jcpops864

Thanks again for all the tips rag-doll and tsondaboy. That's a whole lot to think about definitely. Can't see myself jumping into right away, but it's nice to have goals! I searched for 'kagura' in the photo-section and found some photos of the area which I think you are possibly talking about. If you don't mind another of my questions, is this the area you are referring to as somewhat safe? Sorry in advance if it's a stupid question.

Hi Rag-Doll, thank you for the advice, sounds like you have spent many a good day up there! You've got me interested, though, what happens if you somehow ride away from the resort-side? Do you ultimately come out to some sort of river crossing or something? I wish there was some sort of guide or something showing all this!

Brilliant photo tsondaboy, I imagine your team must be pretty dedicated to go into terrain like that! I showed it to my co-worker and she went "sugoi!" I think you guys are the first people in Japan to ski in the mountains this season. Cheers! Originally Posted By: tsondaboy It looks like this Unfortunately, like I said in my first post NO powder at all. We literally ice-skated down the mountain...

Hi torihada, some brilliant photos there! Were most of the other people you saw up there also with a guide? Also, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of tips did they give you about riding safely off the piste? Even a total newbie has to start somewhere.

Originally Posted By: tsondaboy Do you have any BC gear of your own or you are thinking about a tour so that you can rent all the equipment necessary? Sorry, I ve never taken a guided tour up there. Hi Tsondaboy, I don't have any BC gear so that's one reason I was thinking of a tour. But a friend told me that when Kagura opens the very top lift in spring then alot of people just make an hour hike to the top. Sounds brilliant to me! Sounds like a totally newbie question but if you didn't take a tour in the beginning how did you get started in the Kagura BC? Cheers!

Hi tsondaboy, I don't know what Daisekkei is, but it sounds like a mountain somewhere. I'm guessing it was awesome though - heaps of powder! Do you have any photos of what it looks like?

Hi wakaran, thank you for the reply. Do you really think I need a guide for Kagura? From the photos I looked at on this website, it doesn't look very steep. I'm thinking of the hill that everyone rides on (I think the "Joshua Tree??" is on it). Just looks like a super big hike though!

Originally Posted By: tsondaboy Good job BD, you and Mike got me ultra stoked for my Hokkaido trip next month! We too did some turns down in Honshu last weekend but I wish I could say it was in 100 cm pow. Hi Tsondaboy, I'm just curious what resort you went to last weekend. Was it Karuizawa? That's the only I know about that's open. Do you have any photos up here? Cheers!

Hi Wakaran, that's a surprise. I know next to nothing about the backcountry or tours so don't know where to start. If you don't mind my asking, what would be the difference between the tour your friend signed up for, and the Canyons one? Thanks.

I saw that welovejapan is providing guided tours at Kagura. If anyone has done it, I'm really curious what the experience was like. I'm assuming the guide is English speaking (my Japanese is terrible!). Does anyone know who or what company is doing the actual guiding service, and how much it costs? Cheers!

Thanks for that. I was looking only at the last page. Cheers!

Hi big-will, I clicked on the link from joshnii, and was able to see a single photo. I guess what I'm asking is, is there more? I couldn't find anything in the Journals section. Just looking for some lunch-time diversion.

Hi Joshnii, Wow, that's a fantastic photo. I tried just now for MikePow's trip report but couldn't find it. Still new at this forum stuff. Does anyone know where I can find his write-up, if it exists?

First lines of the 2008-2009 season? - Anyone in Japan get any yet? Getting the itch to get out there.

hi Tubby Beaver, this article should give you more info: http://cars.about.com/od/adviceforowners/a/snowtires.htm