akitapow

YAMABUSHI, thanks for the offer man! I'll def keep it in mind! and Yes, Im like 30-40km from Chokai! LOVE THAT MOUNTAIN TOO! unfortunately my plans to hike/ski it last spring were nixed due to the disaster, and getting involved in the relief efforts etc etc. AND Im actually leaving before the road opens this year SUCKS, but what can ya do. At least I got to summit it a couple times during hiking season.

OH NO! this doesn't sound too promising...thanks for the heads up anyway. I'm not in the military either so no dice on that oh well, hopefully something works out better than that DHL shinanigans!

Hey crew, I have to ship all my gear (snowboard,boots,etc etc) back to the states after this season and was wondering if anyone might know some good/CHEAP ways to get this done?!?!?! Any help would be great!

CHEERS MAMABEAR! and ALL donations are equally appreciated thanks again! And also a BIG THANKS to SNOWJAPAN for their support and letting this post slide. Much appreciated.

Hey Snow Japan community! Hope you all can help me spread the word on a project we have started to help raise funds to send a Sendai orphan to university. We have met with Masaya (the young man) and the orphanage director several times, and I must say Masaya is a GREAT kid and has so much potential. If you can please take a look at our Scholarship proposal below and PLEASE pass it along to anyone who may be able to help us! We could definitely use all the help we can get Much love, Paul (akitapow) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yea, I thought about giving another burton boot a shot, cause I def DONT hate the Rulers Im rockin right now, but have had some issues with them. The boot material doesnt hold up so well, Im not sure if its just me, but ALL my burton boots in the past have kind of fallen apart on me after a season of heavy riding. Right now my Rulers have a Sh#t ton of shoe glue caked on the front! haha its so ghetto fabulous. Also as of late, I feel like the quick draws are loosening up on me, cause no matter how tight I get my boots Pre-1st run, I always feel them loosen up substantially by the 2nd or 3rd ru

Ah, but did you hike naked though, akitapow? HAHAHAHA nah man, it was already super sunny out, didn't want to blind ppl with the suns reflection off my white/pale ass! ([)

such a BUMMER forsure! was just there around new years and hiked to the top Snow was def lacking but it was almost bluebird out so the views were amazing....unfortunately every time I go to Happo, the snow is "MAMA" but I can def see how it could be amazing with the right conditions! what do you guys think about Cortina!!!! love that place!

to answer the aerosol question, obviously its NOT going to be better than hot waxing da gnarstick and I doubt they advertise it as being a total replacement. I think its main purpose is for that "quick" fix when you just rolled up to the mtn and notice ur edges are a bit beat. In that case by all means spray dat shit on (there are also deodorant like sticks too) and hit it! but yea, hot wax is the way to go! and seemore, I also agree that its a great aspect of prepping for a trip! kinda creates that special bond between man/woman and board. not to sound too cheezy, but its true! haha

NICE feedback yall! My only hesitation on the BOA style boots before were the lower/upper sections not being controlled separately, but I like the idea of the dual dials, and really think i will give them a chance. Has anyones wire ever broke? and with the spare, could it be done on the mtn, with no tools?!?! just a ques. Ippy, always appreciate your feedback brudda! thanks as usual! What specifically is hard bout clippin in with the forces? Also, i havent heard many ppl rockin the nike boots! so appreciate that feedback! As a man who loves his KICKS, I have been a bit envious of ppl rock

DUUUUUUUDE! 10,000yen!!! damn thats NOT right...if they are charging that price just for waxing then thats WHACK! haha Maybe they are doing other stuff too like sharpening edges etc etc?!?! but still even with other maintenance thats still pricey. OK, I'll stop bitchin bout the price haha but you are right, you should TOTALLY start waxing yourself! YOU CAN DO IT! Some people claim it takes a lifetime to perfect the art of waxing boards/skis, which I think is probably true! and I'm definitely trying to improve my skills/technique which I think at this point is "mama" but does the trick, an

Hey folks! looks like I'm gonna need some new boots REAL soon (the shoe glue just aint cuttin it anymore) Anyway, Im rockin some 10-11 Burton Rulers. Like the boot (not LOVE) but wanna try something new, maybe even a new boot system like boa or whateva. Holler at me with any advice/comments about the boots you love/hate. I use to rock lace ups, but couldnt get the desired tightness from them. Right now with the Burtons they got the 2 zip cord thingys on each side, I really like being able to tighten the lower section and upper section separately, but lately i have noticed the cords slip

Just got back from Nozawa, and I must say it was definitely a GREAT experience! The mountain is sweeeeeeeeet! but also the tiny town that sits at the bottom is one of a kind. Real chill/laid back, FREE onsens scattered throughout town! (Also some GREAT pay ones too) and it just feels like JAPAN. I love other places like Hakuba and Niseko too! but definitely a different vibe from Nozawa. Also, next time I head back to Hakuba, I might just skip Happo One all together, and head straight to Cortina so much FUNNNN and powderlicious, haha (and a fraction of the crowds Happo gets) In the e

Thanks for all the feedback ya'll! Lotta good options floating around here

Hey party people, another gear question! Just lookin into a new set up for myself (moving away from burton, no hate or nothing, just trying something new) Anyway, I'm pretty set on what board I want, but can't decide on bindings! I personally like what I see when it comes to Union's 2012 lineup! I've been thinking about a pair of Union Force bindings. Anyone got some knowledge to drop on me? Much appreciated!

ART of FLIGHT = EPIC Travis Rice is a BEASTTTTTT...nuff said. Best snowboarder alive? let the debate begin haha

what Lib Tech board were you rockin? I was lookin into buying a Sk8 banana, because my Hero slips out ALLL the TIMEEEEEE (its really really really annoying). Anyway maybe I should look into another board?!?! Any advice would be great! thanks!

Yea, like Black Mountain said, I might be able to help as well. Just bought a Hero2 myself and the vids are SWEEEEETTTT. What do you mean by distored files? is the playback choppy?!?! hit us up!

@yamabushi, thanks for all the info! I've been up there twice and it was so much fun both times! (even though we didn't know all the sweet spots of the mtn, etc etc) Anyway, trying to get back up there SOON! but was wondering if you have any suggestions on places to stay up there, like any cheap pensions or lodges etc etc. I know the area area Hakkoda is pretty sparse, but just thought I'd ask! Hollaback!woot!

IPPY you da man! thanks for all this great info bro! you def DROPPED some knowledge on me! Just out of curiosity, what boards are you gonna rock out this season? thanks again!

Yo IPPY big ups for all the info! There ARE def soooooooo many different types of rocker boards. I wish I could demo every single one, haha. and Mich Rich, what do you like about it so much? thanks guys, great info right here

I'd definitely hit up the second hand shops and try your luck there! My buddy JUST picked up an 07 Malolo in great condition for 5000yen! ganbate!

Heyyy party people, just switched to a rocker board last season, and I LOVE IT. Picked me up a Burton Hero (i know i know to all the Burton haters, haha). Anyway, such a fun ride, super playful, great in pow! BUT, yea I definitely want to branch out from one brand, and try some new boards. Been wanting to switch to LIB TECH, but gotta save up some cash money first. Anyway all thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated! woot!

no offense to people who short ski (cause I've seen some people really ROCK OUT on them) but I just think it looks HILARIOUS, haha...and people on short skis tryin to hit POW?!?! = MORE hilarious, faceplant, faceplant, faceplant, haha

ABSOLUTELY DUMPING in AKITA!!!! woot! so stoked! Gonna make some turns this weekend! its about damn time! Hope everyone else makes it out this weekend!