SantaCruz

Originally Posted By: Jynxx Expected... Pieps Avalung MSR snowshoes prove, shovel, telescopic stocks Interested... Snowpulse airbag system Splitboard setup. What are pieps and Snowpulse airbag system?

Originally Posted By: Moonwalker Hey Santa Cruz: If you're keen to meet up with another CA guy and show these Aussie's how to ski powder, let me know. Bay Area transplant in NZ now. --Eric Eric, I'm down to meet up. I'll be in Niseko Jan31 - Feb14. I haven't done to much riding in powder, but I'm there to learn! I'm a San Diego transplant in Seattle now. Did school at UCSC. PM me so we can work out details.

Good to know. I finally got my trip booked. In Niseko Jan31 - Feb14. I'm super stoked about it

Originally Posted By: gaijindrifter Trees outside my office right now are still green, actually just bought an all-weather camera to take pics of the kouyou when it comes out and of when we head out boarding I've been thinking about getting a ruggedized camera for snow trips. What model did you get?

Originally Posted By: pickled mushhead Places listed on http://www.snowjapan.com/e/hotel/niseko-hokkaido-accommodation.html GoNative Thanks pickled. I've already got lodging for my trip. I meant getting a feel for the real estate market in Niseko. Cheers

Just for shits and giggles... I'm doing a trip to Niseko in Jan/Feb. If I wanted to get a feel for whats on the market, prices, etc who would I ping about that?

Bucking the trends of a typical El Nino year, the Pacific NW has been getting a lot of early snow. Whistler is opening this weekend.

About to book a week in Park City, Utah. Just booked 2 weeks in Niseko. So at least 21, plus whatever I end up doing in Washington.

LachyD, nice sounds like you'll have a good time. I'll let ya know when I'm in Niseko, we should grab a pint. (I'm traveling solo, so def looking for people to ride with).

I'd also suggest knee pads. For beginners it'll help prevent your knees from getting raw since you'll be falling and getting up a lot. For more advanced boarders that have beginner friends it's much more comfortable waiting for them Mamabear, I've been told that broken wrists are the most common SB injury, so wrist guards seem like a good idea. But an interesting question is if it's a common injury among more experienced boarders. Anyways, I'm of the philosophy that I've only got one body so I try and pad it out as much as possible. I've already got a knee that bothers me, don't

I'm on the verge of getting my plane and lodging booked. (Yes I know I'm a slacker). Starting to get excited about it as well

Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver Americans can't get Working Holiday Visas Noooooooooooooooooooooo. Oh wells.

Nic! Congrats on getting stuff organized LachyD. Originally Posted By: LachyD I have organised a working holiday visa If you don't mind em asking, how hard was it to get the Visa? I'd be interested in knowing what the process is to apply. Who knows, maybe next season I'll try and do the same

Nice.

Welcome ResortGuy!

Half a day?! Ha, in Tokyo it's seriously about 5-10 mins to get it changed. I'll take peeps advice that it's a hassle in Niseko. And ya know, no use for either of us to beat a dead horse

Originally Posted By: SKI Travellers cheques seem somewhat antiquated now... Perhaps, but they don't charge me a fee for exchanging Nothing antiquated about saving some money.

Gtrain, thanks for that info. Def good to know since it'll impact my decision wrt travelers checks. How far away is Kutchan? Is there a shuttle?

Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver does ANYONE actually use travellers cheques anymore? I've been to Japan twice (non-snow trips) and have used them. It's somewhat of a hassle since you have to cash them when you're there, but over all I like them a lot. I just exchange them for Yen and don't bother trying to paying directly with them. Benefits: * Safer than bringing cash since AmEx will replace them if stolen * No fees to exchange them. * This might not be true for everyone. I'm in the US so of course there's no exchanging currencies since I've got USD already.

Didn't realize that androids skied. Or that they had gender! Although it does make sense that if they existed that they'd be in Japan.

Nice. For a noob who's never been to an area (like me), the maps are super helpful. It's great being able to see how close you are to the lifts.

Def racist.

After possibly needing surgery for a torn MCL I'm relieved to find out that I don't need it. Just doing some PT for it now and strengthening my leg. Since this it's ok to do some boarding again this winter I'm just now getting to planning my trip to Niseko and had a few questions about getting to and from there. * I'm in Seattle and comparing the prices for SEA->Chitose and SEA->Narita it looks like there's a difference of about $300 - $500 depending on the dates. If anyone could suggest a cheap domestic airline that does Narita<->Chitose that'd be cool. *

Adam, can u PM me the person you're working with in Japan? Just now getting around to planning my trip! Cheers.

Dollar is hurting as well, back down to 90 Yen to the $1 =(