Ski Japan 1

Japan has some of the the best champagne powder snow in the world with over six hundred resorts to choose from. Japan's ski resorts are uncrowded and well serviced, offering overseas skiers and snowboarders endless runs on mainly untracked snow. The northern island of Hokkaido is famous for the major resorts of Niseko, Furano, and Rusutsu. Honshu is equally famous for the resorts near the 1998 Olympic city of Nagano - Hakuba and Shiga Kogen. These world class Japanese ski resorts are only a couple of hours away from Tokyo by train or bus. Hakuba is said to be the steepest ski resort in Japan while Shiga Kogen is said to be the largest ski resort in Japan. Japan is a favourite ski destination for Australians because it is only one hour behind the east coast of Australia so there is no jet lag. Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Jetstar fly from most capital cities of Australia and to mainly Tokyo and Osaka.

To get to the ski resorts from the airports there is a large range of options. To get to the northern resorts in Hokkaido it is most convenient to fly from Tokyo. For the Honshu resorts there are a large range of trains and buses that will take you to the various ski resorts. For example to get to Hakuba from Osaka, you catch the bullet train, the Shinkansen, to Nagoya, then take a train to Matsumoto, and Hakuba. From Tokyo there is a direct train to Hakuba called the Azuma 3, which does not stop at all the stops along the way. In general transport in Japan is very efficient and is always on time. Another option is the airport taxi which will take you directly from the airport to the ski resort. But make sure that you book well in advance to take advantage of this great service. If you want to have a courier service deliver your ski equipment to your hotel or lodge you can use a hakyubin service such as black cat. But be aware that deliveries can take from two to three days.

At most ski resorts in Japan the temperature will range from minus five degrees through to minus eight degrees from December through to March. Rental gear is available throughout Japan and if you want to buy new ski equipment head to the ski shop area in Tokyo for some great bargains. Accommodation ranges from cheaper backpacker lodges, through to medium hotels and lodges and Japanes style Ryokans with futons on the floor. In Japan the service in hotels is impeccable so do not worry about a thing. Japanese people are very polite and friendly and will accommodate your every wish with a warm smile.

In Hokkaido the ski season starts in late November and ends in early April, dependant upon snow conditions, of course. The ski resort of Rusutsu has an average snowfall of fourteen meters and a maximum elevation of about a thousand meters. There are 17 ski lifts with 37 pistes, the longest run being about three and a half kilometers. The maximum gradient is approximately forty degrees. Niseko ski resort has a maximum elevation of twelve hundred meters. The longest run is five and a half kilometers, with 33 lifts. Ski your brains out on the 68 pistes.

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