Hi - I've read mixed (mostly good) things about Niseko in March. I'll be there between 12th-22nd or so (first 7 days are a vacation with friends, last few days a university alumni event).

Anyone here with personal experience on skiing conditions/weather etc? I typically hear that weather is nicer (read clear skies) and the skiing is nice but that you don't get the fresh powder dumps like one does this time of year. Regardless, we've booked.

Also any tips on non-skiing activities? I have read about snow-shoeing to the crater lake, but is there anything else that stands out aside from onsen (any specific recomendations?) and eating really well? I'm open to all kinds of new or different stuff (as are friends).

I'm also trying to get a friend to book me a ticket on the Hokutosei train from Tokyo to Sapporo, which apparently is getting de-commissioned at the end of March, so if anyone has experience with that train...

Thanks!