[tortoise]

I just read on another site that Niseko gets mobbed by Australians during January. My sister lives in Geelong. I've spent 4 months there so I can deal with rowdy australians but now I am a bit worried that maybe it will be hard to find a place to stay. The flight is way cheaper around the 15th of January but I am wondering if I should wait until the 15th of February. I'm trying to go for 2 weeks.
I'm looking for a quiet powder getaway vs. apres ski madness.

any tips on best time to go to get powder but also avoid the crowds?

 

[tortoise]

Rusutsu over niseko any day. Being an Aussie myself it shames me to say that the aussies have wrecked niseko. But its true. The only good thing is that they all flock like sheep to the same spot.
I know rusutsu inside out and there are some magic lines there that stay untracked got a long time. That shit just doesnt happen in niseko. Late feb is usually epic.

Are there any other places to stay in Rusutsu besides the two big hotels and the two weird looking guest house places?