So, here I am in Niseko ski resort, on Japan`s North Island, Hokkaido. I have been here skiing for the last 4 days and, even after spending 3 seasons in Whistler and 1 in Chamonix, I haven`t skied that much LIGHT POWDER ever before! Japanese culture is really interesting and people are really friendly! Don`t worry about your japanese if you come to Niseko ski resort, pretty much everything will be written or translated in english for you! However, please do your part by learning a few basic greeting and polite sentences to get around. Japan`s snow is not a myth; it is light and dry and there is a LOT of it! I will spend the season here so, if you need some info or somebody to rip with, well, don`t hesitate! ENJOY! ;o)

im not sure if ur american or canadian so im not sure u would know, but is japan skiing expensive as far as the canadian dollar goes? i also heard that the locals like to stick to the groomers leaving the off pist free and untract truth? lookin forward to ur info

I am canadian and the canadien dollar is almost the same as the yen (100 Yen is about 1 Dollar). The food is cheap, if you eat japanese food and the skiing would be about the same then Canada. The ski pass here is 70 000 Yen (700 Dollars). The powder doesn`t get tracked! Most Japanese people prefer to stay in the piste because ducking ropes can get your lift pass to be taken off from you! In general, I would say Japan is a must. You have to try it and live the "ultimate powder experience" one day or another! If you need more info, dont be shy ;o)

january 2007, im headin to japan and i think im actually going to Niseko, i got invited by some ausi friends that own a challet up there, if im right the area has around 6 mountains and their all owned by diffrent resorts? weird. anyone have any suggestions for that area, places to see, courtesies, food, fun? i appreciated it as always

Hey, good to hear that you had the good idea of planning a trip here next January. Niseko has 3 different AREAS and yes, they`re all seperately owned: Grand Hirafu (which is the biggest and the most popular one), Annupuri and Higashiyama. If you you head up here to ski, you`ll have to stop by Sapporo city, which is really nice and have quite a few good mountains around as well. For what concerns food, well, there is a lot of restaurants around in the village. To be honest, I`m on a really tight budget so I don`t get to eat out a lot. Seicomart (convenience store) is the way to go, as you will find out as soon as you get to Japan (it`s pretty much just like a 7/11)!!! Hit me back if you want to find out more about the place...