puretele

140/109/132. Those dimensions are insane. Great for big mountains and deep powder. What more could you ask for?

What's the best skiing quote you have heard. Here's my favourite: "One peculiarity about ski running is that its followers never lose their enthusiasm. And small wonder-for it is indeed a glorious sport. There is everything in its favour. It takes one into the open air amid the finest scenery, it tests every faculty, it provides exercise for every muscle, and it gives health, strength, and pleasure beyond compare." (From an American Skiing publication circa 1930's) Feel free to use quotes you have seen or from a friend, both serious and tongue in cheek.

The Rooster and 70's graphics look great. It is marketed as a tele specific powder ski but I reckon you could put an AT binding on it and it would perform great. Nice dimensions 128/98/121.

Forgot to mention this is my all mountain set up which has served me well in Australia and in the deep powder in Niseko last February. If I was just looking at a powder ski for Japan it would probably be the Rossi Sickbird or K2 Anti-Piste with G3's.

I know this has been touched on before but with all the new gear changes in recent times I think it will be interesting to compare gear. Skis : Rossignol T3 Boots Scarpa T1 (bumblebees) Bindings: G3 Targa

Nice work. Must have been a great early season stoke.

I actually had unbelievable powder skiing for 8 days in Niseko and Rusutsu last winter. Niseko does not have extreme terrain. Agreed. I have skied in the Alps and North America at resorts with extreme terrain (Verbier, Chamonix, Jackson Hole, Whistler)and yes that improved my skiing. But there are other things that also contributed to my skiing ability like racing, skiing heavy powder and bumps to name a few. On Rugby. How about the Wallabies beating Ireland on the Weekend!

Hey its all skiing isn't it. Thats my point. The North Alps looks wicked (great photo). Niseko - good powder mountain,you bet. Both very worthy ski experiences and are awesome in their own way. As far as making you a better skier. It depends how far you push yourself. It is not terrain dependant alone. Niseko can get 15 metres but I agree it averages about 12. Anyway, its a lot of snow.

Sunfun, The "Roof of Hokkaido" traverse sounds interesting what does that involve? Stealth, Do you know what the hotel is like at the ryounkaku onsen? Have you done any backcountry tours from there? Thanks

I certainly take the point about some areas in Niseko not being that steep. But you can’t tell me that the comment “too flat to really care” is not negative. I’m sure Honshu offers great ski experiences as does Hokkaido. I have not skied in Honshu but would love to. I’m sure it is out of this world. There are plenty of places at the Niseko ski area with great pitches where you can have lots of fun in waist to chest deep snow. As evidence just have a look at recent pics and vids I have posted here: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/gallery/index-vids-puretele.html http://www.s

Thanks sunfun and dizzy, This type of inside info is priceless. Wishing you both a great winter.

Hello! Niseko's 15 metres of snow annually says it all. Give me great snow over steep terrain anytime!

Thanks for the tip and the link. I have done plenty of homework elsewhere on the net but haven't got many specific tips.Just thought there might be someone out there with a fountain of knowledge on the area.

Can anyone give me some general info on Furano and Asahidake. Hope to get up there for 3 or 4 days before spending 10 days at Niseko and Rusutsu. Would like to ski a few days in Furano - 2 days on the lifts and 1 day backcountry and 1 day up at Asahidake. Need some info on good reasonably priced accomodation and transport plus tips on where to find the deepest powder. Thanks

Cheers zebedee, Yeah they are my pics. Chomping at the bit to get up to Hokkaido in February and shoot lots of film.

Sanno, The site from the New York Institute of Photography is excellent. Montoya, My biggest tip when taking photos on snow is overexpose 1 to 1.5 stops to compensate for the camera meter tendency to underexpose in all that bright light. I almost always use film SLR's (film is still king) but the same principle applies to digital SLR metering systems. Lets hope we all get some great shots this coming winter!