powda tele

Rusutsu will have as much pow as Niseko, but a few more flats in the runs, especially at the bottom. It's a decent sized resort, and they don't seem to worry so much about rope ducking if you don't rub it in their nose. They used to freak at that. There are two pensions I believe, but I know nothing about them. The main resort hotel is expensive (of course) but the pensions are probably more reasonable. You can get there by bus from Sapporo Stn no problems.

Lots of wind and some snow/graupel up here at the moment. Finally took the slicks off my bike this morning and put on the winter (spiked) tyres. So much more fun on the ice. If I get everything done today, I'm off for two and a half weeks of skiing tomorrow. All Hokkaido based. Will drop in for two days of rest (oops - work) so PM if you're heading up and want to meet. Hope you get some dumps down in the south soon. It's not huge up here yet, but it's def skiable. Schralp on!

Nic comment Mr Wiggles re the variety of falls. The guy I usually head out with is a split boarder, and he often says he only goes with me to watch the crazy dynamic falls with gear pointing in all directions. Teleboy - I've never skied park, but I'm game this season. I'm interested in small kickers and half pipe, but really only to get my skills honed and see what I can transfer to the BC. I was hoping to get a few tips. Switch tele is a bit of a joke really, but it does look cool, so I'll give it a whirl. I don't wear knee guards, but I have been thinking about it. I don't really s

I learnt a HUGE load last season, and ready to learn more. If you're the kind who likes a serious instruction book, I recommend Paul Parker's Free Heel Skiing. It's the bible of telemarking, has been since it was written, and will be for many years. If you're into an irreverant approach, try Allen & Mike's Really Cool Telemark Tips. Basically ideas from Parker's tele bible, but explained simply in ways you can remember (with funky cartoons). Need to carve harder? Think of squashing grapes under the front foot big toe and the rear foot little toe. Too stretched out and need a tighter s

Pre-season? What pre-season? My season just started, but I have to admit I'm pretty damn sore today.

I should have said I snowboarded for a season or two a couple of years ago, but now I'm back to 100% tele. Never had the heel locked in on skis, not even once. Don't really intend to either. I can't really parallel, but might learn this season. (Quatro - don't worry too much about mixing styles. Seems sensible to use every technique available to you, but it is sexy to telemark where you can.) If anyone's coming up Hokkaido way, let me know. And how do I put one of my pictures up as an avatar under my name? I want to use a picture that's saved on my computer. Any tips?

Great to get some responses. I posted yesterday while working. Sun night now & I'm back from my first day out (Kiroro - Hokkaido). Average snow, but fantastic day with a boarding friend, and my girlfriend who teles (we met because I was 'desperate' to tele with someone else and a mutual friend hooked us up). As for me, I moved into tele from cross country years ago (pre-plastic, but I'm not as old as that sounds), but stopped for a long time. Took it up again a few seasons back and skiing better than ever. Love going BC, but happy to practice on piste. I just got a pair of twin tip Ro

Come on out all you free-heel minded people and make yourself known now the ski season is starting. Stand up! Speak out! Fight the tyranny of the mainstream! Anyway... Where are you? What are you riding? BC, resort, or park? Dedicated telemarker, or also boarder/alpine skier? Ride with other telemarkers, friends on other mediums, or are you a lone wolf? Did you start on teles, or are you a convert? Enjoy the new season. There's only 5 months of snow left.

So it was you who put this post up Peaker! I'm just glad the children have left the post so we can get on with discussing, not fighting. I'm right into ducking the ropes, but I'm not going to complain if I get chased and bitched-out. Personally, I wish there weren't any filthy weather days so I could avoid those steel monstrosities (lifts) all season. I already know what you'll vote Peaker. You didn't put that fourth option in for nothing. Good poll. Catch you out there.

Hey everyone. I'm presently telemarking powder on K2 Work Stinx. I'm thinking of upgrading for more big-mountain fun to a pair of Hippy Stinx (telemark version of the Seth Pistol), or possibly the Gotamas (but they look BIG). Any thoughts? Cheers.

