TEMERATURE/ CLOTHES / KIT/ TIPS
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It is COLD off the plane. Have something in your hand luggage. Airport lobby and coach may be warm enough, but you will be shuttled to accommodation in mini vans-it is long enough to regret not having something warm. |
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It's cold so snow conditions stay good and dry with limited melting before spring and no ice. It means the temperature of the snow is also very cold. |
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December to February Niseko average daytime mountain temperature - 8C. |
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Night skiing down to - 20C. |
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Average annual snow fall 12 metres. 05/06- 14metres, 04/05-12 metres. |
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A neck-warmer or face-mask is a must in this amount of cold. Neck-warmers are available in the village or on mountain. Avoid frost bite! |
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Thermal underwear are a must bring/ must wear item. |
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Warm/waterproof gloves. |
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Goggles non-reflecting with yellow or light orange lenses for the day time and to night ski a pair of clear lens goggles, although yellow or orange lenses are fine as well (anti-fog and note manufacturer care recommendations). December through March the conditions are predominantly overcast. Goggles are also good eye protection when skiing through tree runs and to protect the eyes from spray (and in my case face plants). Sunglasses are not useful in Niseko ski conditions. |
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Things freeze instantly at these temperatures- like wet hair after an Onsen or shower or perspiration and fog inside goggles. Try to avoid goggle fog in enclosed lifts-think cool your body down before leaping back out into the (freezing) cold. |
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Board and skis-as always this is a personal issue and tough to make recommendations on. Some considerations include using a longer board than you are used to and setting the bindings back. Skiers should consider powder (fat) skis and powder straps especially if heading off piste. |
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Wax - a wax suited to the low temperatures is the best choice. Cool your skis or board down before venturing to the lifts. Warm skis will melt the snow and it will freeze to your skis-you won't be able to move. |
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Use the drying rooms at your accommodation if available. Most Ski store rooms have some heating. In peak season-your gear won't get to wet in powder conditions. Treat heaters in your room - especially those that are still kerosene with respect. Kerosene doesn't heat a room as quickly as natural gas but they will generate plenty of slow heat. Don't melt or combust your ski gear (or anything else) by putting it too close. |
CASH/ CREDIT CARDS AND TRAVELLERS CHEQUES
International credit card usage-it may be a good idea to advise your credit card providers you are travelling overseas. Card issuers may put an automatic stop on cards after an overseas transaction occurs in order to reduce the instance/risk of international fraud.
Arrange to have adequate Yen in cash for your stay in Niseko. Niseko is rapidly becoming an international town, but there are still many businesses including most hotels / lodges/ pensions that do not accept credit cards or travellers cheques. Most restaurants and bars do NOT accept cards/ travellers cheques. The options for money change in Niseko proper are very limited.
The only international ATM machines are located in the post office of nearby Kutchan Town. This may be useful as a last resort. The post office ATM's accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, VISA Electron, Plus, Cirrus
Maestro, JCB, Diner's Club International, Unfortunately they are reported to have reliability issues, not accepting international cards on some occasions.
NGS can exchange Australian dollars cash and YEN Travellers cheques- if large amounts required please make your request in advance. Sapporo (Chitose) airport's banking facility closes at 5:00 pm., Travelex has opened an outlet at Chitose airport operation 365 days a year-hours of operation 07:15-20:45. Tokyo Narita and Osaka Kansai airports also have banking/money change facilities. Operating hours are 06:00-23:00 note there are several money change facilities and they rotate their early/late on duty /off duty schedules. At least one facility will be open between 06:00 and 23:00. Purchasing some Yen cash in advance of departure, and Yen travellers cheques for exchange in Japan may be a cost effective strategy.
Mobile Phones
3G mobile phones are reported to work in Japan if you have enabled International Roaming. Other mobile phones do not. The Japan (and Korean) mobile phone system is not compatible with handsets that work anywhere else in the world. We are happy to hear updates from anyone who has a model they have used and know to work in both environments. The issue of buying a pre-paid phone for temporary use has become more difficult with recent rule changes requiring purchasers to provide a Japan address and show proof of residency. We do not have any affiliation with any firms providing short term rentals. There are apparently some limited areas of Tokyo and Osaka that have GSM network availability but not enough to rely on.
GENERAL CARE COURTESY COMMON SENCE
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Ice is tricky when it forms on footpaths. Often the sidewalks and roads are covered in snow, so appropriate footwear is a must. |
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Skiing/boarding down the road is both dangerous and against the rules in Hirafu. Aside from the danger of cars, there is often metal poles, rocks, etc… buried beneath the snow along the roads which will at best damage your equipment and at worst result in a trip to the hospital. |
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Avalanches can and do occur in the Hirafu area. On piste riding is safe, but if you are venturing off the trails always follow the instructions of the ski patrol and always carry all of the necessary backcountry equipment. The area outside of the resort is not patrolled and is completely ski at your own risk. SKIING IN AREAS MARKED STRICTLY OFF LIMITS OR ON CLOSED PATHS WILL RESULT IN THE CONFISCATION OF YOUR SKI PASS. |
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Snow falls and rolls, consider where you are standing or what you are standing under. |
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SHOES-OFF - Consider local customs and take care to remove shoes where necessary and use inside slippers if provided. Inside slippers don't go into toilets. Leave inside slippers outside the toilet door (also communicates to others that the toilet is taken). When using toilet slippers, remember to leave them in the toilet-don't tramp around your accommodation in them. If you are unsure about where to remove shoes try to ask. A couple of tips, if you see tatami mat flooring that is a 100% definite no shoe zone. A step up for example at an entrance to accommodation, into a change room at an Onsen, or to a sit down on the floor table at a restaurant all mean shoes off. |
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