NoFakie

DC are pretty wide boots. I liked the look of the pump-up (Revolution was it?) ones but they're not so good if you've got narrow feet. I ended up getting the Airwalk ones with the ski boot-type straps at the tops since they were the best fit. I think they're called the C3s. The straps make it easier to adjust the stiffness for icy conditions etc. but the main thing is that they're a good fit. Unless you've tried the exact size of that model on in a Japanese shop, don't buy boots online ! Also, when going from nobrand boots to branded ones, note that the latter come with much thicker p

Just read Dave's backcountry article. So there's no more DBD at Cortina. Damn ! Was all on for getting a season pass as well. Only made it to Cortina once last season, and that was in March when the DBD area was closed. I only got to see that freaky German-chic hotel. There's a pretty sprinkling of white stuff at the top of the Hakuba Mountains (Karamatsu, Shakushi, Shirouma) behind Happo at the moment, so I was just getting in the mood. Goryu's had its first snow as well. Looking forward to the backcountry articles all the same. Nice one !

There's a big Spotaka in Shinsaibashi. It's on the Midosuji just north of the Doutombori river on the opposite side of the road to the Holiday Inn. They've got loads of gear. Some of the guys are in there are pretty knowledgeable, so ask to speak to someone else if you get an arbeiter.

Like Degsy says there are resorts on the west side of Lake Biwa, such as Biwako Valley, Hakodateyama etc. You can also go snow shoeing up there if that's your thing. The courses are short, but hey, its close to the city. I think Biwako Valley is even open all night on Saturdays. You have to take a gondola to get up there, so it doesn't work out any cheaper than the resorts in Nagano, I'm afraid. If I remember correctly, you can get up there in just over two hours from Osaka by car on the highway (though not from Kansai Airport that is well south of Osaka). If you don't want to rent a

All you students of Japanese can check out the long range weather forecast here http://www.wline.co.jp/cgi-bin/wline/kankoki/kk.pl?1 We got the pretty much the same forecast on TV Shinshuu the other day. That is, average snowfall, higher than average sunshine, higher than average temperatures until the end of the year. Last season, the forecast was for less than average snowfall for Nagano, which as we all know proved to be totally wrong come January. The higher than average temperatures bit was true, however. According to the apple growers, we've had less than average rai

A Japanese friend of mine from Kansai bought a place near (30min by car) from Shiga Kogen for 6 million yen a couple of years ago. It is what's know as a "resort mansion", a small one LDK in a large block where townies can stay and keep their skis, golf clubs etc. The place he bought has a concierge and you can use the onsen in the hotel next door. The car park also gets cleared of snow, so I think he still has to pay a not-insubstantial maintenance fee every month. The buying price was something like one sixth of the original asking price back during the economic bubble of the late 80s.

Has anybody out there taken a Camelbak (backpack with built-in water carrier) out on the slopes ? I was thinking of getting one like the Chairman recommends, but was wondering if they freeze up like a Snickers in your pocket will. What temp are they good to ?

Instead of spending half of every weekend in a car, train, or bus, why don't you move to the mountains ? Loads of other Japanese boarders do it, and you can bet that if gaijin could get visas easier, lots of gaijin would do it too. You'll have to leave your job, but hey, you can always get another one. You'll never get another youth. In five or ten years time you may have a house and kids to pay for, so you should enjoy yourself while you can. While you may have cool boarding friends in Tokyo, they won't be as hardcore as the folk who've gone to live in inaka. Fresh powder on a weekday

If in Nagano, maybe try Yanaba on Route 148 between Omachi and Hakuba. The resort itself is small, not particularly high and would not be interesting but for the large number of table tops, jumps, rails, waves, takoyaki (bumps) etc. Last year they had them lined up all along the biggest run, so you can go from one to the next. It's cheaper than the other Hakuba resorts and the jumps are about as big as anywhere else. I've heard of more non-beginners getting injured at Yanaba than anywhere else, so make of that what you will. Last year they had a Burton testride centre as well, so you c

Are you sure that December 8th isn't too early for Hakuba ? Even in the wonder winter last season, it was only after Christmas that things got interesting. Why don't you wait for the snow reports, or at least plan to go to one of the resorts with the bionic snowmachines ? Hakuba at that time is probably only going to be a waste of money. Unless you're seriously hardcore and don't give a shit, boarding on thin snow is only going to wreck that lovely board you spent all that money on. Dem rocks sure do cut through ptex dead easy. If you make it to Hakuba later in the season, stay

How about giving the girls a bit of advice or a bit of explanation to go with the resort names ? Arai gets a LOT of snow, but some of it is quite wet. Last season, one of the good lifts (there are only really two) was closed due to subsidence. The hooded one closes at 4, a bit early for my liking. The hotel complex down the bottom is very nice, and more of it will be opening next year, but being there would hardly be the cultural experience these girls say they are seeking. Arai is one of the least "Japanese" resorts I can think of. As a visitor, though, it's magic when they open up