Originally Posted by
cam_wmh
re: Japan. I've been a few times to the North Island; Hokkaido -- snows much more, that the main island.
The real expense for when you visit, will be accommodations. Lift tickets, are cheaper and can be bought at many resorts hourly.
For Niseko, it is the most tourist-centric region on the island. Tons of whiteys. Most expensive accommodations of the island, and busiest resorts. Get Niseko reservations in, >4 months in advance. Busy isn't like Louise or Sunshine, on a Saturday though. No crazy lines.
My recommendation for a few weeks; Rent a car.
Do a week or so, around Niseko. Moiwa Lodge is pretty dope. Shred Moiwa/AnnaPuri/Hanazono .. go get aussie Banff'd in Hirafu.
Stay in the cities of Asahikawa & Otaru. Hotels are super cheap. $60/night, for a reasonable room. Their parkades are wild, they are generally $10-$20 for the night. Sometimes free.
Otaru; Kiroro. It's a newer resort, that gets nuked on, and have modern amenities.
Asahiwaka; From here, you can reach alot of resorts to the east of town. Asahidake (resort with a single string huge gondola). Don't suck, you'll get stuck. Furano, Kurodake Ropeway.. etc;
Is this a price-play? I can't see any reason why you'd choose the Atlas over the Cartels.