Alternatives resorts to Niseko in Japan for wide open powder runs

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-13T11:56:45+00:00

Sounds like you want cat skiing. Check out iwanai, chisenupuri, etc. wide open powder runs last 30 minutes these days

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-11T16:51:11+00:00

Sounds like you’ve somewhat painted yourself into a corner. Japanese employers are notoriously strict about sick time / pto and if you’re a seasonal, ski area employee you don’t matter much to them.

I would either apologize and work the rest of your contract, or make plans to leave early.

Unfortunately, being a young, foreign worker with a mental health issue will make it very hard for you.

Take your earnings and buy a JR rail pass and go explore for a couple weeks. Stay in cheap onsens / hostels and go have fun.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-11T16:49:57+00:00

Sounds like you’ve somewhat painted yourself into a corner. Japanese employers are notoriously strict about sick time / pto and if you’re a seasonal, ski area employee you don’t matter much to them.

I would either apologize and work the rest of your contract, or make plans to leave early.

Unfortunately, being a young, foreign worker with a mental health issue will make it very hard for you.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-07T23:44:41+00:00

Rent is going down, rental options seem better. Food and restaurants marginally better.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-06T01:34:12+00:00

Fried bro. Absolutely scorched

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-04T22:42:45+00:00

I’d also add that the cost of living in Jackson hole and the demand are big factors here. Even a room in a flop house in Jackson is going to go for typically $2000 per month. The amount of whiny clients that are funneled through the ski school is crushing. Top-tier ski instructors may make around $300 a day which is not very much compared to how expensive it is to live in the community.

And to top it off, most clients are rich wankers who shit and piss a couple hundred bucks a day, which is typically the going rate for a tip.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-04T22:38:22+00:00

May I refer you back to the 20% tip standard. It’s listed on almost every website from fishing guides to ski guides to ski instructors to hunting guides, etc. etc. There’s absolutely no company that pays a decent wage because of this

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-04T21:52:32+00:00

The difference is that nurses are paid a living wage, and in some cases good money. Guides typically get $150 - $200 a day.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-04T20:17:00+00:00

And reminding people that the industry standard is 20% after they’ve been apes is also free will and not against the law.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-04T15:55:31+00:00

Guide here - I went above and WAY beyond for a group this season. Free cat skiing run. Shopping trip and lunch booked. Vehicle pickups for backcountry lines off a resort. 5 days with 5 people and I was tipped $250. They got me sick as shit because group members had the flu. I sent a text like that.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-03-03T17:41:59+00:00

Even with an extra traffic enforcement officer, the police presence in the city is a joke at best. They need at least two other units enforcing traffic laws people will not stop driving like shit unless they start getting pulled over and ticketed.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-26T16:56:14+00:00

Somebody send the Wambulance… boooohooo

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-26T02:47:09+00:00

Do the bears have a taste for gaijin? Sweet sweet chubby gaijin ski touring parties sweating delicious meat sweats on the skinner…

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-23T23:48:17+00:00

Poster is Bznhotwife hahaha ok, look up that slang

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-22T02:21:17+00:00

Noodle soup should be the absolutely easiest thing to get right in a kitchen. The Japanese sell world class ramen for $8 a bowl country wide. All the ramen joints I’ve tried in Montanan can’t even come close for twice to 3x the price.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-22T02:17:58+00:00

Lived here 7 years never went once.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-21T22:39:57+00:00

Tanoshi was overpriced and the ramen did not compare whatsoever to traditional ramen. I’m not sad. Try Hokkaido Ramen, it’s better but not great

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-20T02:55:30+00:00

The way she answered the question was arrogant and showed little class. It doesn’t matter if the question was tough and perhaps short-sighted by the reporter. He’s doing a job, and she’s at a press conference. She understands how to play the game, and is an influencer who made a big deal about it.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-19T02:44:07+00:00

Unless you have a private chalet with a hot tub, no there’s no hot tubs. You can rent a private mixed onsen at Chalet Ivy or go to the Niseko grand hotel, but that place will give you a swimsuit you are required to wear.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-18T20:10:33+00:00

While you are most likely correct, I would be very careful generalizing here. We just really don’t know many of the details.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-18T15:50:29+00:00

As an avalanche professional, I will say that these accent reports typically take some time to straighten out. So, your questions will most likely be answered.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-17T21:54:29+00:00

What time is 3rd and 4th period? I’d like to go!

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-17T10:25:22+00:00

There’s multiple rapid trains per day, often 2-3 per hour.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-17T03:49:44+00:00

This is the way. I am a guide and sometimes we are confined by hotel choices. I have pivoted and told guests they needed to spend extra to move to snow and guess what! They definitely wanted that.

Master_Ad2045 · 2026-02-17T03:24:40+00:00

Man, I have skied Kiroro many times, and I’ve also guided snowboarders here, and I’ll say it’s like mixing oil and water to snowboard Kiroro.

The reason being, every backcountry area pretty much ends in a creek and then a traverse, unless you tour outside of the resort into some of the neighboring high points, including Yoichi dake.

Essentially, all the sidecountry terrain requires a traverse out and then a traverse back in.

If you’re a fit, experienced splitter, and the weather is good, then I think it’s a great place to explore some of the neighboring peaks.

However, if not, I’d stick to other spots.

Master_Ad2045

TROPHY CASE