alexeiw123

Originally Posted By: RobBright wow - thats slow familia - last time was in september - one week turn around as I phoned them up very angrily and also emailed as well mate's ps3 dropped dead at the same time ok so i got my xbox back and it took just under 2 weeks this time, better turn around, and it is once again working fine. hopefully it stays that way now!

looking SJ hakuba accomodation page, i don't see any info on Hotel De Laile, but a quick google search will find info for you. when are you planning this trip to hakuba? i will be in hakuba late january and cannot wait! are you aware that happo one is only 1 resort in 7 that surrounds hakuba village? this is my first trip to hakuba, but from what i have read hakuba 47 and goryu have a lot of boarding terrain.

I want to be in that snow! lovin the pics MP i always look forward to your next batch, keeping me sane until 17th jan!

come onnnnn snow.

i'm going to get some. where i will stick ti so it doesn't come off i have no idea. how big are thee stickers?

take some skis. haha nah im kidding. i'd think longer board for powder. glorious powder.

Originally Posted By: Ezorisu it seems like it would be faster to catch the Whistler Gondola and the PTP to access Blackcomb rather than going the Blackcomb Gondola/Excellerator/Jersey Cream route or the Wizard Express/Solar Coaster chairs up from Balckcomb base. That is assuming no lines and all lifts running at top speed... wow... reminds me just how big whistler is! went there to ski when i was about 14! damn i've gotta get back. hmm maybe next year avoiding olympic time. (I'm lucky enough to have relos in pemberton and friends in whistler)

Originally Posted By: RobBright No doubt about that - but its never taken longer than a week to get it sent out and returned and free of charge. talkin about the xbox? mine is back under warranty at the moment for the third time. each time it has taken around 4 weeks to do a return trip. first time the power button stopped working, second time the controller sync button stopped working, and this time i got the red rings (luckily warranty was extended to 3 years for red rings) PS3 has never missed a beat for me.

theres a thing in the Q&A on the whistler blackcomb website about how it handles high wind. can't remember the figures but % downtime to win is expected to be pretty low

haha yeah i had no idea about duty free on snow gear, so i just got it, then bought a new camera on tuesday, simply because the price was good enough for me to not worry about the 10%, and get a months worth of decent photos before i go. oh if you need excitment i'd happily tell you about the gear i bought from snowbiz gc haha.

how'd you go with that gear? end up buying it?

i'm just looking at purchasing an Olympus Tough 1030SW because i wont be worried about putting it in my pocket and falling on it. plus it is suitable to -10ºC and i can use it at or in the beach here at home. dont think there is a compact otu there as durable as this... suppose that doesnt really answer your question on wether your existing camera will be fine, but thats what i'm doing.

i watched it.. and yes there is maybe 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning which is all japan and just so good to watch. great movie.

never seen snow then heading to japan.. what an introduction to the white stuff you will have. i'm doing the same thing mattaus is doing, beleive the bus trip takes around 4 hours. as for buying your gear, I came to the same conclusion for my trip and bought all my gear, rather than hire. I bought it from here in oz, as there is some good off seasons specials on here, and with the financial situation I wasn't going to risk paying more in japan, whilst struggling with the sales.. not speaking japanese and all. also I am 6 foot 4 so not really a stadard height for japan. The mob I

what is the 29 about anyway?

excellent, thats what i like to hear ! i've got pretty strong legs from lots of hard gym work and years of cycling and swimming, so hopefully i can put that to use. thanks alot! i was hoping there'd be some hands on experience with them here!

130 - 95 - 119 ha yes they are not aesthetically challenged, thats for sure. I've only ever skiied hire skis, so never been on anything new let alone a twin tip.. i can't wait to get in there. got a pair of nordica SM10 boots to go with http://www.nordica.com/site/skiboot.php?site=13&lang=1&id=62

i'm not familiar with the term spats.. but guessing it has something to do with fat twin tips. or that spatula ski that i've heard of but never seen. as far as i can see the ARG is meant for nothing but powder. and i can see why the JJs would be better on ice and traversing with the shape of the edges, but i was really after something i could take anywhere on the mountain, i've never skiid deep powder before, so it will be new to me, and as i understand these skis will be great in it, and i am told they are still a solid contender on the groomed runs.

well will be in hakuba for 2 weeks, so all 7 around the village and probably nozawa, and hopefully shiga kogen

i'll be sure to write up and let you know when i get back in feb, I beleive this model (07-08) and the newer ones are stiffer than older models.

So Does anyone here ski, or has skiied on Armada skis? I'm just basically looking for some opinions after having purchased my first ever pair of skis (yay no more hiring for me) for my hakuba trip in january. I guess I'm excited and am sick of looking at them, and want to hear opinions form someone who has used them. the skis that I bought are armada ARV (185cm) with marker 12 free bindings.

mattaus, i'm no expert but I would imagine that if you were to just buy a shell, and then wear a jumper underneath the jumper would not breathe well and would get very sweaty, and could potentially get very wet. wearing somethign that holds moisture in the snow is a bad idea, as once you stop moving that moisture is going to get COLD. I just bought all new gear form snowbiz in gold coast (and online from the brisbane store) and they were more than helpful, alot of discounted stuff now aswell. I'd suggest buying a proper jacket, breathability is important, maybe talk to friends, i've

awesome shots!

Originally Posted By: Mattaus Quote: where are you staying? sounds VERY similair to my trip, we will be there late jan to early feb I tried PMing you but its disabled or I don't have permission or something. We have had it organised for us through STA Travel here in Brisbane. We wanted to go late Jan early Feb but the $800 per person price difference fazed us a bit. So now we are heading off on the 21st of feb for 2 weeks. The lodge we are staying at is the Wind Jacket Lodge in Hakuba. I checked it out, seems pretty nice - typical wooden lodge in the snow, cant really complain. Though I

Originally Posted By: Mattaus For 4 people to Hakuba 16 Days, 15 Nights. 10 Day Ski pass, all gear hire, all accomodation, all flights and transfers plus 2 nights in Tokyo and a castle tour somehwere for $3200 Australian per person or 1363 Pounds (sorry no pound symbol on this keyboard). In my country thats a pretty darn good deal! where are you staying? sounds VERY similair to my trip, we will be there late jan to early feb