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A quick 90 minute train ride on the Shikansen Bullet train from Tokyo will deliver you to Nagano Station, only an hour’s drive from Hakuba.

The Hakuba Valley is spread across 30 kms of mountainous terrain.  Here the mighty ski jumps from the 1998 Winter Olympics still sit at the base of Goryu Toomi , one of eight ski resorts.   The area is well suited to all levels, with a variety of terrain from wide open groomed slopes, tree lined bowls, steeps and backcountry skiing & boarding and with one interchangeable lift and shuttle bus pass, what could be easier.

The Evergreen Ski School, owned and operated by a Canadian/Japanese couple provides expert tuition for all levels, from children to adults.

The nice thing about Hakuba is it retains a Japanese charm yet has over 100 bars and restaurants.  The Lodge at the Tokyu Hotel is a great place to enjoy an après ski drink.  For lovers of food and wine, The Phoenix Hotel Bar and Restaurant is run by the team from Falls Creek’s award winning Summit Ridge Lodge. 

Accommodation is located at the base of Happo One with hotels and pensions (bed and breakfast) and a few apartments scattered through the woodlands.

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

Ski Traveller has some great value ski airfares to Japan….you must book at least one week accommodation with Ski Traveller to use these ski airfares to Japan.  Save $1000’s by booking your ski airfares to Japan with Ski Traveller.

ex Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane to Sapporo in Japan (to ski at Niskeo)
Airfares from AU$ 1900 including taxes return.
We have space available in December 09 and January 2010.

Toll Free 1800 15 95 25
Email: info@skitraveller.co.nz

Ski Traveller has some great ski airfares from Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane to Sapparo in Japan.
Seats available for travel in December 2009 and January 2010…ski airfares start at AU$1900 including taxes.
We have great land package to add to these ski airfares, including 25% off your accommodation if booked before 31 July 2009.

To book or check dates email: info@skitraveller.co.nz
Free Phone: 1800 15 95 25

Do you know where the 2nd snowiest ski resort in the world is?
Niseko on the northern island of Hokkaido in Japan.

Sarah was in Japan this season so give her a call if you would like to ski or ride in Japan in 2010.

Sarah +64 9 520 8334
email: sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz
website: www.skitraveller.co.nz/japan

Would you like to ski Japan this coming season? 
Not sure if Japan is for you? 

Talk to Sarah, she has skied on the mainland at Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen.  Sarah has also skied in Hokkaido at Niseko, Furano, Tomamu and Rusutsu.

Email Sarah at: sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz
NZ Toll Free: 0800 11 22 99
AU Toll Free: 1800 15 95 25
Visit: http://www.skitraveller.co.nz/japan
Sarah is still working on the website to add more resorts in Japan, so call her for a chat about your ski holiday plans to Japan.

Niseko Ski Holiday for NZ$ 3405 pp + airline taxes approx NZ$ 250 pp
 

• Return economy class flights ex Auckland with Japan Airlines
• Return airport transfers Sapporo to Niseko
• 7 nights in a 4 star studio unit at Niseko Apartments
• 6 days skiing
• Free comprehensive ski holiday travel insurance
• Valid for travel: 23 Jan – 12 Feb 2010

Upgrade to  10 nights with 9 days skiing for just NZ$ 855 pp
Depart Wellington or Christchurch add NZ$ 110 pp

Please call for other departure dates 0800 11 22 99 
Email: info@skitraveller.co.nzMore info on Niseko:
http://skitraveller.co.nz/japan/Niseko

Notes:

Ski holiday is based on two adults sharing accommodation.
Must book before 15 November 2009.
Currency fluctuations may result in an increase or decrease of this price until paid in full.

