Japan

[sunokeru]

Will be based in Hokkaidou all of January and can be found in the Annupuri backbowls, on Youtei, and around the Rusutsu and Niseko United resorts.
February probably in the Japanese alps, mostly Nozawa.

BTW, Annupuri started operations today, but the rest of Niseko delayed opening.

[yukinori]

looks like i'll be able to get a few days in hokkaido in 2 weeks! last min trip plan changes

[tracer]

Hakkoda Ropeway opened today. If the forecasted storms come in this week, we'll be in top form here soon enough.

[bboytommy]

if anyone is tripping around hokkaido, stop by rusutsu and lets take a few laps

I'll be in Niseko with the wife for 9 days at the end of January. Planned to do a day trip to Rusutsu. Are you a local?

[ilboarder12]

if anyone is tripping around hokkaido, stop by rusutsu and lets take a few laps

I'll be in Niseko with the wife for 9 days at the end of January. Planned to do a day trip to Rusutsu. Are you a local?

no local, but going on 4 seasons working at the zoo

[bboytommy]

We should do a Niseko meetup!

Do ya'll recommend renting a car to get around Niseko area?

[JU87G]

We should do a Niseko meetup!

Do ya'll recommend renting a car to get around Niseko area?

having a car gives you a lot of flexibility. after riding the shuttle bus for 1 trip, I've rented cars each trip thereafter and never looked back

[bboytommy]

Great. I booked a car at CTS from Toyota.

Any suggested stops or spots to check out from the airport to Niseko? Lake Shikotsu looked interesting.

[JU87G]

Great. I booked a car at CTS from Toyota.

Any suggested stops or spots to check out from the airport to Niseko? Lake Shikotsu looked interesting.

The normal route from CTS to Niseko will take you right by the lake. To be honest, the only place I stop en route is at this rest stop where they sell food. The mushroom miso soup is recommended.

[sunokeru]

We should do a Niseko meetup!

Do ya'll recommend renting a car to get around Niseko area?

having a car gives you a lot of flexibility. after riding the shuttle bus for 1 trip, I've rented cars each trip thereafter and never looked back

Agreed, one of the best investments when going to Hokkaidou. So much more flexibility and so much faster to get to different areas (not just around Niseko but also Rusutsu, KIroru, etc), give you many more food and onsen options, and means you can do non-snow day trips (Otaru, Yoichi Distillery, etc).

Great. I booked a car at CTS from Toyota.

Any suggested stops or spots to check out from the airport to Niseko? Lake Shikotsu looked interesting.

The normal route from CTS to Niseko will take you right by the lake. To be honest, the only place I stop en route is at this rest stop where they sell food. The mushroom miso soup is recommended.

Pretty much that. Note that there are not many places to stop along Shikotsu and the waterfront is not very accessible at the Southern side of the lake (where you will be driving). Best place to get down to the lake is probably at or near Bifue campsite but that is a slight detour from the route to Niseko. There is also a tiny parking/rest area just before Shikotsu tunnel but it does not have much of a view of the lake.