KRUSTY
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Posts posted by KRUSTY
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I think tday has got a point and I agree with him. I read a post recently on this forum which mentioned how to get a cheap afternoons skiing by buying lift passes off people when they go to get a refund after lunch. Ill admit Ive also done it in the past and also a number of other methods but I think Id be too embarassed to do it now. Sure its no financial loss to the ski resort and everyone who does it can come up with some lame reason about how theres nothing wrong with doing it but these people who do it are just basically really cheap. Im sure that there are Japanese that also do it but the Foreigners that stand near the ticket refund machines or at the carpark asking for the passes stand out and help to give Foreigners a bad rep.
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If investing in Japan then possibly "uridashi" Bonds are possibly the best way to go. I dont know alot about them but they are basically bonds purchased in another countries currency the most popular being N.Z and Australian currency and they make interest as they would in that countries bank. eg if in N.Z $ about 7.5%. I dont know what kind of fees are charged and there will also be a loss/gain depending on the exchange rate but will still be better than any term deposit in a bank in Japan.
If your sending money home you might want to look at hifx.com They dont charge commision and the rate is usually at least 2% better than the banks rate.
If your from Aust, N.Z or possibly England you could be better off buying a car and sending it back and getting a family member/friend to sell it for you. Its not hard to send a vehicle back but you have to do your homework first and know what is going to sell for the best money and taxes/regulations etc.
But probably the best thing as others have suggested is to invest overseas and even if you play it safe and make about 6% per annum its better than making nothing in Japan.
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Turned up to work at Kurohime on the 25th Dec, back in about 1996. Wasnt enough snow to open then but it arrived just in time for New Year and had a good season.
1998 wasnt that great for snow though. Some years it comes sooner than others but when its late people tend to worry that its going to be a bad season. The snow will come, just need some patience.
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Probably would depend on the resort manager and also on how well known these "pros" are. On a few occasions when I was working on resorts and had pros turn up usually we have known a few days in advance and the resort manager was contacted by the Japanese importer/distributor of the company the pros were sponsored by. When the riders arrived the importer had sent someone to translate and also to deal with the resort. If I remember correctly they got complimentary passes but their manager paid the resort for groomer to build a couple of jumps and for use of the snowmobile etc. If a snowboard company is sending its riders, manager and a cameraman to Japan it wouldnt really worry about the small cost of lift tickets but I think if it was organised properly with the resort they would be provided with comp passes by the resort.
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Working as a liftie in Japan can be a good experience. My first job when I arrived was working on the lifts at Shiga Kogen and we were looked after really well. It could get boring at times but it was a small lift company with only a couple of lifts and we spent a lot of time doing other jobs while the Japanese staff worked the lifts. In those days there were quite a few Kiwis/Aussies working for resorts in Nagano but I think once the olympics finished and also with the trouble that a few of them caused, the resorts lost interest in employing them. A couple of Aussies got deported for stealing a car, often girls left for better money to work in bars and stuff got stolen/damaged.
Sure there are possibly better jobs on the hill like instructing, grooming etc but if you dont have the experience/qualifications to do it then working on the lifts is a good place to start. When I worked at Happo the acomodation was really good with a private shower/toilet. I think I had to pay about 300yen a night but on other resorts Ive worked at the accomodation/food was free so it just depends on the company you work for. If you like the outdoors then it will probably be a great experience. I think youll have a great time and meet heaps of great people.
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There will probably be different import duties depending not only from the materials but also the finished product and if similar products are made in Japan then the import duty will probably be higher.
Last year I sent two buses to New Zealand and on one bus I had to pay 12.5% but on the other I had to pay 12.5% plus an additional 17% as it was set up for camping(bed,sink,toilet etc). The 17% is there to try to protect the local motorhome industry so the country isnt flooded with cheaper imports. The rate of duty also changes depending on where the item is being sent from as your country may have a trade agreement with them and you may not have to pay as much tax.
