dyna8800
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Posts posted by dyna8800
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Lining pack out means your boots are dead. This is something most boarders dread. you want to wear in the boots. This doesn´t mean packing out the liner. Liner pack out gives sloppy/ loose fit and cold feet
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).
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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 there are frequently great deals on new/old stock bindings, boards, etc. I have picked up new snowboard boots for 500 yen, boards for less than 5,000 and bindings for about 2,000, name brand stuff. Use the setup twice and it becomes cheaper than renting.
FWIW, last November at the Winter Sports Festa held at Big Sight, I did not see that many great deals, most products had similar prices to what you can find if you search in Kanda.
Good hunting!
P.S. I hail from So Kal. Home mountain used to be Mammoth, or Squaw when up north.
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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!
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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 the next time you are planning a weekday trip...
Trains are restricted, and for example, if you ride on a train that originates at Ueno, you have to ride from Tokyo to Ueno on nonreserved and cannot get out at Ueno station, etc.
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Thanks SJ David for posting the link...muikabochi, I was wondering the exact thing reading that!
@snowjunky "Yamabiko" means "mountain echo"...
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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 which is JPY 7,000. For both you need lift ticket in order to access meeting point.
It is recommended, but not required, that snowboarders bring poles.
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Ranger, your best bet is the MWR...
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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 bindings. They mount your bindings onto the board, since they do not manufacture/supply bindings. They usually have 2-3 demo events per year. I try to go to at least once a year, last one I attended was in Myoko. Alternatively, you can drop by the shop/showroom in Niseko and check out the boards there, they have them for rental as well.
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If I were you, I would head up to Niseko for the first part of the trip...
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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...
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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,
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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,
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Ahhh, the good old days of 10,000 yen birthday fares...
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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 plant (think more of a tap) so that your body keeps facing downhill...
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Dang, RIP Mr. Fat Tuesday...
Will be visiting The Bird before Christmas this year.
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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.
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I don't know where you got your information, dyna8800, but Kayama Captain Coast is not going to be open this season.
Or perhaps indeed any season.
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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 they can also be exchanged for U-Tan coupons which can be used as 500 units of currency in selected gift shops, hotels, taxis, restaurants, etc. Exchange rate is 4 coupons per half day ticket.
Weekday Warriors
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
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.