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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.

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.

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 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

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