Snowboarding...where is the best place to go in Japan?

[Mini_B]

Looking for a nice ski/snowboarding resort.
Not too expensive and not too crowded. If the ski resorts are anything like the public pools in Tokyo...then you can count this brotha out. Does anything in Japan compare to Whistler in BC? ANy links? Thanks-

[hanasims]

I just returned yesterday from my trip to Japan. I went snowboarding at a place called Gala. It was a holiday, so it was kinda crowded. The snow wasn't too bad though. The place is small but I think that all ski resorts in Japan are relatively small. I heard this is the best place to go to if you have to go by train. It is unimpressive but I still had a good time.

[kurohinge1]

Looking for a nice ski/snowboarding resort.
Not too expensive and not too crowded. If the ski resorts are anything like the public pools in Tokyo...then you can count this brotha out. Does anything in Japan compare to Whistler in BC? ANy links? Thanks-

I've only been to Niseko in Hokkaido but I loved it - the best boarding I've ever done. I've been to Whistler too and Niseko didn't seem as big as there but fairly similar. However the powder was incredible - it bucketed down 4.5 of the 5 days we were there and the snow was as dry as flour - just sitting on your head/shoulders without melting, thanks to the temperature. We could cruise through knee-deep powder like it was cloud. Then hit the outdoor onsen at night to ease the pain.

Now you've got me wanting to go back. I guess the cost of getting there is the big part of any budget. We also timed our trip to catch the winter (snow) festival in Sapporo (every February) which has hundreds of snow & ice sculptures, but it's also the most expensive time to go.

Mini_B on ice - enjoy!