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

resort opening dates

21 November: Grand Hirafu & Annupuri
28 November: Niseko Village (Higashiyama)
5 December: Hanazono