W*****5
发帖数: 408 | 1 The weather god finally blesses Niseko with non-stop snowing for the last
two days. The mountain is getting into decent shapes, though the upper
mountain is still closed. Had a blast today under heavy and a bit wet snow.
Skiing in Niseko is a treat! Lift is built right outside the hotel, a 10
yard walk from ski check. Many lifts in Hirafu have wind shield that
automatically rolls down and up as skiers get on and off lifts. Mountain
cafes have noodle soups that actually taste like noodle soups, and have
special in door smoking room!
This has been a great trip, the food in Hokodate is out of the world, the
onsen is incredible, nothing beats a onsite natural hot spring bath after a
day's hard skiing. Snow is continuing to drop, tomorrow will be another
great day. Coming back after Christmas. Wish I had more times here... | s*******r
发帖数: 1285 | 2 Good for you! Japan has a very bad start this season. Why go there while
you have much better ski resorts in the States? I've skied at Hakuba Happo One (
ranked as the #1 in that country from their skiing magazine) but found
nothing specicial. Onsen, food, and sightseeing are the major reasons for me
and my friend to spend big money to ski there. Everything else sucks. It'
s not comparable to any medium size resort in the States. But since we are
their big fan, especially onsen and food, we might visit there again. Our
next one will be this one - Niseko.
.
a
【在 W*****5 的大作中提到】
: The weather god finally blesses Niseko with non-stop snowing for the last
: two days. The mountain is getting into decent shapes, though the upper
: mountain is still closed. Had a blast today under heavy and a bit wet snow.
: Skiing in Niseko is a treat! Lift is built right outside the hotel, a 10
: yard walk from ski check. Many lifts in Hirafu have wind shield that
: automatically rolls down and up as skiers get on and off lifts. Mountain
: cafes have noodle soups that actually taste like noodle soups, and have
: special in door smoking room!
: This has been a great trip, the food in Hokodate is out of the world, the
: onsen is incredible, nothing beats a onsite natural hot spring bath after a
| W*****5
发帖数: 408 | 3 Back to the states after probably the best vacation I ever had :)
More info about the ski resort:
1. Niseko has three areas, Hirafu, Village, and Annupuri, ranging from
largest to smallest. The total skiable areas combined are about the size of
Northstar, so not that big. Elevation is not that high, about 1300m or 5000
feet. The slope uses the European system of green, red, and black. You can
cross the ski areas at the top of the mountain, or take shuttles.
2. The most unique characterics is Niseko gets a lot of powdery snow during
the ski season when cold air from Siberia meets warm and wet air from the
Pacific. Unfortunately, we did not get to see this part. This Christmas was
too warm. Normally there would be another 2 meter of snow by this time of
year. But it did snow like mad when we were there. I'll post some video
later on. They even offer in bound snow cat skiing for 2 hours before the
lifts are open to public. Again, not open due to lack of snow :(
3. Another unique feature is the lift system does not go all the way to the
top. After getting off the highest lift, skiers can actually hike up to the
top and ski down the uncontrolled area (i.e., the powder area). Again,
unfortunately, there was not enough snow to even open up the highest ring of
lifts. So for the above 2, another trip may be brewing :)
4. The ski terrain is actually quite good. Of the 60-70% that were open, I
was able to find 2-3 good runs. The green and red/blue run are not less
challenging than most here in the states. Most that are closed are black
runs that can't seem to hold on to the snow. Some powder runs are closed due
to avalanche danger when I skiied in Hirafu. Another interesting
observation is that slopes are covered with bamboo shrubs.
4. The ticketing system is the best I have seen. Each area has its own
ticketing system, but all three can be linked using all mountain tickets.
Lifts are open from 8:30am to 9pm. Skiers can buy either 5hr, 8 hr or whole
day ticket. EVERY lift has the ticket reader that validate the ticket. So
you can get a 5 hour ticket to ski any 5 hour period during the day. Or get
a 8 hour ticket to ski the afternoon and night if you'd like. Very flexible
and convenient. The ticket itself is an IC card. you pay 1000 yen deposit
which you can get it back after the ticket expires. All you have to do and
put the ticket in the return machine, and the 1000 yen will be returned to
you. No human involvement is needed.
