blu

Originally Posted By: ausi ski bum For Boarders I really like the terrain park built at Tomamu and I have to say Tomamu tends to attract more Boarders than any other place I skied in Japan. ASB, did you stay in the Tower ($$$?) I'm tempted to drop into Kamui again.

You should be able to take the train from Togari Nozawa to Toyono. Change to the Shin'etsu Line line for Myoko Kogen. Just confirm this on the train timetables. Take the ski shuttle to Suginohara, it's worth the trip.

Just on BBC world news, a helicopter was hit by an avalanche - 10 killed (snowboarders).

golf? otherwise all you need to know about a Narita layover is here: http://www.mgnewman.com/Naritax/

MB, I hope the Elna press wasn't a gift from someone else. I'm sure MrsB would love one too, but I would get into all sorts of trouble if I gave her one (ahh, the matromonial vicious circle).

The effort is not so much in the iron but in the scrapping and finishing. It's nice to have a wax iron, but not essential. You can regulate the heat OK with a cheap iron - by watching how easy is the wax spreading, and also watching for smoke. For O/S trips I just use the Toko rub on synthetic stuff.

Otaru - is the fish cooked?

For most of us Aus locals, it's just nice to take the chair up to the top. You can still ski back, out of bounds - Stanleys & Deadhorse gap (Thredbo). Eyre out of bounds, Farm Creek, Parachute trees (Perisher). I don't think there are too many of us who have the equipment and the desire to climb 600 vertical metres for a relatively quick ski down. Nice Snow Gum pic Gareth.

Found the lack of signs at Kamui difficult, particularly in near whiteout with only about 50 people in the entire resort. One sign was drawn by hand with a marker pen - it took 3 rides up the lift to find the exit from that valley.

hey, you're the only one without a suit. I checked out all the Tele's in Ochanomizu - some very nice MIJ's but was a bit concerned about the potential shipping costs home. Saw some street performers in Shinjuku at night also.

interesting thesis pete

How important are the snow conditions as you will be well into Spring. You may want to consider Happo then Niseko then the tourist things. If it gets too warm it will rain.

unfortunately, bags are being packed, it's departure day for us.

Try Skymark

Pete, I'm in Shinjuku too- bail tommorrow. How crowded was JR at Shinjuku this morning - Chuo express pulled in, doors opened & people just tumbled out. Trains were late, there was a breakdown somewhere. Was at Sensoji this morning, so cold, there were some slush flakes falling.

Rusutsu was excellent Saturday (weather was a bit extreme, cold & windy).

As MrTrain said - only a few out of thousands of happy oz guests. Unfortunately, these guys are usually poorly educated, sometime a low IQ, with a major issues because of it - alchohol is their escape. Can't pick up so punch up.

The cheapest and easiest option for you is to take the Shinjuku-Hakuba bus (about 5,000 yen). There's also plenty of cheap accommodation around Echoland. Plenty of options in Hakuba valley.

There has been a big problem in Sydney with late night glassings and stabbings. It's reported often in the morning news. Might relate to increasing alcohol + drug use (ice).

You may want to compare costs for Nagano and Hokkaido. Do you have a JR rail pass. That will get you back to Tokyo then out to Nagano (shinkansens) for Hakuba (bus) or MyokoKogen (train). Minimal cost. Otherwise air passes from Kansai>Hokkaido>Tokyo are about $300 return each. You will get spring skiing, possible rain, some warm blue sky days, lower slopes closing (but overall still worthwhile).

I'm a bit sunburned today, after a great day on the boat with the fam.

That's every weekend GN. GenY has some alchohol issues with binge drinking. It's been a great family fun day here today. Blue skies & sunshine & the best beaches & waterways. What an excuse for a day off work.

It's now International Australia Day - so everyone can join in.

Welcome. I know a chiropractor who rides a sit-chair as well as any ski racer. You could send a PM to Fattwins - Nick can give a lot of Hakuba information

Mama, it was January 2006 when we last left Niseko. I think Whiteliner was operated by Good Sports then. We used them because they were the quickest trip back to Chitose for a late morning flight to Osaka.