ortwin

Not published yet, but not only about Japan. I skied with this guy and it should be a great book! http://www.skibum.info.se/

Hermann Maier Rudi Nierlich Pirmin Zurbriggen Franz Klammer Alberto Tomba Ingemar Stenmark etc.

Great job Bode. Congratulations! Should be an interesting 2005/06 season, 'cause the Austrians don't like it to be beaten in their national sport by an American. Hope Bode is the Lance Armstrong of skiing and racing will get more attention in North America. How can it be, that a pro golfer who comes in 50th in a tournament gets more price money than the winner of a downhill race? Bode takes World Cup

'Cause with one hand they have to hold their broom while with the other one they signal you to move forward.

And why do they need up to 8 guys at one lift? Asking Japanese people I usually get an explanation like "Because Japan is a very safety(!) country"

Kijimadaira is one of the most BORING resorts I've ever been too. Have to admit that I went there in March, when the top lift was already closed. The slope there is really steep and looks challenging. But that's the only one. The rest of the resort is BORING!

One month earlier is a bit of a problem, 'cause we need them at least until March 20.

Need a car Toque? Take a look at this http://www.skijapanguide.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/2/145.html

What are you doing there?

St. Anton and Nozawa get my votes. My favorite places.

Except the two courses mentioned by Fattwins, the only other one off-limits to boarders is the Yamabiko A. It's the left one at the top lift. For booking a minshuku try http://nozawayado.com/index.php?menu=ENG

55, 'cause the season started so late this year.

If you are loooking for traditional soba, try "Yoshimi" which is close to the public bath "asagama". "Kaze no ie", accross from "Oyu" offers not only great Italian food, but has a wide selection of wines, too. The wait can be a little long sometimes.

Who tells you that Grandad was a local? Doesn't sound like one to me, if he complained about the water being to hot.

I heard that there isn't any "traditional" Christmas cake and the only people believing it are Japanese

To get from Hakuba to Nozawa you need to go to Nagano first. I presume you won't have a car? During the winter season there ar six direct busses running from Nagano station to Nozawa. Takes about 1h20. Or take the Iiyama line and then the bus. The schedules can be found at How to get to Nozawa (should be updated soon).

Danz, thanks for the link. Here is another one Der Spiegel (Sorry, it's in German and you have to pay for it) It's a good answer to all the "coincidences" and "evidences" quoted by Ocean 11 and other people, who just can't believe that a group of motivated terrorists were indeed able to hit the most powerful nation of the world. The problem with those conspiracy theories as I see it is, that you can't really disprove them. They will turn everything against you (Purdue University is of course in on the conspiracy).

The murder of JFK - conspiracy Diana's car accident - conspiracy Elvis Presley and John Lennon, still alive I don't want to get into this, but you could also find some people who will tell you that the Holocaust never happened - conspiracy Have you ever thought of how many people are needed to cover up such a big conspiracy as you're suggesting?

Looks like Bode Miller will be the man to beat in this years Skiing WC. I always wondered why they don't get more attention in North America? Yahoo News Yahoo

I've not seen any of them in Japan either. However, they used to have them here too. They probably replaced all of them with chairlifts or gondolas during the bubble time. Anyone on this forum, who was in Japan before that time?

The law is on my side, that's right. However I didn't find this very helpful so far. Of course it's a little more complicated than I can explain here, but basically it turns out, that if he doesn't want to pay there's no way the court will force him to do so. Funny, isn't it? I couldn't believe it.

Captain Stag, Thanks for the reply. How far away from there are you? And do you speak Japanese? If you're willing to help, I will fax you a copy of the statement. I'd really appreciate it if you could go there, since I figured that this is the last chance to get any money. Mogski, I don't see how it could be extortion since he is the one who ows me money. I would go there by myself if I were sure he payed. However, I kind of got the feeling that even then he wouldn't (or couldn't) pay the whole sum. I just don't like his attitude of just ignoring me. If he apologized or ret

Does anyone live near Hanamaki in Iwate? Anyone who wants to earn a little extra money by becoming my personal marshal? Here's the story. In summer 2003 on the way from Nagano to Hokkaido I was involved in a traffic accident. We were driving on the expressway when a guy hit our car from the right lane. Luckily we weren't hurt. After we called police it turns out the guy has no insurance, but he offers to pay for the damage After the holidays the Odyseey starts. He doesn't answer my calls nor requests for payment. This goes on for months so I decided to sue him. The judgement states that h

If you are in the area around January 15th the one thing you don't want to miss is the Dosojin Festival, the craziest festival I've ever seen! As it is on a Saturday next year you should book ASAP.

They are not the most comfortable things I can think of. I remember one T-bar lift that was really steep with an icy track and it took about 15 minutes to get to the top. They have one advantage though: you can get off, whenever you want (it's of course not allowed). Try that on a chair lift.