Heading to Japan

[reedwj]

I was going to ski up north in Hokkaido (Niseko, Rusutsu, etc.) but the forecast looks lame up there. I see storms on Honshu so i am changing my plans.

Who has skied in that area? +karma for advice

has anyone been to MarunumaKogen Ski Resort?

 

[theabortionator]

Never been but felt like saying I'm jealous. Hope to get there at some point.

 

[S.J.W]

the north has the deep powder more constantly but the south has steeper and bigger mountains, good work on changing your plans steep and deep...man i wanna go back

 

[S.J.W]

the north has the deep powder more constantly but the south has steeper and bigger mountains, good work on changing your plans steep and deep...man i wanna go back

 

[Rosbif]

The forecast never looks great in Hirafu, but it snows all the time!

 

[backseat.bandit]

snowed for 14 days non stop when i was at niseko. best of luck with the weather

 

[MagSeven]

Be aware that the Honshu hills have had rain and warm temps most of late Jan after a pretty poor start to the season, so the snow they're getting now is desperately needed.

In Hokkaido the snow is consistent and more reliable, especially now moving into mid Feb when temperatures will trend warmer.

 

[MagSeven]

This. The snow in Hokkaido doesn't regularly come in storms. It's just the weather. It snows.

 

[KillerPow]

There is one rule i Japan - Always double the snow forecast!

 

[reedwj]

http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/hokkaido/niseko/niseko-annupuri-kokusai/snow-weather-reports

I dont know how this forecast could produce a ton of snow... Just saying

 

[liftedresearcher]

dude eariler this month it was calling for like 5 cms on snow forecast for hirafu and it snowed 50 cms in 6 hours. one of the sickest days ive ever had.

they are never close on snow forecast for japan it seems.

 

[reedwj]

That's because the forecast was for liquid volume and then the water to snow ratio was really good... That happens all the time, but if there is no snow falling then no water to snow ratio can save us...

 

[Aahlnas]

Do not trust the reports! Some days the report told us that there wouldn't be any snow at all, and some of those days were the deepest. Find some site that reports on how it actually is.http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-daily-snow-weather-reports/Niseko-Now is a good one, they report about storms coming in. Actually sounds like there have been a dry period now. I spent 18 days from new years and had soooo much snow. Definitly going back, same period next year. Didn't see much of the sun.

It is however pretty flat, but if you know were to ski you'll find good terrain. Not like the rockies but descent terrain. You go to japan to ski deep powder! Hakuba has steeper terrain but it isn't rare that they get rain and warm temperatures (from what I've heard). And with steeper terrain comes higher avalanche risk and more closed areas.