Thundercat

LOL, when I lived in Paris we got 6cms. Yep, whole damn place came to a stand still!

Well, rules is rules, right? Drove to Nagano and Niigata at least 10 times last year on regular tires (not even all-seasons). No chains, no nothing! Now, my car is a 4WD, so that helps a little. You seriously don't need them if you know what you are doing. I hate the notion that people have that using snow tires or chains are a substitution for common sense. Boneheads will end up in the ditch regardless of the safety equipment they use. It also seems that most people don't realize that once the chains go on the max speed you can drive is 50km/h. Slow down in snow!! Pretty simple c

Actually, I went through two of those 'checks' last season. Both times they had a quick look and then waved us through. Chains were in the trunk the whole time. The first time I went through one of those checks was on the way to Nozawa and it was in a blizzard. Once we got off the expressway it was a bit dodgy. Sliding here and there... kind of fun actually! If you aren't used to driving in snow I would definitely recommend using them. I've had quite a bit of practice and know how far I can usually push my luck (touch wood). Now that I think of it, where I'm from in Canada its actu

Chains are super cheap. Start from 8000Â¥. Depends on the car, tires etc. TBH, I almost never use chains or snow tires. I think you can almost always get away without using them.

Thanks again for all the advice guys. That Fstop bag looks really sweet but it's not exactly what I'm looking for as I'm looking for something more specific to just carrying camera gear (I've already got a sweet pack for some hardcore backcountry action). I only take my camera with me on fine days anyway and rarely when I'm in the backcountry. Bad weather or hardcore stuff is usually reserved for my digital video camera which can handle crap conditions without breaking. I also emailed Dakine yesterday to ask them about using the camera block with different bags. They replied that thei

I grew up in Canada and have driven several 4WD vehicles over the years. 4WD should have all four snow tires. The same goes for using chains. You can usually get away with only using one set on the front but their efficacy depends a lot on several conditions, the most important of which is the car you are driving. The drivers manual should have instructions for using snow tires and chains. As well, all of the chain shops (ex. Autobacs) will always recommend going for all four tires (it's part of their training). If the shop is going to charge a fortune like that I would suggest doing it y

Thanks for all the responses. Kind of a slow day at work (thank goodness for exams!) so I've been checking up on a few things. It seems that I can buy the camera block separately from the bag. Does anyone know what size of bag this would fit into? I was thinking about getting the 20L Heli Pro but am concerned whether the camera block would fit into it (its 15L)... this would be a lot easier if I didn't live in inaka!!

LOL, thanks Muika, I actually took quite a few last year before I realized that there was some kabi growing on the inside of the camera body which left some tiny black dots on the finished product. Very disappointed! Anyway, just got the camera back from the repair shop yesterday and started to think about ways to protect it better!! Do you know which Dakine bag it is? Maybe if you can check how many liters it holds... or something... too much selection makes me indecisive!

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'm going to check out the links you provided. One of my considerations is having something that is as compact as possible. I'll be taking a digital SLR with 3 lenses 35mm, 300mm, and a 17mm fish-eye(nothing too big). I also ride with a digital video camera but it's pretty compact so no issues there. Cheers for the suggestions... hope there will be more to come! Mitch, any chance that Dakine backpack has the insulated hydro sleeve through the shoulder strap? That's an option I really liked about my other Dakine bag!

I'm sure a similar thread exists but I couldn't find it. Anyway, I'm looking for advice on backpacks suitable to carrying a camera with multiple lenses (probably 3 extras) on the slopes. I've been looking at Dakine bags, specifically the Photo Mission bag. What do you use to safely transport your precision instruments? (get your minds out of the gutter... I'm talking about cameras!!!)

On the topic of travel insurance, be careful that there isn't a clause stating that you must be wearing proper protective gear when engaging in dangerous sports. If there is, and you're not, they may not pay!

