Wangta
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Posts posted by Wangta
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Stopped by Niseko today...everything was closed due to high winds. Literally, everything except the bottom runs at Grand Hirafu. Annupuri was completely closed. Lame.
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My heart is in Niseko, however many bogens are there.
Same here. I'm heading back up a fortnight from this Saturday. Can't wait. How was Korea? I've always been curious, but have then always managed to scrape enough coin together hit Niseko.
Oh and hello from a fellow Hongkie...
If you're asking about how is skiing/boarding in Korea...it sucks. Been a number of times. It's like a poor man's version of New England skiing....icy, crappy snow....and expensive (relative to Japan).
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Hanazono
Annupuri peak from the top of Hanazono 1 lift.
Thanks for the photos. Any idea if the topside is all skiied off?
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Interesting weather here now. Forecast was for clear blue sky and sunny well we have a thick cloudy sky and it is snowing around the higher mountains and looks like it could start down here as well.
Where are you snowdude?
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Whoops - just posted in another thread asking about conditions in Niseko. How are the runs off the backside? I was hoping it would be snowing this week but looks like it'll be clear until Friday. Are the backcountry runs still powdery or all tracked out?
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Hey all - Just spent the day near Asahikawa at Kumui Ski Links. Had a nice sunny day - the groomed runs were nearly perfect corduroy. Looking at the forecast, this area isn't supposed to get snow for the rest of the week, which is unfortunate given we were hoping to get some powder.
Anybody in Niseko now? I know Sapporo got some snow a couple days ago - but looking at the schedule, doesn't look like Niseko is supposed to get any snow until Friday. Are runs still powdery at Niseko even though it hasn't snowed for a couple days?
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Rider - any chance these are available in Tokyo or Asahikawa? I'll be coming next month and am contemplating buying either a BCA or Snowpulse ave backpack.
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The mountains in Nagano are much steeper, gnarlier BC than Hokkaido.....MAYBE you'd find something down there.....any of the Hakuba locals got any info??
Thanks Tubbybeaverinho - yeah, it was a debate between Nagano and this (we went to Niseko last year). We're big into backcountry powder runs and were under the impression, from researching, that the powder in Hokkaido was > the powder in Nagano. Plus, Nagano seems more resort like?
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Dont need an airbag for asahidake. Its pretty flat.
Was planning on also hitting Kamui Links and Kurodake - which I had read has some steeper stuff (though not a huge vert). Is Asahidake that flat?
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I don't know if many people on here use them mate. There have been a few who have said that getting them filled up over here is über difficult.
Where are you intending to shred when (hopefully) using this gear?
Yeah, that's what I've been finding as well in my research - which blows my mind! Given all the snow in japan, I assumed this would be a prime spot for ave bags!
Planning to be in Asahikawa...which is the second largest city in Hokkaido, but I wonder if they will have refill services which seem to be hard to find even in bigger cities in Japan!
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Yeah, start at home with the us avalanche centre. I should not need to tell you that.
? What are you talking about? I'm asking how to fill/buy cartridges...I shouldn't have to tell you that either.
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sorry I only just took real notice of this today: I have been e-mailing BCA for the last 12 months about this issue for Japan. I got a reply Jan 31: Here is what he said:
Hello,
Thanks for the email. If you buy the cylinder in Japan from our distribution company Sonne then you can refill it in Japan because it has the proper certifications that Japan requires as a country. If you have purchased the cylinder in the US then it does not have the proper Japanese certifications and you will not be able to refill it it in Japan. Let me know if you have any further questions.
Best,
--
.......Customer Service Representative
sorry for the bad news and good luck.
Hey guys - so I am headed to Japan again this year (first time last year) and will be headed up to Asahikawa (central Hokkaido) and have decided to buy an avalanche backpack for the trip (and all future trips to Japan). I have been doing a ton of research on the different backpacks and manufacturers and thought I had narrowed my choice to the ABS brand - I picked at the tip of the iceberg that is TRAVELING with these canisters. My lord - I had NO idea it would be such a pain in the ass to (1) travel with these canisters, and (2) refill them if needed in different countries.
