Come to Hokkaido

Niseko / Hirafu

I'm turning 35.Come to Hokkaido.

First or second week of February.

A birthday dinner was briefly considered.

Tell me which week The plan
The plan

I'm turning 35 this year, and in February I want a bunch of people I love in Hokkaido for a week.

Friends, partners, kids, families. Ski if you want. Don't if you don't. Eat far too much, sit in hot springs, drink things.

The trip is happening. I just need to know which week before I book the house.

Yes, I just got married. No, this is not the honeymoon. Unless you all come, in which case it's a very strange honeymoon.

Where to stay

Chalet or hotel. Your call.

Two ways to stay. Pick whichever works for you. Either way, you're part of everything.

Option 1

The chalet

Stay under one roof with the group.

Who
Around 10–15 of us
Cost
Roughly USD 2,500 per person, full weekCurrent estimate. Depends on the final chalet, how many of us are in it, and the dates. I should not be left alone with chalet websites.
Food
Possibly a private chef or catering
Kids
Very welcome. From about 5 they need their own bed, so they count toward the headcount. Younger ones share with their parents.
Booking
I take care of it. We sort out who pays what in October.

Private chef: not confirmed. I regret discovering the option.

Option 2

A hotel or apartment nearby

Your own place in Hirafu, at your own budget.

Who
Just you, your partner, your kids
Cost
Whatever you choose. Hirafu has everything from simple to very nice.
Nights
As many or as few as you like
Either way
Flights

You book your own.

Birthday dinners

On me, for everyone, wherever you sleep.

Everything else

Skiing, onsen, day trips. Join as much as you like.

The week

You absolutely do not need to ski.

If your plan is seven days of onsen and ramen, I have no argument against it.

Ski

Some of the best powder on earth. Night skiing too.

Snowboard

Trees, bowls, and very deep snow.

Onsen

Outdoor hot springs, in the snow, facing Yōtei.

Ramen

Miso ramen was born in Sapporo, two hours away.

Izakaya

Small plates, skewers, cold beer, loud rooms.

Sake

Local breweries. Cold. Plenty.

Eat

Crab, uni, scallops, and absurdly good dairy.

Otaru

Canals, gas lamps, glass and sushi. A day trip.

Sapporo

The city, and the Snow Festival if the dates line up.

Winter stuff

Snowshoes, snowmobiles, frozen waterfalls.

Kids

Ski school, snow parks and sledging.

Nothing

Window. Blanket. Snow.

The birthday

I'll host one or two proper dinners or parties during the week, so we're all together at least a couple of times, wherever everyone is staying.

You book your flight and wherever you sleep. Birthday dinners are on me. I'm not a complete cunt.

A rough day
  1. Breakfast
  2. Skiing, or whatever
  3. Ramen
  4. Ski, onsen, nap, or a drink
  5. Dinner
  6. Drinks
Who

Friends, partners, kids, families.

I want a load of people I love in the same place for a week. Friends from completely different parts of my life, their partners, their kids.

Come ski. Don't ski. Come for three days or all seven. I don't really care how you do it. I just want you there.

If I sent you this, I mean you.

Steve, if you don't come to this, we're not friends anymore.

Two minutes

Which week can you do?

I need to pick between the first and second week of February before I book something expensive and irreversible.

Please answer by the first week of October. Nothing here commits you to anything. No payment, no booking.

Which week works?
How likely are you to come?
Who's coming?
Chalet or hotel?
For how long?
Ski or snowboard?
You
Questions

Short answers.

Is this happening?
Yes.
Which week?
That is literally what I'm asking you.
Do I have to ski?
No.
Kids?
Very welcome. For the chalet, kids from about 5 count as a guest because they need their own bed.
My partner?
Obviously.
Can I come for part of it?
Of course.
How much?
The main chalet currently looks like roughly $2,500 per person for the week. Hotels nearby vary a lot.
Who books the chalet?
I do, and I take care of it. We sort out who pays what in October, once we know who's in.
When will we know the week?
I need answers by the first week of October. I'll confirm the week and the chalet in October.
Flights?
You book your own. Fly into Sapporo (New Chitose), then about two hours by road.
Private chef?
Not confirmed. Regrettably, discovered.
Why Hokkaido?
Snow, onsen, food. And I've wanted an excuse for years.
Is 35 actually midlife?
No. This appears to be a personality issue.
Why is there a website?
Excellent question.