Tachypsychia
-
Content Count
521 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by Tachypsychia
-
-
Great stories guys! Keep em commin!
-
Thanks Onehunga. I'm in Myoko at the moment. Here on holiday so looking for an online avenue to advertise them... They are split board specific boots with a Vibram sole so I think if I can post a picture I'll have a bit more chance of selling them. They are pretty much brand new just too big for me unfortunately.. Otherwise excellent for riding... In Japan for another month so I'm sure I'll find a 27.0 pair of feet keen to buy them... I will take a look in Book Off.. Do you know if the Hard Off shops sell snow gear at all?
Hard-off is where I bought some bindings and a board. They should definitely have gear if you want to buy.. if you want to sell... don't expect to get fair market value. Try yahoo auctions or elsewhere.
-
That top lift looks waaaaay old!
It looks soooo rusted man. I was freaking out my first time because it seemed like they're ready to fall apart.
Thanks for that. Lots of interesting details, yet leaving just enough to make me want to visit (if ever in the area).
Kind of curious: shadow of Hokkaido? Where do you see that?
Its kind of hard to see in the pictures, but when it's clear out you can definitely make out a land mass out to the far left of your vision. Nothing defined, but you can see that there is land mass out there. Probably something like Ermio Cape from beyond Cape Shiryazaki
Here's kind of what you see in a Google Maps way.
-
Wow! Looks like a small place. Thanks for sharing! Would you go back again?
Small but plenty of exploring to do and keep you busy for a day. I'd definitely go back and probably will later this season.
Interesting!
Hope you don't mind moved this and your other one over to the Snow Talk area as seemed better and many more people will see it here.
Sounds good David, I'll be sure to put the other ones there as well
Cheers how did the new board go?
I'm loving it so far. Caught an edge on some bulky ice once, but I was the fastest person on the slopes without even trying. Sintered bases hold wax so well!. I'll be happiest when I replace my broken boots, but this is the best board I've owned, though I haven't had it in deep powder yet. Hopefully the weather will take a turn for the better and I'll do a gear review as well.
Thank you! Love to see detailed reports of new places.
Is that "appendix" on the left side of the trail map the cross-country course?
If you're referring to what looks like a go cart track on the trail map I took a picture of (as opposed to the graphic available on their website) then I couldn't say for sure, but when I saw it from the lifts, it looks like a practice area for cross country for sure. It was all flat like a soccer field, but there were about 2 dozen people working their way across on skis. Hope that answers your question.
-
So when did you start getting into winter sports? Was it a yearly vacation your family always did? Or did you see some crazy big mountain snowboarding video? Did you get into skiing in college as an elective?
Lets hear your story!
For me- As a child I really wanted this video game called 1080 Snowboarding for Nintendo 64. I couldn't get my parents to get it for me, but it was on display as a demo at the local toys r us. I would walk there every day after school before my parents got home and play the game. I loved imagining me doing the tricks and big mountain jumps. Took me over a month but I eventually beat the game on my own save file. I went back one afternoon and it was replaced by some other game. Unfortunately, the controller didn't allow you to put a memory pak in it and get the save file, so I never wanted to play it over again after that.
The first opportunity I had to actually snowboard was about a year after that with my dad. We went to a resort in the Appalachian mountains where I eventually went to college. I had a lot of fun but was terrible and got really frustrated with the learning curve. The desire to snowboard stuck with me from childhood so when I moved there for college I signed up for classes and got the seasonal night pass several years in a row, enjoying nightly sessions several times a week.
Now that I live in Japan I have an even greater opportunity to hone my skills and continue this passion.
-
Damn. Least someone is getting love out there!
-
Had over 30 new Reviews this month which is good. Let's hope it continues.
Tachypsychia posted two good long ones and less well known places yesterday (thanks!)
http://www.snowjapan...ews/detail/1956
http://www.snowjapan...ews/detail/1955
With more to come!
-
I've never heard of snow socks. They sound worse than chains though. Even a used set of snow tires is better.
-
I don't know if the forester is any smaller here in JDM but I've enjoyed driving that as well. Took the father in law on a 20 hour road trip to Canada and through during the winter and was very comfortable and reliable. Probably not as big as some for a large family car but plenty of flexibility for a family of four.
I'll probably argue with the wife over what to get. Me a Impreza, her a Forester. Little does she know, I win either way.
Good luck with the choice. Buying new cars can be a pain!