Man, I wish all these companies (ABS, BCA and Snowpulse) used the same connector and had only TWO canister options - one with compressed air and one with nitrogen! Anyway, it seems that ABS is a non-starter as there is nowhere to get compressed nitrogen cartridge in Japan, and more importantly, Hokkaido (guessing definitely not Asahikawa - a smaller city)? Is that correct?? IF so, that blows my mind.
So that leaves BCA and Snowpulse. I am leaning toward BCA but thankfully to this thread, am now aware of the different certifications for Japan vs USA BCA cartridges. Just so I'm clear - a Japanese certified BCA cartridge and USA certified BCA cartridge will BOTH work on a BCA backpack, right?
Currently, the only options seem to be: (1) Buy a BCA backpack here in the USA, and buy a cartridge IN JAPAN (IE: Not fly over with one), or (2) buy a BCA backpack IN JAPAN, with the cartridge.
I would of thought Hokkaido, given the abundance of snowboarding/skiing and snow, would have all these options available!!!
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Hey guys,
So planning my second stint to Hokkaido and am thinking of buying a BC avalanche bag. I keep hearing about bad things happening - even in Japan. I know the terrain isn't all that steep but avalanches do seem to happen. And since I plan to come back to Japan for years, I think it's a no brainer (I wear a backpack anyway!).
I think I've narrowed my search down to a couple models - looking at the ABS Vario 15 or 30. However, I wanted to make sure I can get cartridges in Japan? I read it is difficult to travel with them on planes, etc.
Any insight on this would be helpful. I am assuming many of you guys are wearing avalance/BC packs?
Also planning on taking a avalanche course, and buying decent equipment.
EDIT: It seems that ABS is a terrible choice for Japan as there is no support for the nitrogen cartridges. Seems like BCA is the only Avalanche backpack company with a decent network in Japan. But with that said, I'm seeing conflicting reports on the availability of refilling a BCA o2 cartridge in Hokkaido. Is there a place I can buy a Japanese compliant BCA air cartridge?
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Wangta.... Winter Vacation is AKA "Thursday" from years gone by..
LOL, got it, thank you for the explanation.
Oh, also wanted to ask...how do these places we discussed (or others we did not discuss) rate in terms of nightlife? Last year, we had a couple nights out in Sapporo and to our surprise, had a blast! We actually enjoyed it much more than Tokyo. The focus of the trip is to board, but would love to get a couple fun nights out if possible and not too far away.
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Asahidake and kurodake are both a cable car to half way up the mountain and skin to the top. Neither are like resort riding at all.
I have not been to hakkoda but it looks more rider friendly than both the others.
Kurodake is brilliant for the scenery but the riding wont blow your mind, nor will asahidake.
Got it - do you have any other recommendations? What is your favorite place?
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My goodness...I think I may actually agree with you Thursday....
So ya...what he said.
thursday? Huh?
Yeah so I completely understand that sentiment - I'm a creature of habit too. However, Japan being so big - I'd love to try out at least a couple more spots - then, next time (and the time after), I'll probably just pick the two best and go with that annually.
Winter vacation - is Asahidake similar to Hakkoda? It looks like it - looks like one tram and backcountry down to the bottom. Is that what you mean by "gnarly"? Is Kurodake similar - ie; open riding, not groomed?
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Hey guys,
So a buddy and I are in the first stages of planning a return to Japan for some powder runs. Last year, with the help of the members here, we hit up Hakkoda and Niseko - both of which were UNBELIEVABLE. Seriously - we had an epic time and got lucky with a ton of powder and great days of boarding.
This time around, we are trying to debate going back to the same ones (Hakkoda and Niseko) or trying out Furano and Asahidake. In terms of preference, we really enjoyed Hakkoda's backcountry runs. At Niseko, we spent four days there but less than half a day on the actual resort runs - we climbed up the top and ran down the backsides, which again was backcountry and equally amazing (maybe even a bit more wide open at the top).
I've done some preliminary research on Asahidake and it seems right up our ally and it looks to be similar to Hakkoda. But I don't know much about Furano - so would welcome thoughts.
Also open to other recommendations in addition to Asahidake and Furano.
Here is the thread from last year: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/22497-what-to-expect-hakkoda-and-niseko/
And here are some pics from our trip!
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Hirafu, hanazono and annupuri are connected at the top and can be covered on the same all mountain pass.
Doh! Didn't know that! Thanks!
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Thanks guys - so decided on 3 days in Hakkoda. I hope that is enough to really enjoy it.
