Jimmer
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Posts posted by Jimmer
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If people from Sapporo don't like coming here, why is it a Japanese punter frenzy here at the weekends? I'd be fine if they all went to Teine, or Kiroro or wherever, it's too busy here already. I'd love it if there was a few less Aussies too, but I just can't see it happening, people keep on coming here and keep on loving it, so it's only going to grow.
If you don't like it, that's cool, go ride your 'real' Japanese resorts where you can't get cash out, go in the trees/bc, or go out at night!
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Originally Posted By: Go NativeI've also been having a debate on another forum with people who would like to see the carrying of avi gear compulsory for those skiing out through the gates at Niseko. Despite Niseko not experiencing even one avi death since the inception of the Niseko Rules back in I think '02? Regardless of this incredibly good safety record those that want us to have gear keep pointing to the potential risk and the inevitability that one day someone will die.
What I don't understand is why people are so concerned about the safety of others? People they don't even know? One day someone, somewhere will die...um really who cares??
Is it really concern for others or just proving what a good convert you are to the nanny state? Pushing an ideology that you believe in on others?
Those of us who choose not to wear helmets or have avi gear don't try and force others to be like us. Why do others feel the need to force us to be like them?
I hate people who get uptight about avi gear here, 3 different people have come up to me (whilst I have been out of gates) and told me I should have gear, all of these 3 people were without a partner, 2 weren't wearing helmets. Sanctimonious idiots. I have done avi courses, I know how to use it, I just currently can't afford it or be bothered to carry it around.
That said, I wear a helmet most of the time, I have concussed myself enough with it on to know that I should wear one. -
What else would it be!?
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I need some new skis, prices are horrible here and the selection mediocre, I figure there must be a website where I can get a better range at better prices, but I can't find it due to my lack of Japanese. Any ideas?
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It was busy out there today, but didn't seem quite as packed as some days around Christmas. Ski school is packed though, 8 hours for the first time in ages.
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Originally Posted By: Go NativeOne example I would use from up here was more an incredible missed opportunity than anything else. When the foreign skier market started growing exponentially year by year the need for ski lessons in english also grew exponentially. The ski school run by the resort though did not hire any foreign ski instructors to meet this growing demand. As a result we now have two foreign run ski schools in Hirafu meeting this growth market. One is owned by the same foreign company who owns Hanazono and the other is run by one of the foreign tour operators in town. I have nothing against these businesses as they grew out of the unmet demand. Still how many ski resorts in the world do you know of that have 2 major ski schools that are not affiliated with the resort owner? An incredibly big missed opportunity by Tokyu who already had a large ski school running here but management did not take advantage of a new growth market to the resort. All that foreign cash lost to 2 other companies who stepped in to meet demand...
It's quite common in Europe for there to be more than one ski school in a resort. In North America though it's unheard of, in Vail the other month some freelance instructors got arrested and fined! Would Tokyu have been able to stop other ski schools in this way, in a legal sense? They definitely missed a massive opportunity here though, however it would have required a pretty huge change on their behalf in order to accomodate English speaking staff, not suprised Ski Japan and Harmony got the jump on them.
I was discussing the issue of Hirafus slightly antiquated lift system the other day, and one of the reasons suggested was that as Tokyu don't own much of the real estate around town, the boom in prices hasn't actually helped them much, leaving them lacking in cash to invest on lifts. Any idea whether this is correct? Are they planning on building any new lifts? I would love to see a quad where family is. -
Hey Jishipi, I saw a cool photo you took of me the other week, the 360 degree one of the railjam, I was the skier on the box (the blue and yellow blur) as you took it. It's a wicked idea, never seen a photo like that before.
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Ah thanks very much! Yeah, as you can see it was another tough day at the office!
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Some nice shots of Torstein and Paul there Jishipi. It really has been great the last few days.
I have just tried to post a picture, but it doesn't seem to work. I copied the image location into the image box, but then when I preview it doesn't come up. Any tips?
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I'm NZ qualified and got job offers in quite a few different Japanese resorts, so if you are interested in actually working, it'd be a good one to do.