-
Lost 15cm of base in yesterdays heat wave... Wanted to go today to salvage some time, but the wife didn't leave me the car again. The wind is howling though so maybe it's for the best.
-
I had the chance to join a friend in Noheji for a trip to Makado Onsen. While small, the resort is still larger than Kamafuseyama (hard not to be) with more courses and lifts.
The weather was pretty crappy early morning with heavy winds and heavy snow, but by the time we were ready to head out, most of it settled down and made for decent weather the rest of the day.
Morning Weather-View from parking lot
Morning Weather- Beginner Slopes
Lodge Proper
The lodge itself is very large and has all the ammenities. Many vending machines, large cafeteria with many menu options (vending machine for food tickets) gift shop and even a dessert shop. They offer millitary discounts as well, so it isn’t surprising to see airmen and their families from Misawa AFB here. I myself scored 400Y off for a 4 hour ticket
Ticket Office
Cafeteria
Lodge
Makado has a good mixture of slopes available in a close area. They offer lessons for skiers and snowboarders as well, though I’m sure it’s only in japanese.
As you exit the lodge towards the slopes there are two lifts. The right lift services two beginner slopes. The one on the left (as you look from the lodge) is the most gentle, and even with a freshly waxed snowboard, I found it hard to enjoy it at the slow speeds I could get.
Right Side Lift- Beginners Courses
Middle of Slopes
Beginner Course- Right Side
The lifts are very low to the ground and will catch your highbacks as a boarder. The lift personnel pushed my highbacks down for a me a few times before I realized what they wanted me to do. Two of the lifts don’t even have safety bars as well.
The left slope is slightly more steep, but again as a beginners slope I found it less than enjoyable. It is good to know that there are easy slopes to start with though here.
Beginner Course- Left Side
On the left side, the lift services two steeper longer courses, as well as bringing you up to access the third lift. The two courses available at the top of the left lift are steeper and more enjoyable for intermediate/advanced riders. The furthest left has slalom poles for practice, and the middle run starts out very steep before fanning out between the two lifts.
Left side lift with Intermediate Courses
If you choose to go towards the third lift, you leave to the left and ride down a small slope. It intersects the long, forest course path so be careful when going for the lift.
The third lift takes the longest going deeper into the mountain betwixt the trees but is the most enjoyable for the scenery and being the longest when going all the way down to the lodge.
Start of Forest Course Lift
About half way up the forest course
Forest Course Lift View
We spent most of the day running the forest course over and over, and only going the full course back to the lodge a few times for lunch, etc.Though it was very flat on the forest course, I managed to get up some big speed going down.
The coverage of snow was weak at best with a 60cm base. The friend I went with said this was the worst conditions they ever had here, and chalked it up to the poor snow season this winter. Despite the lack of fresh powder, the runs were still sufficient to enjoy, as we did.
During lunch time, I had some pork ramen (600Y) which was sufficiently filling.
I didn’t get a chance to experience the far left course with the slalom poles because there were some JSDF Army guys practicing cross country sking, but it looked like it had the most coverage. Maybe because it was closed off that the coverage remained.
Makado Onsen doesn’t actually have an onsen, but a few miles down there is one which is always enjoyable after a day of riding. The resort is also much closer to civilization not being on the Shimokita Penninsula, which makes it more likely those in the area would make it here. The resort is about an hour from Aomori City.
Depending on where you are in Aomori Prefecture I’d reccommend Makado as a worthwhile trip (say within an hour of you) however within decent distance, Hakkoda is available if you are confident and prepared enough. If you are traveling with family though, Makado is a great compromise.
-
He was basically saying that the engines are crap, hard to service and that they don't last as long as other cars. I'll have to give the Impresa sport another look but I didn't think it was big enough for what I like to do - boarding, camping and surfing. I'm looking more towards a wagon or van.
May just be a bad experience. I'm a fan of the H4 engine personally. Never heard of any issues with standard 2.0L H4 engines, but as for the 2.5L turbo charged engines back in 2007-2008, they had issues with the #4 ringlands on the pistons failing and causing engine failure. Need new engines after that basically. They fixed the issues after those years, but they were specific to the high power/high performance models, so I doubt you have anything to worry about. Also haven't heard about higher maintenance costs... Four of my family members back home have subarus, from outbacks to forresters and they dont need more work than other cars. Don't think parts and repairs would be more expensive here in the domestic market but I'm speaking without personal experience here.
