dyna8800
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Posts posted by dyna8800
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That looks fine
as long as it goes on/in.
Has anyone used the aerosol sprays and are they worth it?
Seemore
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.
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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.
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Boots with Boa usually come with a spare wire...just in case.
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Dianne, how about this Thursday, January 19th?
How to meet up on the hill?
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This is what I am trying to get at. A discussion about why they are closed and if it still serves as a purpose of saving lives to be closed or just being stubborn.
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?
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GN, I agree completely.
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If you're to have any chance whatsoever you would have to get Akio Shinya on board. He is the main avalanche guy there who prepares the avi reports and decides on which gates open or not. He was instrumental in getting the Niseko Rules approved in the first place which were pretty damned revolutionary for a Japanese resort and I believe are one of the main reasons Niseko became such an incredibly popular destination. My issues with management of Niseko and it's development have never really been about access to terrain. Frankly they already have one of the best managed off-piste and slackcountry policies in the country. Getting approval for the opening up of Mizuno no Sawa took many years and I'd suspent we'll need quite a few more years of this area being successfully managed before there's any chance of opening up other areas that are more dangerous and would require a level of management skills that barely exist currently in Japan.
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"?
Ever ask those in the know if the "educational program" is a way to promote the area and to show that it is indeed safe and manageable, and if there was a timeline to open Mizuno no Sawa in X years? Or how about a master roadmap to opening up future terrain?
I would suggest that you swig some beers with the folks in charge up there before you start circulating petitions. And it does help to speak Japanese...
If you feel so strongly, put everything you have in a written report and I will see what I can do to have it translated so you can present it to the "management". Make sure to emphasize your avy management credentials as well as past skills in managing terrain.
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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 themselves killed for no good reason except for a bit more fresh pow and they have plenty of that with the BC gates.
BTW, how long are you going to be out there in Niseko?
I am waiting for Go Native to pipe in here...
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All I can say is... "local rules" (cringe)
Good luck with that.
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for me the big problem is Tokyo itself.....whether weekend or not you'd be surprised at how much traffic is on the road at 4.30-5 in the morning!!! Usually if we are driving, we leave at 4.30am sharp and hope to get good traffic thru Tokyo....once past nerima and onto the expressway, its usually ok.........coming home on the Kan-Etsu can be another thing altogether!!
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...
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Yes, hope that you are fully recovered by then!
If you are driving maybe we can go together?
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"A bag of kitty litter" ??
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.
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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 to go to the Oze Tokura event, if anyone else is going...
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Yeah I thought about heading there during a weekday to check it out, since it's only about a 2 hour drive. Just didn't know if it would be a waste, or there is something better just as close?
It's tough for me to make the early Shinkansen, living all the way near Fussa. I would like to try it though, seems cool...but I have a car so seems like a waste, lol. Love the idea though
If you can make it from Fussa to Yuzawa in 2 hours, I want to go in your car!!!
What time do you leave?
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Grazza, if you don't mind me asking why was such boot surgery required during the ski trip? Did you buy the boots new there or were they fitted poorly when you bought them?
I ask because a travel companion (first time boot buyer) spent a lot of money fully kitting up prior to this trip, and had some rather expensive boots "professionally fitted"...with the end result of boot fitters here spending a lot of time trying to make them fit her, not charging her as they were unable to, and her hiring boots that were very comfortable. She was sold boots that were at least half a size too small and was convinced by the fitter that they needed to be that tight. Opinion here is that the brand she was sold were a narrow fit and totally inappropriate for her feet. It is disappointing when you don't have the knowledge, and seek out professional assistance, spend the money required, and end up worse off than if you had hired in the first place.
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 bootfitter even had me go out and purchase boots that the shop did not carry, and then proceeded to do the required work to get them to fit perfectly.
Thank goodness for those slippers at the Japanese lodges and restaurants on hill!
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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!
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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?
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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 position, you slide them under the tire, fasten the bottom and 2 other points, connect, then use the special wrench to tighten. There is no loosening or slippage.
In the States, I use Security Chain Company Z-555 Z-Chain Extreme Performance Cable Tire Traction Chain, can't afford the Thule K-Summit ones...
My friends who live up there have 4WD or AWD with snow tires. Even with snow tires, I always carry chains, a metal shovel, a bag of kitty litter, blankets, food, water, torch, extra batteries, etc.
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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 result in premature release.
And if you are worried, then the peace of mind of new boots as well as the improving technology just might be worth the price.
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Awesome - shall pick one up next time I am there.
Is it possible to reserve the tickets/cards?
No, you must pick up in person, and show proof of birthday such as passport, drivers license, etc.
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dyna8800 ... I can understand where you are coming from but it doesn´t sound right
A liner that initially packs out 1/2 or one size - definately something wrong !
If you know such models from your past boots, PLEASE LIST THEM here.
Will help others a lot ... we won´t buy them
We all wear our new boots when we buy them new, before taking them out - like wearing them every night watching telly, etc ... That´s called moulding your boot naturally .. Hair dryer (not too long !) before slipping it on helps.
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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 would love to try out the new Flow Hylite Zipfit snowboard boots.
BTW, I use the Eurosock Ski Superlite, it is ultra light, probably the thinnest ski sock on the market..
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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 resorts: Yuzawa Nakazato, Yuzawa Park, Iwappara, Kandatsu Kogen, Naspa Ski Garden, Ipponsuugi, Yuzawa Kogen, and Gala Yuzawa. There are also offers for free drinks, free entry to onsen, etc. for a total of 47 offers.
Happy birthday!
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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,
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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 purchased at the ticket machine, saving JPY 300 over purchasing at the window. Although the price includes anywhere in the Tokyo-to region (the Special Gala is only from Tokyo station, you must purchase separate ticket to get from your home station to Tokyo), the price is JPY 13,000 weekend/11,900 compared to JPY 6,700 (Wednesday and Thursday only) for the special.
Wax on / wax off - waxing your 'board / skis.
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
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.