Planning an outing for the kid and me during the school break in late March.
Been looking at package tours, with an eye to where the snow has been falling so far this year, and am leaning towards Niseko, with secondary feelers out for Rusutsu. Thing is, I would like a town (restaurant options), but within walking distance to the slopes (so that I can get gnarly while the kid is resting up), which makes Niseko look the better option.
One concern is the language barrier -- I don't speak Australian, and neither does the kid. Perhaps not an issue at that time of year?
Other possibilities, casting a wider net, would be Tomamu (more expensive), Sapporo (Teine, etc. -- mendoukusai?), Appi Kogen (could drive there), Kagura (been there done that), or something in Nagano... Ryuo, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba... places I have heard of only in legend.
Anyway, I'm flexible, but leaning towards Niseko, given the snowfall reports so far this year. Any good reason to consider elsewhere?
Been looking at package tours, with an eye to where the snow has been falling so far this year, and am leaning towards Niseko, with secondary feelers out for Rusutsu. Thing is, I would like a town (restaurant options), but within walking distance to the slopes (so that I can get gnarly while the kid is resting up), which makes Niseko look the better option.
One concern is the language barrier -- I don't speak Australian, and neither does the kid. Perhaps not an issue at that time of year?
Other possibilities, casting a wider net, would be Tomamu (more expensive), Sapporo (Teine, etc. -- mendoukusai?), Appi Kogen (could drive there), Kagura (been there done that), or something in Nagano... Ryuo, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba... places I have heard of only in legend.
Anyway, I'm flexible, but leaning towards Niseko, given the snowfall reports so far this year. Any good reason to consider elsewhere?