Ski-in/out resort
#46
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
Sorry for the late reply. Snow has been good here but lift delays and mountain closures mean it isn't as awesome as one would expect!
kiroro is FLAT. Really flat. Do not go there if you can go to Rusutsu. Sheraton is probably just as convenient as the Westin in slope access, but I haven't stayed at the westin, only looked at the area.
I really dislikes Kiroro and the snow was poor. Rusutsu is basically full of Niseko people now though, so it will be a little more crowded. Dunno, the choice is clear to me but we aren't the same person!
kiroro is FLAT. Really flat. Do not go there if you can go to Rusutsu. Sheraton is probably just as convenient as the Westin in slope access, but I haven't stayed at the westin, only looked at the area.
I really dislikes Kiroro and the snow was poor. Rusutsu is basically full of Niseko people now though, so it will be a little more crowded. Dunno, the choice is clear to me but we aren't the same person!
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
kiroro is FLAT. Really flat. Do not go there if you can go to Rusutsu. Sheraton is probably just as convenient as the Westin in slope access, but I haven't stayed at the westin, only looked at the area.
I really dislikes Kiroro and the snow was poor. Rusutsu is basically full of Niseko people now though, so it will be a little more crowded. Dunno, the choice is clear to me but we aren't the same person!
I really dislikes Kiroro and the snow was poor. Rusutsu is basically full of Niseko people now though, so it will be a little more crowded. Dunno, the choice is clear to me but we aren't the same person!
I'm looking at Westin's trail map, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of great options for beginners on the East and Iroha Mtns which is the side connected to Westin. It seems like most of the green runs need to be accessed by interm/diamond runs. Seems like a great mountain for me, but not for my kids.
#48
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Shanghai and Bavaria
Programs: Spire RA, 1865 Voyager, Bonvoy Titanium, FB LP, LH SEN.
Posts: 3,104
When you say flat, in what way? Do you mean the mountain does not have enough challenging terrain? Or that every run is less steep than its rating? Or that their runs have too many flat sections interspersed with hills? Or that there's too long of a flat area at the bottom of chairlifts? If it's the former two, that's totally fine with us. But I do hate having to deal with completely flat areas.
I'm looking at Westin's trail map, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of great options for beginners on the East and Iroha Mtns which is the side connected to Westin. It seems like most of the green runs need to be accessed by interm/diamond runs. Seems like a great mountain for me, but not for my kids.
I'm looking at Westin's trail map, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of great options for beginners on the East and Iroha Mtns which is the side connected to Westin. It seems like most of the green runs need to be accessed by interm/diamond runs. Seems like a great mountain for me, but not for my kids.
The hotel is seperate from the ski resort (but in one building). There are facilities for hotel guests and seperate facilties for day guests. You won't have trouble with your luggage before check-in. There are plenty of lockers.
When you rent a car, the drive from Otaru to Kiroro is about half an hour, depending on road conditions. The bus has enough space for your luggage.
At Rusutsu, I would recommend to stay at the Resort, not the Westin. West Mountain has more accessible beginner runs; East and Isola Mountain have only one noteworthy green run; the red ones can get quite challenging for beginners when there's a lot of snow. Most black ones at Rusutsu are no-go areas for beginners.
Both resorts close down areas (at Rusutsu paticularly often Isola Mountain) due to strong winds - which can happen quite a few times a month.
Another option might be Sapporo Teine - good enough for a couple of days.
See also powderhounds.com for a good description of all areas. Kiroro gets - statistically - more snow than Rusutsu. Nonetheless, Rusutsu will stay our powder go-to resort for now
Last edited by Chinatrvl; Jan 27, 2018 at 4:34 am Reason: Answered SPG Forum questions as well
#49
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
@Chinatrvl
Thank you for your outstanding, comprehensive response! So helpful!
Your feedback on Kiroro is reassuring. Yeah I don't think Rusutsu will work out for my family at this stage of their ski level. I'd love to be able to drive to Kiroro, but I'm rather nervous about the possibility of having to drive in wintery conditions. So I guess we'll do the bus. If we do decide to ski on this trip, then Kiroro it is.
Thank you for your outstanding, comprehensive response! So helpful!
Your feedback on Kiroro is reassuring. Yeah I don't think Rusutsu will work out for my family at this stage of their ski level. I'd love to be able to drive to Kiroro, but I'm rather nervous about the possibility of having to drive in wintery conditions. So I guess we'll do the bus. If we do decide to ski on this trip, then Kiroro it is.
