FISS
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Posts posted by FISS
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Went to one of the local ski shops today to have a proper look at the Dynastar outland 80 but they only had the outland 75. The outland 75 would definitely be more suited to groomed runs, with the extra width of the outland 80 it should be better off piste than the ski I looked at. The 75 seems to not be too stiff and I am guessing there won't be too much difference between it and the 80, I think the ski will be reasonably easy to turn and feel good at lower to normal speeds but will not feel so good if you ski really fast on it.
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The dynastar outland 80 has received some pretty good reviews from American users. It looks like a good ski. Is it the 152cm that you can get cheap? If so it is probably a little short for you, it maybe OK for your wife in that length though. 5mm less width is going to make it easier to turn and quicker response edge to edge but you will lose some of the floatation provided by the slightly fatter ski. Every ski you buy will be a compromise.... there is no such thing as a ski that is perfect for all conditions. It's about finding the one that is the closest fit to what you want from it and the price you want to pay.
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Depends how long I soak:
Just right amount of time: relaxed and recharged with this sort of light feeling in your body
If I soak for ages: relaxed to the point of wanting to sleep and usually pretty thirsty too.
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Had a quick look at the skis in question and although I haven't personally ridden them they seem like they should be good for you needs. I totally agree with the dimensions that MikePow gave you, I especially like the fact he included appropriate radii for your skis as often powder skis will have a larger 21+m radius which will not be what you need.
Once you get your skis and head to Japan, if you end up with powder and haven't skied it before then I would strongly advise that you take a ski lesson. There are a few tactics that will prove invaluable when trying to ski soft snow and spending a few bucks for instruction will have you falling over less and getting to grips with it earlier.
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If you are going off piste in Japan, especially as a not so experienced skier then those 95mm+ waisted skis will definitely be a help. The problem with the fatter ski if you are predominately on groomed terrain or the not so deep powder that builds up on the groomed runs is the sluggish nature it will move from edge to edge. This coupled with usually less side cut on powder skis will mean that turning the ski is far more difficult than the narrower skis.
I have skied arm pit deep powder in Japan on skis only 60mm under foot and loved it before the invention of powder skis. Personally I own a multitude of skis from really skinny to really fat and can ski all the mountain on any of them, so don't really see the necessity of having to go much bigger than 70-80mm for skiing the powdery groomed runs in Japan unless you get alot of snow.
personally I would go for a mid fat given your description above rather than fat skis if buying them and bringing them along. The hard thing is predicting the amount of snow accumulation on your holiday. If you are waking up every day with another 60cm + sitting on top of the grooming then a fat ski will allow you as an intermediate skier to survive, however if you are unlucky and don't get the powder and end up with hard snow conditions then the fat skis will be harder to turn and grip and will also start to aggravate you knees with the amount of force required to keep them on edge. This is due to the extra leverage that comes on the fat ski as your foot is further from the edge
If you can only afford one ski get something you can ski in Japan and at home in Oz. If you buy something super fat it will only be of use to you in soft snow. If you buy something that you like that works in most conditions then if you end up with huge amounts of powder and need to you can always rent.
If you don't ski much renting is a great option. It is more expensive than buying if you do a lot of skiing but allows you to choose skis for the conditions and also means not having to travel with them which is a big bonus.
The post above covers renting in Rusutsu. Renting in Furano (where I live) is easy. We have a few companies in town renting equipment and they have everything from skinny to fat, cambered to rockered etc and will have something to make skiing our snow enjoyable.
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The dimensions of the skis you mentioned should be fine as you predominately ski groomed runs. I have not skied either of those skis so can't comment on how they ski.
I would recommend seeing if you can try them in Oz before you buy, many shops have demo programs where you can try the ski and the cost of the demo for the day is taken off the purchase price.
Skis are expensive and its good to make sure you are buying something YOU like. Everyone has personal preferences to what makes a good ski, try as many as you can and get the ones that suit you.
The snow is much better in Japan than Oz but the skis you mentioned above aren't super stiff and if you like them on the snow in Oz you should love them on the silky snow you will have in Japan.
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Where I live in Furano there seems to be fairly even numbers of skiers and boarders, but what is suprising is the number of telemarkers we seem to have on the mountain. Its mainly the locals but they are more numerous than in any other country I've skied in.
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Yep the season bus ticket is definately a bargain. Most of the tourists don't know that they sell the season ticket so cheap so its normally only people who work in Niseko or are in the know that buy one.
