This has been our third year of arranging a winter holiday to Japan - each trip has been wonderfully designed by Noeline at Liquid Snow Tours. We have relied on her advice when planning each trip and always received great quotes on airfares, accommodation, bus and train services. We have booked to stay at different ski resorts each year - and this January, we visited Appi Kogen and Zao Onsen. Each resort had great features - Appi (Be happy in Appi!) was ski in-ski out so really easy to get out on the slopes every day. It also wasn't too busy so there were no queues waiting for lifts...and plenty of snow! Appi Grand Hotel was very comfortable, and the staff extra friendly. Didn't take us long to work out the free shuttle bus service around the resort - Im sure they set the world record one night by squeezing too many guests into the bus...we were literally on top of each other. Quite memorable!! Zao Onsen Resort was more spread out and when skiing, one had a series of ropeways and lifts to navigate. I think the best thing about Zao were the hot, smelly Onsens!! We had a lovey Japanese/Western combo room at Hotel Lucent which was situated right in the middle of town, so a great location. Again, very friendly staff. These resorts were not as big or popular as perhaps Hakuba or Niseko but this meant that there were less westerners about and so more of a traditional experience. Would recommend them both. Thanks again Noeline for all your help in putting together another fantastic holiday to Japan - our favourite place in the world!! From Alison, Jeremy, Tristan, Ryder and Nikita