#50
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
Don't drive yourself if it's a short trip and you aren't used to snow/ice driving. It's not worth the stress! (I drive every trip and the first 1-2 weeks ever we're pretty hard.).
i'm sorry, if Sheraton is the one closer to slopes and the LC is further away, I've only stayed at the LC and not the Sheraton.
the Sheraton would be right there though and have great slope access.
i found it had a few flat bits and was really slow, but I'm a boarder. It does have great backcountry access
i think you would enjoy both both of the resorts tbh, so go with the one that fits everything else best and don't stress about the skiing!
i'm sorry, if Sheraton is the one closer to slopes and the LC is further away, I've only stayed at the LC and not the Sheraton.
the Sheraton would be right there though and have great slope access.
i found it had a few flat bits and was really slow, but I'm a boarder. It does have great backcountry access
i think you would enjoy both both of the resorts tbh, so go with the one that fits everything else best and don't stress about the skiing!
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
Don't drive yourself if it's a short trip and you aren't used to snow/ice driving. It's not worth the stress! (I drive every trip and the first 1-2 weeks ever we're pretty hard.).
i'm sorry, if Sheraton is the one closer to slopes and the LC is further away, I've only stayed at the LC and not the Sheraton.
the Sheraton would be right there though and have great slope access.
i found it had a few flat bits and was really slow, but I'm a boarder. It does have great backcountry access
i think you would enjoy both both of the resorts tbh, so go with the one that fits everything else best and don't stress about the skiing!
i'm sorry, if Sheraton is the one closer to slopes and the LC is further away, I've only stayed at the LC and not the Sheraton.
the Sheraton would be right there though and have great slope access.
i found it had a few flat bits and was really slow, but I'm a boarder. It does have great backcountry access
i think you would enjoy both both of the resorts tbh, so go with the one that fits everything else best and don't stress about the skiing!
#52
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...atal-eruption/
Exactly a week to go before my trip to Zao Onsen. Wondering if I should change plans. 25% of me thinks 'better safe than sorry' but the other 75% thinks I'll have the slopes to myself ... plus the Zao Onsen slopes are 3 miles away from the crater so it should be quite safe ... right?
Quote from SnowJapan: "You might have seen on the news about the volcano alert level at the nearby crater being raised yesterday. Hmmm. No other information for you on that, other than... life goes on as normal and there has been no 'events' to relay. Zao Onsen village is about 5km away from the area concerned and the tourism office has issued an announcement that we are 'unaffected'. We live with these things here in Japan!"
The Meteorological Agency raised the warning level ... on Mount Zao ... to 2 from 1, meaning people should avoid going near the crater.
“There is a possibility of a small-scale eruption,” the agency said in a statement, noting that a number of small earth movements were detected Tuesday, along with a slight bulging of the ground in one area.
It also warned of the possibility that volcanic rocks could be jettisoned as far as 1.2 km in an eruption.
“There is a possibility of a small-scale eruption,” the agency said in a statement, noting that a number of small earth movements were detected Tuesday, along with a slight bulging of the ground in one area.
It also warned of the possibility that volcanic rocks could be jettisoned as far as 1.2 km in an eruption.
Quote from SnowJapan: "You might have seen on the news about the volcano alert level at the nearby crater being raised yesterday. Hmmm. No other information for you on that, other than... life goes on as normal and there has been no 'events' to relay. Zao Onsen village is about 5km away from the area concerned and the tourism office has issued an announcement that we are 'unaffected'. We live with these things here in Japan!"
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,437
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...atal-eruption/
Exactly a week to go before my trip to Zao Onsen. Wondering if I should change plans. 25% of me thinks 'better safe than sorry' but the other 75% thinks I'll have the slopes to myself ... plus the Zao Onsen slopes are 3 miles away from the crater so it should be quite safe ... right?
Quote from SnowJapan: "You might have seen on the news about the volcano alert level at the nearby crater being raised yesterday. Hmmm. No other information for you on that, other than... life goes on as normal and there has been no 'events' to relay. Zao Onsen village is about 5km away from the area concerned and the tourism office has issued an announcement that we are 'unaffected'. We live with these things here in Japan!"
Exactly a week to go before my trip to Zao Onsen. Wondering if I should change plans. 25% of me thinks 'better safe than sorry' but the other 75% thinks I'll have the slopes to myself ... plus the Zao Onsen slopes are 3 miles away from the crater so it should be quite safe ... right?