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Hey Panhead Pete, I dont want to sound like a dream squasher as well but are you really serious about starting a business? On another topic you wrote about how you want to start a business and work for yourself which makes me think that you have never been self employed before. If you havent had your own business why would you consider starting one in a country you have never been to, before trying it first in your home country. Do you have any idea about taxation/regulations/insurance and permits required to start up a bar in Japan. Sure with the building prices being as cheap as they are in Japan and also the favourable exchange rate it wouldnt be that expensive to try and live the so-called "Dream" which others are trying and they will quite possibly be successful. These people I would imagine have spent time in Japan and have the finances available to do this. You may have the money available to start a business but as Stevo said there are only a few bars around there for a reason. I dont want to sound rude but I think you really need to do a lot more research into A. What Hakuba Needs(that will also make you a living) and B. What will it take to get that business running considering that I know little about the country/culture/system apart from what Ive heard from other people or studied on the net.
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Went to my Wifes friends wedding in Nagano city last year and there was a older European guy doing the service. Did it all in Japanese and I kinda have to admit that he did a pretty good job considering the very artifical chappel that it was in. Dont know how religious he was but saw him a few weeks later at lake Nojiri and a friend told me he was involved with the "Gaijin Village" which was started by Missionaries some time before the war. So I guess there might be a slight chance that he could possibly be a "real" Priest.
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I was working at this place for a couple of months at the start of winter and due to the amount of snow this year we only just finished in time for the tyre and car companies to move in.
http://www.shpg.co.nz/index.htm
Totally blew me away with the amount of $$$$spent on facilities, equipment and snowmaking.
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Ive only worked with the two most common types of snow making, air/water and fan/water systems and I havent worked in the Industry for a couple of seasons now so Im not up with the lastest technology. There always concern from various enviromental groups about snowmaking and possible damage it could do in spring regarding the thousands of litres of added water created when the snow melted and possible adverse affects it could have on streams, rivers etc. I havent heard any thing about slow-melting snow.
I have snowboarded at Karuizawa on a really short slope in November some years back which was pretty much just crushed ice which they sprayed on to the slope out of a long hose. I guess its a way of making snow in warmer temperatures and to possibly get the base started but it was crap to ride on.
Ive drove a Pisten Bully ocasionally but mainly drove a Bombardier and a Ohara(Japanese Groomer). Snowmaking was a pretty good job and I wouldnt mind doing it again in the future. It was pretty unreal with amazing sunrises, great enviroment to work in and finishing work as the lifts open to get the best runs.
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I havent really studied snow as much as I should of considering my life use to revolve around the stuff. I dont think man made will last any longer or pack down any differently than natural snow if the original crystals of both are simalar regardless of wether any additive(eg snomax) in the man made snow has been used or not. I think grooming has a lot to do with snow pack as the tiller(the rotor on the back of the groomer which spins) smashes the snow and although it helps with ice it can be over used and destroys snow crystals. When driving the groomer you can adjust the depth of the snow being tilled and also the speed and direction of the tiller. You can also apply force or have the tiller floating. All of these things contribute to the snow pack on a resort as does temperature of the snow when groomed and how deep you cut into the snowpack with the blade on the front of the groomer. I think regardless of the snow being natural or man made its going to end up the same if in the same conditions.
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Man-made snow can be made as soft/light as natural snow but its not economical to do so. Its a balance between quality and quantity. When you make it you want to make as much snow per hour as possible by making heavier/wetter snow. It could be made lighter but you would probably end up with about 30% of the volume of snow than if you made it wetter. It costs the same per hour to make and you can groom the man-made snow in with natural snow so you wouldnt really know the difference. Somtimes really wet snow is made around the areas where you get on and off the lift on purpose to make the area more durable. Most snowboarders hate it but it makes a good base and the ojisan in the lift shack wont have to get off his ass as much to smooth out the ramp.
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Try this....
http://list4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/25238-category-leaf.html?alocale=0jp&mode=2&apg=1
If it doesnt work do a search for "SKIDOO" and you should be able to find a few.
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I work in the Film Industry. I work stupid hours but theres usually lots of down time between different films. Ive only worked for a total of about 12 weeks this year but its more finacially rewarding than if I worked an entire year in Japan. A lot more fun too although one day Ill get sick of it and move on to something else.
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My work day is usually based on 12 hours but I never usually work less than 14 hours minimum.
