Traveling to Joetsu

I just found out that I will be traveling to Joetsu for a few weeks in late January, early February. I will be there for work but I want to now what the area is like an what is interesting to do there. I have looked on the internet and I found a lot of information, but I was hoping to get some information from some who has traveled there and knows the best places to go and things to do. I was also wondering what is the best site, probably somewhere on about.com, where I can find more information about using the Japanese rail system. Last, is there any good festivals during this time that are either in Joetsu or within traveling distance.

This is the best site about Japanese train travel:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e627.html

Timetables:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2323.html

Unanswered questions:
http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quedisplay.html