Regarding Niseko, any suggestions on which resort? I've been doing research on (1) Grand Hirafu, (2) Hanazona, (3) Annupuri and (4) Niseko Village. I understand there are a bunch of others?
Having trouble targeting which to go to - they ALL look great. Would appreciate any thoughts on favorites, etc.
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We have about two weeks give or take a couple days.
Yeah, we do plan to get a guide in Hakkoda and are planning on bringing or renting the right gear. Also, we have long pow specific boards, though that's no guarantee we won't get stuck!
So it sounds like Niseko is more akin to a large american resort - most of the runs, both on and off trail are accessed via lift and minimal hiking is required? I gathered this given the comments on most of the good pow getting tracked out quickly, which is also the case at many of the great US resorts.
How big is Niseko compared to Rusutsu? Also, in terms of housing, does Rusutsu have a lot of housing options compared to Niseko? I'm curious if it would be better to setup base camp in Rusutsu or Niseko?
Thanks guys! Your comments are really helpful!
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How did you have it mounted? Did you use the sticky 3M mounting accessories? I didn't trust those so use the head strap thing and wrap it around my helmet and tuck it under the goggle clip at the back of the helmet. Might be an idea for when you perhaps claim your insurance and use the cash to buy yourself a nice shiny new GoPro 3 Black edition? Someone on youtube also showed a way to secure the mount to the helmet with nuts and bolts, but Im not sure what that does to the integrity of the helmet....
I had the same concern and use the same mount as you described - I think they call it the vented helmet mount. It seems pretty secure, though both clips could easily open and the entire mount could fall off (hey, it could happen), so I double check to see if the mount is there on every lift.
I also have the GoPro mounted in such a way that its at the very top of my field of vision. One, I like having the camera catch the front tip of my board. Two, I like being able to see the camera so I can tell if it came off! It doesn't obstruct my vision but I can def see it.
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The battery on the GoPro Hero3 does indeed suck. I actually ordered 2 extra batteries and a quick charger and am constantly changing batteries mid-day. I just ordered a couple BacPacs - I heard they add considerable life to the crappy stock battery (which is tiny). The Bacpac is pretty big - it covers the entire back of the GoPro and requires a new back door (included). I'll let you know how it works compared to the stock setup - I should have it in a couple days.
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Hey guys,
Long time lurker and first time poster. A friend and I are getting serious about making the trek to Japan and after researching the various areas, have widdled our focus down to Hakkoda and Niseko. We are obviously looking for some great powder runs, hence Hakkoda and Niseko. However, I want to make sure we're not getting in "over our heads". We are both experienced boarders, and have had some great powder day at American resorts, but let's be real - our best days pale in comparison to the pictures we're seeing in Japan, and we're mostly resort/lift guys (we haven't done a ton of hiking or backcountry). Basically, I'd like to know what to expect at both locations, and given our fitness level, equipment, experience, etc, maximize our time at the right place.
We're trying to decide where to spend most of our time given our skills and preparation and had some questions for you guys.
Hakkoda: Offers only two patrolled trails, the direct and the forest course. The major attraction here is the off trail courses that few traverse. I've also read that terrain can be really flat, requiring both skiiers and boarders (we are boarders) to bring poles. We have heard getting a guide is the best (and safest) way to really enjoy and explore Hakkoda, which we would do, but I'm left wondering how grueling spending 5 days in Hakkoda would be:
(1) Does Hakkoda require multi-hour hikes to get to good terrain? Is this a 3-hr hike for a 10 minute run (and repeat)? Are the lifts pretty much useless?
(2) Are snowshoes/major equipment, etc. really needed to have fun in Hakkoda?
Niseko: We are thinking of trying to hit Hirafu and Rusutsu - any other locations/suggestions?
(1) Can most of the trails/powder be accessed via lifts? Or is it similar to Hakkoda - hiking and backcountry traversing are required? Are most of the runs groomed/trails or is there ample backcountry stuff?
(2) How is steepness compared to Hakkoda?
Thanks guys - any insight would be appreciated. I'm sure we're not considering a ton of things so feel free to add any/all thoughts.
-W
Niseko 2013-2014
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Ah - at 11 AM, everything was closed. I bailed and went to Rusutsu instead. Maybe things opened up later in the day.