Basil Blasingame: I am a hardcore snwboarder. Been riding since before the days snowboards were allowed on all resorts in the US. I have donw my homework and have my expereince when it comes to snow parks in Japan. I have been to Hokkaido and Nagano and the Yuzawa areas. compared to any mountain in North America, there is no comparison. Crowded is the word and the norm. Now of course Hokkaido is the best place to find the best snow and the most open area. especially compared to Nagano and Yuzawa areas. As far as renting gear, mos of the resorts can rent you the skis and gear. Some places also rent the clothing, but that depends on the resort. Usually, I take the family to Hokkaido from Tokyo every year just before Christmass, we do a 4 day stay and enjoy everything. Sometimes with my friends and wife, we do day trips to Gala-Yuzawa. Caution point about Gala and most Japanese resorts, the ratings are overrated. Meaning, I have not found a black diamond run worthy of the ! rating in Japan. So for an intermediate, you should have no problem. As afar as powder goes, nothing in Japan beats Hokkaido snow. The only problem is they seem to close of the tree sections where the waste deep powder is. The ski season is short and is usually over by the end of March. I suggest to make your trip sooner than later. You have several options for booking a trip. There are many ryokan or bed and breakfast ins in the resort areas. some places are withing minues walk of the lifts or a short taxi ride away. You also have the option of Shinkansesn day trips from the Tokyo area. There is always an abundance of information at travel agencies located in the major train stations. Of course it is all written in Japanese. Maybe a Japanese friends can help you out. Lastly, it seems that most Japanese youth love to snowboard, they buy up the gear and hit the mountains. There are some really freaking awesome freetylers in Japan. Skiing seems to be the less popular! winter sport.Good luck and happy riding....Show more
Ch! ris Rosenkranz: If you go to Gassan their season is April till August so you should be good there even if you leave it late. Every ski resort in Japan has good rental gear, but you had better bring your own clothes. It is possible to get a good deal on a longer term rental at a city ski shop like the ones in Kanda. If you are fussy about your gear that might be the way to go as the city shops rent out the latest stuff at good prices as a "test drive". If you are not fussy about your gear, then used stuff tends to be cheap. If you can find something suitable at a sayonara sale, etc., that might be the way to go. If you just want to go up a mountain, then places like Zao have their ropeways open year-round. The chairs at Zao close long before all the snow melts, but you can still access skiable terrain quite late into the season with the ropeway or climbing skins-although I don't know where you could rent touring skis....Show more
James Langmyer: Renting ski boots, pole! s, and the skis themselves at the resort run from $25-$35. However, there are usually a few ski/ski rental shops on your way to the mountain, maybe a mile or two away, and if you rent there you can expect to save $10 or more! Goodluck!
Lewis Ranft: I went to snowboarding in both niigata and nagano. Mountains were small, but the snow was fabulous.You can rent them and near by shops close to the lift. Most places have the bottom of the lift going directly into the little town. You'll be able to rent equipment there relatively cheap. about 15 bucks for the get up, and about 30 for board and boots. It's usually like mom and pop stores. However, I will worn you.. the equipment is pretty old. If you are and advanced level skiier or snowboarder, you'll feel the difference. But all in all you'll have a wonderful time.When I went, I brought my boots, which i felt was the most important. Also it wouldn't be hard to bring a nice jacket, seeing as how winter in Japan ca! n get pretty cold.Anyways, Hope I helped.-WanderingABC...Show more
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