This year my longest working day has been 32 hours straight and my biggest week has been 116 hours.
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Good to see someone who has spent a reasonable amount of time living in Japan deciding to invest in Hakuba. Someone who probably by now would have a reasonable understanding of Japanese society/culture and has experienced and had to deal with the cultural differences/problems that non-Japanese face. I could go on and give examples but I would hope most of you reading this know what I mean.
I have nothing against these people who are planning on "living their dreams" and I honestly wish them well in following them. A lot of these people who seem to be interested in Hakuba are comming from a country which especially in the past few years have seen house prices skyrocket and made many people wealthy. Now that the good deals have gone in their home country they have to look further afield for better investments. Some of these people probably fueled by the Australian "love affair with property" (same situation in N.Z as well) see the very cheap prices in Hakuba extremely attractive and as a way of "moving foward"(sorry about using your quote Panhead_pete, nothing personal). I just dont think that by spending a winter or even a whole year would give you an understanding of what living in Japan longterm is like. Even if you have the money to throw at the cultural frustrations/problems that you will face it still wont solve all of them.
I think any investment in which Hakuba may benefit from is great and as long as the people who are doing it are in it for the longterm, and that their investment is lifestyle driven and not just financially driven. I hope these people the best of success.
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Putting a bevel on the base edge is is totally fine and is common practise amongst competitive skiers and snowboarders. When working in the Ski industry in the North Island of New Zealand where the snow could often be described as "Bulletproof" putting a bevel on the base of a ski/board usually makes it a bit more forgiving and less chance of catching an edge while still allowing the full edge to be sharp. Its all personal preference but an example is giving the out side edge a 2 or 3 degree base bevel at the tip blending through to 1 degree under the bindings and the rest of the ski untill closer to the tail where it it goes back to 2 degrees. On the inside edge it would usually be less beveled with the edge being flat under most of the ski. In the pipe or park on a snowboard a base bevel of up to 3 degrees can make a big difference also. For the average rider with the snow quality in Japan a 1 OR 2 degree bevel could help but especially in icy conditions or like "Thunderpants" said on the flat sections most will notice the difference.
If you wanted to try a base bevel you can buy "beveling sleeves" which slide over a file and come in a few different angles but unless your confident I wouldnt recommend a novice to try it(but its not that hard). To get your base flat again you can get a "base grind" at most ski workshops where they take of approx 1/4 of a mm(sometimes more if they are too heavy handed or the edges are badly burred) off your base and it will be near new again. You can only do this a limited number of times untill you wear out the edge/base material but a base grind (especially stone grind) can make a huge difference in the way a ski/board performs.
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I use to work in a Harley customising shop in Nagano back in about 1997. Nothing too extreme just mainly taking off original parts and bolting on accessories from the States, servicing, etc. Harleys hold their prices pretty well in Japan but I have seen 2nd hand bikes exported to New Zealand to be resold so there must be some good deals out there. But for some strange reason I have heard comments about H.D's imported from Japan that somepeople(probably redneck bikers) wont touch them. Wouldnt suprise me if some Aussie bikers are the same. As others have said Yahoo is probably the best chance of getting a good deal. Last time I checked it was about $400(N.Z) to Ship to N.Z and Aust cant be too much different. Only $80 if it was shipped in the back of a van or truck which is great if your sending back a vehicle. Otherwise try to get to know some Japanese who ride and they might be able to help you out.
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Cant go wrong with Snobeds. A great place to stay and Mitch who runs the place will be able to give you lots of good advice on places to go.
Im thinking if I havent got any work in Jan/Feb Ill probably go to Hakuba for a couple of months or more next winter as well. Hopefully there will be a good crew of people to ride with.
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My Japanese wife and I returned to N.Z to live about 4 years ago. We had been married a for a couple of years before we returned which probably helped and had to provide a certificate of character(from the Japanese police) and a medical certificate. Also provided photos of us together on holidays etc to help prove we were in a stable relationship. Also had to provide the marriage certificates as well. Had to have a meeting with an immigration officer(which was very relaxed) and pay about $700 dollars for her residency visa. Since you arent married yet you may be able to get her a visa which I heard lasts for a year if you get engaged(I think you may be able to get the same visa for yourself in Japan). Otherwise maybe a working holiday visa which she can get pretty easily if shes under 30 and hasnt had one before. Things may have changed since I last looked into getting Visas so it may have changed but I wouldnt really recomend going as far as getting married for one. If your honest with immigration they seem to be pretty helpful. All the best.