5. Services are the best I have seen as well. We stayed in Hilton, which is
in Niseko village. Lift and Gondola are just right outside the hotel door,
which situates right next to the ski valet. The hotel lobby acts as the rest
area where soup, hot chocolate can be ordered. Many comfy sofas scatter
aroud. You can ski right to the door, walk into the lobby, get a hot drink,
sit in the sofa for a few minutes, then head out again. Natural hot spring
is another perk. Hirafu also couple of hotels with similar setup. Mid
mountain lodge in Hirafu serves many kinds of food, my favorite is the
noodle soup. And it has a separate smoking room, which I appreciated quite a
bit in that windy and snow day :)
6. Driving is expensive, and you have to drive on the left lane. Also, you
must have an international driver license. Japan does not recognize US
driver license. You can get one easily in AAA office. Car rental is about
the same as in the US, but highway tolls are high. A 30 km drive can cost 15
dollars. Gas probably is at least twice as expensive. And we drove a lot
since we practically drove a circle around lower Hokkaido island.
So why I said this is our best trip, given that I did not get to ski what I
came there for? Well, We only spent 3 days skiing, the rest 5 days we toured
around the island. I had the best Japanese food. Japan really understands
service I believe. I traveled to many countries before, and this is my first
trip to Japan. I don't speak Japanese, and most people there don't speak
English. And yet I feel we are very well taken care of in most places we
went. It is quite amazing. I am actually looking forward to another trip :) | s*******r
发帖数: 1285 | 4 I 99% agree with you. Japanese is probably one of the most honest, polite,
hardworking, clean, effecient, ... etc. (you name it) people in the world.
I've travel to that country twice (one for ski trip and one for business
trip), and each time I got very good impression about that nation. Of
course, before I travel there, I have long been a big fan of them.
One thing that I don't like and cannot tolerate is about their smoking
everywhere - same as people in china.
of
5000
during
was
【在 W*****5 的大作中提到】
: Back to the states after probably the best vacation I ever had :)
: More info about the ski resort:
: 1. Niseko has three areas, Hirafu, Village, and Annupuri, ranging from
: largest to smallest. The total skiable areas combined are about the size of
: Northstar, so not that big. Elevation is not that high, about 1300m or 5000
: feet. The slope uses the European system of green, red, and black. You can
: cross the ski areas at the top of the mountain, or take shuttles.
: 2. The most unique characterics is Niseko gets a lot of powdery snow during
: the ski season when cold air from Siberia meets warm and wet air from the
: Pacific. Unfortunately, we did not get to see this part. This Christmas was
| W*****5
发帖数: 408 | 5 Niseko Video
Looks like Niseko has more snow than Snowbird (just joking:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS-TngWSZUI | O****e
发帖数: 3290 | 6 Nice write-up of your experience. Thanks for sharing.
of
5000
during
was
【在 W*****5 的大作中提到】
: Back to the states after probably the best vacation I ever had :)
: More info about the ski resort:
: 1. Niseko has three areas, Hirafu, Village, and Annupuri, ranging from
: largest to smallest. The total skiable areas combined are about the size of
: Northstar, so not that big. Elevation is not that high, about 1300m or 5000
: feet. The slope uses the European system of green, red, and black. You can
: cross the ski areas at the top of the mountain, or take shuttles.
: 2. The most unique characterics is Niseko gets a lot of powdery snow during
: the ski season when cold air from Siberia meets warm and wet air from the
: Pacific. Unfortunately, we did not get to see this part. This Christmas was
| O****e
发帖数: 3290 | 7 I agree with you on polite, hardworking and clean. But not sure about honest
and efficient.
,
【在 s*******r 的大作中提到】
: I 99% agree with you. Japanese is probably one of the most honest, polite,
: hardworking, clean, effecient, ... etc. (you name it) people in the world.
: I've travel to that country twice (one for ski trip and one for business
: trip), and each time I got very good impression about that nation. Of
: course, before I travel there, I have long been a big fan of them.
: One thing that I don't like and cannot tolerate is about their smoking
: everywhere - same as people in china.
:
: of
: 5000
| s*******r
发帖数: 1285 | 8 Oh yes. You will know that if you travel to that country. Japanese and
Germany are maybe two of the most honest people in the world. In their
culture, a promise is a promise. You will never need to worry about that
stuff might be missing in your hotel room while are you away. I also want
to add one thing ... most Japanese may be *the least selfish* and the most
willing to help people (even strangers) in the world. Because of their
unselfish culture, their work or business are much more efficient than that
in other country.
honest
【在 O****e 的大作中提到】
: I agree with you on polite, hardworking and clean. But not sure about honest
: and efficient.
:
: ,
:
|
| O****e
发帖数: 3290 | 9 Don't want to deny your experience as a tourist. But, when you make such a
claim as the most, you have to take into account of not just tourist
experience.
