Japan

[benjinyc]

Ah yes, I know the resorts are crowded now, I know so many people, ski clubs, group trips that go, i hear everything gets tracked out so fast.
I was more interested in backcountry touring

[kimchi]

I think this is my 4th time in Niseko. The last time was maybe 7-8 years ago. It’s over hyped now. Too many people, it’s on the verge of being over developed and they’re positioning it as upscale (although cheaper than US, AUS and NZ still. Equivalent to European resort entry).

Go elsewhere in Hokkaido if you’ve got a choice. Happy to DM other resorts, especially if you’ve got kids now. There’s still gems.

My issue with Japan is less about the infrastructure and the tourists, more about the terrain. Been to 3 different resorts / zones: Niseko, Hakuba Valley, and Tenjindaira. All were pretty mellow by a North American standard, and not the fun wind lippy, skate park mellow of Bachelor. Tenjindaira in particularly is supposed to be one of the gnarlier lift/ropeway-serviced zones in the country and that was like a warm-up run for what I'm used to.

The Japanese approach to resort terrain is just different. Westerners and Europeans will put lifts on just about the gnarliest shit they can find. The Japanese put lifts on mellow terrain even when gnarlier terrain's available-- you can seem some gnarly looking faces across the valley from Hakuba, and the terrain about Tenjindaira is supposed to be pretty butt-puckering. I suspect those choices are due to avy concerns, both from sheer volume of snow and generally risk adverse culture.

This other piece is maybe just me being 210 lbs and being used to Sierra cement, but I haven't vibed with the snow there. My favorite turns in Japan were in late-season April conditions with a bit heavier snowpack than typical Japow. A couple times I've gotten like 2-3 ft mid-winter and I was displacing snow and still bucking off the bottom on landings. Also whiteroomed myself in the trees a few times off fat rooster tail sprays. I could probably tweak my technique and line decisions to adjust, I just haven't had the opportunities to really put in the reps.

Love Japan, clean, conscientious, top-notch food, not having to stress about tree wells is dope, and I'll probably end up back at one of the big resorts one day with my non-hardcore wife. But if I ever do a RIDING specific trip out there, I'm going to track me down some guides and get out into the backcountry. Just don't think the lift-serviced stuff is my preferred style.

[tp1_kenobi]

Agreed on the resort assessment. You don’t come here for gnarly lines. The backcountry is accessible and the pow turns are good when you’re out there.

I’ve got two little ones and will be doing next Jan for the mellow runs and pow stoke (plus kid friendly pricing). Family trip != crazy shit

[bboytommy]

IMO, Japow is the best mix of vacation, vibes, culture, and food for a snowboarding dedicated trip. Haven't been to the European alps yet tho.

Tons of great terrain and cold snow in North America, hell even less crowds if we explore a bit. But it's pretty damn special to see it puking cold smoke for days on end, hit the onsens after the lifts stop spinning, and consume hokkaido milk soft serve daily.

I might feel less excited to return if my only experience was Niseko. But getting a taste of Rusutsu (which isn't at all a kept secret anymore) in 23, made the decision to go back in 25 an easy one.

We're flying to Hokkaido after Lunar New Year, and will be hitting up all the smaller resorts for two weeks this time around. We'll see if I change my mind.

[benjinyc]

my goal this January was to tour with a buddy who went last season and is somewhat familiar and comfortable finding spots... unfortunately our schedules didn't match so I reached out to a few tour operators and they were all booked through Jan so I'm looking for Jan 26' now.

[YukonCornelius]

japan '26 seems to be the most likely thing for my crew as well

[benjinyc]

nice. I joined and have been reading the ASAHIKAWA AREA & NORTH HOKKAIDO SKI & SNOWBOARD FB group... wealth of good information and resources there

this is a good site ive been reading through too
https://hokkaidowilds.org/skitour

[bboytommy]

Alright boys! Looking for input on a 2nd board to bring to Hokkaido next week. We have a cat tour one day, but otherwise we're ripping the resort and side country. We're much too lazy to go touring or hiking.

For sure bringing the Con Artist 46 for pow daze and in-between mixed condition days.

2nd Option:
A. Con Artist 52 for even deeper days
B. Skeleton Key 50 for cruising and groomer days (hope we get none of those days)
C. Nothing so I can spend money demo-ing gentems or whatever else

[kimchi]

My vote would be Gentemstick. Hard to find out here, the rentals aren't that expensive, and you're the right build to take out whatever you want-- at 210 my options were pretty limited.

[pow_hnd]

Alright boys! Looking for input on a 2nd board to bring to Hokkaido next week. We have a cat tour one day, but otherwise we're ripping the resort and side country. We're much too lazy to go touring or hiking.

For sure bringing the Con Artist 46 for pow daze and in-between mixed condition days.

2nd Option:
A. Con Artist 52 for even deeper days
B. Skeleton Key 50 for cruising and groomer days (hope we get none of those days)
C. Nothing so I can spend money demo-ing gentems or whatever else

Are you a Hobbit? A 46?