torihada

Quattro oh definitely a special kids edition report - especially for Appi Kogen where other people are likely to visit. Many thanks for the advice. I look forward to the day when the kids are leaving me in their wake - maybe they'll take me bc in my dottage.

yeah good idea. At the moment in UK I can get them a set (rear entry rossingol boots and skis) for about 21000 Yen (£95 - exchange rate is great for me at moment) So am contemplating buying here to take out, but only makes sense if they hit the slopes 10 times. Now there's a goal Must phone Takeda sports and find out what ski sets they're doing. I have come to realise that ski hardware is much more expensive than boardware.

I agree with Kumapix; anything with a capstrap; technine are the only other manuafaturer allowed to sell 'cap straps' after agreement with burton.Hard to get outside USA. Their baltimore straps are good, you can bodge them onto cheaper bindings for a cheap solution. I got a set of USA ebay and stuck them on my old cheap bindings last year: baltimore straps They were a vast improvement. Other manufaturers are making things that appear strikingly similar to burton's cap straps; my new solomon relays have a toe strap that snuggly fits around the toe of my boot. Sweet! No more blood

thanks quattro. I know what you mean about the 15 days. Apart from the 4 days we're staying at Appi Kogen the rest will be day trips from the inlaws so we can play it by ear. Mixture of sledging, ski and maybe creche. I had to wait until I was very old to start enjoying the winter scene but I'd like to get my kids used to it early on. The main thing is I want them to enjoy it. Our kids seem to be similar age; my daughter is 7/8 and son is 5/6. I'll tot up the realsitic amount we can expect them to ski and see if the rental comes close to a ski set price. But thanks for advice on sizes they're

thanks FT. Probably the 100 & 90. I'll also look out for shaped skis as well. mmmmm twin tipped for the park?

I lost a the screw from a buckle on first time out. I now always carry a small screw driver tool designed for snowboard bindings. You can get something similar to the bakoda tool above from a hyaku yen shop.It wont have all the bells and whistles but should have enough driver bits to do the business. I also take spare screws and a buckle; once bitten twice shy. I say you're doing pretty well with a weeks riding before getting loose bindings.I check mine daily. Have just up- graded from dirt cheap bindings to some rather pricey solomon relays, I will still be checking daily. I do not wan

Here I go again with another kids question : Decided to teach kids to ski on forthcoming trip to Japan (heeded previous advice from here and not trying boarding yet) We will be spending about 15 days on slopes and they will be in lessons (learn to ski and improve their nihongo - heartless father that I am). Have decided to buy them skis & boots as we hope to get a special ski set in Japan for less than 15 days rental. I know less than zero about skis. At the moment it seems the advice is you should buy skis that are between 5 & 20 cm shorter than said child. The

Quote: Tohoku bum : Just don't jump up and down too much on the new ones or you'll end up with Edward James Omlos tatami Very good TB.

SC: I've got this image of you skiing spread eagle like JC There's nothing like the feeling of relief when you end up in the location you were praying for.

Was in a white out on top of a mountain in the Lake District, UK. We were using our compass to navigate when out of the gloom & snow appeared a group of hikers who walked directly across our path. We then thought that we were going the wrong way and the compass was wrong so ignored the compass and followed our instincts DOH! Then we were lost. A lot of pointless wandering around in circles eventually brought us to a ridge and a sudden break in the weather and we got our bearings. I wouldn't like to be out of bounds without my normal hiking gear (map, compass,survival bag, whistle, food

touch wood I haven't had a serious injury - yet. My biggest problem is old age. Hopefully keeping fit will keep me ahead of the grim reaper - for now

great news especially cosidering your current snow conditions :insert green faced jealous graemlin: actually maybe that makes it worse; being invalided with all that tempting snow falling Good luck with the physio

yep I'll do something for the gear review section. in gear review seen the link by db to the new dupraz video. That looks awesome, the guys really do look like they're surfing.

oh no! sci-fi otaku

I've just read Daver's signature.......he's given it some thought too; Quote: I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

I had a shocking twist and stretch on my left knee and ankle last year in the Alps. I didn't want to miss time on the mountain so took next day off, ice packs on ankle and took copious amounts of under the counter anti inflammatory drugs and pain killers (left over from when I broke ribs earlier in year - not snow related - Volvos are damned hard when you're on a bike) It worked but I still have twinges in left knee and had weakness above ankle for about four months. That'll teach me not land a fast jump nose first. Friend of mine on first day on a boarding holiday fell face forwards and

Certainly did It's now going to sit at home while I steadily sweat it out watching these pages: the praying for snow in Japan web page New bindings (Relay series from Solomon with the soft heel cup) and new board. I can't wait. Hopefully I haven't put together some hideous hybrid disaster.

1 old board and a new one due to arrive after the weekend Thanks to advice from various gear junkies on SJ forums. I will be lavishing all my love and attention on new board while casting aside old board I may ebay it.

yep I can't imagine the groomers getting up there, though I would pay to see them try. I'm not an bc person (though would love to try some) I tend to board solo on the corduroy, hence small resorts with good bc is wasted on me. Though I am going to visit hachimantai and see how far I can safely venture off the beaten track (probably about 10 meters)

I hiked over Tanigawadake one day in summer. It rained non stop for 8 hours. I never saw more than 40 feet in front of me. I was wet, soaked, drenched and then got freaked out descending into dense forest for about 3 hours, I couldn't stop thinking about bears. Looking at the images above I think I'll stick to the relatively passive Kawaba. Tenjindaira looks extreme and the only thing I'd have to offer would be upping the numbers to 781

I'll be in the area (about 70km away) for a couple of days, so it's just a day trip for me. It'll be my last days boarding in Japan

19 days in Japan over New Year (fly out on Christmas day) I have planned to spend 15 days in the mountains. Best previous Christmas day was spent snowboarding in Japan and eating noodles....ahhh drool... Mrs T came on leaps and bounds last winter in Alps, linked turns and ready for the transition from blues to reds (I think). What built up her confidence was riding an easy blue for two days (together - I deserved a medal) and it was great to see her improve so much. She really enjoyed it and we spent most of our time together on the mountain....now for the kids.

fattwins worked at kawaba in the 90's and seemed to rate it (see his interview; fattwins interview ) It seems to be worth the drive.

most of the Japanese tourists in London are on package holidays. they sign up for the whole deal. most of them appeared to be at times less than interested, often ignoring the Japanese Blue Badge guides. The worst are the Japanese school kids who get dragged around the usual rosta of sights and don't even feign any interest. They're all kicking their heals till they can ditch the teacher and see the bits of London that do actually interest them. I suppose if you're an oji san and don't speak Englsh, travelling independantly to the west is daunting. My father in law says it's freaks him ou

i'm sooo english. i simmer with rage at bad treatment or crap food and then don't leave a tip, thinking ha that'll show em. i prefer spuds silent fu treatment which i will always carry out in hindsight. still in paris chewing on a day old baguette :-(