 Poster: A snowHead
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Since there does not seem to be one - thought I would start one…
Lots of good snow updates can be found https://www.snowjapan.com/ & has tons of other info. Inc pistes, maps, travel, etc.
Have found that you can add the Tokyo IC card to your apple wallet.
Open your apple wallet.
Tap +
Select Travel card
Scroll the list
Select Suica, Pasmo (Tokyo/Kanto region) or Icoca (Osaka/Kyoto/Kansai region)
Tokyo Sumo Jan 14-28th
Osaka Sumo March 10th-24th (for anyone chasing Sakura season & skiing!)
https://www.sumo.or.jp/EnTicket/year_schedule/
Anyone going to Hokkaido, then Sapporo Snow fesitval is Sun 4th Feb to 11th feb
https://www.snowfes.com/en/
JR Pass has gone up a lot (60-75%)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks @Gored I see some areas are already open. Any of the legendary powder yet?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@mountainaddict,
Well 50cm in Niseko since last Wednesday
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
50cm in Niseko since last Wednesday
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Gored wrote: |
@mountainaddict,
Well 50cm in Niseko since last Wednesday |
Needs a bit more to cover sasa, no?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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As Cam (formerly of the Kiroro coffee shop) and now in his own coffee place in Otaru has called it
'Welcome to the Yo Yo Factory'
Periods of intense snowfall and cold temperatures followed by warming and rain
Got another one this week after a good Opening Weekend at Niseko, Rusutsu, Sapporo Kokusai
Farmers always say if it comes early, it finishes early; it it comes late, it finishes late
Last season was a case in point, with no appreciable snow from 01 March
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@Mike Pow, what is Cam’s place in Otaru?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Speaking of Otaru...
I'm winding up a three week trip to Hokkaido starting on 19 January in Hirafu and winding up hopefully in Otaru (only part of my trip unbooked so far) from 1 Feb to 7 Feb.
By the end of the trip I'll likely be doing a bit less skiing, so...Otaru seems like a good hang. Hotel recommendations? Kinda looking at places near the train station as I'll be sans car. Any opinions on the Unwind, Dormy, Authentic Otaru, Nord Otaru, etc? I'll be solo so looking for a comfy room and likely a breakfast option. On site hot springs/hot tub not a big priority.
Cheers and let it snow!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Great info...thanks!
Leaning towards a "less cheap" location but appreciate that your stay was ok.
Brewery and distillery on the list of things to do. As well as a trip or two to Sapporo.
Anyone taken the rapid train to/from the airport? How hard/easy to schlep skis on board?
Bus access to ski areas from Otaru? Looks like there's a few shuttles and some nearby areas.
Thanks!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Nov was slow.
Dec looking better.
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You know it makes sense.
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Both Sapporo Kokusai and Sapporo Teine doable by public transport too
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Hoshino OMO hotel (not silly price in Sapp/decent location) offering daily free ski shuttle to Kokusai.
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Poster: A snowHead
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OMO5 in Otaru booked for the days of my stay but good suggestion! Good to know there's a few shuttles to the ski areas nearby.
Thanks...keep 'em coming!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sumo tickets onsale in a few hours.
Lets see if I bag any or fall asleep drunk 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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WOW!
That is brutal.
All I could snag was not my prefered date (Fri 26) for any block! Got a something... not sure what. F5 took a bashing last 25mins when online tickets opened.
edit - chair seats B i think!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
Farmers always say if it comes early, it finishes early; it it comes late, it finishes late
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So has it been early or late this winter
@Mike Pow 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| mountainaddict wrote: |
| Quote: |
Farmers always say if it comes early, it finishes early; it it comes late, it finishes late
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So has it been early or late this winter
@Mike Pow |
Very late
When I first started visiting Hokkaido back in December 2006, the big Hokkaido resorts would aim to open in the last week of November to coincide with a Japanese National Holiday.
Now they open in the first week in December.
Normally there's more than enough snow from mid-November, but every 3-4 years the winter starts & stops with snow followed by rain and a full reset back to grass.
Then when it does come down and the temperature remains below freezing it doesn't stop.
Looks like that cycle is about to begin.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Mike Pow, too right, let's hope... My best season it was v late coming (i.e. mid Dec) then we had 21 days straight of big pow.
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Everything crossed
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Thanks @Mike Pow
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Long shot, but is anyone planning on skiing around Myokokogen on the 13/14th Jan and fancies a partner for some sidecountry and short tours avie conditions permitting?
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@rambotion, Always worth asking. There 10 days before, and would have been happy to share a run/beer/ramen. My first time in MK. Interested how it stacks up versus Hokk and Tohoku for powder
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@wiigman, will be interesting to hear that over beer/ramen in Asahikawa
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Could get 1m of the white stuff over the next 2 weeks
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@mooney058, excellent and see you on 12 Jan for ski/beer/ramen
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You know it makes sense.
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been snowing steadily for the last couple of days.
Near enough 50cm in Niseko since Sunday.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Quote: |
My first time in MK. Interested how it stacks up versus Hokk and Tohoku for powder
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Good luck with the Milton Keynes powder!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hello! We're treating ourselves to a week in Niseko in mid January. We plan to hire some powder skis out there. Any recommendations for ski hire shops and any deals?
Also any hints or tips for folk that have never been before, but have been in the French alps countless times? Dave.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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This and try Japanese set dinner.
Depending on where you are based. In Annupuri/Moiwa area has quite some nice onsens.
This is the most snobish one: Niseko Konbu Onsen Tsuruga Besso Moku no Sho, telefon before you turn up. 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Team Labs borderless reopens on 9th Feb if anyone is Tokyo after that date.
Unless my flight is cancelled (seems quite common with the BA flights due to the difficulty & crew rest), then I will just miss out 
no onsen if you have tattoos btw
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Gored, you’re fine in some onsens if you have tattoos. Just ask nicely first, they will either get you to stick a plaster over it, say it’s fine or say no you can’t come in. Just smile graciously and accept whatever your fate is.
Or sometimes they only let you go in after hours with all the yakuza guys
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I think I'm the only westerner without a tattoo in most of Hokkaido's onsens...
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@hang11,
I dont have any tattoos. Could never find one I liked enough!
Looks like the snow is having a week off after today in Niseko... like the rest of the Northern hemisphere ski resorts.
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Planning our first Japan trip - my first munchkin is teaching in Hakuba47 for the season, so it’s too good an opportunity to miss. Aiming for week before midterm & the midterm week. Thinking a week in Hakuba then few days somewhere else. We have Kiroro included on our season passes - would it be daft to try to combine both?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Pending it's a mission re Kiroro - I've done Tokyo airport to Kutchan (not too far from Kiroro) in a oner by JR rail pass and I'd not receommend. Something like nine hours, and plenty of changes. It's the last bit that's the pain. I'd bullet it up and ski Geto Kogen, then Appi a bit higher up. Easy and quick(ish), and IMHO better skiing/snow than Yuzawa etc.
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FAQ
