WantToSki

Quote: Originally posted by incompetentboob: A heli ski op in NZ that didn't make it past the tree line would be in trouble seeing as the tree line and the snowline are generally the same. pardon my ignorance - but what is a "treeline," and a "snowline"...? thanks!!

Quote: Originally posted by daver: well the deal is that you get a guarunteed vertical and afterwards you must pay for all subsequent rides up. these guys are pushing the rides up a lot, and get angry when the group they are in can't keep up and don't continue going up. you are right everybody pays a lot, and these guys do choose to be in the top group. i think that they get angry when people over judge their ability and put themselves in a group that they can't keep up with. but i am not a guide, i am just relying the venting sessions that my friends, who are guides, usually have when they

Quote: Originally posted by me jane: You can buy big version of those food pack things to put in your clothes drawers during rainy season. I put a couple of those in my boots. Fattwins, is it okay to store the liners separately? The guy at the store where I got my boots fitted told me that I should take them out to dry them after a day out but in general to store them inside the boots with the boots closed to help them retain their shape. same thing that was told to me - just set the buckles to "one"

ive heard somewhere that once you finally dry your boots for the season, you should stuff the liner with newspaper... since i only started skiing this season, i dont know if it really works - but would be trying it...

Quote: Originally posted by daver: Quote: Originally posted by Toque: If I ever get the chance to go heliskiing (doubtful) I'd be very upset if I had to wait around for somebody to learn how to ski powder. yeah man it sounds like it can be super conpetative if you are in the advanced group. friends working in blue river have said that some guys push for 50,000 vert every day. and if they miss it due to somebody being a little slow they get mighty pissed. but these guys are paying to be in a group that will not slow them down, and they pay through the nose to do it, so you can understa

Quote: Originally posted by Toque: Quote: Originally posted by daver: i have several friends back in Canada that work as guides with a number of top opperations and they all inform me that every year they have novice skiers come for their first powder experience. the opperations are prepared for this, they will set you up with powder skiis, and they will give you basic instructions. it is the company's best interest to make sure you have a great time right? as long as you stay with a basic group you'll have a great time and won't feel rushed in anyway at all. If I ever get the chanc

Quote: Originally posted by eskimobasecamp: Who else is goin down south this summer???? Anyone from SJ? i would be in queenstown from the 25th of august until the 3rd of september. would mostly do the Remarkables, and Coronet Peak - and some heliskiing in Mt Harris...

rockets thrusters so i would not need to line-up at lifts!!! imagine skiing UP, and not down... cool!!!

Quote: Originally posted by joshnii: I'm planning next season already. Going to go about it properly this time. i already have the URLs, and the ToDos, itineraries, etc. on my Yahoo calendar - set to alert me on the 1st week of November, the 1st week of December, and every weekend after that up until i complete them and tick them off...

Quote: Originally posted by Creek Boy: Quote: Originally posted by WantToSki: it being that japanese are so methodological (spelling??)...? everything has to have a system, a set of processes; and this includes skiing.. hhhmmm... Can anybody say military?? This country is still run like everybody is in the military. Kiritsu Rei "onegaishimasu" Chakuseki How often do you hear that?? EVERY work morning in a traditional japanese company (which is the majority) during the CHOREI...

Quote: Originally posted by Bushpig: Seems very similar to our swimming certificates in Aus. People don't laugh at those and are quite proud of being able to say they are a bronze medallion (1kyu equivalent). I guess it's not just Japan that has those things. I should point out though, that the swimming levels in Aus are also closely linked to surf rescue and safety, cpr, etc. So it is also about being able to help people in trouble. well to work as a ski patrol here in japan, as i would remember; one has to have an 1-Kyu PLUS a certificate in basic rescue (CPR, etc.)

Quote: Originally posted by manuel_arg: Here some NZ resorts websites: Cardrona: http://www.cardrona.com/ Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables: http://www.nzski.com/ Snow Park: http://www.snowparknz.com/ Treble Cone: http://www.treblecone.co.nz/ for my sched - i would be spending two days at Coronet Peak, and two days at The Remarkables. and if i have the confidence - some heliskiing in Mt Harris.