The wife and I are looking to get a new (中古) car within a year and I have my eyes set on a Subaru of some sort as a fan(boy) and for the reliability.
The outback sport/impreza hatch should have plenty of trunk space for most needs. Roof rack helps go a long way too.
-
Well I'm in Honshu too but Hokkaido is easier to get to. Either way, come more north,
-
My car back home:
I'd love to have the same thing here in Japan (Subaru Impreza WRX STI)
Or anything subaru for that matter. Gas mileage is terrible, but that's why you have this then a family car for those long distance trips!
Subaru FTW
-
Finally getting around to putting a seasonal trip report out for me and Kamafuseyama. I'll putting up daily reports (as I go) and visits to the surrounding area. Lets get things started with a freshly minted review!
-----------------------------------------------
Kamafuseyama Ski Resort
The most northern ski slope in Honshu, Mount Kamafuse is a minimalistic ski resort that doesn’t warrant a special pilgrimage to visit, but if you are local to the area, it can become an excellent daily escape from the business of life.
View from sea level
Lodge walking up from Parking Lot #2
Kamafuse is considered a family resort for the people of Mutsu but offers little in the ways of accomidation that you’d expect from larger resorts. Despite it’s small size, there are several chatlets for overnight stays and a few restaurants at base level to include a cafeteria in the lodge. Ski rentals are available across from the ticket office.
There are 5 parking lots staircased in the mountain on the road up, but the most I’ve ever seen full was the first two (furthest up) There is also parking available in front of the tennis court that is not in use during the winter.
Across from the second parking lot (again second from the top, and are numbered as such) there is a childrens sledding area. I have not explored this area in great depth because it is seperate from the rest of the mountain and I have no children but every day I go there is a good crowd of mothers and their children with plastic sleds. There is also what seems to be a seperate lodge beside it to rest, eat and use the bathroom.
After a short or long hike up (depending how far down you parked) you’ll find the ticket office on the left side of the road as a separate building from the lodge, but right next to it. A sign is to the right of the ticket office with prices and a map of the mountain.
Hiking up to the ticket office (seen on the left with red roof)
Many options are available, more than I have seen at other resorts. A 1 time ticket,, 2, 4 and 8 hour tickets are all available as well as a season pass of course.
Map of Mountain
The main lodge, called センターハウス (Center House) by the vinyls on the window faces the mountain and surprisingly offers everything except a water fountain. There is seating for 120 people as well as vending machines, lockers, bathrooms, changing rooms, and a fire place, which I have yet to see in use. The cafeteria is currently not in use this season according to a sign, but a frozen food vending machine was set in place in lieu of, offering gyoza, rice and a few other decently filling foods for about 300Y. Once making a choice, it spits it into the microwave and heats it up for you. Itadakimasu!
View from inside the lodge
In front of the lodge proper are racks for your gear and on a busy day they will be completely full and you may have to stick them in the snow along the fence.
Gear Rack
Once you’re ready to head up, the first lift (Technically the second lift according to the map) is about 20m from the equipment racks and sports a nifty automatic gate and conveyor that is slightly awkward to get used to.
Bottom Lift (Not the yellow restaurant in the background)
When you’re cleared to enter, the arms open and you slide down and onto the treadmill. It’ll run you forward until the next lift scoops you up.
The lift takes about 7 minutes to reach the top and offers a good preview of the first slopes layout
Video of first lift ridehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtreaqlPHMQ
On the far right, a snow park can be seen, although it leaves much to be desired. Sporting two box rails and two kickers, it manages to give those park rats a taste without traveling too far from home.
First Box Rail
Back of first box
Approaching Jump
Back of first jump
On the left closest to the lifts you’ll catch the chatlets and the old decomissioned ski jump. Would that it was still in use! A 40m ramp and huge landing pad, but it has vines and rust growing all over it and a big do not enter sign on it.
At the top of the first lift (Second) the, second lift (first) is a short 20m away and will take you to the top of the mountain. While the bottom lift, is a two seater, the top lift is a precarious one seat lift. If you brave the climb, its another 7 minutes until exit. If you have a long snowboard, be sure to pay attention to the lift posts as my 166cm came precariously close to hitting one.
View from first lift
Right side course (Groomed)
Left Side Course (Powder)
Second/Top Lift
As you go up, you’ll have a great view of the other two courses. The one to the left and closes to the lift remains ungroomed for the length of the season due to the natural contours of the mountain. This side I tend to call the powder side due to the great accumulation it gets. If you go down to far, you’ll miss the cut through to hit the lift again, but I have seen some skiers shoot to the bottom and trek back up. If you’re a snowboarder, I wouldn't risk it., and just be sure to dart over when you need to.
