NECK

So it seems that most SJ users rate the GoPro above the Contour. I think they both have pros and cons, but have opted to go with the ContourROAM. Any SJ users have the ROAM?

Yeah I feel the same way Mr Wiggles. Did you go that way when coming from Cortina? That long line comes out where the pipe was/should still be......

Rider 69, the GoPro Hero2 is 10,000 yen more than the ContourROAM.... Seemore, yeah I worry about the GoPro helmet mount. It seems stupid to have it sticking up like that! The Contour is mounted on the side of the helmet, but still is held only by 3M sticky pad stuff... My buddy uses the goggle mount for his ContourHD, but says he constantly needs to tighten the goggle strap.

Thanks snowpony. Yeah norcal, the audio is pretty shocking on the majority of GoPro footage I watch! My buddy has the old ContourHD, but he uses the waterproof case so it can't record audio when he rides. The Contour can be mounted to a pole exactly the same as the GoPro, but you need to buy the universal mount and the pole mount seperately (around 400 yen for the pair on Rakuten). At this stage I am leaning toward the ContourROAM......

Thanks for that. I have a feeling this photo is from last season, or before last season..... Has anyone been there and actually seen it this season?

My buddy rocks the Slackcountry UL and says it's the best board he ever had. I am seriously considering getting the 157 one for myself. You got it cheap!

Yeah, I did look into those Snowpony. Are they any good? I have read mixed reviews on the new 1080p ones..... I am pretty set on either the ContourROAM or a GoPro at this stage.

Thanks Gary. Yeah, I hear the 60FPS at 720p on the GoPro is great for slow mo when editing. I didn't think to use the headstrap over a helmet. That is a good idea. The waterproof casing (lack of) is not an issue with the ContourROAM, as it's 1 m rating is more than enough for snowboarding in powder. Mounting on the pole does give nice footage, but I would use the camera on the helmet only, plus maybe mounted underneath a cruiser skateboard for bombing hills. It seems Rakuten has all the accessories for the Contour.

I am in the market for a helmet can but am undecided on which one to go for. I like the look and ease of use of the ContourROAM, but many people seem to recommend the GoPro Hero2 for picture quality. I ride tree lines a lot and am worried that the top mounting of the GoPro, may cause the camera to be taken clean off if I don't duck low enough under a branch! I would appreciate any comments or advice any Contour or GoPro users can offer. I am looking to buy one of them ASAP. Thanks. NECK.

Does anyone know if Norikura has a halfpipe this season? I know they had one last season but didn't really look after it so well...

I need to replace my snowshoes and am looking for some with a heel-bar for ascents. Does anyone have any that they are looking to sell? I am looking for something like the MSR Lightning ascent or the MSR Evo Ascent. Please let me know if you have any you want to sell, or know someone who does. Thanks.

Amazing photos! Looks almost like a 'Haikyo' ski resort. Reminds me of a trip I took to 'Russian Village' in Niigata a while back.

Never Summer are the best boards for slightly bigger, heavier dudes. They are built tuff in Summit County Colorado and will last you a good few seasons of abusive riding! Burton boards are for gapers ;-)

OK thanks Black Mountain. I will save that line for when times are really hard. Seemore, is it possible to get to that bowl through the top gate? It looks like a long traverse/hike to get that far across.... Nice looking bowl though! Yes Mr Wiggles, it is pretty lame to say the least but what can we do? Maybe the kind lifties over at Norikura would just cut me a break. Seemore seemed to be able to reason with them to get back to Cortina :-)

Give it a pass, meaning that it isn't worth doing given my lift pass situation? To be fair, there are so many amazing lines to be had within the main bowl area....

Does anyone know a way to do the long line from the gate at the top of the top lift at Hakuba cortina (I think it's called the 'Heida gate'), without having to use a Norikura lift to get back to Cortina? I have the JTB 29 resort pass which is good for both Cortina AND Norikura, but they won't give me the double resort day ticket, even though it's only 500 yen more! I offered to pay the 500 yen extra, but obviously this being Japan...... No can do. It's one or the other per day. No exceptions :-( Norikura single lift rides are like, 400 yen or so I think, so how many single lifts would I need

They stamp the date in the little booklet so I think it would be difficult to get 2 on the same day, unless they simply don't look at the booklet properly when you go for your second of the day... Alexski, the 29 are all over Japan, with 4 in Hakuba area, a couple in the Myoko area, 1 in the Shiga area and a bunch of ones furthar south and in other prefectures, including Gifu, Hokkaido and Niigata. It is a very good deal!

I was looking at the Slackcountry too. Looks like a nice Ride. My 09/10 Society was made in Austria. I guess they staggered their line to the new factory or something.... Won't stop me from buying Ride anyhows. Best boards I've ridden hands down!

It is slightly discolored, but looks like it has been crushed a little around the area where the tobe enters the shoulder strap. I can't fully contract the tubing around these stressed areas. I can feel the CO2 from my breath at the rear vent, so I guess this means I am still in business for this season. Thanks Mitch. Oh, and are you HCC Mitch by any chance?

Sorels do the job nice like ;-)

This season I decided to get the JTB 29 resort pass, as it includes 3 of my favorite resorts and was the same price as a season pass for just one of those resorts. The pass is good for both Cortina and Norikura. As these 2 resorts are linked, does it mean I can get a day pass for both resorts? Or does it mean that I can only get a day pass for one or the other on any given day? If anyone who has the JTB pass can help me on this one I would be grateful. Neck.

Solo is no problem. Nagano is very safe and you will make friends to ride with straight away. I recommend you book into one of the many foreigner-owned pensions in Hakuba. Enjoy!

Don't forget your back-country equipment, and learn how to use it. Safety first.

It is such an amazing service! I used to use it all the time between Tokyo and Hakuba.

1) Brazil 2) Alaska 3) Canada (B.C.)