Looking at getting a few friends together and going to Japan at the end of the year. I'm sure there are a few of you who have managed to score some of that sweet sweet japanese powder so I'd thought I ask the always reliable seabreeze brains trust to any recommondations.

From my research and recommendations Niseko has been called Kuta with Snow. I'm not a fan of bali but does anyone comment on it? Any particular packages or accom that you'd recommend? And how long would you recommend, I'd be looking to be on the slopes for about 10 days.

Watching this today has got me damn excited;

I've not been to Niseko but am to believe that the hills in the area are pretty half arsed. It would be good for those with limited language skills though.
There are heaps of options and yeah, the pow is ideal.

If you want the powder but without the touristy Australian culture, think about Rusutsu. Just over the mountain from Niseko. Awesome.

Heaps of other cool resorts around Hokkaido too. Smaller than Niseko but still a decent size by Australian standards. And actually Japanese

We've been to Hokkaido the last 4 years in a row (yes somewhat addicted to real pow)... exploring a bit more each trip. I'd say it's ruined Aus and NZ skiing for me. Yes Buster---the mountains aren't huge (1200m max).... so if you want extreme steep slopes/ double black terrain and long drops then it's not the place for you. But for the average person the consistent powder is hard to beat.

In terms of where in Hokkaido it really depends what you are after:

If you want to be based in one place then Niseko is very easy and snow is the main reason you are travelling. Lots of restaurants to choose from. Large amount of terrain (although don't fresh pow at the end of the day) to explore and you can easily do some day trips to some other nearby hills by bus if you want. 10 days would be fine there. Culturally you aren't getting the full Japanese experience (we've never had a problem with drunks) but then on a ski trip thats not important to everyone.

Our last trip we rented a car and explored quite a bit staying in a variety of places/cities. Had a ball at all different types of resorts.... boarded some tiny places(500m hills) with 2 lifts--- but some of these little unknown hills have fresh pow 3-4 days after snow as the locals don't tend to go off piste. And so many experiences mingling with the Japanese that made the trip--- so friendly and welcoming. Don't need any/good japanese skills - it was pretty easy getting round. Some cities/towns are pretty quiet in the evenings (which I think is why Kuta loving types all go to Niseko) - but that wasn't important to us. Plenty of good food, a quiet drink and then pass out from exhaustion after a day on the slopes was the normal routine.

Really depends what's important to you and what style of holiday you like. Either way I'm sure you'll love it there...

Check here for lots of trip reports:
snowjapan.com/

needsalt said..

think about Rusutsu. Just over the mountain from Niseko. Awesome.

I have to agree. Rusutsu was fun and not busy. We stayed at Niseko and did a couple of trips over to Rusutsu just to spice things up.

Boarding in Japan is a hoot - great food, accomodating and friendly people and best of all, spending an hour in the evening with a Sapporo Draught in the hotel Onsen with the snow falling on your face is a great ending to the day.......and it soothes the leg muscles ready for the next days pounding

Personally would go to mountains in Hokkaido over Hakuba - bigger dumps, colder (better pow), and you don't have to worry about the ski patrol losing it at you (and possibility of losing lift pass) for going off-piste into the trees

And really, the tree runs are what we go for in Japan

Green Cherub said...
Defs keen on a place with an out side hot bath.

There is an onsen that is outside with access to it from inside a building just over the back of niseko.
It's sort of on its own.
Do a little research and you'll find it easy.
Or book a back country tour with black diamond. He'll take you on a mind blowing tour out of bounds through untracked pow and finish the run down to that onsen.
Awesome.