On May 29, 12:28 am, CL <flot...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On 05/28/2011 11:33 PM, mtfes...@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:
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> > Declan Murphy<declan_mur...@hotmail.com>  wrote:
> >> On May 27, 10:21?pm, mtfes...@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:
> >>> Declan Murphy<declan_mur...@hotmail.com>  wrote:
> >>>> I'm planning Yamasa's winter ski trips etc&  have a question for
> >>>> skiers/snowboarders regarding one of the trips. Its a question of
> >>>> trade-offs. The cost of the package has to be exactly the same, but
> >>>> the destination is either Nagano (Shiga Kogen&  Hakuba) or Hokkaido
> >>>> (Furano&  Sapporo). Assuming you have 8 days (February 3rd-10th 2012)
> >>>> available etc, which would you prefer and why?
> >>>> Hokkaido package will have better powder, includes return airfare&
> >>>> transport etc, and includes 2 days in Sapporo for snow festival, but
> >>>> the available budget for accommodation&  food is less, so it won't be
> >>>> as comfortable.
> >>>> Nagano package has good snow, but not quite Furano quality, but the
> >>>> package includes better accommodation/food quality, and more onsens.
> >>>> (the booze budget for both packages is the same in case anyone is
> >>>> wondering, and both packages would require you to either bring or
> >>>> acquire your own ski bunnies with assistance from the Institute)
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> >>> I've met a lot of Japanese who've never seen the Snow Festival (I saw
> >>> it once.) They all regret not having the experience.
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> >> Problem is always (well usually, this time might be different)
> >> accommodation availability&  affordability. There is an ice sculpture
> >> festival in Matsumoto that is basically the same as the Susukino part
> >> of Sapporo's festival, and through the course of every winter I need
> >> to design/provide packages for about 4 different budgets. Sapporo's
> >> festival seems to be really well known outside Japan too, so thats a
> >> consideration too of course. Did you know about the festival before
> >> you came to Japan?
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> > Actually, I did; I heard about it in the early 80s, when I first started
> > taking my studies of Japan/Japanese seriously.
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> I also learned about the Snow Festival in the course of my Japan studies
> ... somewhat earlier than Mike.  Unfortunately, my first chance to visit
> Japan after that was nothing more than a transit of Okinawa on my way to
> save the inhabitants of another Asian country by shooting them and I
> didn't get a chance to do Hokkaido for the first time until about 1989.
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> A couple of years ago, during my previous year of life divisible by 12,
> a friend who lives in Tomakomai had a priest from one of the big temples
> invite me up to be one of the mamemaki throwers along with a couple of
> juryo / maegashira rikishi from the area.  I had to pay my own plane
> fare from Haneda but, he persuaded one of his parishioners comp me three
> days of hotel rooms and lift tickets in Furano.
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> > BTW, another consideration is that the Sapporo trip includes, essentially, a
> > side trip. Japanese seem to like to pack in things like that on trips.
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> I REALLY LIKE Furano in the winter ... but somewhat less so, now that
> I'm married.  At least my Boss tells me that I ought to feel that way.

I prefer Furano over Niseko. Its less crowded, there are fewer
Australians, and the powder was perfect. I also loved the ice bar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrLXcC2Y0R0
and other little distractions.

> > Plus, Sapporo seems to be famous in Japan for its food, so even a bit
> > more out-of-pocket would seem justified.
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> Susukino is famous for many other things than just the food.  Some of
> those things can be discussed publicly on a family list.  I keephttp://www.susukino.co.jp/on my phone browser for clients who have read
> about, and want to try for themselves, those "other" activities.
> They're a lot more amenable to foreign (non-Russian) guests in that
> town, too.  I am constantly amazed at the number of in-store, take-out,
> and delivery-to-your-hotel-room options the local businesses offer.

That might be a useful link.