Efficiency: Have you ever worked in Japan? I have a close friend who has
worked in Japan for many years. According to his experience, Japanese work
long hours but with low efficiency because most of the time they are tired
and have trouble focusing.
Honesty: Didn't they lie right into your face many times during WWII? What
are they teaching about the history even now? German at least admitted to
what they did in WWII. In this regard, I have more respect for German than
for Japanese.
that
【在 s*******r 的大作中提到】
: Oh yes. You will know that if you travel to that country. Japanese and
: Germany are maybe two of the most honest people in the world. In their
: culture, a promise is a promise. You will never need to worry about that
: stuff might be missing in your hotel room while are you away. I also want
: to add one thing ... most Japanese may be *the least selfish* and the most
: willing to help people (even strangers) in the world. Because of their
: unselfish culture, their work or business are much more efficient than that
: in other country.
:
: honest
| s*******r
发帖数: 1285 | 10 To answer your questions:
1. No, I never worked there. From what I observed during my visit to one of
their largest cooperations, I did see that they work VERY long hours (12
hours a day I would say). The reason that I think that they are efficiency
is not about the personal working productivity. It's about the effiicency
of a company's productivity. If they are given a goal, they can get the job
done by due date with high quality products.
2. Sorry that I don't want to get into this political and religious debate.
【在 O****e 的大作中提到】
: Don't want to deny your experience as a tourist. But, when you make such a
: claim as the most, you have to take into account of not just tourist
: experience.
: Efficiency: Have you ever worked in Japan? I have a close friend who has
: worked in Japan for many years. According to his experience, Japanese work
: long hours but with low efficiency because most of the time they are tired
: and have trouble focusing.
: Honesty: Didn't they lie right into your face many times during WWII? What
: are they teaching about the history even now? German at least admitted to
: what they did in WWII. In this regard, I have more respect for German than
| | | s*******r
发帖数: 1285 | 11 About #2 (honesty), as I said that I didn't want to get into this political
and religious debate. My experience was just based on my observation from a
tourist point of view. I believe that the majority of Japanese are more
honest than people from other countries.
【在 O****e 的大作中提到】
: Don't want to deny your experience as a tourist. But, when you make such a
: claim as the most, you have to take into account of not just tourist
: experience.
: Efficiency: Have you ever worked in Japan? I have a close friend who has
: worked in Japan for many years. According to his experience, Japanese work
: long hours but with low efficiency because most of the time they are tired
: and have trouble focusing.
: Honesty: Didn't they lie right into your face many times during WWII? What
: are they teaching about the history even now? German at least admitted to
: what they did in WWII. In this regard, I have more respect for German than
| M***a
发帖数: 1447 | | W*****5
发帖数: 408 | 13 No. Just a trip to Hokkaido. We live in California
【在 M***a 的大作中提到】
: 赞。楼主是在日本吗？
| M***a
发帖数: 1447 | 14 Wow. It's close. I am in SoCal.
良い新年! 今年ニセコ町に行くつもりです..
【在 W*****5 的大作中提到】
: No. Just a trip to Hokkaido. We live in California
| W*****5
发帖数: 408 | 15 Yes. It is compared to Hokkaido :) Hope to ski together some day.
【在 M***a 的大作中提到】
: Wow. It's close. I am in SoCal.
: 良い新年! 今年ニセコ町に行くつもりです..
| s****y
发帖数: 2159 | 16 这个信息不错， 多谢。
of
5000
during
was
【在 W*****5 的大作中提到】
: Back to the states after probably the best vacation I ever had :)
: More info about the ski resort:
: 1. Niseko has three areas, Hirafu, Village, and Annupuri, ranging from
: largest to smallest. The total skiable areas combined are about the size of
: Northstar, so not that big. Elevation is not that high, about 1300m or 5000
: feet. The slope uses the European system of green, red, and black. You can
: cross the ski areas at the top of the mountain, or take shuttles.
: 2. The most unique characterics is Niseko gets a lot of powdery snow during
: the ski season when cold air from Siberia meets warm and wet air from the
: Pacific. Unfortunately, we did not get to see this part. This Christmas was
| W*****5
发帖数: 408 | | M***a
发帖数: 1447 | 18 Sounds like late 80's Japan.
1207179332.html?x=0
【在 W*****5 的大作中提到】
: China's growing sway felt in north Japan ski town
: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Chinas-growing-sway-felt-in-apf-1
|
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