so me and six friends are comming up to Hokkaido late febuary and going to snowboard at Niseko Grand Hirafu for about 3 days.. i believe we are getting a pass for all 4 resorts there, no way we will be able to hit all the trails. just wanting some info if anyone has any on what slopes/ parks are the best, places to eat and drink at and if any locals wanna meet up and hang out.

thanks mark

Hanazono Park on Hirafu is like everyones favorite.
just go up and follow the sign, you cant miss it.

try hanging out at the bottom of hirafu main gondola around 4-5pm
you should be able to spot the locals....they wait for other riders to come out
or something and always chilling there.

places to eat and drink.
most of restaurants are run by aussies or kiwis so most of customers are
foreigners as well.
you shouldnt have any problem ordering food in english.

hope you have a good time there~

Just got back from Hokkaido today.  Niseko was off the chain, even in mid-December.  Loads of pow, and the Aussie invasion wasn't too in-your-face (although definitely noticeable, with every realty sign written in English).  I didn't even know there was a park there, as we were too busy getting pow pow's.  Good times.