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Book an HT ski property in Niseko with Ski Traveller and receive this amazing bonus offer - FREE on Mountain Valet Service for ski and boot storage. Skiers come off the mountain and leave their ski wear overnight with the HT Ski Valet and collect equipment the next morning.  HT are the only company that offers this exclusive on mountain service, for the entire 2010/11 winter season. For more information about ski deals in Niseko, contact our specialists.

Fyve is an independent, Australian owned snowboard company, who live for the passion of the sport, not the lure of the dollar.  In 2011, they have the 10 and 20 day Fyve Snowboard Progressions Camp in Hakuba, Japan. Start date 30 January 2011.

The camp includes:  Meet and greet at Narita Airport. Return coach transfers from Tokyo Narita Airport to Hakuba*. 2 nights accommodation at The Ace Inn in Tokyo.  7 or 17 nights accommodation at The Lab in Hakuba. 1 hour per day Snowboarding Trick Tips by our FYVE team riders. Pipe/Rails/Kickers natural kicker lines.  Karaoke night and Steak & Beer night ¥1500. Hot breakfast for each morning of your stay in Hakuba. 6 or 14 day multi resort lift passes (depending on camp length you choose). Tour info pack including Tokyo sightseeing maps and recommendations. Discount vouchers and promotional products. Liquid Tours host available for 1 hour each night at The Lab ski lodge in Hakuba.

The Lab is a large ski lodge and is located within 500m of the Happo-One lifts. The lodge includes a big communal living area, fully stocked and serviced bar,  restaurant, Japanese style onsen bathing, a large sundeck, and a separate TV and games room (complete with Nintendo Wii).  All this is located over three levels plus a basement. The rooms are all western style, and range from 2-8 person share. The Lab is perfect for singles and groups of skiers and boarders looking for a good time both on and off the mountains.

For more information, click here>>

The IPPY awards are the World’s largest international and regional book awards competition and this year the 14th annual competition saw 3,890 entries.  Snow Search Japan won the GOLD medal in the Travel Guidebook Category.

Snow-search Japan is the first book in a new series which explore countries in more depth than ever before. It also heralds a change in direction for WSG Media, from previously covering just snowboarding to including skiing as well.

The book has been designed for travellers who are visiting Japan for snow sports but want to experience many of the cultural delights Japan offers whilst there. It covers the major cities such as Tokyo that you’ll fly into and the ski towns where you’ll be based whilst there. Amongst other topics, travel, food, language, and working in Japan are all covered in detail, plus over 70 resorts have been comprehensively reviewed and broken down into easy-to-read sections and rated according to your style of skiing/riding.

Want to buy a copy?
http://www.worldsnowboardguide.com/shop/

Flights to Japan for late 2010-early 2011 are selling fast!  Ski Traveller has negotiated special ’ski package airfares’ that allow you to book your flights now and pay 60 days prior to departure.  Ring Sarah 09 520 8334 or Lianne 09 520 8335 about booking your flights to Japan.  Do not delay or you will miss out.

If you are even thinking of travelling to Niseko, Japan in January 2011….please contact Sarah now.  Accommodation is selling out!  Particularly: 29 Jan - 6 Feb 2011 (Chinese New Year).
Niseko had 17+ metres of snow last season and everyone wants to experience the infamous powder.  Don’t miss out.
email: sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz

Hi Lianne,
The skiing is excellent at Nozawa with heaps of runs for all abilities – mainly gondolas and covered chairs. It was 3 minutes walk from the hotel to a free travellator which takes you 500m up to the ski area (maybe 20-30 different runs) and hire shop (where you can store your gear), reasonably priced restaurants (~$15 for hot lunch and coffee), bars, cafes etc. There is even a ski jump ramp which makes you realise how courageous those people are in the Olympics!Cheers Bruce

Did you know that Kyoto is on the Lonely Planet Top 10 Cities to visit in 2010?
You can stopover in Kyoto before or after your ski holiday in Japan. 

….Kyoto is the most beautiful city in Japan and, arguably, the most beautiful city in Asia….quote from Lonely Planet - Best Travel in 2010.

www.skitraveller.co.nz/japan
NZ Toll Free 0800 11 22 99

Ski Traveller has teamed up with Curl Magazine to bring you a Ski & Ride tour to Japan…..join in the fun.  No matter what your skiing or riding ability you will love Niseko.  Sarah from Ski Traveller will lead the group, she visited Japan in December and was so impressed with the snow she wanted to get back there as soon as possible.  This is high praise for Japan as Sarah has spent the last 15 years at ski resorts in Canada and the USA.

http://www.curl.co.nz/2009/08/13/take-me-to-japan/

Want to join Sarah and the girls in Niseko?
Sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz
DDI: +64 9 520 8335
Toll Free NZ 0800 11 22 99
Toll Free AU 1800 15 95 25

From Chitose Airport a 2.5 transfer will bring you to the powdery slopes of Furano.  For those who overnight in Tokyo there are flights directly to Asahikawa Airport, which is only an hour from the resort.

Similar to its fellow ski resort Niseko, the light dry powder of Furano makes for a memorable ski holiday.   The lack of wind makes this a family and beginners delight and the lifts are open from 8.30am until 9pm.  There are stunning views of steaming volcanoes and the rural countryside making this one of the few resorts where you will see a blue sky day.

Furano boasts Japan’s only Ski Host Programme which is staffed by English speaking locals.  Playing host to 12 FIS ski and snowboard world cup events has honed the credentials of Furano Resort.

There are two base areas with the Prince Hotel located on one side in a ski-in-ski-out location and the Kitanomine base that has pensions, some apartments and hotel style accommodation.

Families will enjoy kid zone activities and there are plenty of day trips.  They include dog sledding, ice fishing, kimono wearing, cheese making classes and ice village tours.

In the evening there is a secluded adult hideaway, Soh’s Bar where you can wine and dine hidden the forest and a short walk from the new Furano Prince Hotel, otherwise it is just ten minutes by taxi or bus to the local town.

Talk to Sarah she was in Furano last season.
sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz
www.skitraveller.co.nz

From Sapporo‘s Chitose Airport a 2.5 hour transfer will take you to Niseko, reputed to be “The powder capital of the world” with an average of 16 metres of snowfall a season.

Niseko has it all.  Incredible terrain spread across three mountain faces and four base areas.  There is unbelievable light dry powder and challenging bowls to explore.  The efficient lift system has covered chairs to allow you to ride in comfort, especially if you are into night skiing as Niskeo has the largest lit area in Japan.  So try night skiing or Hokkaido Powder Guides can take you on guided backcountry trips on the back of Mt Annupuri.

The variety of nightlife sparks in Hirafu village, with a selection of good restaurants such as the Abucha, where you can enjoy a delicious Suki Yaki hot pot, or Kamimura  which is a Japanese fine dining restaurant.  There are further dining alternatives in Kutchan and Annupuri.

Accommodation in the area varies from ski lodges and pensions to luxury self catering apartments.