Wanting to experince somewhere new - have you thought about Niseko,Japan?. Highlights of my recent visit here were amazing light powder, fabulous modern accommodation, unbelievable food,warm sake that puts you in the mood for karoke, efficient lifts and welcoming hospitality.  Even at the top of the mountain the toliets had warm seats a plesant surprise for us boarders whom may spend some time sitting down.  Niseko resort is Western enough to make your first visit to a Japanese Ski resort an easy transitition but still retains enough Japanese culture to not be completely spoilt.

I had no problem with the language, I did’nt speak a word of Japanese before I went to Japan.  Even in the middle of Tokyo station there was always someone who could speak English or wanted to pratice their English.  If that failed the use of hand signals never fails and is always a source of entertainment. I have spent many seasons at ski resorts around the world.  If you are thinking about skiing Japan talk to me, there is a not to be missed 25% discount being offered for accommodation in Niseko, this makes Japan a great value ski holiday!

There is something for everyone in Niseko from ski in ski out, 5 bedroom town homes, studios in the heart of the villlage to penthouses with stunning views.  The properties are modern yet with a good blend of Japanese and Western architecture.

Learn more about Niseko: http://www.skitraveller.co.nz/japan/Niseko

Sarah - Ski Traveller

Ski Traveller is able to give you a 25% discount on your accommodation if you book before the 1st of July 09.

This is a fantastic saving.  Travel from 2 Jan - 12 Feb 2010 for best value accommodation.  Christmas & New Year accommodation is still good value and your 25% discount applies.  You must book Niseko quickly as the accommodation is in hot demand this season.

Read more on our hot deal page:
www.skitraveller.co.nz/hot_deals

Email us:
info@skitraveller.co.nz

Ring us:
0800 11 22 99 from NZ
1800 15 95 25 from Australia

Hi Sarah - Yes we are safely home and reliving our memories of a fantastic holiday. Niseko is truly a magical place.We arrived at the same time as a heavy snow fall ( the heaviest of the season according to the locals) which continued for our first day of skiing. We woke the first morning to the noise of a bulldozer clearing snow from in front of our apartment. So we were in waist deep powder on our first day. I think we were lucky with our timing as the weather warmed toward the end of our week and they haven’t had any big dumps of snow since.The locals reckon it is not the best  snow  this season so we are thankful that we got one big dump and experienced what Niseko is famous for. 

The slopes weren’t crowded during the day and practically empty at night.The accommodation was superb,great location,very comfortable,surprisingly spacious and had a good drying room and ski storage area that included equipment to tune our skis. The apartment was well serviced and the staff  were prompt in fixing the hot water which failed one morning. The apartment also had one built in NZ/Aust power plug which is better for recharging cellphones and cameras than using the local power plugs.

All our travel connections worked and were on time despite Chitose Airport being almost snow bound. I assure you watching a jumbo jet taxi to the air bridge ploughing thru snow half way up it’s wheels was a sight to remember!One point you might want to pass on to other NZers heading to Japan is NZ walkie talkies are illegal in Japan as they do not operate on the right frequency. So we couldn’t use ours which was a pain as they are a great tool for families to keep in touch when you’re spread out on the slopes. So Sarah many  thanks to you for making all the necessary arrangements.

We had a great time and the only downside is that the whole experience has ruined NZ skiing for me as skiing in Japan is so amazing. 

Walsh Family.

Air New Zealand has a ‘clearance’ sale on Airfares to Japan - below are the details.

Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch to Tokyo Return is just NZ$ 1103 + taxes approx NZ$ 80 per Adult (12 years +)
Travel Outbound Dates: Depart NZ 1 - 13 February 09 or 2 - 13 March 09
Travel Inbound Date: Return to NZ 18 Febrary 09 - 31 March 09
Purchase this airfare on/before: 31 January 09
NOTE: this is $1147 cheaper than the next best published airfare to Tokyo!

This is a fantastic airfare if you want to go and ski in Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Nosawa Onsen or any of the mainland ski resorts. 

Ring Sarah she has just come back from Japan, Toll Free 0800 11 22 99.