SnowJapan.Com Newsletter 13th February 2004 www.snowjapan.com - the ultimate guide to winter sports in japan

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Already in mid-February...time goes way too fast.  This week on Snow Japan we have 10 lift tickets for Iwappara resort in Yuzawa, Niigata and 2 other chances to win things (Questionnaire and Resort Reviews).  Please take a few moments to fill in our Questionnaire and let us know what you think about Snow Japan.  Thanks!  

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
Snow Japan Questionnaire 2004 - chance to win Smith Goggles;
 Snow Japan Video Gallery - now 56 vids online;
Weekly Giveaway - Iwappara lift tickets;
Send in Resort Reviews (and win Smith Goggles);
Feature - "Hakkoda";
Feature - "There's Skiing in Japan?!" 
Snow Japan Forums - now featuring Avatars 

SNOW JAPAN QUESTIONNAIRE 2004
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/about/questionnaire2004.html
Our new Questionnaire for this season is now online. Please take a few moments to go and fill it in. Each year, the results of our questionnaires help us improve Snow Japan. Many of the ideas and new functionality that has been developed for the site has been done because of feedback we have got from readers.... so your comments do matter, and we do listen.

We also compile the results and comments and pass some of those on to some resorts in Japan - and so this is a chance that you have to let your voice be heard (there is one part of the Questionnaire specificially for "Comments to Resorts").

This year, everyone who fills out the Questionnaire (and also fills in their name and email address) will be entered into another Prize Draw - and 5 winners chosen in June of this year will be sent some new Smith Goggles.  So, please do help us make Snow Japan better - the questionnaire should only take a moment or two to fill in....

READER'S VIDEO GALLERY - NOW 56 VIDEOS ONLINE
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/gallery/index-vids.html
If you haven't already checked out the Snow Japan Video Gallery, make sure you take a look!  There are now 56 member videos online.  If you've been out on the slopes with a camcorder, send in your vids.  We've also increased the maximum size of the vids to 3MB..... the email address to send them to is vids@snowjapan.com.

WIN A LIFT TICKET FOR IWAPPARA RESORT (YUZAWA)
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/insider/special.php
This week on Snow Japan, we have 10 one-day lift tickets for the Iwappara Resort in Niigata Prefecture to give away.  To enter, visit the online Specials page - link above.

RESORT REVIEWS - WIN SMITH GOGGLES
http://www.skijapanguide.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004534
During the month of February we will also be running another Giveaway promotion - this time the prizes are 5 sets of Smith Goggles.  To enter this Giveaway, send in a Resort Review (and get it published online) during the month of February.  For each valid Resort Review that you submit as a logged-in Snow Japan Insider, one entry into the draw will be made.  Please click on the link above for full details on how to enter.  

FEATURES
Features Index:
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/index.html

"Hakkodo" by Simon Bernard
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/features-76.html
"Fast becoming the worst kept secret, Hakkoda has become known as the Number 1 mountain for hardcore snowboarders, telemarkers and skiers. There is no other place in Japan for the steep and deep powder courses that it offers.  Can you imagine a place where you board all day and still be in untracked powder?"
Click on the link above to read more.

"There's Skiing in Japan?!" by Bryan Ralph
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/features-77.html
"There's skiing in Japan?" That's the reaction I received from friends and family, when I announced a spur of the moment decision to set out in search of an epic powder experience in the land of the rising sun. The Island's of Japan are home to more than 500 ski resorts!! "Takusan no kona yuki" There's lots of Powder! That was the rumor anyway! I have to admit that I was skeptical from the beginning, I hadn't prepared properly for the journey I was about to embark on. After all, the reason I had chosen this as a work experience was because most of the girls in my Ski Resort Management class were going!"....
Click on the link above to read more.

SNOW JAPAN FORUMS
http://www.skijapanguide.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi
From this week, you can now have your own Avatar image appear alongside your name when you make posts on the Snow Japan Forums....go there to check it out.

If you have any comments about SnowJapan.Com or encounter any problems using our site, please let us know.  Either email us at editor@snowjapan.com or fill out an online comments form.