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This topic brings back a few memories. I use to groom the run next to the halfpipe at Happo a few years back. There was talk then of closing it because management considered it too big for the average boarder/skier and were thinking about building a smaller pipe to encourage more of the average skilled riders to use it. But Ive been told a couple of years back that area of Happo(Nakiyama) was sold so I guess the new owners condidered the costs of maintaining the pipe too high. A bit of a shame because it was a good pipe when it was cut properly. And now it doesnt really suprise me that Kanbayashi is closing down. When I first arrived in Japan in 1994 I worked at Shiga Kogen and if I remember correctly the only places at Shiga Kogen that allowed Snowboarding were Kanbayashi and Shibutoge. Now that most if not all of Shigakogen allows snowboarding(havent been there in a while so I guess boardings allowed everywhere) there are a lot better areas to ride but back in its day Kanbayashi tried its best to offer facilities and a place to ride for snowboarders when other areas wouldnt. A real shame about whats happening to Ski Resorts in Japan but its a slow and painfull death for a lot of them and its not going to get better.
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Yeah I worked in Shigakogen and in Hakuba Grooming and snowmaking and I would probably have gone back to Hakuba again as it was a great job but the area I worked at got bought out by another lift company and they dont want to employ foreigners.
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Back in New Zealand now. Just spent the past season as a Snowboard Instructor and now looking foward to having a summer. I usually keep an eye on this site just to see how the winters going but it often makes me wish I was back there riding some good snow. Probably be back there at some stage as Ive got family/friends in Nagano but at the moment Im happy living at the beach.
Have a good winter,
Krusty
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In general the Grooming in Japan is pretty good with a lot of drivers taking pride in what they do but at some resorts the job may not be as good as it could due to lack of experience/new drivers, time constraints, visibilty etc.
In previous years Ive worked at various resorts in Nagano and the snow at this time of year is usually easy to groom if theres a good base.
Grooming isnt as easy as most people think with a lot of concentration required usually over long periods of time. As the snow base gets deeper the grooming will also improve as there will be more snow to push around to make the runs smoother.
If you go to a place with consistantly bad grooming change resorts and find somewhere else or even better, ride in the trees.
Lift Ticket Dodgers - why do you do it?
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Possibly Thursday may be refering to this quote which I read on this forum about a week ago....
"A good trick for skiing the arvo is to stand next to the electronic pass return machine and offer someone returning their pass the 1000 yen deposit. Go ride and then collect your 1000 yen when you return the pass. Free arvo skiing/boarding!"
A member on this forum telling others how to use a loophole in the ticket system to get a free afternoons skiing is something that I dont consider is particularly cool. I see that there are weekly giveaways on Snow Japan of lift passes etc which Im guessing are given free of charge from the resorts. In my view they are helping support this site but a few members here seem happy to admit that they have no problem trying to get a free afternoons or days skiing by buying used tickets which is not helping to return that support. Sure we're not talking about large amounts of money here but it must be enough to some people for them to avoid paying. What Im mostly suprised is the reaction to Thursday comments. I dont know if Ive missed something here but I didnt see anywhere here that Thursday implied that all "people in Japan on Japanese resorts are dodgers". Sure some people try to get away without having to pay for a pass or buy used tickets and I think Thursday was just asking why these people do it when in his opinion he doesnt consider it right. I admit that I think it was a bit of a random topic to start but I dont think Thursdays posts are offensive or stupid unlike some replies from another member. Like I said before, when I was younger I bought used tickets so I could get a free afternoons riding and also used old day tickets the same colour as that days ticket so I didnt have to pay but nowadays Im quite happy to pay for my pass. Some people seem to think theres nothing wrong with buying used passes, but they havent given any reasons on why its right to do it other than the personal financial benefit. If its only about the money then the word "cheap" comes to mind.