dyna8800

Blair, have you seen the Niseko Local Rules? I am making some minor grammatical English changes and applying them for "Arai Mountain Local Rules": Rule 1: Entering the cliff area is absolutely prohibited. Lift passes will be confiscated from any and all persons in this area. Rule 2: It is prohibited to pass through the ropes and to go out of management area. Lift passes will be confiscated upon patrol judgement. Rule 3: Individuals climbing to mountain peaks from the resort do so at their own risk. The peaks are beyond marked course limits and are not controlled by the

Hey, just back from 4 days of pow in Niseko. Well, make that 3 days, the first day was already tracked out by the time we got up the mountain in the afternoon. The top was open yesterday (Sunday) but closed on Friday and Saturday due to high winds. To get some awesome pow, go to the top, go skiers left across to Hanazono area OOB, i.e. conditional, not patrolled area, then traverse left over a peak and a half, coming back through the ravine and then between towers 7 and 8 on the quad. There signs at the gate(s) explaining this, you can also get a guide from the many services cateri

Quote: Originally posted by SerreChe: I always wondered if a signed waiver (kind of like scuba diving) would be the answer. SerreChe, do you dive? The scuba diving liability waiver has been held to be invalid in many cases in Japanese courts. I'm happy that Blair is participating in the forum and Snow Japan. Blair, if you'd like some help with your Engrish, let me know. It is pretty obvious that that text was written by a Japanese lawyer. Did you or any other native English speaker proof that?

Toque, the point that Blair is trying to make is that if one skis/rides at Arai, abide by their rules, not go out of bounds because the skier/rider thinks he is good enough. At resorts in other countries, an individual is free to huck himself off any cliff he wants, but will be the one to take responsibility and consequences of his actions. (Paying for rescue, etc.)

Here is a question, is backcountry always out of bounds or is there backcountry in bounds?

Quote: Originally posted by Fattwins: where is the link to that? Arai Japanese Home Page Link is on the lower right hand side, dated 2006 Feb 2 with title 2006 ARAI MOUNTAIN CAMP.

One interesting (and potentially hypocritical) point is that backcountry riding/skiing seems to be actually sanctioned by the management of Arai...when you are guided by the Arai Guide Center. Take a look at the Arai Mountain Camp held in March (2 weekend dates). What's the official policy/comment on that?

Quote: Originally posted by Blair: In my biased opinion Arai has gone to great lengths to accommodate foreigners on the slopes, with the only condition being to abide by the rules & boundaries clearly set out by the park. Presently the behaviour of only a few described above jeopardizes future pleasure on the slopes for all. Further, all the positive things accomplished to date are being dulled by this, which in my mind is such a waste. (SNIP) I'll finish by saying that I've been a full-time employee at this resort for almost 7 years now, & because of it other foreigners h

Well, the foreigners going out of bounds at Arai sure don't read this forum. In several past threads, it is well documented and understood that Arai does not condone backcountry out of bounds skiing and last year you posted an English map showing areas with actual reasons why they cannot be entered.

Patrollers actually get paid (!) in Japan, compared to the US and other countries where it is volunteer work. Average hourly wage is about 900 yen. Each resort has differing policies about uniform, passes, etc. Best of luck,

OK, I finally figured out the kanji, the skier only run is Atema Glende #8 Run. If you veer left off the trail, you can ski some nice pow, just be careful jumping off the last part so you don't hit the building. Also, the first few runs of the day off the back side of Nagamine Romance Lift were nice powder, don't know why there were so few lines, although it was only about 4-5 turns.

The following is preliminary information compiled using a JR travel brochure on higaeri ski plans, so the shuttle bus information (travel time and price) is based upon that data only. In the future, I plan to cross check the information with resort time schedules as well as to provide a comparison chart with information such as area size, number of lifts, vertical, etc. This list is sorted by travel time (usually based upon shuttle bus time). Shortest time from Tokyo to Gala Yuzawa is 77 minutes. Time to Echigo Yuzawa station is a few minutes shorter. Yuzawa Area Resort Nam

Yesterday I got a few nice lines on inbound slopes that were not groomed (actually they were not trails since everything was groomed). That was before I let my mate chop them up and the couple of brave Japanese who had no idea what they were doing go down and cut through my tracks. There was some great pow on the left side of the trail on the slope leading down on the skiers only run. It is also the place where I almost broke my neck near a tree well, I saw it, tucked my skis, in, did a great flip into soft powder. I haven't had a crash like that in over 3 seasons. Sorry, don't ha

Does the South area of Gala Yuzawa ever open up? It seems that it would have some decent intermediate terrain, and allow access to Yuzawa Kogen. Went on Sunday January 15 but the south area was closed. The only way to access Yuzawa Kogen would be to go back down the gondola and take the shuttle bus. Ishiuchi Maruyama area was sludge city, similar to the Sierra Cement I am so used to...but the higher slopes of Gala held up well, slight crust but otherwise good considering the rainfall on Saturday.

Hi, Fattwins, what are your recommendations?

What do you consider to be the most gaijin friendly ski/snowboard resort in Japan? Factors to consider would be availability of English (signage, website, etc.) as well as a general feel of welcome, or other reasons. If you have another resort in mind, please post a followup reply.

Here is some further info about ski levels: Heavenly Ski School Skill Levels With these explanations, I am a Level 8 skier and would take a Level 9 lesson.

Hi, Dainamaito, I e-mailed you but no reply. Anyway, it looks like no skiing for me this weekend, hope to get to Arai for spring skiing... Thanks, P.S. The levels I mentioned are from PSIA, and used for various instruction purposes.

Here is more info on skill levels. The problem is that the 7-9 levels are where it needs the most gradients. I say I am a level 7 but more between 7 and 8, and can ski any on trail run in Japan, most double blacks in Far West (California) but not gracefully. Epic Ski Forum Post on Ski Levels

The BD 2 section poles were about 5,500 yen at Ishii, and they have an actual selection of shovels, as well for BC. One thing about collapsible poles is that the swing weight and swing are really bad compared to carbon fiber single section poles.

Thanks very much! In my interpretation of the system, Level 7 is advanced, single black diamond. Level 8 would be double black, and Level 9 is race/professional level.

Anyone going to Arai first weekend of April? I am a level 7 skier, mostly skiing on piste, steeps, groomed, bumps, etc. looking for a ski/snowboard buddy to go to Arai on Saturday April 2, via car on Friday evening/night or even night bus. Must be back for an engagement on Sunday morning. Date is flexible, might be able to go on April 1, Friday.

I personally use the Black Diamond Expedition 3 section poles, although they are really heavy compared to the (non adjustable, non collapsable) carbon fiber Scott poles I normally ski with. BD Expedition, Aluminum, 57 to 125 cm., 600 g., MSRP US$ 69.00, purchased for about 8,000 yen at Ishii Sports. For CF, go with the MSR Overland Expedition, 65 to 140 cm., 481 g., MSRP US$ 130. Life-Link has both multi material and aluminum poles. Life-Link Odyssey 3, Aluminum/Chromoly/CF, 66 to 142.2 cm., 20 oz. MSRP US$110. Life-Link Triple Direct, Aluminum, 61 to 132 cm., 19 oz.