thefunkydrummer

I am well aware of the legality, but that doesn't stop alot of people around the world from doing it, and I think it's an interesting subculture of the sport. Obviously Japan is alot stricter about this than say Europe or Canada, but I was just interested in people's opinion on this topic.

During my season in Whislter, I lot of people used to smoke weed and ride. I tried it a few times, but it didn't do much for me. I like to be completely aware of my surroundings, and weed made me feel a bit blinkered, and tired. (For the same reason, I don't like to listen to music and ride). What do you think about riding whilst under the influence of weed, booze, or other drugs? 1. Do you (have you) done it, and why/why not? 2. Have you got any good stories about it? 3. Do you think it's dangerous?

I see you're from Oz - a lot of Aussies head up to the Hokkaido areas as there is some amazing pow up there, for example Niskeo. Also worth checking out the Nagano Resorts. You can look all this info up on this site, just go to "search by prefecture" and you'll find all the info there.

I'd recomend Les Arcs. (France) Had one of the best snowboarding holidays of my life there - perfect snow, very empty, and resonably priced. Can also vouch for Livigno Italy, and Pas De La Casa if you're looking for cheap and cheerful - but still resonable terrain.

Yeah - crampons would have been useful. I don't know why you cant see the pics...? I think it must be something to do with your browser settings maybe? I've tried looking at the site from different computers but have never had a prob.

Check out my blog to see the pics and read the full trip report of my last ride of this season on Haku-san. www.thefunkydrummer.blogspot.com

Toque - I just had a look at my blog - and the pics are all there. Very occasionally the pics might be slow to load - but normally I have no probs with an entire page loading in few seconds. Try again - and tell me if you still can't get the pics. cheers

I got around 35 days in this season (all but two in Fukui ken). Had a great season, and I'm really missing the snow now. If you want to see some pics and reports of my season in Fukui (including a couple of backcountry hikes) - check out the Jan/Feb/March archives on: www.thefunkydrummer.blogspot.com

Cool pics - I surpised how little snow there is though... I thought there would be a lot more. Did you make it to the top?

No - I had so much fun in the Fukui zone this winter - that I didn't even get out of the area once - (apart from a trip to Niseko). It was great to be exploring all the little areas around Fukui - and I didn't even make it to all of them. Next season - I plan to go a little futher afield.

Fukui is not famous for anything - including skiing - however - we've got about 9 or so small areas here. The most well known is Ski Jam in Katsuyama - but there are actually better places to go - though they are small. Loads of night skiiing on offer - and we got a lot of snow this winter just gone - had a couple of powder sessions where I was the only person there! There are 4 ski areas within a 20 minute drive from my house - so if it has been snowing, I just grab my board and go night riding after work. Shiranmine (in the Haku San range of Ishikawa) is also close (ab

Well - as long as the weather permits - the Haku San trip is on for next weekend. I'll post a report about it on my site when I get back. I'm itching to get back on my board, even though I know this will be the last ride till next winter

I've heard rumours of the exisitence of some ski areas that open 24 hours a day during winter. Apparently there's one down shiga way? Does anyone know about this one, or any others that exist in Japan?

sounds like a cool trip (apart from the weather). When did you climb do it?

Hi - I'm a long term visitor, second time poster. As the snow is this area (Fukui ken - west central honshu) is rapidly dissapearing, I've been doing a couple of back country hikes to make the most of the spring snow before it goes. If anyone is interested in reading about my last trip, and checking out the pics, you can see more here: www.thefunkydrummer.blogspot.com I'm also planning on climbing Haku San (ishikawa ken), and riding down, sometime in the next couple of weeks. If anyone has done a spring climb on Haku san - I'd love to hear about it. cheers