Thanks. I also forgot to ask about the timing of a visit: best snow, least people, in January, as we have to work around NZ summer school holidays. When are the busy times? Christmas and New Year? Better snow in later January?

Hey. Looking for advice: We are thinking about a ski trip to Hokkaido in January 2016 - we are NZers, all tele, like lift-served with off-piste options. Can ski the steeps and trees, but like the cruisers as well. Two years ago we had 13 days Meribel, based in a ski in, ski out chalet, dinner, bed &...