Video of Second Lift Ridehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvni-nrgcYg
The right side course remains groomed and I would consider it the most difficult course based on the angle of the slope. You can stick to the side near the trees (going down the slope on the left) or dip into the bowl which is not groomed. Both come together at the bottom where you can hop back on the top lift or ride the rest of the way down the mountain.
At the exit of the top lift, there is no ramp, only a flat platform, so you need to be sure to get out of the way before the seat takes you out. There is plenty of room for a few people to strap in, then go down the shoot that puts you on the slope. The chute has little room for error, so you need to be careful or you’ll fall off the slope and it’s a pain to get yourself back over.
Strapping in at the Top Lift Exit
The best part of the entire resort in my opinion is the amazing view of Mutsu Bay. Because of the location (this is a southern facing slope) you get a beautiful scene of the bay and the "axe handle" of Shimokita. On a good clear day you can make out the wind turbines of Mutsu Yokohama as well as Cape Shiriyazaki. Tsugaru Strait is barely visible and I think I can see the shadow of Hokkaido as well. More often than not you'll be looking at the bay or will have it in your eyeline on the ride down. While not the same as a big mountain range, it's very relaxing and unique to the area
View from the top-Mutsu City on the Left
View from the top- Ominato Self Defense Harbor
The beginner slope, or main slope is very wide and there are many contours and ways down and even on a busy day it’s incredibly spacious, short of at the top where people mingle.
I've been visiting Kamafuse since opening week and although the weather across Japan hasn’t been great this winter, the base cover has been good and enjoy spending a few hours every other day here.
If you ever find yourself this far north in mainland Japan (highly unlikely!) and visit Shimokita Penninsula in the winter, then Kamafuse is a great (and the only!) snow resort to enjoy.
-
I'll add to the consensus.
You NEED a full set of snow tires to get the benefit. (i.e 4). Don't worry about chains. Even without 4WD you can handle most slopes with a set of snow tires. It's 70% proper tires and 30% proper driving technique. But you need both in bad conditions to drive safely. While you can drive like crap and manage ok with snow tires most of the time, even with proper technique no snow tires can get you stranded. Summer tires are way way too hard in the cold.
Check out this other post many have commented on about driving in the snow.
-
Ahh well what can you do.
Anyone want to guess where I will go next season lol?
Come up to Hokkaido so I can board with you next season!
-
You will always have them for next year though
-
Just had a 7* day and now its raining. The weather says "All your base are belong to us"
-
Haven't had a chance to get up to Hokkaido yet, but wasn't planning on it until February anyway. Got two other resorts to review as well.
Don't want the reasons SnowJapan doesn't do giveaways next season is because of me! Gonna dump some reviews here soon.
-
The tarp. It was the damned tarp I use to collect the wax. I found the scraper and all my other gear in the tacklebox already. I don't know how she missed a huge tarp on the heater. You have to reach down and put it at eye level to even turn it on. But I still don't know why I laid it there. UGH.
-
Still waiting on mine in the mail. Front foot is starting to give out on the mountain.
-
Bumping this one...
Waxed a friends pair of skis and my snowboard last night before going to snowboard today. For some unknown reason.. I put my plastic scraper on the top grill of my kitchen space heater. This morning, the wife turned it on and didn't see the scraper there. 10 minutes later, I'm drowsily waking up and she slides the door to a roaring fire and kitchen full of smoke.
Talk about a wake up call.
I jumped up and pushed her out of the way because she was fanning the flames with her hand... They were a good foot and a half high. I turned off the heater itself then filled up the frying pan ( clean, no oil on it) with water from the faucet and put it out.
Didn't burn long enough to do damage to anything. Just melted the plastic all over the heater so I need to scrape it off (ironic. Scraping the scraper off) before we can use it again. I breathed in a lot of smoke before I opened the door and got most of the smoke out.
Could have been a lot worse. We're both going to have to pay more attention to the area around the heater.
気をつけてください！
I went to a mountain 2 hours away and was digging out soot boogers the whole way. Felt like a coal miner.
-
Awesome memoirs.
Wish my life is half this interesting in another 10 years.
Snow tires and stuff.
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Looks like the standard wheel covers I have for my tires. Obviously they have some extra stuff on em. How much they run a set?