If you just want to improve your skiing it'd be a good course as well. I know the guys who'll be examining, and they are awesome skiers and teachers.
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God that was good! Bluebird and 40-50cms, straight down the edge of super, 2 laps before 8.30. so sick!!
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Anyone else pay for the upgrade on their pass? Going to be good this morning!
For those that don't know, you can pay an extra 1000 yen to get first tracks at 8.
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MB, was it you that I saw finishing up a lesson with Pete at the bottom of family today?
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Fantastic, thanks for info, hopefully will go in the next few days!
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So, everyone at home seems to be talking about Avatar, I want to see it. But obviously can't in Niseko. I know there is a cinema in Otaru, but can't understand the site.
Does snyone know if a) they are showing Avatar,
if it is dubbed or subtitled.Thanks
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Nightas dominate, but I am quite excited about firsttracks tomo
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Mastercards aren't accepted at the Hokkaido Tracks machine in Hirafu, but Visa is fine.
Cards are accepted at most western shops, but rarely (not that I have tried that much) in restaurants.
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Err, night skiing in Hirafu is fantastic, often the vis is better than the day, it's quieter and you can access a lot of stuff if you don't mind the dark.
People who haven't ski instructed think you don't get enough time to ski, but I get quite enough. I'm pretty sure I have skied more vert this season than any other gaijin in Niseko (or at least the ones that have the hirafu club extension that monitors such things).
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Originally Posted By: JAOriginally Posted By: JimmerYou'd think so, but you'd be amazed how hard some people find it!!
It depends a little on previous experience.
As a Motorcycle rider, it took me a while to get used to turning. I tended to lean the body to (and hence put weight onto the ski on) the inside of the turn. Once I accepted that the instructor (who is my partner) actually knew what she was talking about and tried it, everything else has fallen into place! I have heard that water skiers tend to fund skiing on snow difficult. I don't know, just what I've been told by a few who were water and transferred to snow.
Now, I am sweating here in 37degree and 45% humidity wishing I was about to take over from MB at Niseko.
As a retired teacher (and an ex-army instructor) I reckon I could go with ski instructing. You might not get a lot of time to yourself, but at least you'd be out there, sliding! So far, the most time I've had on snow in a year was 2000, when we had 2 weeks at Jindabyne (sliding at Thredbo and PB) plus 10 days in NZ South Island. That took me up to about 17 days or so for the year. Man, How I'd like to be able to ski for a season, every day for a season!
Waterskiers are a nightmare to teach! Completely oppostite movement patterns to snow skiing.
I am loving instruction at the moment, probably got about 230 days on snow last year (Hirafu and Remarkables) and the rest of the time I am on holiday in various fun places (Morocco and Aus last year, India and South America this year).
And as for time to ski for yourself, in Niseko we have nightskiing, even after a six hour day teaching, you can still go for a ski.
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I have lent people goggles and gloves this season, and also borrowed some gloves as well. I see absolutely no problem with that. I have also given friends old outerwear/goggles/boots in the past, I can't carry old gear all around the world, better someone else uses it. If you don't want to lend them some stuff, are they really your friend?
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You'd think so, but you'd be amazed how hard some people find it!!
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Got the first turns off the peak today, was so sick. Then a lot of gate 4 fun.
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The Snowtrainers course is run by a guy who examined me in NZ. he's a great instructor and it looks like a great course.
If you want to actually work as an instructor, skiing is the way to go, I am dual qualified and very rarely teach snowboarding.
And regarding the JSBA/Whatever the ski one is called, a friend did the level 1 and there is no examined teaching element at all. The teaching style that was taught would also be considered slightly questionable by either of the systems I've worked in (NZSIA/PSIA).
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It's open, a friend was in there yesterday, said it was wicked, but very closely guided by the patrol.
The "big boyz" come to Niseko
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
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I heard that Chads hadn't been hit yet? Sure Tim D and Wilson will do some mental shit on it though.
In todays pros around Niseko, I saw LJ Strenio in Seico.