Tex

Sure are into some quirky stuff A little off topic but what are those large metal louvers for along the road side in rural Hokkaido/Niseko area...?

Originally Posted By: Go Native Ok there appears to have been some confusion over the use of the term 'bottomless' when referring to skiing/boarding. I think it would be good if we all got on the same page in it's usage. First off bottomless does not refer to snow depth. It's an adjective to describe turns in unconsolidated powder snow where you can't feel the consolidated base at the bottom. If your edges are biting into the base on a turn then it is not bottomless. For me true bottomless turns are about the best feeling you can have skiing. The turns seem effortless as you just float d

I can't imagine they are trying to hide anything given Onsen etiquette, my bet is they are trying to stop any drips or splashing other peoples shoes OT what is funny for me is those crazy little stools in the Onsens, I have to kneel down and then get on it

My advise is do not make any plans - but have a couple of back up plans

This Aussie thing hyperbole - we Aussies really love to beat up on ourselves for some reason, I spoke to a couple of locals who could not speak highly enough of the Aussie contingent. How many incidents of note (and I mean significant) have occured this year? I have a friend who waxed lyrical about never going to Niseko because of all the Aussies and would only do the more "unknown" "real" Japanese ski areas because there were too many Aussies in Niseko, yet he had never been there. Everyone seems to want to make themselves significant and unique... is this a self esteem issue. Re

This thread is a perfect example of why I study Law

Jynxx you are a completely rationale person...You should be scared of getting buried, real scared it would not be good and the THOUGHT of it is very scary. It should be very scary for everyone. What is not very scarey at all is the likely hood of it happening, yes it can happen, but you can reduce the risks in many ways. Just like parachuting manage the risks as best you can and you are going to be safe - things can go wrong - just be ready, dreaming about it is making you ready PS For sure get someone to bury you in a managed situation, and I bet you really do not fear being b

Cheers spent a good few hours yesterday doing up a video (Full from trip) and the puter (well the program) crashed losing all the work done That short one is about the extent of the video of me... as I was the camera owner and hence main videographer, the rest is mainly of my travel companions so a fair bit of on piste cruising as well, as I tended to meet them at the bottom when the snow and pow was still fresh I also thought I spent lots of time filming, not so it seems with under two hours of footage from 6 days, but I think it just seems like lots when you are watching th

Originally Posted By: Mantas Alcohol abuse is getting out of control here in Oz, and other places to from what I hear, it's only natural that a town full of Aussies has the the same micro problem. Like Gn said. Lock the bastards up for the rest of their stay or longer. True - really no different to any night out after 11pm in most cities around Aus, drunken rednecks everywhere...

LONG POST COMING OK brief wrap up from my Japan trip as a 1st timer skiing in Japan, more intended for those who do not have the experience already. I get pretty excited about my snow holidays and spend more time web surfing, researching and living vicariously through others before I attend, than the time I actually spend on snow. All part of the adventure... perhaps this will help someone do the same. We booked through an "Niseko" agent based out of Sydney (won't mention any names as I understand promo is off the cards here?.?.?) and got what I would consider a very good deal - cert

No problems thanks for adding here... What format would you prefer the upload to be? Is one particularly better than any other - I will have more later

Hey thanks, was just about to do that

Originally Posted By: Jynxx They are sooo slow... but check out the Gin Bobcats. You might change your mind lugging around with the heavy glider. How dare you! I will never join the dark side Yes we still have a healthy HG population in AUS though the punters are taking over the world... slowly... I have a salt water pool and have been trying to inhale some water LOL

Hey Mitch, certainly got some good advice and did find a few nice pockets that always seemed the last to get tracked out. Not sure I ever got any real 'secrets' though plenty of freshies to be well content anyway I will share 'my secrets' when I can see though both eyes again (see below) Home.... have a had a pretty slow depressing return, unpacked, sorted out a few things and slept Wednesday. Sick yesterday (serious sinus issues) and looks like I am off to the doctor today for the same thing. Indeed a Hangie... BM = Hang Glider Pilot suffices

Last day out today. More fresh powder (well we have had that just about everyday) started out via gate 5 and took a few lines down there. Spent the rest in the area taking stashes amongst trees and off the sides of runs finding plenty of untracked areas for quite a while. Heading out for a night ski later to round off the trip. All expectations fulfilled and more. Certified snow snob now, with 6 powder days in a row. Well maybe one day did not fill in real well but you could still find it. Will follow up with a run down of more logistical stuff on return home. Time has travelled fast and we ha

Great powder day early, hit the sides of runs around the top and Strawberry and Blueberry. Peak gate opened today with the sun coming out it was nice to see the different vistas from all the best spots. Got a bit warm down low with snow melting in the village and no new snow though out the day. Great to have a bluebird day to see around and carry a bit more speed finishing the day carving the groomers. Not much photography today to busy going down hill

Only here until tuesday (depart in the morning) so just two days left Here is some video, mostly taken later the day after I got some of the crew I was with. You can see I get pretty sloppy in there most of the time. Amazing how getting tired effects your capabilities. As usual Murphy is killing all the best stuff with hideous fogging... anyway enjoy. Tex in Niseko http://vimeo.com/9084010

Back to Annupuri via a few runs and some nice foot deep powder around the edges to get warmed up, then Gate 1 for a run and next time up they had opened Gate 2 so we headed out there. Mid thigh goodness, thought we got some good video action but the lens was fogging up so missed most of the better shots. Ran it a couple more times and day 4 was proving to be another winner. The thighs were starting to burn pretty hard so headed in early through heavy snow, which has since given way to sunshine again. Shopping, Onsen, Dinner, Bed.

OK thanks, don't know why they don't appear first time like that just using the image icon from a cut and paste of the photo properties on the forum web? Anyway apologies to all for lack of quality and quantity, travelling with my sister and her friends so spending more time behind the camera than in front of it and most of that (nearly all) is video of them so trying trying to get some quality footage of them and JUST my own turns in is more a responsibility than I realised it could be Big shout out to all helping with the advise (you know who you are) helping to make it a great tr

Still dropping about 5cm an hour by my estimations

OK I thought I followed all posted instructions but they are not showing...

Yep log in now complete I have been behind the VIDEO camera more than the stills so no good action shots but here a couple to show the atmosphere

I would but unless I am doing something wrong my insider account has not been activated Been getting more video than stills anyway but I'll try and post some elsewhere soon... Been dumping since we went out to dinner and at least 10cm has fallen over that time. Light dry goodness

Straight over to Higashiyama and a few runs down by the Wonderland chair rewarded us with great untracked powder. Jumped over to Annupuri as advised and had to take Gate 1 as Gate 2 and the peak were closed (though plenty ducking, we were good bunnys) Spent most of the rest of the day hitting the back bowl from Gate 1 as it was filling in nicely once it started puking for quite a while... face shots lay down powder turns nuff said will die a happy man