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dyna8800

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Everything posted by dyna8800

  1. dyna8800
    When you purchase the special campaign tickets, they clearly state that you cannot use any other train, even nonreserved, and must purchase another ticket if you miss your train. When picking up at the JR View Plaza, the agent explained this fact thoroughly and pointed out the restriction on the tickets. You might be able to get away with the "gaijin factor", though.. YMMV.
  2. dyna8800
    I am referring to initial liner pack out after about a week of skiing/riding. This is also the reason why most people purchase boots a size or half size too large. They try on the boots with factory fresh liners, and then after the liners compress, the boots are too large. This can be solved by wearing thin socks and then progressively using thicker socks (for example, Smartwool PhD Ski/Snowboard Light to Medium weight).
  3. dyna8800
    More important than the board would be boots, especially for women, as fit and heel hold is often difficult due to the different lasts they use to make the boots. Try on boots with thin socks, then use heavier socks when snowboarding. The liners will pack out in about a week of riding or so, and then you won't be left with sloppy boots. I suggest Boa closures since for beginners, it is often difficult to "feel" the correct fit, and you can "dial it in" with Boa, as well as being much faster than traditional lace closures. If you are looking for bargains, check out Yahoo Japan Auctions, as
  4. dyna8800
    SJ-David-san, If you click on the graphic that says "click hear to enter giveaway", then it seems to make a popup window with the graphic...however, the link works fine. Thanks!
  5. dyna8800
    Note that you can also book these tickets until 2 pm the 2 days before (i.e. for your Thursday trip, by Tuesday 2 pm) and then pick up the tickets at the special JR counter at Tokyo station. You must get to the ticket counter at least 15 minutes before the scheduled train departure, and the counter is open from 5:50 am until noon. I would allow more time, even though it is located near the central Yaesu exit. Payment can be made by credit card or convenience store transfer, however, for the 2 days before booking, need to pay via credit card directly on internet site. Let me know th
  6. dyna8800
    Thanks SJ David for posting the link...muikabochi, I was wondering the exact thing reading that! @snowjunky "Yamabiko" means "mountain echo"...
  7. dyna8800
    2012 Dates for Tsugaike Kogen are scheduled for March 10 to April 1, then April 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, and April 28 to May 6. This is a 14 km. long run... Price is JPY 10,000. Cash only. Last season, I could not go on the heli ski tour at Kagura Mitsumata, which would have been great because it was held on my birthday weekend, April 8, 9, and 10. Each day is limited to 100 people, and cost is JPY 16,000, lift ticket not included. They also have a package with overnight stay, lift ticket, and tour. Course is 7 km. long, with 1043 meters vertical! They also have a hike up tour wh
  8. dyna8800
    Ranger, your best bet is the MWR...
  9. dyna8800
    I hear ya about demoing skis, that is the only way to buy. Will be doing the same over year end holiday for some powder specific skis for my quiver, but at Snowbird in Utah... For Japan, ICI Ishii Sports has an annual new demo ski event usually held over a weekend at a ski resort in Honshu. In Niseko, Sports Takiguchi had an event last year in March to demo the 2012 new ski models. They might have another event, but may be better to just rent some pow skis since you probably want them before spring. @Mick Rich, to demo any of the Gentemstick boards, you need to bring your own bindi
  10. dyna8800
    If I were you, I would head up to Niseko for the first part of the trip...
  11. dyna8800
    You might want to give Nagaden Bus a call on 026-295-8008. They just might hold the second bus for you knowing that you are coming on the bus from Madarao. Good thing the arriving bus stop is exactly right next to the departing bus stop...
  12. dyna8800
    Hey DiGriz, next time perhaps you could give some info to the bar staff since when I called no "Snow Japan people" were there when I called at 8:30 pm... Cheers,
  13. dyna8800
