Japan Trip Quick Advice Required
Boys and girls. I am in a dilemma… of a good kind. I’m looking at booking a short 9 day trip to Japan for some boarding, most likely leaving on the 22nd Feb. My dilemma lies in whether to head to Hokkaido or the Hakuba area. I cannot decide for the following reasons.
1. I have done Niseko and Rusutsu before. While I did immensely enjoy both, I think it may be a good idea to go somewhere different (i.e. Haukuba).
2. I am concerned about the strict ’ no off-piste’ riding at the Hakuba resorts. Does anyone know how strict this is? Can you at least do some tree skiing there without getting into trouble? I don’t see the point in travelling overseas for powder if you can’t even get amongst the trees. In saying this if I do end up heading to Hakuba, I will most likely be doing at least 1 day of back country boarding, so maybe this will make up for it.
3. I was thinking Hakuba mainly due to the number of hills and because it has more places to eat and drink. While I am going for boarding more than partying, I wouldn’t mind a couple of nights on the town.
4. Hakuba does sound like it can get very busy. Are crowds a big issue here? I didn’t mind the crowds at all in Niseko so I guess if its as busy as Niseko then it shouldn’t be an issue.
I understand that there are hundreds of ski fields in the Hakuba region such as Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen and a few more ski fields in Hokkadio that I could go to, like Furano. I guess the main reason I’m leaning towards Hakuba is because its quick to get to, it’s cheap and easy. Because I’m only going for a short time I wouldn’t want to waste time travelling between resorts.
Maybe I’m just over thinking this and should just book Hakuba. I’m sure I’ll have a good time there despite the crowds and no off-piste skiing, but if someone could let me know about these factors that would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
tom
1) Go to Hakuba i was there lat year and loved it.
2) I was riding between the trees and not one person told me anything and there was $hit loads of other riding off-piste riding.
3)Partying is almost not existent at hakuba there is few small places that you can go out and have a drink etc but its nothing big, i went to a club there and there was like 20 ppl in it lol ...
4) I was there from 4th Feb last year for 10 days and it was almost empty i did not have to wait once for the lift, it was more or less hop on hop off.
You are over thinking it but that is not so bad either you want to be sure that you are going to good place..
In my opinion mate you will not be disappointed i sure was not and the amount of snow that falls there its crazy.
if you have any other question just ask…
2. From what I hear its stricker than Niseko. I have ridden only Hakuba. We got in trouble heaps at Iwatake. Didnt go off piste really at Hakuba 47/Goryu or Happo One. Cortina, my fav resort there by far allow off piste, and have access gates to side/“back” country.
3. Its good for variety, and its easy to get around. All pretty close. Lots of places to go out and drink/eat. But didnt find it too hectic
4. I found it very quiet. Never had to line up. Biggest was prob 6-10 people in front of me.
I have been recommended by a few people to head to Nozawa Onsen.
But I can highly recommend Hakuba as a good time, good snow, good mountains, good variety, good crowds
Yeah apparently they have become a little more lax about the off piste thing (I got my pass taken on my first day in 2009 - i am badass like that LOL)
Not much partying in Hukuba but you can still go out for a drink etc.
“The Pub” in Wadano got a bit lively
There was never any crowds - i was there the last week of Feb.
3)Partying is almost not existent at hakuba there is few small places that you can go out and have a drink etc but its nothing big, i went to a club there and there was like 20 ppl in it lol ...
Lano, I have to disagree! Yeh, its not obvious and mental with drunks strolling round the streets between pubs, but there is definately good night life to have a good time in Echoland. 20ppl in a club is all you want, cos if everyone is going off, its heaps of fun but not to massive
Nozawa is where I’m goin this feb, as I’ve heard great things about the trees!!!!!
No party life though!!!!!
I’m pretty sure that there’s certain areas in Hakuba that are more lax in regards to off piste, but as I haven’t been there, I can’t remember which one exactly!!!!!
Happo????? A quick Google will find the answer!!!!!
