog day. Can't reccomend enough

stompdatMight be taking a trip out soon as well. What is the best way to get there from the airport?

theres shuttle taking you to grand hirafu if you dont have rental

Just rent an RV and travel around. Niseko is great and all but gets really crowded with a withering sense of real japanese culture. If you have an RV you can go more central hokkaido and hit up asahidake, etc.

Or even using asahikawa as a base city then traveling out with a car is sweet, too.

Otaru is really nice, I skied in Kiroro near there and was sick, very good tree skiing there. The only other places I skied when I was working there was Sahoro and Tomamu but I think they're a bit far from Niseko.