beowulf
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Posts posted by beowulf
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I daresay a few of you may have seen this video, but I thought I would post it anyway.
I love the music and how this guy is making the most of what little snow there is.
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Hate to be picky, but what does that mean?
Where?
Rereading my post I can see how I did not say much. I was in a rush and in a good mood, so I did not explain my position very well. I am still in a good mood, yet have more time to expound and a chance to also put a dampener on on any high hopes for an amazing early season.
I am in Yamagata and nowhere near where he is going and I want to stress I am basing my opinions on my experience in Yamagata.
Anyway, for the first time in two seasons we had a pre-opening at one of my local resorts, which stands at an altitude of 700m. Of course there was only about 30cm of snow (it did close again on Tuesday), but compared to the two previous seasons where we had nothing until mid December I am willing to say that this season is going to happen early. Obviously an early season does not mean chest-high powder, but certainly enough to slide the board and have a bit of fun. Also where I live we are looking at some snow fall on Monday and more snowfall during the week, so I am optimistic.
Even the Japan Meteorological Agency seems to think this year is going to be colder than normal in December with normal levels of snowfall.
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/longfcst/000_2_00.html
Last year the meteorological agency did get January wrong, but were pretty accurate with December (certainly in Yamagata) predicting low snowfall . When La Nina kicked in it threw a cat amongst the pigeons and upset a lot of their predictions, but they say it is back again this year and with their data from last season I think they will be a lot more accurate with their predictions this season, which look favourable.
The last couple of seasons have started really slowly up here and I am just happy to see snow on the mountains.
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Although, where you are headed is nowhere near where I live I would say you will have no problems with snow on the ground. The season has started early (normally) for the first time in two years and it looks like it is going to be a good one.
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is the weather looking good for that weekend?
It is hard to say, but it looks like the weather is going to stay cool, so there should only be snow falling on the mountains and not rain. Where I live in Yamagata this time of year is very hit and miss with snowfall, but it looks like we are going to have some good snowfall on the mountains at least until Saturday and I am hoping it will be enough to stick.
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It looks like December 3rd.
This is contingent on the weather, but at the moment it looks like it will be all systems go.
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If you are looking to spend time in Tokyo I daresay it is probably wiser to head to Nagano or Niigata than Hokkaido. They are both roughly two hours by train from Tokyo and offer pretty good conditions. There are lots of places you can go though in Japan from Tokyo, but you just have to look around to see what you want and how much money you want to spend.
I would say head to Rusutsu in Hokkaido, but that is a long way from Tokyo and can be quite expensive, especially if you are by yourself.
Snowfall in Japan is pretty good, but ideally you want to come in January. You should have few problems travelling around Japan by yourself.
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I go out in Kabukicho all the time and have never had any problems, but I could certainly see people getting into trouble.
Kabukicho and Roppongi are not really that open when it comes to drinking. Basically you have to physically go inside a place to see what it is like, which I think is quite intimidating for a lot of people. This is why when some random person on the street comes up to you and invites you into an establishment you tend to follow.
I do think you have to be pretty unlucky to get your drink spiked.
Anyway, to avoid "drink spiking" I strongly suggest heading to Shibuya instead. Shibuya has very few touts and a lot of "standing bars" that you can walk straight into from the street; they just have some good bars in general. It also has some pretty cool clubs (though they are expensive). Shibuya is just a very cool place and it does feel safer than Kabukicho, maybe it is because it has Freshness Burger.
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Originally Posted By: grillerPerhaps one of the famous "closed" / "not operating" / "died" ones.
No, Gassan will be operating from April, like it does every year. -
Originally Posted By: thursday"but they do not have any kind of ski resort on them, or one that opens in winter."
so some ski resorts open in other seasons?
Gassan opens in Spring. -
Originally Posted By: ILoveZaoOriginally Posted By: beowulfSurely, the top of the mountain has a decent covering of snow?
No.
Oh well that just sucks.
This is the problem with Yamagata. There are two mountains right now that are covered by about a metre of snow from about 1700 metres, but they do not have any kind of ski resort on them, or one that opens in winter.
I am hoping for a big fall in the next couple of days, I - like everybody else - am really hankering for some snow action. -
I think Wednesday is when the Snow Gods will be finally kind to Zao and the rest of Yamagata.
Surely, the top of the mountain has a decent covering of snow?
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Originally Posted By: snowjunkyDon't get me wrong, I love japanese food generally but have passed on a lot of the J-breakfast selections on previous trips in favour of cereal & toast.
We are staying at a different place this year at Shiga Kogen that I suspect does not have the Aussie brekky staples.
I have previously by-passed the strange looking offerings at the typical breakfast buffet so would appreciate any advice on what may be more appetising than it looks.
Pics welcome.
Okay, I have lived in Japan for seven years and I think Japanese breakfast's kick-arse, but then again I tend to like breakfast from most countries.