    Hey mates, it is 8:30 pm and I just called the Taproom...sounds like no one is there?!? Got caught up trying to fix a toilet (and trying to find the correct packing/seal kit) and was all ready to go but if no one is going to be around... Cheers,
  14. dyna8800
    Ahhh, the good old days of 10,000 yen birthday fares...
  15. dyna8800
    For JAL, tours can be booked online with "real time" availability. I have not checked ANA (yet). Of course the person needs to be able to read and understand Japanese... If they have a JTB tourist office in their country, probably could book through them. Is there something like a meetup going on for the 19th?
  16. dyna8800
    Yahoo.co.jp offers one to their "premium" members that can be renewed monthly from 330 to 1170 yen per month. Exactly what type of cover are you looking for? If you want insurance that covers backcountry, avalanche rescue, etc. then better to look for mountain climbing insurance.
  17. dyna8800
    One more thing to add about the package tours offered by ANA, JAL, etc. They have different brochures with different prices...so be sure to check them all.
  18. dyna8800
    The Black Diamonds are OK but pretty heavy for being carbon fiber compared to others in their class. They are only about 50 grams lighter than the non carbon ones. I would suggest non adjustable light carbon fiber poles, ones that you can plant with just a flick of the wrist. BTW, I also have the 3 section BD poles for back/slackcountry...they collapse so they can fit into my pack. The flip locks are better IMO than the screw ones, but ultimately it depends on what you like. Poles are very helpful for good ski technique, especially keeping your hands forward ready for the next pl
  19. dyna8800
    Dang, RIP Mr. Fat Tuesday... Will be visiting The Bird before Christmas this year.
  20. dyna8800
    For powder, gentemstick is the way to go. It is the Holy Grail of powder boards. However, if you have giant gaijin feet, prepare to be disappointed, most of the boards are not wide enough. With the current exchange rates, you probably would be better off (financially) buying a split board AND a dedicated (non-gentemstick) board. BTW, I saw a split board prototype at the gentemstick last season...but most of my mates who ride the backcountry use snowshoes to hike up.
  21. dyna8800
    Whoops, that intel was from last season's PDF file. But KCC was not operating last year, either. I also got similar information from a travel company's ski pamphlet, so will update in a later post.
  22. dyna8800
    The strange thing is that Kayama Captain Coast is listed in the Yuzawa Suberi Meguri promotion... But I could not find anything in Japanese news online that stated they were going to reopen for the 2011-12 season.
  23. dyna8800
    No idea why only 30 passes are being issued...you would think that they could sell a lot more. Often times special season passes are drawn by lottery, for example the Nagano resorts have a drawing for a 30,000 season pass to some of the majors and a lot of the minor resorts in Nagano. You can do a search for Snowlove, but closing date for that is in a few days. For Yuzawa I suppose you can do a search on: 湯沢温泉総合案内所
  24. dyna8800
    A total of 30 passes will be issued by lottery that will be valid for the season at the following resorts: Gala Yuzawa Yuzawa Kogen Ipponsugi Naspa Ski Garden Kandatsu Iwappara Yuzawa Nakazato Yuzawa Park Pass price is JPY 70,000. Deadline for application is November 20, 2011 to the Yuzawa Tourist Association. Winners will be drawin on November 22nd. For Iwappara and Kandatsu, you must exchange the season pass for a 1 day lift ticket, and then at the end of the day, go back to reclaim your pass. At the other resorts, the pass itself is valid for lifts.
  25. dyna8800
    Yuzawa Tourist Association is offering special plans with minshuku/lodge accommodations plus half day lift tickets valid at the following areas: Gala Yuzawa Kogen Ipponsugi Naspa Ski Garden Kayama Captain Coast Yuzawa Park Ski Yuzawa Nakazato Iwappara Kandatsu Ski The tickets can be used in various combinations. For example, with a1 night stay, you get 2 tickets. You can exchange the 2 tickets for a full 1 day lift ticket OR get 2 half day tickets. The best part is that the tickets are valid until the end of the season, so if for some reason they do not all get used, then

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