things not to bring

A timely reminder from NisekoWebzine that visitors should not bring Australian UHF-CB radios to Japan. 

Australian UHF-CB radios may interfere with radio communications related to disaster prevention (avalanche etc).  Regrettably, there is still a problem with visitors using illegal UHF-CB radios in Niseko, either through ignorance of the law or ignoring the official warnings. 

In this case gnorance of the law is not a defence.  If you possess non-conforming radio equipment in a condition where a signal can be emitted, you will be considered to have established an 'illegal radio station,' regardless of whether you are aware of the illegality or even whether you have used the radio equipment.

Japanese authorities are offering up to five years accommodation if illegal signals interfere with fire-fighting, police or disaster prevention broadcasting.

We gave similar advice about leaving UHF radios at home last season.

The official Japanese advice on this issue is here.

the daily flake

from Christie Dowling on Vimeo.

booking status 2 (09/10)

Current booking status at the lodge for 2009/10 winter season at the date of posting is charted here. This is intended as a rough guide and is subject to change due to new bookings or cancellations.

Please e-mail the booking agents at Outdoor Travel Japan for the exact booking situation.  Commercial booking enquiries can also be made through www.snowjapan.com.

Yen too strong?

The Australian dollar has risen substantially against the US dollar over the past year (and there is renewed media speculation about impending parity) but its relative performance against the Yen has not been as impressive.

A recent report on Australian radio suggested that the Japanese Government is considering intervention to weaken the Yen after the US dollar hit a 14 year low against the Japanese currency.  A link to the transcript and audio download is here.

Update: Bank of Japan acts to combat deflation and weaken the Yen (from 'The Economist').

JNTO links

Some useful links are available online through the Japan National Tourism Organization office in Sydney here (and also under Japan links in our sidebar).

H1N1 influenza

The H1N1 influenza pandemic is now affecting northern hemisphere countries including Japan in much the same way that it impacted Australia during the southern hemisphere winter season. 

Air travel is a conduit for the spread of H1N1 influenza and inbound international passengers to Japan are likely to be screened for the disease.

Japanese health authorities are keen to prevent the spread of the disease and AAC Niseko is obviously keen to avoid this contagion infecting the lodge.

Members and guests are very strongly advised to consider H1N1 immunisation prior to arriving in Japan so they can maximise their time enjoying the powder snow rather than risk spending their holidays convalescing in quarantine.

• Advice from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is here.
• Advice from the local Hokkaido prefecture is here.
• An article from 'The Japan Times' is here.

Kurodake last weekend

Good times and very clever photography from Kurodake last weekend (use 'full screen' mode and click on some of the links).

Kurodake Ropeway and Black Mountain Lodge in Hokkaido

first tracks 2009/10

Niseko's local publication 'powderlife' has a report on the official ceremony and some of the first tracks for the 2009/10 winter season on Saturday here.

new membership options

AAC Niseko is now offering some additional membership options that reflect those offered by some other Australian Alpine Club projects.
 
Intermediate and Junior membership
Two new membership categories include:

• Intermediate membership category for those aged between 18 and 24
• Junior membership category for those aged under 18

The cost of these memberships will be two-thirds of the full membership for Intermediate members and one-third of the full membership for Junior members.  Intermediate and Junior members would increase their membership interest on attaining the next age bracket.

Instalment payment option
Members now have the option to join by instalment payment.  Their initial payment is the joining fee plus one quarter of the equity amount, followed by three instalment payments invoiced at six monthly intervals.  The instalment payment option applies to all categories of membership.

Members joining by instalment will not be entitled to vote at meetings of AAC Niseko until their membership is fully paid, but they are entitled to all the other rights and privileges of a member, including reciprocal rights at the other Australian Alpine Club lodges.

These new membership options are detailed in the membership application form.

booking status 1 (09/10)

Current booking status at the lodge for 2009/10 winter season is outlined below. This is intended as a rough guide and is subject to change due to bookings or cancellations.

Please contact the booking agents at Outdoor Travel Japan for the exact booking situation.

guide
green = space available
amber = limited space available
red = no space available

06 Dec – 12 Dec
13 Dec – 19 Dec
20 Dec – 26 Dec
27 Dec – 02 Jan (one room available)
03 Jan – 09 Jan (one room available)
10 Jan – 16 Jan
17 Jan – 23 Jan
24 Jan – 30 Jan
31 Jan – 06 Feb
07 Feb – 13 Feb
14 Feb – 20 Feb
21 Feb – 27 Feb
28 Feb – 06 Mar  (AAC Week)
07 Mar – 13 Mar
14 Mar – 20 Mar
21 Mar – 27 Mar