simbasimba

Was in Tanbara Snow Park last week. Great snow as long as you stay on the upper half of the mountain. The lower half has a slow-as double which is so slow, I swear that I could skate uphill faster. Kashimayari (Sunalpina) had fast lifts. Never waited. One of the best I have been to.

Man, I always find it outrageous that the Japanese have no problem with alcohol and skiing/snowboarding. How many mountains allow that overseas? A few days ago I saw a kid get his front teeth knocked out at Royal Hill Half-Pipe. Drunk. Man.. at least don't try jumps or the pipe while inebriated! On the other hand, he was just gonna injure himself and not anyone else (icy day that day). As for when Japanese start drinking... I see them in the hotel restaurant at 7am tanking beers! I travel every week for work, so this is not just a "resort" thing.

Herbert P. Bix was my Japanese History professor in College! Great guy and very understanding of me turning in one of my papers several weeks late! I did a double-size paper that took some time because I was working part time also. He really knows his stuff and his wife makes some great maki.

I went to school with a "Meagan Slutski." No kidding! She is a nice kid and not what her name implies.

I have an Ipod Mini. Unfortunately, it is a first generation and the battery lasts only about 7 or 8 hours and that is if everything is optimized (Eq off and reasonable volume). The newer ones have much better batteries. I like the size of the mini. There is now the Nano which is even smaller, in color, with no moving parts (flash memory) and a 14 hour battery life between charges. Comes in 4 and 2 Meg versions. I have the 4 Meg Mini. I have used it boarding. The thing is one piece of wrap-around aluminum. Unbreakable for the most part. The amplifier on the normal size ipod can go

How expensive is the lodging out in NZ? I would love to head over during the Japanese summer (Nasty as you know).

Quote: Originally posted by bettyx: all the japanese dentists said they couldn't do anything, but cost me $300 to fix it when i got back to oz. Ah... don't get me started on the dentists or doctors.... The scoot looks cool though. Have a feeling I would maul myself on it thoush...

For convenience: Hakuba47/ Goryu Slope and conditions: Hapoone