Quote from SnowJapan: "You might have seen on the news about the volcano alert level at the nearby crater being raised yesterday. Hmmm. No other information for you on that, other than... life goes on as normal and there has been no 'events' to relay. Zao Onsen village is about 5km away from the area concerned and the tourism office has issued an announcement that we are 'unaffected'. We live with these things here in Japan!"
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
Exactly a week to go before my trip to Zao Onsen. Wondering if I should change plans. 25% of me thinks 'better safe than sorry' but the other 75% thinks I'll have the slopes to myself ... plus the Zao Onsen slopes are 3 miles away from the crater so it should be quite safe ... right?
#55
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
This is such bad timing for you. That's too bad. I'm sure you'll be fine. I do think a lot of people will be cancelling their trips to Zao, though. That would be a major economic hit for Zao. If you do go, you may be right that the crowd will be substantially less. But, to be honest, I'd probably change plans as well, if it were me. I'm just risk-adverse. Although you'll almost certainly be fine, there's always a chance that they could end up raising the danger level, which may necessitate some of the slopes to be closed down.
Last edited by shuigao; Feb 2, 2018 at 7:36 am
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
When people talk about skiing in Tohoku, it's usually Zao and Appi. Zao is more of a legendary place (and great onsen), but Appi would work out better for us since we HAVE TO have ski in/out hotel.
#57
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...atal-eruption/
Exactly a week to go before my trip to Zao Onsen. Wondering if I should change plans. 25% of me thinks 'better safe than sorry' but the other 75% thinks I'll have the slopes to myself ... plus the Zao Onsen slopes are 3 miles away from the crater so it should be quite safe ... right?
Quote from SnowJapan: "You might have seen on the news about the volcano alert level at the nearby crater being raised yesterday. Hmmm. No other information for you on that, other than... life goes on as normal and there has been no 'events' to relay. Zao Onsen village is about 5km away from the area concerned and the tourism office has issued an announcement that we are 'unaffected'. We live with these things here in Japan!"
Exactly a week to go before my trip to Zao Onsen. Wondering if I should change plans. 25% of me thinks 'better safe than sorry' but the other 75% thinks I'll have the slopes to myself ... plus the Zao Onsen slopes are 3 miles away from the crater so it should be quite safe ... right?
Quote from SnowJapan: "You might have seen on the news about the volcano alert level at the nearby crater being raised yesterday. Hmmm. No other information for you on that, other than... life goes on as normal and there has been no 'events' to relay. Zao Onsen village is about 5km away from the area concerned and the tourism office has issued an announcement that we are 'unaffected'. We live with these things here in Japan!"
#58
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
I'm looking at 6-7 different places in Honshu for skiing this Dec, including Appi Kogen and Shizukuishi. Appi seems to be 2x the size of Shizukuishi in terms of both #runs and acreage. But size isn't always important. If you or anyone's been to both, I'd love to hear comparisons.
#59
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Was recently at Madarao Kogen, which is another decent option for ski in/ski out.
1hr 50 minutes by Shinkansen and then 20 minutes to the resort.
Very easy ski-in and ski out.
Good rental equipment.
Hotel is decent (a bit more character than NASPA and a lot cheaper)
Skiing is pretty good (a lot more terrain than NASPA)
Ski resort connects to Tangram
1hr 50 minutes by Shinkansen and then 20 minutes to the resort.
Very easy ski-in and ski out.
Good rental equipment.
Hotel is decent (a bit more character than NASPA and a lot cheaper)
Skiing is pretty good (a lot more terrain than NASPA)
Ski resort connects to Tangram
#60
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
Reporting in from Zao Onsen, which got 72cm of fresh snow in the last 2 days, so even beginner pistes look like this:
Excuse the crappy technique -- don't get too many ski days when you live in the tropics.
I think Zao's pretty awesome, nice variety of long scenic runs, including one right in between the juhyo which is a green/blue. It's a village, though, which means most accommodation isn't ski-in/ski-out (my choice of ryokan, suzunoya, is a good 10mins walk away from the slopes). Oh, and as some others may have noticed, there's lots of flat areas which are sort of bearable for ski'iers, but would be annoying for snowboarders, especially in between the 3 main ski lifts.
Excuse the crappy technique -- don't get too many ski days when you live in the tropics.
I think Zao's pretty awesome, nice variety of long scenic runs, including one right in between the juhyo which is a green/blue. It's a village, though, which means most accommodation isn't ski-in/ski-out (my choice of ryokan, suzunoya, is a good 10mins walk away from the slopes). Oh, and as some others may have noticed, there's lots of flat areas which are sort of bearable for ski'iers, but would be annoying for snowboarders, especially in between the 3 main ski lifts.