Japan

2020 Japan Write-Up

2020 Japan Write-Up

I was about to write my customary apology for getting this end-of-season wrap up out a bit late. But then I realised it’s still March. The spring skiing is great in Hokkaido. I only left a week ago.

But a lot has changed in the last few weeks.

It seems a bit strange to write an end-of-season wrap up now. Skiing is a strange thing to be thinking about in the face of a global pandemic. But as I lay on the couch mid-quarantine in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney (all international travellers are required to self-quarantine for two weeks upon returning to Australia. We got to choose where we’d hang out. Now the army escorts you to a hotel) I recalled a conversation with a new guest, Magnus, back in February. He’d had a bit of a logistical debacle getting to Hokkaido and as we shuttled around collecting replacement gear he said something like:

“This is still worth it. If we get a few great powder turns, those moments stay with us for the whole year.”

Kurodake dates for 2019

Hey all. Kurodake have updated their website and posted their dates for 2019. For those who aren’t familiar, Kurodake closes for “maintenance” during January and normally reopens progressively in February (the main gondola usually opens at the start of Feb, and the pair lift opens about 2 weeks later).

Not this year. They’re closing on the 4th of January, and reopening the gondola on the 15th of March. The pair lift reopens on the 29th of March.

I’ll be chasing this up with some friends who work there to see if there’s any more to the story. But it certainly sounds like bad news for this season.

Custom trip tips

Custom trip tips

So you’re doing the research and trying to rally the troops for a winter trip. Maybe you’re looking for a 3 day “All you can slay” powder buffet in Hokkaido. Or a 10 day balanced diet of pow, ramen and onsens. Or maybe you want to put first tracks into some chutes in the Craigieburn Range, or link up some alpine passes in Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park.

Whatever you’re planning, here are some tips from us to get the most out of your trip.

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