Pint

Awesome pics and topo map SerreChe! Thanks for sharing. Your pics are much better than anything I would have been able to take with my camera phone.

I'll be attending the course too. Do enough BC I thought it would be wise to learn about avy conditions.

Quote: I usually stop on the sides of a run if I need to stop - yet people feel the need to come by and ski or board as close to me as possible between the option of going near you when you are stationary on the side or a couple beginners leafing it down the middle of the slope.. ill go near you every time because i can predict where you will be

For awhile Id been debating whether or not to wear a helmet but after reading this thread for a bit I decided that I would at least buy one so that I have the option to use it or not. Going to Happo this weekend and gonna give it (Giro 9.9) a look see.

I've had "K2 Proof" boots since last season and "Burton Rulers" before that. The BOA system on the Proof boots are exactly what the doctor ordered. I got 'dem chicken legs and I can never get regular lace up boots tight enough.

I've done it a few times. Always on the way back though because it is just a hella long ride. gamera is right, from Minakami to Tokyo is no problem, its from Minakami that trains run once ever 75 mins or so.

D-town, Ohio "duh".. where you form in Ohio?

Got this from "Metropolis"... I haven't been there, but next time I head up to NAEBA for a weekend I might check it out. Anybody been there, done that? ********** Sno Deck Naeba, one of the only ski resorts in Japan with any nightlife, now has a rocking DJ bar/pizzeria right at the base of the Asagai Snowboard Park on route 17, 20 minutes' walk from the Naeba ski area and its new 5km gondola. Watch out for the free shots if you plan on making an early start the next day. 52-4 Oaza-Mikuni, Yazawa-Cho, Minami Uonuma-gun, Niigata. Tel: 0257-89-3293. Open 11am-2am daily. snodeck@

Just curious... Has anybody had their snowboards or skis stolen in Japan? I just brought over a nice Forum board and was wondering if I would have to watch it like a hawk as I did in the US. (Even when your stuff is locked in the US, I've heard about people's boards gone missing)

Gunma... almost everyday I head up to Minakami Norn.