greg

I spoke to a middle age guy organising a flight home the smae day he had arrived. Damaged his hip and back soon after getting off the bus! The worst place has to be outside the Seico Mart. You could sit down outside and watch people fall over all day as they go in and out. That entrance can be treacherous! Especially with bags of shopping in your hands.

I always wear those slip on rubber cleats. Even with decent boots for that same reason. Best $10 you can spend I reckon.

Oh I forgot. I also was wearing orange corduroy flares and a Fonzie t-shirt

Originally Posted By: Jynxx Moon boots ! lol. That's a crack up. They were cool when I used to ride an oddball bicycle with bana seat,sissy bar and three speed gear changer located in the middle.

Make sure you have decent footware (gum boots, sorels or something). You see a lot of wet and cold skate shoes etc around the village. If you don't have any buy some gum boots from Kutchan.

One thing worth mentioning about long boards is when the day starts getting tracked out the longer board allows you to go just that little bit wider, flatter and slower line that people have avoided due to having to small boards. A longer board can give you a few extra fresh lines near the end of the day.

Hey Seemore and Gareth where are you guys going this season and when? We are going back to Niseko, probably early to mid Jan for a Month.

I think there is getting to be a "too cool for school" crowd with respect to Niseko. People who haven't been to Japan before go there the first time or so because it is easy then try somewhere else. When asked where they go or have been they bag Niseko as if it makes them more hardcore or travel savvy. I think it is great people are trying different resorts and exploring more of Japan but I think some people overly criticise Niseko for little reason to try and impress others. Flaming anyone?

My Fault Sorry!

acpowman, can we contact you to organise tickets? I find it frustrating at times dealing with agents that aren't familiar with the situation or location.

LOL. Just go to Main Peak on a Saturday to find out!

ha ha. Perth is indeed a small place. It is even a smaller snow community!

Seemore, The rental board scene isn't as bad as it used to be. It may be worth hiring one for this trip. You may be able to exchange it a few times if you ask nicely and try different sizes makes etc to see what you really like.

Seemore, are you looking for a general purpose board for yourself or something more of a Japan weapon, off piste and powder?

Set back about an inch but board alraedy has a considerable set back in it. +21 and +12 for my feet (mainly ride directional boards)

My favourite was a French film I think. It was called Apocolypse Snow. Mid 80's, fluoro jumpsuits etc. A special agent on a Winterstick gets chased by bad guys on monoskis. Cool for it's day.

Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver Out last night and I was talking to some mates about snowboarding this winter.....I'm getting proper excited about it now!!! Roll on winter!!! I totally know what you mean. I was at work (about 600m undergound) explaining to someone about snow shovelling and I started getting all excited. They must have thought I had lost it. What a subject to get excited about!

I have had some of my best experiences boarding at night in Hirafu, but also some of my worst. The weather obviously plays a huge factor. If it hasn't snowed for a while, the runs at night are just chewed up and the trees are tracked out. You have to remember that you are now boarding the longest period before grooming. This can go from average to down right horrible if the wind is up. If it has snowed during the day and is dumping that night...you are in for a memorable experience. There is nothing better than going down the front of the mountain flat chat in 6 to 12 inches of fresh snow

You are going early in the season so you shouldn't need to worry too much about reservations.

If/When one does let go in Niseko off the peak it could take out a lot of people (maybe not completely bury but I wouldn't bet on it). Heaps of people without a clue sit in the gullies scratching their arses enjoying the view and taking photos while dozens of people are dropping in on top of them. If you don't get buried there are plenty of trees to be smashed into aswell. There will be two main types of people caught, those who are unaware of the risk and those who don't respect the risk (because they have been in "riskier" terrain before with no problems). Any avie can be bad news. With

yeah sorry , I just subconsciously saw 50,000 not 5,000....man....you will struggle. Still, try working for it and try the hand outs

e-bay matey, Or You might have more luck asking if anyone has any old gear you could "work" for. e.g shovelling snow etc. Also try hire shops, they may have some stuff left over around when Rocky IV came out. As mama has just kindly offered, some people have gear they would rather give to someone who would appreciate it rather than sell it for next to nothing or sitting in a wardrobe for a decade. $500 will be difficult but not impossible. It will just be harder and will take a lot of effort and time.

Pepole die of CO2 satuation in the local atmosphere. I don't know if it is a problem but is CO2 is heavier than air, so if you are positioned in a way where your intake on your avilung is lower than your out take of CO2 you will conatminate you air space you have made in front of your face. Is that correct?

In a few months people will start talking about early starts or slow starts to the season. It happens every year (and why not?) Everything from grasshoppers, cicadas and the old lady up the road said..... will be discussed in great detail. I kind of like the local reasons/indicators stories. My favourite is that you will delay winter by putting winter tyres on too early.

I had the same problem for my laptop. We managed to find a multi adaptor like MB. It can handle 3 pronged aussie plugs. They are more expensive though (I think $20 or $30).