Skijay is kicking herself for not deciding to go to Japan sooner! All is good - 3 days in Nozawa Onsen, 2 days in Hakuba, several daijoku beers and chi-hi's coming up, plus much ramen-slurping.

i have just traveled over to the west and visited the slopes in alaska and the rockies slopes w/ some backcountry.

Silver Star, Vernon, CA My 4th full season at the snow begins in 45 days or so. Having never been to Canada and not really knowing anyone else who is going to the same resort, I'm feeling a little apprehensive about it all.

Getting to and from the main resorts from Happo is reasonably simple, but you have to be organised. Free shuttle buses run from a few stops around Happo (the stop we used was the Mominoki hotel) to Goryu Escal Plaza, Goryu Iimori station, Hakuba 47, and Iwatake.

Hello snowbunniez, Here is some useful info on Hakuba that we gleaned from some other boarders and skiiers.

The following is a guide to the costs you can expect if planning a trip to Hakuba. I've given the approximate AUD amount assuming an exchange rate of 1AUD to 84Y.

We are staying in a pension in Happo village. A pension is kind of a cross between a bed and breakfast and a backpacker's.