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Kuma

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Posts posted by Kuma

    Off-Piste Friendly Resorts ? ?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Actually, on my first visit to Nozawa last March we received quite the nagging from a liftie - but then again, perhaps our crime had more to do with ducking the ropes right next to the top of the lift (next to the 'skiers only'-slope) then actually riding off-piste?? Go figure..

    Could it be that you are allowed to go out of bounds as long as you don't duck the ropes where they can see you directly (see no evil, hear no evil etc.)?

    switzerland

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Been to Verbier two years ago. Without a doubt the best riding of my life! Especially when I managed to hook up with a few guys who were there for the whole season to show me around.. Although riding here CAN be good, comparing to Switzerland in terms of terrain makes no sense - two very different things..

     

    But, as going to Swiss Alps is not an option this winter, I'm very much looking forward to the first turns of the season here, along with lots of pow and those nasty patrol guys chasing me for riding the trees!! ;\)

    "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..."

    Cross-country - what IS the appeal??

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Think one has to comment on this one...

    Cross-country is one the best forms of exercise there is, beats running/jogging 6-0 - good for your legs, back, arms, shoulders etc. Not to mention the cardiovascular workout + the quiet nature surrounding you.

    Used to do 400-500km/winter in elementary school, then relatively quiet until few years ago when I started all over again; going for a nice little 25-30km spin, especially on a sunny day is hard to beat -- mind you that there weren't any huge mountains where I used to live.. Those of you that have been riding with me at the slopes know that being afraid of speed or steep places is hardly my reason for cross-country - in fact one of the reasons I like it is speed!

    Haven't done it here in Japan, and probably won't as there is enough terrain for snowboarding + time is limited, can't really go for 15km of skiing in the evenings after work like I used to do... smile.gif

     

    my 2 yen,

    Kuma

    What's the funniest thing you've seen in the lift line?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Going off the original topic here, but...

     

    Ocean, they release the spring system between the chair and the ski so they can sit on the quad.

     

    I was once on the national disabled ski team's training camp (as an outsider); it was great to see these guys' attitudes towards the sport - on a rainy day they were basically the only ones out on the slopes..

    And going 100km/h in that chair (on 1 ski) is something I don't think I'd be ready to try!

    Those guys definitely get my deepest respect out of all snow-riders.

    Double standards?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Hey hey hey hey chill out Ocean11!

     

    No, I haven't done my research - BUT neither was I serious about that (need to label the jokes better) so take a deep breath...

    Clearly there are local powder hounds as well - we all posting here just happen to be the loudest at the moment...

    Let's boarding... who knows, maybe we'll bump into each other someday (somewhere off the slopes I presume).

     

    Have a good day!

    Double standards?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Pardon me for drifting back from the "how to operate a resort for 250,000 Tanaka-sans and a dozen foreign powder hounds" -discussion but I got confused on couple of comments.. (not that I wouldn't be confused often)

     

     Quote:
    Originally posted by IM:

    There are some resorts that have programs to ride in the ungroomed and/or get to back country stuff

    Niigata:

    Arai (In bound powder areas)

    B]

     

     

    Yo IM - so this is your view on Arai?

     

    And another guy on a another thread is saying the following:

    "Just for your information....

    Arai, the patrol people are really annoying and watch you all the time, so it is difficult to go off piste. "

     

    So, what's the real deal with ARAI?

    Will the cops be chasing me again or not? Just curiousity speaking here, I'm heading there this weekend so I'll most likely find out the reality myself, but would be nice to know whether I can boost my hopes high or not.. wink.gif

     

    "gettin' some snow, gettin' some riding.."

    Kuma

    Double standards?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Now that you've made it clear that we're not talking "serious" backcountry here, just good off-piste riding - I'm definitely supporting the cause (especially after last weekend's race with the patrol guy Nat already mentioned.. smile.gif

     

    I probably haven't been in the country long enough to know how well complaining works on these kinds of issues, but I can promise my full support - by riding all accessible terrain where there is at least a glimpse of powder in sight, in every resort I visit, whether it involves rope-/fence-ducking or not, until I get stopped by patrols (at which point I don't have a clue what the guy is saying - after all, neither English nor Japanese is my first language..).

     

    Keep on riding! Looking forward to seeing you fellow-fighters on the slopes

    I am sorry for ...

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    And besides the patrol guy, you forgot to mention the wide orange fence across the entry to the slope, the "keep out" signs as well as the lift staff signaling that the slope is a "no-go"...

    But like you said, the snow was excellent compared to the lower area + the area was covered from the worst wind.

    And racing that patrol guy probably gave you some extra adrenaline..? You really need to work on your speed.. wink.gif

    Admit it, it was worth it and we WILL do it again, right? So no public apologies like this anymore.

    Let's see what next weekend has to offer - even more excitement?

    C'ya!

    shh, snowboarding...can't talk

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Wow, this one is starting to get steamy... So it's time to turn on the heat! :p

     

    Belle - forget those Titanic scenes in a gondola, I know you haven't forgotten the steamy nights we spent together?! (please don't tell the steam was from my pleasantly odorous socks) So that leads me to wondering what photos do you REALLY have..?

     

    But like mogski said, open your minds - that'll take us all surprisingly far.

    shh, snowboarding...can't talk

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    belle,

     

    like Nat said - after witnessing your social abilities I'd be very tempted to say that it's not your fault... smile.gif

    Perhaps it all does boil down to the fact that the average "tanaka-san" of yours is just too shy in front of you, a boarding Austrian - oops sorry, Australian gal? Don't give up!

     

    Nat,

    I promise I'll share a lift with you next weekend (at least once..) wink.gif Who knows, maybe we even manage to start a conversation?

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