SerreChe

Ok Sanno, Quattro, so harness that I wear to impress the chicks (maybe the start of a new fashion), 9mm rope... By the way Quattro, you seems to know your knots, u a moutain climber as well? all this is starting to add up. What do you guys carry when you go in the BC. Do you carry the same if you're in a resort so find some stashes a bit out of the way? Anybody got some avalung to go with it. ? They also have some pack that looks like a parachute, you pull on the rip cord and some giant red ballon comes out to keep you afloat in a slide. How do you call that, I forgot? So much gear a

How about my comments?

I guess there are many considerations to take into account, cost being one of them. It is also hard for me to pass judgement on canadian resorts having spent only 2 weeks there. But, my summary would be as follows: The terrain in Canada is much better: more challenging, better routes, steeper, off pist is managed and controlled properly. On the other hand Japan has a more reliable snow cover (YES, YES)but the terrain is not very challenging (my own opinion) and as soon as you go off-pist you get shouted/whistled at. I have not been to Niseko, so I cannot compare. The best is if you can time yo

yes, I had it coming! I may stretch it to put a rope in there, but that's it, no more after that. The minimum diameter for a rope strong enough to handle the weight of a person is such that depending on the length it can add quite a few grams to that pack. Should I get a harness as well ???

That is the second BushPig I come across. The other family member I know of lives in the UK and quotes swaps. Otherwise I am just curious with regards to the gear you bring along. How much is too much? Reading the various threads, I always thought that Fattwins was overdoing it, but I guess I was wrong (thank gof for CreekBoy). Out of curiosity, how many other people out there have ever used a rope as an emergency tool (not to go through technical sections or the like)while in the BC?

Went there 3 years ago and stayed 2 weeks. Had rented a car in Calgary stayed in Banff and commuted to Sunshine, Norquay, Lake Louise (even Fernie once). If you have your own car, I think it is OK. I hear taking the various hotel buses can be a drag (u may have to pass through a number of other hotels before being on your way). Otherwise stayed at the Banff Caribou Lodge in Banff. It was reasonable at the time, clean and convenient (steak house just downstairs, was called the Keg or something like that). You should be able to get your lift tickets at a discount through the hotel where you are

Latest article on protection tests. Different kind of park though. http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/01/04/best.condoms.reut/index.html Sorry could not help it. It is good to regress sometimes. Watch out for those wrists m8!

Doing some quick thinking, came up with a few ideas for the next salvo of additions to this website. They might be stupid ideas but never know: 1) Allow a search by Min-Max in the advanced search for resorts 2) Have a "trail maps" centre for all the resorts. My Japanese not being very good, I always found it difficult to go into the resort description, then click on the related resort web site to then randomly click on japanese menus hoping to find the one with the trail map 3) This one might be a bit more difficult but would really kick ass for powder hounds. Suggested off-pist route

I am a bit confused. I do not mean to be picky but Niseko Now says 365cm, while going though the A-Z list of snow depth for the resorts it says 235cm for Niseko Annpuri (the most for the Niseko resorts in the list). Which one is correct?

That new Index page is really covenient. Great graphics and design. Well done!

I am 190cm tall. Got my pants at Victoria in Jimbocho. 3rd floor main branch (next to Victoria wardrobe). Lots of choice for tall people.

The Orthovox M2 does look sweet indeed. Once I get my toys, will be looking forward to go for a nice 'randonnee'.

Teledude, thanks for the advice. I agree, length is important. Interesting point you brought out with regards to how long is takes to assemble the probe especially when we know how steep the death curve is when somebody is trapped under the snow. As you say, practice is very important. I will try to do that when I have a chance. By the way, I remember that somebody via this forum last year had organized an avalanche awareness / training program. Can't remember who it was. Will keep an eye out to see if it takes place again. Agree with Bcoasis as well, amen to what you said.

slow, checked that website. Very nice. Thx.

Personaly I like to mark my territory in artistic fashion. More seriously, if you're thirsty, whether you get it from a vending machine, from a bottle in your bag or from a tube right in front of your mouth, you're still gonna drink. So may as well get it from the most convenient source, especially if it is knee-deep, being tracked-out and you do not want to waste time. If you do not drink that often during the day, then I guess you would see few advantages to those camelbacks n the likes. It is a personal choice.

By the way slow, where is your avatar's from. Yuki matsuri in hokkaido, lake louise, or...?

Thanks Slow. funny you mentionned that 'cos I just realized that this morning as well when I saw a post by crazyski (think was the hokkaido by ferry one). I know, a bit confusing. Thinking about changing (not that I do not like it or do not like having the same one as Crazyski), but always a pain to find a decent one! Any suggestions for good avatar websites? Was thinking to have my own pic as my avatar, but I do not have my own website to store it there so that I can link to it. I wonder, can we save our avatar as part of our profile, or can we only link to it from another website?

Thanks to all for the very useful feedback. Montoya, I have checked the websites you mentionned. Largo seems to have pretty good selection for a small place. If they are friendly it is an added bonus as well. I'll have to go and check it out. Seems the Osprey packs are pretty popular among people using this forum. Sanno, Plastic is light but does not seem (according to what I have read) to have the necessary 'resistance' (cannot think of a better word) if you have to dig some compact blocks of snow (I guess might not be able to find anybody left unshredded in that type of slide, but.

Thinking of breaking the piggy bank to buy some new BC equipment. I know there are quite a few BC buffs out there (Montoya, Toque, Fattwins, etc...), so hoping to get some suggestions: The back-pack: Was thinking of the Backcountry Access Stash BC rider. But it seems to have a few cons: Pricey, does not fit large frames very well (I'm 6'3), the water hose does not deliver properly (only trickling, not for people with ravenous thirst or they'll have to take the gloves off, and use the tubing as a straw, which defats the purpose). If anybody owns this one, would appreciate their comments/

Good article as always Montoya. Well, if those yuppies have the money, then good on them, and too bad for us. That's life. It looks like it is going to get harder to get some untouched pow as time goes on. If people smell the money and the marketing machine kicks in then it is all over. Just like what snowboarding has become. I used to be able to go through thousands of feet of untouched pow all day long in european resorts. Now everything is tracked out by 10am. When something is that good, it does not stay a secret that long. As far as I am concerned, the golden age is behind us, but it do

Yes, you can ski year round at la Grande Motte. But more snow means more open domain. Give us ur feedback when ur back. ta.

One of the best resorts in France / Europe. Heard rave reviews from al the friends who went there. Hope the snow will co-operate with you that early in the season. And good luck on that bus. http://www.tignes.net/index.php?&alias=webcams-05

Good to get feedback from other members as well. If post touches some raw nerves than better take it off. On the other hand it is a bit hard for forum members to follow rules along the lines of "hmmmmm you know what we mean" I personnally thought both poster(s) on this thread were funny and plain. But I was wrong given the reactions. Maybe we should come up with a list of taboos. Or maybe ask for authorization for posting materials on the threads, kind of like going through censorship before posting... I found a couple more funny pics on the web which I would like to share

OK. Sorry, could you clarify what you mean by "line of talk" and what seems to be the issue with the above poster(s). I am sure it would be helpful to some of the forum users, including myself. Peace, Love & Snow!