dyna8800

Waterproofing clothes with the wax iron, now why didn't I think of that!?! P.S. Also have a huge brick of wax if you need some.

Those are good for a run or two. Make sure to cork the wax in for decent results. Better to crayon on wax and then brush it in.

Dominator Zoom. Graphite if your base is black. Temperature specific waxes if you actually measure snow temperature or are willing to switch up your blend depending on the slopes. Fluorinated wax if you can afford it. BTW, an actual ski/snowboard wax iron has much better temperature control and won't smoke off your wax like a regular clothes iron might. Also, a regular clothes iron frequently has holes in order to steam the fabric. But once you use the cheapo iron, never again use it for clothes!!! If you want to borrow a stand, let me know...or you can build your own.

Boots with Boa usually come with a spare wire...just in case.

Dianne, how about this Thursday, January 19th? How to meet up on the hill?

Hmm, MitchPee, how long have you been in Japan? How long are you planning to stay? How do you take their actions as being "stubborn"? Just because they will not explain in full detail their reasons?

GN, I agree completely.

Ahh, I was waiting for that. (Avy) "management skills that barely exist currently in Japan." Here is the scenario of what would happen: Niseko opens up more terrain after years of discussion and patient planning. A few high profile deaths of a few skiers/snowboarders soon after would close it off FOREVER. Look, it is hard enough to keep the damn gaijin (and Japanese) from ducking ropes. I see it all the time, even close to get gates. No respect gets no respect. How do you expect anyone to keep themselves alive when they cannot even follow the current "local rules"? Eve

This sounds like one of those "us" and "them" conversations...and quite frankly, you are not going to get a lot of, ahem, respect by waving petitions in their faces. Who exactly have you spoken to? Talk to any NV patrollers? Done the educational program that started last week? Discussed the terrain with any avy forecasters there? Do you know any of the movers and shakers there? I am not talking about foreigners, you need Japanese and resort stakeholders. There is no "good" reason in their minds to open up the area, there are a lot of yahoos who are going to get in there and get themse

All I can say is... "local rules" (cringe) Good luck with that.

Depends on when you leave your resort, we try to leave about 30 minutes to even 1 hour before the lifts close. We can get back just in time before traffic starts picking up. Then again, I'm getting off at Iruma, not IN tokyo, which I'm sure is way more traffic. Last season, most of the traffic was in the Saitama area...

Yes, hope that you are fully recovered by then! If you are driving maybe we can go together?

Alternatively you can use sand or gravel. My sister has a 100 lb. bag of sand in the back, not only to give extra traction to the rear wheels of the truck, but to use if she gets stuck, just as yamabushi suggested.

Gentemstick will hold demo days this year at the following resorts. You can try out the 2012-2013 models! March 3 and 4, 2012 Hakuba Happo-One March 10 and 11, 2012 Oze Tokura, Gunma March 17 and 18, 2012 Shimokura, Iwate Rental is free, and the demo board can be ridden for 30-40 minutes. Bring drivers license or other form of identification. Reservation is not necessary, just show up on the day. You will need to bring your own binding and 4X4 plate, as they do not have bindings available. If the screw lengths are long, spacer may also be required. I am planning

If you can make it from Fussa to Yuzawa in 2 hours, I want to go in your car!!! What time do you leave?

That is terrible. I have spent a lot of money on custom footbeds, boot work, etc. Stance and alignment are also important, and good bootfitters can work some serious magic to let skiers reach their full potential rather than having the boots hold them back. Most first time boot buyers purchase a half size or full size too large because they are "comfortable". That means after a week of skiing, they become slightly loose and sloppy. That is why the bootfitter will shell size the foot without the liner inside. Of course, choosing the correct boot for the foot width is essential. One bootfitt

Try spotting the dive flag (alpha and diver down) with my name on it on the front and back of my helmet, as do each of my boots...(like putting a dog tag on each combat boot). I got a new jacket this season so will have to post a new profile pic!

Sounds like a good reason to hit Naeba this season! For some reason I have skied/ridden all over those mountains but have never gotten down to Naeba...it is on my list for this season. Would you say Naeba is better for skiing or snowboarding?

Four wheel drive (or AWD) is an absolute must. I used to drive to Minakami every other weekend last season since I had a season pass. For many trips, I drove a Honda Odyssey, and it is front wheel drive with very good traction control, and snow tires (of course on all four wheels). After driving the flats, I put on non metallic chains (rubber chains with metal grip). The absolute best that I have found in Japan is the Carmate Biathalon Athelete. I have put on a lot of chains in my day, including the old metal type, and these are fantastic. You do not even need to drive over them to positio

How many days have you skied the boots? Many manufacturers (who also want to sell you the latest model boot) will say 100-150 days. Most likely, I would say more than that, maybe up to 200 days, but depends on how you ski. If you are an aggressive racer type, then probably less. If you are doing backcountry/slackcountry, then less. That would be the last place you would want a boot failure. Examine the buckles and more importantly, the soles. Some boots have replaceable lugs. This is important because when the soles wear down, they have less contact area to the ski binding and can resu

No, you must pick up in person, and show proof of birthday such as passport, drivers license, etc.

I agree with you fully, I think you misunderstood what I said. Most people purchase boots a half size or even a full size too large. Then, combined with the liner compressing after break in, the boots fit sloppy. It is a common problem...chalk it up to inexperience. For ski boots, the best way is to take the liners out and shell size (I have heard serious snowboarders doing the same), then "breaking in" the liners by doing what you said, watching TV, sitting around the living room, etc. while wearing the boots. Of course, a heat moldable liner like the Intuition would be even better...I w

Yuzawa Onsen Tourist Association has a promotion for those lucky people with birthdays from December 10 to April 30th. You may obtain the "Happy My Birthday" Card and original holder at the "Snow Country Tourist Hut" 雪国観光舎 located at the West exit of Echigo Yuzawa station, from 9 am to 6 pm. While the card is only good on the birthday (with some offers valid the day before/after), the card can be picked up before the actual date. 500 holders are available, and after that, only the card will be distributed. The card can be used to get a free one day lift ticket at the following ski reso

Did you get any responses to this one? I was a ski instructor for an international school trip a few years back. It was a blast. How many kid/chaperones/teachers? How many days? What area? Can help you arrange or point you in the right direction. Cheers,

TubbyBeaverinho, Each deal has its own conditions. For example, for the Centoleisure Maiko plan on the link, you can only use nonreserved cars. For the Gala deal, called "Special Gala" in the JR Ski and Snowboard Higaeri pamphlet, you can only use the genteiressha 限定列車 which means only the specified trains, and specified reserved seats. It states that if you are late to one train, you must carry the costs of a new ticket, and cannot use a later nonreserved train, nor get a refund for the unused ticket. I think you are referring to the Gala Higaeri Kippu 日帰りきっぷ which can be purchase