Japan 23/24 Season

[BFD]

I never made it through the tunnel. My sons hung out in Hirayu Onsen. Said it was the best spot they hit in Japan.
dress warm you will freeze your ass off in that castle

apres ski pretty quiet in that zone.

Hope you are correct CCS, but I doubt it.

[CascadeCrudSkier]

I don't think that the previous post will put the region on the map, it's a 2 chair family ski area based around a tiny village and there are several more ski areas in the area that are equally as remote. There are so many places like this across Japan that are hurting for customers; I really hope they're still around in 10-15 years.

I'm surprised your sons found it that good, it's really small and typically doesn't get that much snow. Of course if you were there at the right time on a storm cycle I'm sure it helps make up for the size.

[muted reborn]

I'm leaving tomorrow and my last 5 days are open of a two week trip. Originally I was going to see what I liked the first week and decide what to do, or do new-to-me resorts around Sapporo before leaving - but now I'm thinking 2 weeks of meadow skipping easy terrain is too much. Should I just suck it up and do Niseko + Rusutsu (I was very much trying to avoid crowds and Ikoners) or go to some less-travelled resort in North Honshu via train, if they have interesting terrain, then come back via train to fly out of Chitose?

What are the odds of a last minute call to do some fun backcountry skiing with a guide anywhere on Hokkaido- are they generally booked in advance and I would be relying on lucky timing to get one?

Thanks!

Bumping this again. I appreciate the responses but all those recommended places were on my radar, I'm just wondering if the northern tip of Honshu is worth it via train from Hokkaido for 4-5 days.

[gaijin]

Just chiming into this thread to say this--

I'm so glad I don't have to deal with your tourism bullshit.

You guys... slow down. Plan your JP trip for a year or two. Plan. Slow down. Niseko is fun for a day, or two. It's fucking boring.

Look at a map. Or, don't even do that. Just rent an RV. Drive. Drive south.

Come in mid-february. Drive around the rice fields at the edge of town. Find mini-golf lines EVERYWHERE.

You can have an entire 2-3 weeks living out of an RV and skiing rad mini-golf lines by the side of the road all over the country. ALL BY YOURSELF.

Anyway...

[TahoeJ]

Yep. My best memories from Japan were well outside of Niseko. Grand Hirafu is super fun for a few days but there’s so much more beyond all of that.

[m2711c]

Bumping this again. I appreciate the responses but all those recommended places were on my radar, I'm just wondering if the northern tip of Honshu is worth it via train from Hokkaido for 4-5 days.

if you want to get away from crowds, do it. it was definitely worth it for me… hit ani,











and hakkoda ropeway.











hit moya hills on your way down the road from hakkoda for some excellent night skiing.



remember that the hakkoda road closes at night.

[eSock]

Just chiming into this thread to say this--

I'm so glad I don't have to deal with your tourism bullshit.

You guys... slow down. Plan your JP trip for a year or two. Plan. Slow down. Niseko is fun for a day, or two. It's fucking boring.

Look at a map. Or, don't even do that. Just rent an RV. Drive. Drive south.

Come in mid-february. Drive around the rice fields at the edge of town. Find mini-golf lines EVERYWHERE.

You can have an entire 2-3 weeks living out of an RV and skiing rad mini-golf lines by the side of the road all over the country. ALL BY YOURSELF.

Anyway...

This is what I wanna do next time. But that indy resort trip was pretty dope, it was amazing having these little resorts with 3 lifts and unreal snow all to ourselves. And it sounds like there are many more like that even further off the beaten path, or like you're saying, tons of touring all around. South you say though?

[BigSticks87]

This is what I wanna do next time. But that indy resort trip was pretty dope, it was amazing having these little resorts with 3 lifts and unreal snow all to ourselves. And it sounds like there are many more like that even further off the beaten path, or like you're saying, tons of touring all around. South you say though?

Hey man I'm a local buyer on your ghost trains but TGR won't let me reply to your post? Trying here instead.

[gaijin]

South you say though?

I'm not very specific about South, I just kind of meant the Honshu island, south of Hokkaido. Every time I drive somewhere I'm always stunned at the amount of easily-accessible mini golf lines there are all over Tohoku. But I get it. I don't expect people to fly across an ocean and then ski mini golf lines, regardless of how easy and fun it is.

[muted reborn]

if you want to get away from crowds, do it. it was definitely worth it for me…

Wow, those trees look amazing - thanks for the info! I'll have to check the conditions and consider it.

First two days on Hokkaido have been great. Putzing around finding good terrain somewhat luckily.

[Norseman]

* nice *

[Power_Sauce]

Yup, more visual proof that Japan is awesome.


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[muted reborn]

Thanks guys. I'm finding the meadow skipping is world class so mayyyybe I will do it for two weeks straight, ha.

Day 3 - skinned up beyond the upper left of the pic.









Binding pre-released at 20-25mph and I smoked a tree right after, making me come to a complete stop instantly. Luckily my knee took most of the hit! Might have to take a couple days off for the swelling to go down, we will see. Glad I didn't break ribs, a nose, or tib/fib or anything at all.

