as i will be leaving europe in sept, looking to board in japan in feb. anyone got any advice? looked at a few sites, but seems over whelming.

resort needs a park and over 150kms of piste.

boarding like homestay?

in UAE they call boarding the process of increasing cylinder size in your engine

But I think mooby is after some places to snowboard in Hokkaido

I went to niseko during holidays at the start of this year. It has both the things you require as far as I know...

http://www.niseko.ne.jp/en


s***LOAD of Aussies there, like I would say at least 1/3.

in UAE they call boarding the process of increasing cylinder size in your engine

and everywhere else they call it 'boring'

I've been twice so I'll give you a quick rundown. Latest time was in Hakuba (near Nagano, the huge ski jumps and the Olympic downhill are there in a resort called Happo One) which was 10 days on the slopes in early Feb this year.

So the good bits. Snow is up to the Japan standard (averaged about 40-50cm a day) with great powder around. There are 7 resorts around the Hakuba village with varying terrain and size, and the large ones have decent parks with a variety of jumps and rails/boxes (don't know much about parks though, not my thing). Transport is decent with a heap of buses going to and from the resorts all day. Lift lines are non-existent except on weekends when they go to 30 seconds. The village itself is unreal with brilliant food and some really cool bars, plus the locals are the friendliest people I've met in my life. The place isn't too overrun with tourists and has a genuine Japanese feel, and as you would expect a fantastic Onsen. We went with a group called Liquid Snow Tours who aim at young people on a tightish budget and they were great. The acco up in the snow was sweet and the other people on the tour were a blast.

On to the bad. The ski patrol there are more Nazi than other places such as Niseko, so don't go jumping ropes into the trees where they can see you because they will chase you. You can get away with it easily enough though, and having a chat to other people up there will get you the top spots to duck in, etc. Also, don't go expecting sunshine and good vis because it is usually cloudy and snowing, so get some light lenses for your goggles and plenty of warm stuff.

Try and get there if you can, it is tons of fun and really good value. Let me know if you want any more info.

and everywhere else they call it 'boring'

That they do :) They also call a differential 'difrentia'

^ all that big pile of text and no mention of super kawaii japanese girls? unless onsen is something i don't understand

I've got some advice - don't! it's hideously expensive over in Japan.

I almost went on a tour last feb to Neiseko and some of the surrounding hills. Was going to be around 4k for everything excluding food for 12 days on the slopes - I didin't think that was too bad???

thanks heaps guys, gives me something to work with.

get some light lenses for your goggles and plenty of warm stuff.

been to norway a few times, so got good kit.

I've got some advice - don't! it's hideously expensive over in Japan.

again, nothing compares to norway for expense. paid 9 pounds for a beer in the airport.