greg

Property in a Ski field (especially somehwere like Niseko etc) is not just a financial investment it has to be looked at as a lifestyle investment. You have to really want it for personal reasons aswell, otherwise who is going to look at a place with sporadic cash flow, higher maintenace and forex risk.

Most people in Niseko are genrally speaking not geared too high as you said Mamabear. I have heard of a couple of people over here that had Yen loans and went pretty pale when the AUD crashed. Pretty much over night the banks came knocking and asking for more security (property)to put against their loans.

It may be the same one Mr Wiggles. It was a while ago and it may have been in Tokyo and not Sapporo. I can't remember where I was, I can only remember what it was. lol.

I'll see if I can find the picture of me standing outside the vagina shaped door to an adult store in Sapporro.

The best tip I can offer would be to get fit. As the day wears on the weaker you get and the harder it gets to get back up.

and your feet hang six inches out the back!

Sounds good to me.

Tripler, have you tried a board without one?

I never used to wear a helemt but do now. When I do have a big stack now at least I don't have to climb back up the mountain looking for beanie and goggles (full of snow).

yep.

I can't believe they put POS up. That and the convention centre are a waste of money and embarrissing. Of all the things they can do with the foreshore, they put up those pieces of generick red neck crap.

Just smile and listen. It can be entertaining:)

Originally Posted By: SJForums Or perhaps before doing that, look at this page for the ones that are listed with us: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/niseko-guide/niseko-gear-and-rental.html That's an even better idea!

There are a few Western rental companies now operating in Niseko already so they should stock larger sizes. Google ski hire Japan/Niseko and see what comes up. From there contact them and see what they have got. If you book now you should be OK. G

What is that, a hotel for ants? The real hotel will have to be at least three times that size!!

At least your wallet isn't the size of a phone book anymore:)

I hope the 80's come back. Maybe then my hair will come back aswell

You can exchange travellers checks in Kutchan but there is nowhere in Hirafu that does. It wasn't so long ago you couldn't even use a credit card at restaraunts etc.

My mate took travellers checks last year and he has been to Japan before. I told him not to bother. It was a major pain the ass and he got absolutely slugged in fees/rates for some reason I can't remember. Don't forget the 711 in Kutchan is also another place for international cards.

Ziggy...are you getting excited yet?

Ziggy, See how you go after a day or so. If you want some, most of the ski stores and even some other shops etc sell the rubber cleats. There are a couple of styles. The three main styles I have come across are 1: Rubber cleats small metal studs at front and at back 2: Rubber cleats with small metal studs at front but not at the back 3: Rubber cleats that have no studs but coiled wire on the bottom. Personal preference but I like the first ones myself. They are not totally necessary but they are cheap, easy and worth it in my opinion.

Ziggy, Most of the ski stores and even some other shops etc sell the rubber cleats. There are a couple of styles. The three main styles I have come across are 1: Rubber cleats small metal studs at front and at back 2: Rubber cleats with small metal studs at front but not at the back 3: Rubber cleats that have no studs but coiled wire on the bottom. Personal preference but I like the first ones myself. They are not totally necessary but they are cheap, easy and worth it in my opinion.

Stiff boots aren't too bad to walk in and many come with a speed lace system so you can loosen them off easily for walking around etc if you want to. You can definately feel the difference in hard and soft boots. I guess it just comes down to what you prefer and what you are used to wearing. I like a harder boot. I feel like I am wearing sneakers whith soft boots on, but they are far more comfortable. I have neevr boarded with a true hard boot before (ski boot). That would be interesting.

Are they different to the ones in Niseko? It sounds very similar. Niseko have been using a similar for over ten years.

ha ha. Nope, not one of the drunks. Just don't like wet feet. Shovelling snow in sneakers/trainers is also off the list for me. Cheap arse gum boots from the CO-OP aren't exactly mega boots anyway. Easy to kick off as well.