TeleSkier

First time for me in Japan was last year Dec 22-23rd up at Happo to the tune of 3 ft of fresh powder - so needless to say I wasn't complaining too much. Went back to the States a week later to Wildcat up in New Hampshire to snow more fitting for a hockey game. Danz - gotta love the K-Mart opening in Oct back home. Long lift lines, terrible snow, but on the skis again. Can't go wrong with that.

Badmigrane, Sounds like a great place and with the suds they have on tap there I'm sure the stories will only get taller as the night goes on. Lets make it happen.

Yeah, Had the afternoon off from work today and went swimming up in a mountain river just west of where I live near Mt. Oyama down in the Western Tokyou Area. The water is much cooler now and looking for those leaves to start chaning colors. Can't wait for the snow.

One of my buddies lives near Ebisu Station in Tokyo and pays around Y300,000 ($2,200) or so a month in rent. Place has a living room, 2 bedrooms, kitchen, and a parking spot. They are out there but still expensive with the move in costs.

I say we get a date out there - how about two Fridays from now. The place not sure up to GG on that one...It is cooling down now finally - soon (2 months) the snow will be flying and I will be making the 3+ hr drives up to Nagano. Can't wait....

Got to be the one piece suit there - some people refer (I'm just the mesenger) to them as "Fag Bags" back in the States.

I say somewhere different than Rappongi - too crowded. I was at this place called The Muse a few weeks ago on a weeknight in Nishazabu Crossing area and it looked pretty cool. Never been there on a weekend though. Other thoughts....

Sounds like a great plan. I'm up for it - where in Tokyo???

I have some interesting views on many of the idealistic comments here and I am sure this is going to stir the coals up some. - As for clumping GB in there with Bin Laden as being equally as bad I recommend that you get your head checked. How can you even put them in the same catagory. The attacks on the World Trade Centers were unprovoked...Do you think the US was unprovoked in attacking Afghanistan? I don't think so... - Gulf War - The US went in there to get Iraq out of Kuwait who is one of our allies. Really don't think that the US and GB were the aggressors on that one. On anot

Just curious what people are thinking about tomorrow being the one year anniversary of the Sept 11th attacks. How the world has changed in the last year. Do you think the world is heading in the right direction. Should get some interesting results with the diverse crowd on this forum. Maybe not the best forum for this discussion but I'm sure it has affected all of our lives over this last year.

Hope to get up there quite a bit - but have to go back to the States in December. Looking at 15+ days this year. Few extra in June for some late backcountry should top it off....

Danz, Where can you get those bad boys for Y280,000? The inside scoup would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Recommend getting yourself up to the Hakuba Valley in Nagano this fall. You can take the train there. As for the skiing - is it going to be like Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows - No. But it isn't too bad either. You can expect to rent decent equipment for Y3000 or so and tickets to be Y4600/day. So not too bad. From Kyoto I am guessing it would be a 4+ hr car ride. Not exactly sure though. I highly recommend a trip to the Japan Alps though - they are fantastic.

I have skied them downhill at Squaw Valley one day. Real explosive and a lot of fun. For 280,000 I would say that is a real good deal. Where are you seeing them for that much and what sizes do they have???

What I generally miss about home are the people. Japan has so many things to offer that the USA doesn't at time: - Leave the car unlocked most of the time - Train to anywhere and it is on time - Cans of hot coffee everywhere - Friendly culture - Great skiing Just to name a few. So you add this and many more things and it is great living over here.

I'm sorry but Hakuba as far as I am concerned is not that much of a party place. What is the deal with the apres ski scene over here. I'm sure people are going to line up and throw darts at me but....Hakuba has some but it could be much better. Mitch from Snowbeds opened a bar up there called the SnowedIn and it is pretty cool. But other than that it seems kind of weak. Maybe someone could steer me in a better direction.

Good point about the Lex Only been there way late in the night when most likely should have called it a night a few hours prior.

I'd have to say one of my fondest memories of skiing here so far are taking down a few Asahi talls on the way up the Happo gondola at 9am on April Fools Day. Back home I have been known to hike a 12 pack up to Tuckerman's in New Hampshire on Mt. Washington. If anyone has been there - it is probably the best place I have ever had a beer. Also provides a little liquid courage as well. Not a bad thing most of the time.

As for the bars in Tokyo: Can't go wrong with Rappongi but better bring the wallet and the endless supply of funds with the atm card. Some that I like - Gerranimos near the square Propogandas Lexington and Queens Some Irish bar can't remember the name There are tons. Can't go wrong.

Ocean, Felt like I was out there with you for a moment with that post. What were you looking at from the cable car?

What are your favorite Japanese ski experiences so far? I have only been here for one season but the top three for me are: 1. First time skiing in Japan December 22-23 up at Happo-One. Snowed about 40cm+ and it was amazing and so different at the same time. 2. Skiing from the top of Mt. Fuji in June. Totally bluebird day on the rooftop of Japan. 3. Skiing up at Mt. Tateyama and the Marudo Plateua in early June. Incredible adventure that I highly recommend. I am already earerly awaiting the upcoming season. Got the first ski magazine in the mail the other day....

Gonna have to go with the Super Chu-Hi's on that one - especially like the grape myself.

3 pairs here with me in Japan - New pair of K2 AK Launchers mounted tele with Rainey HammerHead Bindings - Yellow Salamon X-Screams mounted tele - Old School Rossi Vipers mounted Alpine

Matt - where did you go down there. Looking for a trip for my wife and I the three day weekend in September. If you wouldn't mind revealing the info on that I would appreciate it. Thanks

1. Many trips up to the Hakuba Area 2. Mucho powder to be cut up 3. Keeping the drive from the Tokyo area to Hakuba in less than 4 hrs. 4. All the time weekend reservations at Snowbeds. 5. No smoking on the chair in front of me or in the lodge. 6. Long sunny spring season. 7. Lots of snow and sun for the April/May/June Backcountry It's not that much to ask, is it....