Well, its possible things have changed, but Hakuba Alps Backpackers and the Travellers Nest (above tracks) are owned by the same people but aren't the same building. Hakuba Alps Backpackers is actually down the road a bit. I've stayed at the Traveller's Nest many many times but I can't really recommend it compared to other places I have stayed. In my experience, it was the dirtiest, most run-down accommodation I've stayed at and the price is the same as any other backpackers going... unless they have done some renovations on the place I won't stay there again. It's sad too because the owne

All the confidence in the world won't stop accidents from happening. Wearing the right protection is important for those times when the unexpected happens. I used to wear wrist guards a few years ago... Stopped though after one of my friends broke his arm while wearing them, something I had heard was a risk with using them. No idea if it caused the break, contributed to it or even minimized the damage. Wear what you feel comfortable with. That being said, I think that helmets are a must. You can recover from broken legs, arms whatever but not cracked skulls.

Well, just turned the page on my calendar this morning and was pleased to see giant red circles around day 1 of winter vacation! 20 days to go before hitting the slopes in Niseko! Anyone else coming up on their vacation?

Yeah, all of the backpackers offer dorm style accommodation. I've been to K's house before. It's pretty nice and it's in the listing on the link above.

Hey, I know that Morio from Kanon Lodge isn't allows the fastest at replying. The last time I got in touch with him I think it took him almost 3 weeks to get back to me. I find it's best to just call him (if possible from wherever your are!)

You might be right about thinking that seasons passes are the way to go but I'm not convinced. You should do a little more research before committing to buying one. Most of the resorts I've been to offer discount coupons on their websites. I thought about buying a season pass in Myoko Kogen last season and after I factored in the discounts that each resort was offering I had to go 12 times before breaking even. I think there was a thread on this site about seasons passes from different resorts as well as multi-resort passes. You should seriously look into that. One way you can

This thread has taken an interesting turn! I wonder where snowboarding would be if companies like Burton hadn't been so successful? I kind of like putting up with big knockers... in fact I put up with big knockers everyday... one of the many wonderful things about living in casa Black Mountain! BTW, MB, which board was your son looking at?

Originally Posted By: Jynxx Some boards I hear they have delamination problems. Burton is probably one of them. Made in China? Actually, if I'm to believe the label on the board it's 'handcrafted in the Austrian alps'. I agree that some Burton stuff is a little pricey. I bought this board, 2007 model, at the beginning of last season. I paid only 30,000Â¥. I rode the shit out of it last year and aside from one tiny ding it looks brand new. About 7 years ago I bought a Burton Royale and it's given me no problems and will still be going strong this season again. I'm certainly not one

Jynxx, powder boards I've ridden are: Prior Khyber and Pow-Stick, Rome Notch, Burton Malolo and Fish (of course), LibTech something and Rad-Air Tanker (I think thats what its called). I'm sure I'm forgetting a few but those are the ones I can remember off the top of my head. All boards do exactly what they are supposed to and I've got nothing bad to say about their powder smashing abilities. The reason I recommended the Fish is that it suits the conditions at Niseko well. Since there isn't much mountain above tree line in Niseko you don't really need a big mountain board. You find yoursel

Sorry, I read the message MB posted that said her son already had a park board. Maybe he needs two... my opinion is that diversity in a quiver ensures that you'll have a stick for any condition. I've got my bag of tricks sorted and always bring three boards with me just to be sure. This year's Fish is also rockered (for what it's worth )

Check Kanon Lodge on the listings section. I was quoted 2000Â¥ a night when I enquired 3 weeks ago.

I hear ya... and I take it you've never been to Niseko. On a powder day, not only would I never think to bring two boards to the mountain, I would never head to the park. If you are planning on spending an entire season in Niseko you NEED a powder board. No all mountain board would cut it. Having a few different boards on hand would never be a bad thing anyway.

phew! guess I'm not quite there yet then!!

@rider69, You honestly think the Fish is overkill? I've been riding various powder boards around Japan for quite a while now and would strongly disagree with you. In fact, I've riden loads of different powder boards in Niseko alone and have to say that it's the best board for the terrain, trees and snow there. Of course the Fish isn't that good outside of powder, that's not what it's designed for. IMO, all mountain boards are usually ok for everything but great for nothing.