2ndstringqb

I haven't tried them all, but from what I understand Gore Tex is the best. The H2No and hivent were developed by the companies who didn't want to pay for Gore proprietary technology. They're good but just not as good as Gore. If you're getting them at half price you're getting a bargain! When you buy, think of the harshest weather day you'll see and buy with that day in mind.

Hi Manny, For 10 days I think Hakuba would be a good spot. There's plenty of terrain so you won't be going down the same runs over and over. There's plenty of accomodation there in all price ranges so you can't go wrong. Tell us a bit more about what you want to do and skill level so we can get a better idea of what you're after.

Helly Hansen pants. The top can be an insulated jacket for really cold days, a shell for mild/wet days, or just a t-shirt in spring. But I never, ever leave home without my Hestra gloves. Worth their weight in gold!

Sadly, the rudeness you describe could be almost any western ski resort. Can't do much about the crowds or the runs being chopped up (no doubt any resort owner in Japan would love to have that problem!). But together, there's two reasons why i and many others here keep coming back.

In fact, from their website: With more than 35 years’ experience in childcare, Shigeko Inoue, wife of Windsor owner Yuji Inoue, has created a safe, fun place for young children to play—and a place that provides peace of mind for parents who want to have some time on their own to enjoy Myoko. The Daycare Center is located in the first floor of the hotel, and is intended for children from six months to two years of age*. Daycare is available daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fees are ¥1,600/hour, ¥1,000/hour for staying guests. Enjoy your stay, knowing your child is in good hands

I think the Windsor Hotel in Myoko might offer babysitting for that age. I've never stayed there but was one of the places I looked at while shopping around.

I've turned my envy level up to 11.

I wear one when I know I'm going to try something silly - which is almost every day. I can't go past a narrow tree run or jump without giving it a crack. Probably more likely to wear one in Japan as day off resting an injury would be devastating! That said I've only ever had two head injuries, once without a helmet and once with (which would've been far far worse had I not had one).

'I wish I were on the mountain instead of stuck at work watching the snow fall.................' I have this thought at least once an hour.

deadlymonkey just got about 50 new best friends.

I use Atsko Sportwash and it has revived old gear that I thought was completely gone. From what I hear other brands work equally well, but it's very important to never use regular detergent. It will clog up the pores and leave a residue on the outer layer's water-repellency treatment. After a weekend or trip away I'll give all the gear a wash in this stuff. Then about once a year use the Nikwax spray-on repellency stuff to put back some water proof coating.

Are there any SJers out there who have worked in a rental shop and know how often they're cleaned? Share a horror story or two!

I've been renting kids gear over the past few years and thought Japanese prices were quite high for clothing (2000-3000yen per day) and gear (4000) compared to the cost of lift tix, meals etc. But i guess most of it is the labour, store rents etc. When the cost of secondhand clothing is roughly 2 days worth of renting (which is also secondhand for all but one customer) it was an easy choice to get buy gear for the week's ski trip, even if it doesn't fit the following year.

The first time I skied on real powder was Ichirino Onsen in Ishikawa ken. I was hooked for life from then on. But the all-time best was sometime around the 13th Jan 2011 in Myoko. For about 3 days straight it didn't stop snowing the lightest, fluffiest, downiest (is that even a word?) snow I've had the pleasure of being on (and occasionally - under).

I went last year but we had so much snow in the 4 days I was there we couldn't get out of the kanko area! Needless to say it was great, but I'm heading back in late Jan to try Suginohara. No one mentions Ikenotaira? Is it worth a day or skip it in favour of Suginohara and Kanko?