I’m also off to Niseko before Nozawa, and on my list will be a stint in Mizuno-no-Sawa, the avvy control area, as well as a back/side country stint!!!!!
There are soooooo many options outside of resorts in Hokkaido as well!!!!! Yotei-zan trips, Moiwa is good also due to low crowds, and there are cat trips that utilize old resorts that no longer function with lifts etc, that look freakin amazing!!!!!
All depends on how much cash ya have, and if ya can be bothered with the research I guess?????
Gettin to Nozawa is pretty much the same travel time as Hakuba also, and there are stacks of resorts in and around, as you know!!!!! Myoko bein one such place!!!!!
I reckon 9 days in Nozawa would be sweet, as it’s one of the biggest resorts in Japan, and the food, culture, and such is supposed to be great!!!!!
Late Feb will also see no crowds, and still good chances of some powder!!!!! Well, I hope so anyways, as I’ll be there at that time!!!!! 
I’ve heard great things about the trees!!!!!
And you call me and Ray hippies!
I’ve heard great things about the trees!!!!!
And you call me and Ray hippies!
Yeah, but the trees that you guys are into are the type that ya can smoke!!!!!
This is Mizuno no sawa!!!!! He’s wearin a numbered bib as there are only a certain amount allowed into the area at any one time!!!!!
Costs 2000JPY to ride!!!!! (Incase ya don’t already know)
3)Partying is almost not existent at hakuba there is few small places that you can go out and have a drink etc but its nothing big, i went to a club there and there was like 20 ppl in it lol ...
Lano, I have to disagree! Yeh, its not obvious and mental with drunks strolling round the streets between pubs, but there is definately good night life to have a good time in Echoland. 20ppl in a club is all you want, cos if everyone is going off, its heaps of fun but not to massive
you are right, i think what i was trying to say that you will not walk in the cub and no be able to move etc
tom, you have another option that i was going to do this year.
go to nozawa for 5 days and got to myoko for 5 days…. distance between 2 places is something like 3 hours i think….
There are soooooo many options outside of resorts in Hokkaido as well!!!!! Yotei-zan trips, Moiwa is good also due to low crowds, and there are cat trips that utilize old resorts that no longer function with lifts etc, that look freakin amazing!!!!!
tell me more about these no longer functioning resorts mr bear
There are soooooo many options outside of resorts in Hokkaido as well!!!!! Yotei-zan trips, Moiwa is good also due to low crowds, and there are cat trips that utilize old resorts that no longer function with lifts etc, that look freakin amazing!!!!!
tell me more about these no longer functioning resorts mr bear
They have cat/skidoo tour operators that take ya to them!!!!!
Can’t remember the names off hand, but a quick scan of tour companies might get the names for ya!!!!!
I have been lookin at so many options for this trip, I think my brain has fried to the extant where it’s startin to resemble bacon!!!!!
Mmmmmmm, Bacon!!!!!
Here’s a quick example!!!!!
http://hokkaidopowderguides.com/Hokkaido_cat_heli_skiing_week.html
Chisenupuri is another i know of but it is still open as it is owned by the army!
http://www.powderhounds.com/Japan/Hokkaido/Chisenupuri.aspx
We were suppose to go on my trip back in Feb can’t remember why the day was cancelled now…
There are soooooo many options outside of resorts in Hokkaido as well!!!!! Yotei-zan trips, Moiwa is good also due to low crowds, and there are cat trips that utilize old resorts that no longer function with lifts etc, that look freakin amazing!!!!!
tell me more about these no longer functioning resorts mr bear
They have cat/skidoo tour operators that take ya to them!!!!!
Can’t remember the names off hand, but a quick scan of tour companies might get the names for ya!!!!!
I have been lookin at so many options for this trip, I think my brain has fried to the extant where it’s startin to resemble bacon!!!!!
Mmmmmmm, Bacon!!!!!
Have you heard about that ‘resort’ up the north end of the main island which has a main gondola but no designated or groomed tracks? It’s like back country without the hiking!