miteyak

any skier going through powder deserves respect, Ocean 11, it aint easy like on a snowboard, I know, I've done both. As for fashion, boarders and skiers fashions are both kinda ridiculous methinks. Functional mountaineering gear wins every time, and you can use it when you do the real thing, too.

the deal is the same for skis or snowboards. A high end snowboard (just bought a burton cascade) gives an amazing ride compared to lesser models. The cascade, great in powder, but still holds its own on hardpack, crud, cordouroy. For unpredictable mixed conditions, hard to beat, unlike cheaper models. Just like skis, really. As for the price, it cost more with a 30% discount than the aforementioned skis. If you check out the stores, skis and snowboards cover the same price range. Ocean11, have you ever tried skiing, fats, or telemarking?

Yep, I know a guy who lost his season lift ticket out of bounds on the first day. Depends where you are. As for this backcountry conversation, I presume we're talking 'off piste'. Backcountry really refers to non-lift access areas, and therefore has no real restrictions.

let's not forget that downhill skiing was initially started and developed by the British! (even if, like tennis, we're not actually any good at it)

quite a few resorts do have them here, but only on the high speed quads, i think.

Lets face it, nowadays snowboarding clothes are more a 'fashion' than ski wear. Most skiers I see are wearing outdated gear (from the eighties?) just because they have it, whereas boarders are more often in matching drab bought for their one or two weekends a year. As for moguls, they improved my telemarking no end, and I used to like boarding them until I got a big powder board. Only complaint, do they really have to cover a whole slope?

so whats the annual snowfall around Japan, anybody know?

Yo yo, please disseminate your priceless information! As to there being mixed onsens, yes, there are alot dotted about, yes, it is allowed.

Nothing quite like a cold beer in an onsen after a hard day on the slopes, snow falling. Gets a bit boring by yourself though. Anyone know of any onsens in Hakuba to which one can go with one's partner (if you're of the heterosexual persuation)?

Ontake's top restaurant ~3000m, has 'ethnic' fair, spicey lamb chops, naan pizzas ... , pretty damn good!

Tokyu hands (Osaka) has homebrew kits and a small selection of beer syrups to choose from. There is also an importer, I'll get the name/website info ASAP

I'mk not much of a boarder, but when I come off a lift, I slide down to the flatter areas, stick me foot in the binding, strap it up, and off I go, no sitting, often no stopping, takes about 10-15 secs. Question, How much time does a step in save, exactly?

marmot, patagonia, berghaus, snowdon mouldings, oh and burton, Garmont and BD from the shins down.

Flowers IPA, Ruddles County

Heading up to Hakuba this weekend, cabin already booked. Any resorts other than Kashimari likely to open?

Don't know about the glove liners with mitts when you buy them, but i've been wearing very thin silk or thermal gloves under me pile/gortex mitts for fifteen years, climbing, skiing, snowboarding. When I take off my outer gloves to do something tricky, I don't want another pair of mitts!

Anyone looking at the livecam on Iwatake yesterday morning would know that it was snowing in the Hakuba region, just a matter of altitude!

Dynaland and Ontake both have hot changing rooms open all night in their car parks, (although I think Ontake's technically Nagano). All I can think of right now. Free onsen at the bus station at Shin Hotaka.

I can only imagine one type of light worth having for flying down a slope at night. A climbing headlamp (the new petzel LEDs ,72g, phenonenal) is fantastic for plodding, but only serves to destroy (my) night vision when going fast. How about strapping mtb twin cateyes to the top of your goggles, stuff the battery pack down yer jacket. Good enough for flying through forests at night on a bike!

Crashed into a skier on my board (caused by a third skier I might add), split my board, my head and a huge dent in my pride. Thought I'd throw that in.

telemark and board

Wear the camelbac next to your thermal layer (the same place you keep yer snickers) and the temperature shouldn't be a problem.

Wear the camelbac next to your thermal layer (the same place you keep yer snickers) and the temperature shouldn't be a problem.

Wear the camelbac next to your thermal layer (the same place you keep yer snickers) and the temperature shouldn't be a problem.