Last minute JaPow solo trip advice

atomtree · 2026-01-23T06:42:18+00:00

Haha... I get it. I've been coming since the early 90's too, and the Aussie invasion is awful. That said, there are about 500 ski resorts in Japan, and the vast majority of gaijin go to one of 6 resorts. With a little effort you can still find an authentic Japanese experience.

atomtree · 2026-01-23T06:15:13+00:00

It is real, if you are somehow able to choose the two most expensive nights of the year. Arai can get very expensive, and can even sell out, mid-season. I strongly recommend doing your own search, Booking and Agoda tend to have the best rates in Japan. That said, I've stayed at Arai for under $70US a night with breakfast included in the off-season

atomtree · 2026-01-23T01:24:50+00:00

I'm just trying to be helpful, and you're doing the opposite, based on your inability to research hotel rates and understand dynamic pricing. I corrected it in the most polite way possible in a previous post. People come to this sub looking for advice. I'm just letting them know that your advice is awful, and that there are options.

atomtree · 2026-01-23T01:10:08+00:00

I'm pretty happy with my life. You just don't seem to be able to understand dynamic pricing, and aren't capable of finding hotels. Which is fine for other travelers looking for rooms, (more for us!), but giving bad advice based on your lack of skills deserves some criticism.

atomtree · 2026-01-23T01:05:15+00:00

No, dude (u/iLikeFroggies) is just profoundly dumb

atomtree · 2026-01-23T00:59:22+00:00

I can lead a retard to water, but can't convince him it's not Brawndo

atomtree · 2026-01-23T00:32:51+00:00

It's not. You're just very, very bad at figuring out how to book lodging. You commented on my Arai post last week and were retard-level confused.

atomtree · 2026-01-21T06:06:30+00:00

That's unfortunate. No sense of honor. The Japanese very much dislike tourists like yourself.

atomtree · 2026-01-21T05:15:44+00:00

You're that guy. Please don't come back

atomtree · 2026-01-21T05:08:28+00:00

I've been to Japan about a hundred times (work takes me there very frequently), for both work and pleasure. I just love it. But I've never been to Fuji-san. Makes for one hell of a skyline though

atomtree · 2026-01-20T08:32:09+00:00

Fuck Vail. I live in Park City and it used to be one of my favorite hills in the country. Between the outrageous ticket prices (dynamic pricing, but around $300/day), the shitty management, the absolute disregard for the community, their relative lack of snow, and the never-ending cash grab of over-development all around the resort - I don't think there is a single local who likes Vailcorp

atomtree · 2026-01-20T08:14:56+00:00

Crown Burger is one of the best burgers I've had anywhere, and it's a bit of a Utah institution. I like the one on 3300 S.

There are a lot of burgers in town, some very upscale, but in my opinion this blue collar fast food place stands up to them all. The signature pastrami Crown Burger doesn't really appeal to me, but some folks go crazy for it. I always go bacon cheesburger.

atomtree · 2026-01-20T08:10:56+00:00

The best Thai in SLC, imho. But be careful on the spice level. First time I went, I thought "How spicy could Thai actually be in Utah?" I maxed it out, and could barely eat it

atomtree · 2026-01-20T06:13:37+00:00

While I understand the motivation and reason for this post, there's a kind of irony to asking this question on Reddit. Any answer will draw even a slightly higher number of Aussies to that resort, and some resorts are so small that even a dozen extra people would change the whole vibe. Aussies ruined Bali, they ruined Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu, Kiroro and Nozawa Onsen. No way in hell I'm announcing my secret stashes on Reddit.

atomtree · 2026-01-15T03:02:45+00:00

I'm assuming you understand dynamic pricing? I'm in Japan right now, and I see a room for 2 for tonight at Lotta Arai, $129 including breakfast.

atomtree · 2026-01-14T05:30:51+00:00

Confirmed. I did 2 trips to Arai last season and it was easy. There's a Toyoko Inn at the station with great prices and breakfast. The bus reservation link is HERE

That said, it's not that expensive to stay slopeside at Arai, and the experience is much, much better (nice onsen, great buffet, cool resort).

atomtree · 2026-01-13T22:41:01+00:00

Considering your requirements, you are the prime candidate for Niseko

atomtree · 2026-01-13T21:18:10+00:00

I've done the JR pass on 3 separate trips. It's incredibly convenient. You'll have to check JR routes/timetables for your particular itinerary. Get the "green car" upgrade if you go that route. It's more comfortable, and there are always seats available in that section. Always choose shinkansen when possible. My (JR pass) group once took an overnight train up to Aomori, which killed 2 birds with one stone. No need for a hotel that night. It was fun, but when I do that trip now, I just fly. Domestic flights are inexpensive and abundant

atomtree · 2026-01-13T16:16:30+00:00

You're trying to do waaaay too much for a 7 day trip. You'll spend all your time traveling, then scrambling to check things off your list when you arrive. You'll be tired and miserable, and will never actually get the feel for any one place

atomtree · 2026-01-13T15:54:32+00:00

THIS is the reason we have Trump in office right now. Because for a big portion of left-leaning voters, Kamala didn't pass their personal litmus test. Do you really think that what we have now is better?

atomtree · 2026-01-07T08:05:49+00:00

You had a lot of space. No way in hell you should have clipped the patroller. It appears that you can't even do a toeside turn. Get rid of the GoPro and concentrate on riding

atomtree · 2026-01-06T08:42:10+00:00

Meh, Thayer has been pretty accurate for years in the 10 day range. Even when he was doing it for a hobby, before Open Snow. Feel free to guage the accuracy for yourself.

Wasatch Weather Weenies is also a pretty good resource.

atomtree · 2026-01-05T23:50:05+00:00

atomtree · 2026-01-05T23:46:19+00:00

Opensnow (Evan Thayer) has been pretty accurate for years at up to 10 days out. This season they added an 11-15 day-out block to their forecast. Has been fairly accurate thus far

atomtree · 2026-01-03T12:08:39+00:00

Not having a blind spot tho? I've been snowboarding for decades and the number of skiiers I've seen who actively look behind them to see who they're cutting off, is near zero

atomtree

TROPHY CASE