cal

Seen this folks? Snow Maps Looks like we are in for a huge dump over the next 7 days in Nagano/Toyama/Niigata(?). Sounds good to me. There doesn't seem to have been a comprehensive dumping yet this season. Would be good to get the first one and see those snow depth cm go up!

Best: Yamagata Zao Worst: Where to start? Forgetting early season woes, the worst in season I have experienced was at Togakushi in Nagano

Yeah I was kind of wondering that too - it never seems to get huge amounts according to all the reports, but people seem to say that it has really good conditions...

Yeah people, dont get TOOO carried away. Sad to hear that news. Cal

Anyone been to any resorts over the last few years that have been surprisingly not crowded over New Year. I am now wondering where to go, don't want to hit crazy crowds, but do want to get out there. Any specific experience anyone?

Anyone got any webstuff they can paste into the thread on this - seems too interesting to miss!

Just had a magnificent day at Maiko Kogen in Niigata. My second time to that resort, went mainly because of my Japanese friends going up there in a group. The snow was pretty good, not too many people out there and great weather all day. Some excellent runs were had by all, and a really good day all round. Decent resort, check it out if you havent been there (but keep to the Gondola and Bowl side unless you want beginners-only runs to the right). Cal

Cans of hot coffee! On that subject - anyone actually like those things? They are just sooooooooo sweeet its unreal.

Hi there Danz I will be in Nagano this weekend, and will probably be away for Christmas too, you'll probably find lots are too. Might get a little quieter round here from next week until NY, maybe not. Hey all us boardin' dudes will be doing what we do best, don't you reckon?!

not too sure but it's a fairly decent sized place though with quite a few lifts. My friend lives in Nagano and that is one of his locals...but hey if a season is 2 man, get it. That's just 4 days on the slopes in the season and you're sure to get value out of that. (Aren't you?)

Nagano. Shiga Kogen. There you go.

You don't know that the Japanese have a longer day than Western countries?

Marsh - is it actually part of the Naeba resort or not?

Is that the place that is part of Naeba (but not part of Naeba)...begging the question...is it part of Naeba??

Here you go, ii: It is hard to say who actually "invented" the first snowboard. People would have always figured out how to slide down a hill on some sled, thus it would be unfair to point out one specific person, who came up with "the first" snowboard. There were some people, though, who built snowboard like sleds before. One of them was M.J. "Jack" Burchett. He cut out a plank of plywood in 1929 and tried to secure his feet with some clothesline and horse reins. Burchett came up with on of the first "snowboards". Before the next step for the snowboard was taken, it had to wait over

What was the snow condition like up there, ii?

Don't know that either. Interesting to know......

Hey folks seen that 7 day snow map! Hold on a sec will post the link..... HERE YOU GO! Check out that snow in the Nagano region.....well 'ard! [This message has been edited by cal (edited 13 December 2001).]

So what is the Japanese Hunter Mountain like then??

Yeah, I didn't know about any of these places.....tell us more people!

After seeing the Zao post earlier, thought Id ask you all about Hunter Mountain in Tochigi. Anyone been there? Heard conflicting reports, so if anyone has any pointers, would be good! Cheers Cal

Hey danz, please tell us all about it. I am planning on going up there over Christmas. Cheers mate. Cal

There seem to be more around in the last few years than before. Probably in no small part due to people knowing more because of SJG, and more gaijin coming to Japan of course. But yeah, go to Hakuba or Niseko for the places with the most gaijin. I hear a lot go to Geihoku Kokusai down in Hiroshima too and Lake Biwako....

Tenjindaira is open in Gunma, as is Kusatsu Kokusai. Take a look at the Resort Watch page, theres a link on the top page of this site. Looks like more places are now opening up! Not before time too!

Just ignore and delete him completely, not worth the bother.