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The Japanese success in disabled snowsports I believe can be attributed to their education system and the great funding the National Team enjoys. The Japanese have great systems in place to cater for individuals with disablities while being included in the mainstream education system so there isn't the need for separate programs, this theme is carried over a little into snowsports. Japanese children have an amazing work ethic and children with disabilities are actively encouraged to join in all P.E. classes at school and also play games with able bodied children. This gives the Japanese a great talent pool of people with skills that potentially cross over into many sports. Other factors at play maybe the size of their population, the small size of the country and the amazing transportation systems making it easier for large numbers toget to the mountains
Other countries do have great programs, the US has probably some of the best adaptive programs in the world and some of the best adaptive racers. Europe has programs too and also enjoys success on the would stage. You will be pleased to know "BagOfCrisps" that Britain has some great disabled athletes and will maybe bring you home some medals next paralympics!
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Mamabear's post was spot on and I just wanted to elaborate on buses to Kutchan from Niseko. Your cheapest option is to take the "Night Go" bus it only runs in the evenings but costs about 300yen return for one trip or if you are there for 3 weeks get the season ticket for about 500 yen which will allow you to use the bus all season long. (these are last years prices so may have gone up slightly next season)
Its easy you jump on the bus in Hirafu from one of the many stops head to Kutchan, load up with groceries and jump back on a later bus and head home.
There are 2 main supermarkets in Kutchan (max value on your way into Kutchan or the coop by the train station) Max value is probably slightly cheaper but its easier getting back on the bus from the train station.
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I have skied all over Japan and have loved everywhere I've tried. If you want quanity of snow then head for central honshu resorts, if you want uber light powder head north to anywhere in Hokkaido. The lightest snow in Japan is in central hokkaido in resorts such as Furano, Tomamu , Sahoro and if you like powder I agree with the guys saying Asahidake! Asahidake isn't a resort though just lift accessible off piste but has amazing views and is better skiing than most overseas heliskiing without having to pay for the chopper.
If you normally ski overseas then anywhere in Japan will blow your mind with its snow and all of the places mentioned by the other posts are epic places to ski.
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Japan produces many of the best adaptive ski racers in the world and pretty much cleaned up the medal tally last paralympics.
Unfortunately there aren't many adaptive programs in Japan and hiring mono skis will be a challenge.
I would recommend either taking your own over or if you were thinking of upgrading it maybe buying a Nissin mono ski (made in Japan and probably the best sit ski in the world going on world cup results) and taking it home.
On a more positive note the japanese people in resorts will be very helpful and most of the bigger hotels and establishments will be wheelchair friendly although there isn't the same legal requirements to make properties accessible as many other countries, so it would pay to contact the places you were thinking to stay in advance to ensure you pick somewhere accessible. It also shouldn't be too hard to find adaptive ski instructors while over there if needed. Another thing to consider is your transportation to resort if its by bus maybe drop them an e-mail so see how easy getting on and off the bus is. Japanese Rail is exceptional and may be an easier option if changing train multiple times isn't required to get from the airport to resort.
If you do bring your Mono ski with you it maybe worth considering Takubin (parcel delivery service in Japan) and sending it from the airport to resort and back to save carrying it. The Takubin service is cheap and the Japanese take great care of things they are delivering unlike sending things in other countries.
Ok...Guys and Girls ..Ski width for Japan...
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Hi Cameronandcaron,
you are most welcome. I have to say that I am on the same page as MikePow, it is obvious from the information he gives that he is both knowledgeable and in the ski industry.
The Head Supershape he is on is an excellent ski and would definitely be also worth a look. It is a ski that ticks so many boxes, it is a ski that anyone from high intermediate to expert can get something from and ski anywhere on the mountain. If anyone says it can't be skied well both on and off trail I would urge them to watch Richie Berger on the internet. He rips on them. It is the best ski mentioned so far but you will need to be more precise on it off piste than some of the other skis you've mentioned.
In regard to some of the later posts fatter skis create more leverage trying to get the ski flat and hence more forces on the knees. This won't be a problem if you are only skiing soft snow or mainly ski with a flat ski and don't really use your edges, but I wouldn't suggest buying a 100mm ski and skiing them for everything. I had 6 weeks in colorado a few years ago and only took 2 pairs of skis (slalom & fat powder skis). It was a really bad season for snow and I obliterated my slalom skis on a rock and had to spend the last 3 weeks skiing on hard groomers on the powder skis. I was fine at first but after a couple of weeks my knees were killing me. I got to the point where I was only able to do one run a day because it was so excruciating. The good news is that a couple of weeks rest and I was back to normal so no permanent damage done, but if you have issues with your knees don't ski hard snow on super fat skis! Fat skis are designed for soft snow and that's where they work best. Narrow race skis are designed for hard icy race courses and that's where they work best. It's about getting the right compromise for you and as I mentioned earlier MikePow seems on the money to me.
Jimmers comments are valid too