[tgapp]

Damn muted FKNA

looks amazing

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[boltonoutlaw]

Moiwa G10, Monday morning (hit HD option)



Or with some Steely Dan: https://www.instagram.com/p/C29MRgFvf8j/

[bobinch]

Moiwa G10, Monday morning (hit HD option)



Or with some Steely Dan: https://www.instagram.com/p/C29MRgFvf8j/

Nice but your GoPro needs windscreen wipers in Japow 🤣

[boltonoutlaw]

Nice but your GoPro needs windscreen wipers in Japow ��

No doubt. It's getting rinsed

[muted reborn]

Moiwa G10, Monday morning (hit HD option)

Nice, we were at Asahi-Dake Monday and found some fun turns.

Disclaimer - these are all average photos that hundreds of white boys were doing the exact same thing at the same place - nothing unique here! But I got insomnia and it being 1 degree out at 5:30 in the morning so what else am I gonna do but post?


Day Four

Woke up to this


Did laps on this


Just what my sore knee needs - variable conditions with big skis to torque it around






We did not skin up to check out the fumaroles, it was bitter cold with wind and my knee did not want to ski rock embedded sastrugi down from it. Before getting there we naively thought we could possibly ski from the top of the volcano - ha, it was a windblown mess. Seems like a spring ski descent. Happy to be there though!


After skiing we went up a canyon to see if there was any skiing - there were about 5 skintracks scattered about (and this nice waterfall). It feels like we are one of the few without guides here, but why hire a guide when they leave lotsa uphill trails to follow throughout the region?


Today's ski zone where we will look for skintracks again. I may have to let the knee rest but damn it's hard to stop when there's pow everywhere.

[powfiend]

Flying into Tokyo on the 9th. Zero plans, in Japan until the 29. Assuming hightailing it to Sapporo is the strongest move but seriously trying to avoid Niseko region unless it’s the significantly better option for snow. Curious if anyone is up in Furano region and can recommend the conditions up there. I would really like to make it to Kurodake /asahidake but honestly just looking to chase storms where ever they might be. Still having trouble finding legit forecast sites, snow-forecast is quite underwhelming. Any tips or suggestions on where to head first are appreciated. Also anyone who wants to link, it’s just me and my lady, both Tahoe locals with many seasons in the Cham.
Thanks!

[CascadeCrudSkier]

If you want to ski some steeps then I'd recommend going straight from Tokyo to Hakuba to catch the storm inbound for the 11th and 12th. That's only if you can find lodging, it's Chinese NY this weekend and there won't be much available. Transition from Hakuba to Hokkaido on the 14th after 2 days of storm skiing and then catch the big lines when it all clears on the 13th. It warms up quickly afterwards so go north for the rest of your trip.

[BFD]

only reason to go to Asahidake is to ski the peak. Kurodake has 4200ft of vert. Skin track starts next to the shrine by base of gondola. stay here
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re..._Hokkaido.html
Play bingo with the Chinese tourists. Ski the line behind the 7 11 in Sounkyo. Ice festival is worth checking out.

[powfiend]

If you want to ski some steeps then I'd recommend going straight from Tokyo to Hakuba to catch the storm inbound for the 11th and 12th. That's only if you can find lodging, it's Chinese NY this weekend and there won't be much available. Transition from Hakuba to Hokkaido on the 14th after 2 days of storm skiing and then catch the big lines when it all clears on the 13th. It warms up quickly afterwards so go north for the rest of your trip.

Thanks! I didn’t realize there was a decent system hitting Nagano. Hakuba/Myoko/Lotte are the only zones I’ve been to over there and I definitely want to score some more happo/47 sidecountry. I’ll start looking for accommodation STAT

[BFD]

If you want to ski some steeps then I'd recommend going straight from Tokyo to Hakuba to catch the storm inbound for the 11th and 12th. That's only if you can find lodging, it's Chinese NY this weekend and there won't be much available. Transition from Hakuba to Hokkaido on the 14th after 2 days of storm skiing and then catch the big lines when it all clears on the 13th. It warms up quickly afterwards so go north for the rest of your trip.

i thought your post about Hirayu Onsen was good information and did not mean to imply it was going to blow the place up. I was just reflecting on my limited experience in Japan. staying some where we had the only skis in the drying room and they were bussing in seniors for business. than going back
2 years later and there were 50 pairs of skis and some guided groups. Not a big fan of guides. My sons were doing the camper van touring route. I am pretty sure they were skiing lines off Akandanayama. I think the onsen might of been free or very cheap and conditions were good. Like you said they were the only gaijin there. hope you can enjoy the upcoming storm.

[bennymac]

Hakuba backcountry/sidecountry has been great the past two days. Snowed a bunch yesterday and a bit more today. Soft deep snow everywhere.

[CascadeCrudSkier]

Thanks! I didn’t realize there was a decent system hitting Nagano. Hakuba/Myoko/Lotte are the only zones I’ve been to over there and I definitely want to score some more happo/47 sidecountry. I’ll start looking for accommodation STAT

Well, the forecast models completely shifted since I wrote that this morning. 4 hours later the 2+ feet had dropped to 6 inches, now it's basically down to nothing. I think you're better off heading north.

It's been such a frustrating season for Honshu, though there's been a couple of exceptional days mixed amongst the dry spells and rain. I'm glad last night's system overdelivered, enjoy the BC lines @bennymac.