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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.

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

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.

Just reporting in from the slopes of Furano….although considered early season here on this island of Hokkaido, today have just experinced some of ehe infamous Hokkaido Powder.  I can honestly say it was UNBELIEVEABLE to ride every run in fresh powder……dry light snow…..something many of us dream about.

Our travels so far have taken us from the fabulous authentic Japanese ski village of Nosawa Onsen with 13 natural hot springs to the vast slopes of Hakuba and Shiga Kogen.  The locals were worried that snow would be late coming but coming from the Southern Hemisphere and arriving here in Japan in December it is a winter wonderland. 

Highlights of my first trip to Japan have been, so far, the powder, the karoke and meeting Steve Bradbury the gold medeal olympic speed skater from the very famous win at the 2002 winter olympics.  He has recently opened a lodge in Hakuba with his business partner josh.  Japan so far is execeeding my expectations, many of us worry that it cant offer what we perhaps have come to expect in North America, I know I did having lived in North America for 15 seasons.  Japan is a whole new experince in the sense it is not just the skiing and boarding it is also the amazing culture that adds an extra dynamic to your time spent here.

Backcountry skiing and boarding is developing fast, with many ex heli ski guides from North America now basing themselves here in Japan.  They rate Japan with some of the best powder in the world and I would tend to agree with this.  I have been a bit slow to try some of the more interesting local food options but there is always a western dish on hand should you choose to eat something a little more western, but I am pleased to say my chop stick eating skills are improving day by day.

More soon…. off to the Onsen,

Sarah Headifen - talk to me about your next Japan ski holiday!!!
Toll Free NZ 0800 11 22 99
Toll Free AU 1800 19 95 25

I wonder where Sarah and Mark are at the the moment?   We are all waiting to hear about their latest exploits in Japan.  I have heard Sarah was forced to sing in front of a room full of Japanese businessman…very brave!

Lianne at Ski Traveller - left behind in NZ
 

On the 9th December 2008 join me on my adventures around Hakuba,Shiga Kogen,Nozawa Onsen,Furano,Tomamu,Niseko and Rutsutu Ski Resorts.For most of my life i have grown up in ski resorts in North America and to be honest i thought it couldn’t get better than what i have experinced so far.However earlier this year we were lucky enough to be the New Zealand Travel Agent sponsor for the Warren Miller movies and it was here on the Playground Movie that i saw a glimpse of what Japan has to offer.It was not only this but the large number of enquires from friends,clients and fellow staff asking “what is skiing/boarding in Japan like compared to North American Resorts. All will be revealed on my trip around Japan watch for my updates on our blog in December 2008!!!