The "Snow A Go-Go" Tour

[Dungheap 243]

The end-of-year trip to Pattaya was all set. ANA flight from Haneda in Tokyo booked, Residence Garden reserved for two weeks, many boardies in town … plenty of parties planned. What could possibly go wrong?

 

After a smooth flight, the first signs of trouble emerged from the window.

 

 

Hmmm, the farmers must be expanding their salt fields …

 

Touchdown!

 

Certainly doesn't look like Thailand …

 

 

"Welcome to Hokkaido" read the sign.

 

Ok time to come clean, a last minute change of plans meant that instead of tanning on the beaches and admiring the Go-Go "peaches," we were "chilling" on the slopes of Hirafu in Niseko, with the temperature sometimes reaching minus FIFTEEN Celsius.

 

 

 

 

 

The weather gods served us up a bit of everything -- soft snow, blizzards, superb sunshine ... even some rain on one day as the temperature "surged" to seven degrees.

 

 

Foreigners have been flocking to the Niseko area over the last 10 years, so much so that at times it's easy to forget you're in Japan. But scratch beneath the surface and the town still has plenty of traditional local charm -- from outdoor hot springs to free sake on New Year's day.

 

Accommodation ranges from 4-star hotels, to rental condos to a room in a ski lodge. We opted for the Red Ski House, which was decent value (for that time of year) at 7,000 yen a night each (about US$80) with a hearty, cooked breakfast.

 

 

Shuttle buses get you to the base at Hirafu in 10 minutes, where you can choose an all-mountain pass that connects four resorts or a cheaper ticket that covers Hirafu and Hanazono. The latter option included enough of the mountain for us. Lift tickets will set you back 3,000 yen to 4,000 yen a day, depending on options -- rather cheap compared to the A$120 Aussie resorts have the cheek to charge.

 

 

When the sun sets -- usually around 4 p.m.at this time of year -- technology takes over from nature and lights up the mountain to 8 p.m. Despite the extra chill in the air, many enthusiasts favor pounding the slopes at night due to the better visibility.

 

Once you've had enough of tackling the terrain, a range of bars and restaurants awaits. Popular Western-style bars with pub grub and pool tables include Tamashi and Big Foot, with its toasty log fire.

 

 

 

Dining options vary from cozy Japanese-style pubs like Mina Mina and Raku to the ever-popular Niseko Pizza.

 

 

 

Top-end gourmet options peak at Kamimura, rated a one-star experience in the Michelin guide.

 

If you're heading to Niseko in search of a Japanese snow bunny you may want to consider a BYO option or risk going to bed empty-handed. A serious shortage of local lasses was evident during our recent tour, though that could be explained by the New Year holidays and family commitments.

 

Winter in Hokkaido is long, very long, with the ski season running from December through April.

 

 

In summer the slopes reveal some excellent golf courses at bargain prices -- by Japanese standards anyhow.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

 

[samfreeland 64]

Great pics. It certainly snows heavily in japan. And looks a dodgy job getting it off the roofs. Happy New Year.

[Bushcraft 2,581]

Hokkaido looks beautiful and charming, thks for the pics mate. Sorry you didn't make Patts as planned, catch you soon I hope.

[Billions 687]

Excellent. Thank you.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Very nice pics. I'm always interested in reports from Japan.

 

Evil