Basically, a Japanese breakfast will comprise fish (salmon), rice, pickled vegetables and miso soup; you should be able to eat this.
You may also get a salad, tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) thrown in as well. All of this is edible, in fact it will be fresh, and should taste nice.
Natto is definitely an acquired taste, but I would be surprised if they serve you natto. I will go so far as to say that they will probably have a western style menu that has a "Japanese flavour", much like Japanese restaurants in Australia, which have an "Australian flavour" to them.
I say give it a go.
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Originally Posted By: RobBrightOriginally Posted By: beowulfWhy should people avoid Karuizawa? I have never been there, so I do not know why it is bad. I am just curious, because everybody seems to agree that it is bad.
It is probably a bit too expensiveã€but you could try Minakami.
Where shall I start?
Flatter than Niseko.
Artificial snow.
Runs are too short.
Even if it is real snow, then it will be ice by lunchtime.
Expensive for what it is.
The only good thing about this place, is that beginners will find it nice and easy.
Fair enough! I will not be going there any time in the near future. -
Why should people avoid Karuizawa? I have never been there, so I do not know why it is bad. I am just curious, because everybody seems to agree that it is bad.
It is probably a bit too expensiveã€but you could try Minakami.
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I would take the coast road. It is a very nice drive, but can take some time with the traffic.
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Photos will not be a problem.
I live in the northern part of Yamagata on the coast at the base of the only mountain (slight exaggeration) in all of Japan that does not have a Ski Resort on it.
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Originally Posted By: muikabochiLooks a really small place right.
Well actually yes can see on that map page on the satellite view.
I thought it was one of those places that only real locals go to.
Have you ever been to Wakabuna quite close just over the border in Niigata? Looks a bit bigger
I have only been there in summer. I might get there this year, because I want to snowboard in as many different places as possible this year; it is my winter challenge. -
Originally Posted By: SKI
Yeah that is the one. In a couple of weeks it will start snowing for real in Oguni. I have not ridden that particular half-pipe but one of my friends swears by it. She goes there almost every second week in winter.
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Originally Posted By: pie-eaterIf you are fairly close to Zao beo, where else do you frequent?
I do not live that close, but close enough to make an informed decision about the weather.
However, I spread myself around quite a bit these days. Because I live on the western side of Yamagata, during the week I either head to Akita's Yashima or go to Taranokidai for night boarding.
On the weekends I sometimes go to Yudonosan, but usually head to Jangle Jungle if I am not at Zao.
This year I am planning on trying out a few more places in Yamagata, like in Yonezawa and Oguni (the Oguni halfpipe looks interesting). -
As a person who goes to Zao 5 to 10 times a season and loves it I would still recommend Hokkaido over Zao. Zao can be a bit hit and miss at times with snow and if the wind is up it is very unpleasant. Living relatively close to Zao allows me to pick and choose when I can go there.
Contrary to popular belief Zao is pretty good for snowboarders, especially if you know your way around. The (if you are facing the mountain) right side of the mountain has some good tree runs and is fairly easy to use for boarders. However, the left side is more of a problem.
If I were you I would go to Hokkaido. The thing is I do not understand the love in with Niseko. Do not get me wrong it does kick arse, but you could go to Rusutsu and be more than happy for three days. Lots of powder, less people and you can pretty much go anywhere.
I love Zao, but I think Hokkaido is the better option especially if money is not an issue.
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Originally Posted By: grungy-gonadsNews Station sweety
Hiroko Ichikawa, it is all good.
I was also very fond of her predecessor Akiko Kawano.
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I do not want to be the bearer of bad news, but according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency it is not looking good this winter for snow fall.
I still think it is a little bit early to be forecasting what the weather is going to be like, but it does not look good.
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/longfcst/000_2_30.html
I hope la nina really kicks in.
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Originally Posted By: brit-gobSome fantastically bullshit comments coming in
"If Kim wasn't there, Mao would get gold!!!"
"This is Mao's preparation for Gold in 4 years time - when she will definitely win."
I, like you do not like the way media overhype their athletes and their chances of winning medals. I also do not like it when the media make excuses for those athletes.
However, with you coming from Britain I thought you would be used to it?! -
I like Niseko, but (I might be the only person on this forum who thinks this) I prefer Rusutsu.
Niseko is a big resort with great snow and a lot of people.
Rusutsu is a big resort with great snow, a lot fewer people and a better lift system in my opinion. Also it seems that anywhere off piste is okay (certainly when I am there it seems that way).
Anyway, back to Niseko. I do like it and think it is a fantastic place to snowboard. When I am in Hokkaido I always go there for at least one day. I have had very few problems with other people and have always had fun on and off the mountain, but I prefer Rusutsu.
Making the most of the end of a season!
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Great video.
I especially liked at the end how he described how skiing makes him feel. I can also listen to Sigur Ros anytime.