Quote: Originally posted by Experiment IV: What do they get this 1kyu for? To become an instructor or something? essentially, the main objective of the "badge tests" (as they call it) is to judge your skiing ability. the badge tests range from "5-Kyu (lowest) to 1-Kyu (Highest)"... it is just like the colored belts we have in the martial arts. and once you get your 1-Kyu, you can choose which track to go from there, ie., as an "instructor," or as an "competitive athlete." for being an instructor, there are TWO more levels - "Associate Instrutor," and "Full Instructor." for the la

well, ive read a report somewhere that if you use a car less than 4 times a month (this would be a small make) - it would be cheaper to actually rent... anything more than that - it would be advisable to buy. basically, car tax here in japan is based on the length of time youve owned your car, and not on the mileage that youve used - from what i know (can anyone confirm this), you pay the same amount of shaken regardless if you drive everyday as a profession, or you only use it on the weekend trips.

it being that japanese are so methodological (spelling??)...? everything has to have a system, a set of processes; and this includes skiing.. hhhmmm...

Quote: Originally posted by daver: i don't think so. especially given that you are still a novice skier. you aren't going to get on the world cup tour so relax. any thing that loose will come back really fast. when i was doing my CSIA level 3 many years ago an examiner brought up a point regarding the way in which your body and mind processes muscle memory that i think is actually quite true: "we learn to ski in the summer and we learn to golf in the winter". he gave references to studies that backed up this claim but i forget them so i won't try. regardless, don't worry, stay active, a

What is the SAJ 3-Kyu? Is that the skiing to do nice turns at a certain speed etc type exercise? it is... you are supposed to be able to do parallel long turns, and parallel short turns in about low intermediate to medium intermeidate blue slopes with good control. they are actually the local (japanese counterpart) of the ISIA (International Ski Instructors' Association) "International Test" skill certification for the Bronze/Semi-Silver Level, while the 2-Kyu is around the Semi-Silver Level/Silver Level. note: SAJ = Ski Association of Japan (the largest governing body for skii

Quote: Originally posted by TJ OZ: Strange someone in Japan going to NZ to ski powder. You guys have some of the best in the world. Have fun on your trip. thanks!!! to answer your inquiry: well - i started only skiing last january... then really got into it by march, and i never had the chance to ski powder, especially in areas in hokkaido.

Quote: Originally posted by WantToSki: hey guys... i would be having my first kaigai (overseas) ski this august. would be going to NZ (queenstown), and would try the Remarkables, and Coronet Peak. well, due to an early-bird discount offered by Air NZ, and by booking directly to operators in NZ (instead of going through Japan-based tour agencies) - i was able get a good rate of about 25,000 yen/day. this already includes lifts, shuttle buses, airport transfers, accomodations at a 3-star hotel, insurance, equipment rental, daily group lessons, and a couple of day tours (ie., river jet ride,

hey guys... i would be having my first kaigai (overseas) ski this august. would be going to NZ (queenstown), and would try the Remarkables, and Coronet Peak. well, due to an early-bird discount offered by Air NZ, and by booking directly to operators in NZ (instead of going through Japan-based tour agencies) - i was able get a good rate of about 25,000 yen/day. this already includes lifts, shuttle buses, airport transfers, accomodations at a 3-star hotel, insurance, equipment rental, daily group lessons, and a couple of day tours (ie., river jet ride, bungy jumps, 4WD tours, etc.). by

Quote: Originally posted by IIIII: Definitely. I think sanjo is referring to the obsession of getting 1kyu and the like over having fun. I know of a few people who have turned against winter sports after having getting overloaded with technical crap and losing the fun. yes - after today's ski trip... i guess, for me, im just trying to hard... and honestly, im finally, maybe losing the fun... and, i really appreciate these posts - knocked some sense into my head...

Quote: Originally posted by sanjo: There's a lot of that technique over fun going on here (don't know about other places). It should be FUN. well... wouldnt it be more fun if you can ski in more ways, in different slopes, in different rhymthms (spelling??), in different courses, etc. (as opposed to skiing in one pattern)? and this can only be achieved by getting at least the basic technique...

Quote: Originally posted by slow: It's thunderstorm in Tokyo now, very dark outside! yep - right here smack in Roppongi..

Quote: Originally posted by sanjo: WantToSki did you go on weekends? I had a few days at Naeba this season, mid week, and it was happily not overcrowded at all yep - weekends it was... well, i have no choice *unfortunately* i just cant tell my boss to take the mid-week off to go skiing... *bummer* and i think it is the same for most ski resorts - it is just FUN in Happo on a weekday...

Quote: Originally posted by rach: But you had fun, right? DEFINITELY!!!