Hey Skibeaver. How are the Gotamas? I'm thinking of using them with tele bindings, but I'm more leaning toward the K2 Hippy Stinx at the moment. My guess is you'd have to have seriously deep pow for the Gotamas to be needed. Your thoughts? Cheers. K.

The first places to open in Hokaido (with natural snow - not man-made) are usually Kurodake (central Hokaido - far from Niseko), Nakayama Toge (in the Niseko area - kind of), and Sapporo Kokusai (good for boarding, OK for skiing). These are the highest resorts. Have fun.

Someone I go back country with a lot converted to hard (alpine not snowboard) boots last season and laughs at the concept of going back to soft boots for boarding. He loves the ability to strap on crampons when it gets icey. He loves the edge hold they offer when traversing on his split board, and they're much warmer than soft boots. Learning to board again due to changing to hard boots? Not much. He got used to it real quick and thinks they're great for back country. Even without crampons they allow you to kick steps on firm snow. He loves them. Telemark boots are most definitely d

Anyone been to Rishiri, plugged up the mountain and skiid or boarded it? Must be awesome. The winter photos look great. We're planning an extended trip there. I know there's a lot of steep (ice climbing) faces there, but the north side should provide some good skiing/boarding. Anyone able to help me out with some info/tips? Cheers in advance.

Skydivers have been rigging helmet cams for years. It's a pretty integral part of the competition scene. If you want info on helmet cams or DIY set-ups, maybe check out some skydiving websites or do a search including skydiving and helmet cameras, etc. Best of luck.

Rusutsu used to be very strict. They were famous for chasing rope-duckers and taking their ski pass (even season tickets). They seem to be a bit more relaxed this year, but they don't like their noses rubbed in it. If you want to take the chance, be discreet.

Hey Telechick. Certainly getting out on day trips with a smaller/lighter pack makes a HUGE difference. Trust me. Been there done that. I still haul big sometimes, but not too often. I used to take a mid-size pack with all the extra safety gear for big day trips. I've trimmed it down for smaller day trips and I'm surprised how small and light my pack is. Of course, I still take essential emergency and avo stuff. Lighten up (litterally) and enjoy the ride (no pun intended, but it does seem to fit).

Perhaps in my initial message/question, I should have included a feeling that a lot of Aussies and Kiwis are coming over from relatively safe areas and venturing into deep and steep powder. Generally, I feel, they come for short holidays without the knowledge or gear. I'm not blaming them, I came to Japan just as avo-ignorant as well, but I think it's going to contribute to the problem. Last week I met two Japanese guys out on one of their first BC boarding trips. It was full-on white out and there was no-one else about. They saw our tracks leading off the ridge into a nice bowl and wante

I don't believe in fate, so I'm going to bring this up. What do others think? Around Niseko, I've been noticing more and more people heading off-piste from the resorts. If you looked into the avo-prone back bowl of Anapuri last year, you'd be lucky to see a few tracks a month. The other day I could have seen 20 or so, and that was after a week of storms. Surely this increase in BC riders couldn't be matched by an equivalent increase in skilled riders who also have the appropriate BC knowledge. I was out a few weeks ago with my BC boarding buddies and we saw two small slides that had

Teledude: If you are heading up this way, give us a nudge on the forum and maybe we can meet up. I go BC quite a bit, but also up for some 'side pow' and 'lift-assisted BC'. Telechick: Same goes, if you're coming up, let me know. The more the merrier. If nothing else, I may be able to show you around. I'm making some investigations into a few Japanese telemarkers some friends know. There are heaps around Niseko, but you just have to meet them. If nothing else, keep in touch. I'm interested in tele-related topics... Cheers to both of you. Happy turns.

Looking for some other telemarkers (Japanese or foreign) living around Sapporo. I live in Sapporo, telemark on and off piste, and presently hang out with boarders. Don't mind the boarders - they're all happy to hike up and go back country, but I'm pretty keen to ski with some like minded free-heelers as well.