Job Discussion Forums

[bdawg]

Yeah, yeah, I know this is off topic, but does anyone out there know if you can ski Mt. Fuji? Or for that matter, is one able to hike and ski in Japan at all? Are mountains private or public land?

[denise]

There's plenty of skiing/snowboarding out my way, in Niigata--I just recently got into snowboarding, and now for the first time in my life I do not want winter to end! (Pity there's no snow to be found right now and it's at least 10 degrees out!)

Other places to go (and that I plan on visiting eventually) around here for winter sports: Fukushima, Nagano, Yamagata... Hokkaido, of course, but that's quite a trip from here.

I've heard that Hokkaido has the best resorts in Japan. Makes sense, I suppose. Glenski (and other Hokkaido folks)--is that true?

d

[rossiter joe]

bdawg, there are hundreds if not thousands of places to hike and ski in Japan. Within an hours drive of my house there are approximately 20 ski resorts and the hiking is great. But then I live in Northern Gunma. Springtime brings the rafting and canyoning season as well.

[ellienihon]

As long as we're on the topic, how does the price of rentals and buying ski equipment compare to the US?

[rossiter joe]

The rental prices in this area are: skis and boots 3,000 yen at a resort (probably 2,000 yen at a rental shop off mountain). Lift tickets are anywhere from 2,000 yen to 5,000 yen depending on the mountain and if it is a week day or weekend. Not sure about season passes. If you live near the slopes and only want to go in the afternoon, you can always ask to buy for a minimal fee (or take for free) a ticket from someone who is finished for the day (Usually Tokyoites leaving early to avoid the traffic jams). As for buying equipment I only know I paid about 45,000 yen for a snowboard, boots, and bindings: not top of the line buy neither am I.