alexeiw123

+1 for best value is shopping from the states and using a shipping forwarding company. I bought my skis local, and they cost a bomb, it was upsetting to find what I could have got them for from the U.S. I am all for supporting local retailers, I really am, but I can't even begin to justify anything that is over 100% mark-up. I tend to keep my small ticket value ski items local. it's worth noting that you may find some good 'out of season' deals. ex-demo etc. everythign will eb near full price from U.S. seeing as the ski-season is just starting off there.

you're a stronger man than I. Edit: on the plus side, I just took a peek at the webcams, looks like another blue day, I hope for you there's still plenty of untracked to be had.

oh I'm watching... can't wait!

one day, some pedestrian will push the snow off of that phone booth, then feel the wrath of SJ members worldwide. great photo! looks like there's been some decent snowfall

yeah, it's been 12 months since I used the product, but basically there's two bottles, one which is a soap like one that you chuck in the washing machine, for a wash, that's supposed to clean but be safe for waterproofing, then a second time through the washing machine with the waterproofing product. and then I ran the washing machine empty with detergent just to clean it out, seemed to work well for me. I don't think you need to waterproof them after each wash with the tech wash. the instructions on the bottle were pretty clear.

My clothes still breath after washing and waterproofing using nikwax... from their product page: Adds / renews water repellency and revives breathability of all soft-shell garments can't remember if I used the hard shell or the soft shell product. I bought it from a ski shop so just took what they told me I needed!

I use the nikwax products, tech wash to clean them, and follow up with a run through of the waterproofing. (softshell I think it's called) It's pretty pircey, because you will use a whole bottle if you have a few jackets and pants, but there's no doubt it works, and it's easy to use (goes in the washing machine)

I understand that you should select your wax based on the snow temperature (different to ambient temperature) but not really sure on a good rule of thumb to use for picking snow temps. I guess the snow temp is usually a fair bit colder than ambient..? I've got Toko waxes, red and blue, and also some molybdenum base prep wax. Anyone know what snow temperatures to expect in Niseko? I was thinking of using the blue wax. not sure if I should use base prep first? or even base prep alone? it does says suitable for -10° to -30°C

niseko course map -> look on the right on stairway to heaven run 'BAGJUMP' http://niseko.ne.jp/en/map/images/FPmap_en.pdf

I've used them, they are great fun, and awesome for building your confidence in the air and on the approach. you pretty much always feel like you're going too fast into the ramp until you've hit them a dozen times or so. Always wear helmets, I ended up with a sore head/neck one of my first jumps - when you hit a real jump you're landing downhill, ski tips pointed somwhat down for the landing.. do this into a bag and your rear tips are going to hit you in the back of the head. the landing is slightly different because you are landing on the flat. actually my avatar <-- is on a bag in

Thanks alexeiw123. I use a Canon 7D with the supplied kit lens (28-135 mm). I have a polariser attached permanently. For scenics I use AV mode at F 11. For action shots my starting setting is M mode, 1/1,000 sec, F 6.3, ISO 100 Depending on the available light I play around with the ISO and exposure compensation. I shoot in RAW and process in Adobe Camera Raw. Hope that helps. Thanks, I have Adobe RAW, but haven't really dabled in it. I have a month or so to learn though My storage will be limited (and have a GoPro) so maybe I'll stick to .JPG if I'm running

Great posts, as usual Mike. Really enjoying your SR and thanks for putting so much effort and detail into each update. Mind if I ask what your go to mode is for shooting on the mountain? do you use full manual, speed variable or a generic sport mode? The reason I ask is I've got a canon 550d, and I'm more of a hobby landscape photographer where time is on my side. You seem to get great results with your camera. If i could get a dozen or so shots like the ones you post in my fortnight visit to Hokkaido, I will be one happy snapper!

nice effort, my jealousy is high right now.

There is a nice read about their Sapporo urban stuff in this months Freeskier mag. But definately an entertaining movie. An interesting take on skiing in Japan, but it is IMO a bit strange to fly half way around the world to a snow sports destination renouned for its pow just to ski urban. Yep, i have the new freeskier mag as well, I spotted a lot of bits in the video which were the same photoshoots used in the magazine. That's the impression I had too, until they left Sapporo, and said, 'there is just so much snow, we'd be stupid to keep hitting rails' and then they get into the r

I just got Level 1 productions 'Sunny'. It is really good, so far, haven't finished it completely. It's got a big section from Japan too, urban stuff in Sapporo until the police shut them down, then on to Niseko I think. [media='']http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYAaLzJ1fTM[/media]

Hi 8rei, the accommodation I'm staying at has a natural onsen on site, and is right outside a lift. It isn't the cheapest though, but have a look, it's called 'The Vale' Can't comment on access from train, I didn't really think anywhere was close to the train and the lifts. might be wrong.

that sounds like a good plan, righto tickets day to day, based on how the days looking. cheers!

yeah, for the lift passes, even if it's slightly cheaper to buy online, it may be worth buying them on the day, simply to be able to change our plans on the fly to suit the conditions. really appreciate all the advice everyone. I realise these things are probably pretty simple once you're there, just wanted to make sure we were tackling it the right way.

thanks anythign and seemore, I will look into booking our lift passes and bus tickets before we arrive then. I didn't realise that there was a ticket which wouldn't give you access to all four parts of the mountain, we will definitely get the niseko united pass. Our plane lands in Sapporo at around midday, so we should hopefully be able to get a time that suits. I see that some of the bus's included a days ski pass as well? neat-o

Thanks DiGriz and sand, very useful already. We will try and book with a bus company. Would you recommend buying lift passes in advance, or just when we arrive? Tex: looks like you posted the same time as me, that's great info, thanks. I didn't see the 'points' pass here http://www.niseko.ne.jp/en/lift/index.html sounds like your 12 points could go rapidly, I think she's at a level where she could/would venture out of the bunny slopes now. (she's had about a weeks cumulative experience on slopes) Yeah we tried to pick somewhere nice, and close to the lifts, as we've found b

Hi All, Couple of quick questions. Girlfriend and I are heading to Niseko mid/late January, staying at 'The Vale', which looks pretty nice. We are trying to figure what the best way is to book lift passes. we will be in Niseko for 8 days skiing (9 nights). While I'm pretty happy to ski all day, my girlfriend might not be; I vaguely remember seeing something about hourly tickets somewhere? Perhaps that was a different resort. My girlfriend is also still a beginner skiier, so we will be getting her some lessons as well, do lessons in Japan include lift passes, or are they to be purch

Hi, obviously I've never skiied a womens ski, nor would I be "experienced" in recommending one, however I've heard good things about the ladies range from soloman skis, I'm sure something in their range would be suitable. I'm not totally clear on the linking rules of this forum, but this is the salamon girls rocker range. http://www.salomon.c...ml?gender=women Mods: sorry if link isn't allowed. you can find the girls range under skis>freeski>women something like the 'rockette 90' I'd imagine would be suitable for some on and off piste, and keep in mind that she shouldn't real

bummer. I can see that image on a website so we must be close with the Yuzawa guesses. either my translation or the information is bad. I give up! back to my study!

last punt... Echigo Yuzawa?

Yuzawa Kogen