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The World Heli Challenge ski and snowboard festival will be held in the Mount Aspiring National Park region near Wanaka and Hawea in New Zealand’s South Island, from July 30th to August 8th, 2010.

The success of last years “resurrection” certainly caught the attention of international athletes, media and sponsors, as the 2010 competition goes from strength to strength in gaining global popularity as one of the most captivating events on snow.

50 athletes representing the cream of talent from over 6 countries will participate. The 2010 format has been slightly revised and will consist of an Extreme Day and a Freestyle Day.
www.worldhelichallenge.com

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

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.

90 minutes drive from Nagano Station is the traditional Japanese ski village of Nozawa Onsen.  Founded in 1924 it is ranked as one of Japan’s top ski resorts in terms of total area, history and snow depth.  Although the town has cobbled streets it is connected from the old to the new with a fabulous moving walkway called the “Yu-Road” which takes you from the town to the slopes. 

There are quirky local shops and bars lining the myriad of lanes, steaming hot baths and foot baths are dotted everywhere, so if your feet are aching  after a hard day of skiing,  you can sit and soak away the aches until only the glorious memories of powder remain.

Although there is pension style and hotel accommodation available, a fabulous way to experience Nozawa Onsen is at a Ryokan (a Japanese guest house) where you can sleep on futons, dress in a Yukata (robe) and delve into Japanese customs and traditions.

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