IM

One tip: Go to the office early.

Last time I looked a haf way descent one was going for JPY 4-6 mil. I use the place throughout the year (but you need an ac for the Summer). Summer - fishing, Mtn Bike, Fall- foliage, onsen, etc..

Montoya, Next time I'm up there (probably in August) will get some names for ya. I own a small one in Iwappara and I do have to say, I do use them fairly often thoughout the year. It is handy since you don't have to make reservations. But monthly maintenance fee is 2 man. - a bit steep. I believe every place has some kind of fee like this.

welome 1. Do we call you NO.1? or one of seven or something? We are like fish out of water right now.

Life is short, man. If you don't do it this year, you get to do it a year older.

Sure, I do both. Started to borad last season. Here is my 2 cets: pro: easy to learn. A good day of lesson and another day or two will put you in an intermediate level. Lot of fun to ride, especially at intermediate slopes. con: Nill mobility. You are either rding or sitting - very different feeling from skiing, which you can stand still. Still not confortable not being able to have good field vision during back side turn. I would recommend any skier to try - but take a lesson, it is crucial, I think.

OzOzOz, I have only flown a few time here in a small plane, but the air space is quite hostile to small planes - many restricted spaces. And ATC(air traffic control) hates small planes. If you have access to planed in elsewhere, that may be better.

Had one for Arai, but only went three times. Although, had good times, but just too far from Tokyo.

There seem to two kinds of wax on market now. Hot wax type: the one you melt onto the base. The best way, but takes time (or money if you have someone else do it for you). Spray/liquid type: the easiest way, but only last for 1/2 day or so, and performance is much left to be desired. others: like graphite powder, etc. I consider them speciality type and don't bother. I hot wax every time I go skiing (or boarding). Many shops host clinics in fall.

Plus Rusutu now has a locally operated Onsen and is only 300 yen!

Sharuman hiuchi is basically ocean side of Arai resort. You need to get to Nihonkai side first. From Tokyo, it is a trek.

Sorry for the lingo. Here is the translation. 1. You can get a flying map (jep charts) throu the web. US Government(NOAA)map may not cover outside of US. 2. Japan is set up for hight altitude commercial carrier flights. Navigational Aide stations(VOR/NDB) are few and far inbetween. So they may be behind hills for a small airplane to catch the signals so carrying a back up GPS is helpful. Is this OK?

Hirafu is good place if you want to go off piste for powder. But on piste, the mix of runs are for eiter expert or biginner - I don't think it is well balanced. This goes for both riders and skiers. For on piste people, place like Rusutu may suit better in my opinion.

I have about 380hrs under my belt all in US. Honda owns an airport in Okegawa (Saitama, I think) and if you pick up a copy of Air Fan mag., there may be more info. on other FBO's with instruction services. And you can go to a web and buy jep charts for Japan - I don't think NOAA covers Asia. Good thing is communicaiton is in English, knots, feet, etc.. except alt. setting is expresed as QNH and in mm bars (instead of in. hg). If IFR, Japan has only a few VORs and many ADF stations (recommend to carry a back up GPS). Good luck

Zonie

I do go to Niseko about 4 times/season or so. Never skied in either Higashi or Annupuri, but I do not hear any good thing about both of places uless you are on-piste rider/skier. But, I do enjoy Chise and Waise backcountries as well as Iwao.

Jim(?) Burton has invented what has became a snowboard back in 70's. It was then called "Snofers" snow + sufin. It only had toe loops to fit your tips of your hiking boots and had a rope tied to the tip for you to hang onto. Everyone laughed at him but now HE is laughing.

A German Sports ute, a babe magnet(hasn't worked so far, thou)

Gatusan closes at the end of July. After that, any effort to do any skiing in Japan (with Ski Dome shutting down) is past the point of diminishing return.

Have you tried NAC or NOASC for any recommendation? They are listed somewhere in this guide, I believe. If you are going to be there that long, getting a roommate(s) in a cheap apt. in Kuchan, Rankoshi, or Niseko Town may be an option - except you need to bring your car.

Many outfits are now pretty cross platformed and I see not much of a differnce between them (except those guys still weraring France racing team or Snoopy stuff, now THOSE are dorky to me). Oh BTW, I hate guys were the "TEAM" outfits - I think I will start a new thread!!

Brit Gob, When I didn't speak Japanese well, they looked at me funny (dim witted, may be?). Now I speak pretty well, I'm being treated as natives, until they hear me talking English or look at my drivers license. Cheers

Interested, I am a so called stealth gaijin (Japanese Amrican).

So do I!

I beleive we are in a cold spell(sort of) it snowed at Fujisan last week, too. When we were up there temp. was 25F. I also heard some snow in Northan Alps. Can anyone from Nagano qualify this?