WantToSki
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Posts posted by WantToSki
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any recommendations for these snowcat operations (never heard them before)?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 have a chance.
as for your trip, rank yourself low. you will enjoy yourself better if you are at the front of the pack, rather than at the back. i would also look into snowcat opperations as well. they are usually a lot cheaper, and unless you have a perfect day, you will be in the exact same terrian as a heli opperation. heli trips actually rarely get above tree line.
thanks!! -
same thing that was told to me - just set the buckles to "one"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. -
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...
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hhhmmm... maybe they are not in a group that are par to their level then? i would suggest that they should choose to be in a group that is higher to begin with...Quote:Originally posted by daver:
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 understand why they would be a little pissed.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.
IMO, EVERYone who goes through heliskiing pays through their nose for it... and if some people does get pissed, so much so; wouldnt it better that they charter the entire copter? they cant expect everybody to be as good as they are, right? no matter how good one gets, there is always someone better than you...
*me taking the Devil's Advocated here* -
so, how is it going to be then? to be able to learn powder skiing, one has to powder ski... but, if you have to powder ski, then you need to know it so as not to piss other people of...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. I really hope there is a beginners group if you go. Powder skiing is really easy once you learn but for some it takes a bit of time.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.
hhhmmm... my worry is that, then, would be onto which group they would place me in, ie., i fill in some questionnaire (and i try to take the lowest "ranking") - and i still end up in the HELI2 (Strong Intermediate) and HELI3 (Low Advanced)!
i check with the heliski guides (through the internet), and they say that if one is to be skiing in late august - they recommend choosing "one" level higher since there is more "corn" than powder.
on the other hand, since i havent gone heliskiing before, i really wouldnt want to piss people off if im slow. but, i wouldnt also want to be on the lowest group either (NZ$520 for only two runs, compared to HELI2 which is at NZ$700-something for 4 runs)...
thoughts? -
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...Quote:Originally posted by eskimobasecamp:
Who else is goin down south this summer????
Anyone from SJ?
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rockets thrusters so i would not need to line-up at lifts!!!
imagine skiing UP, and not down... cool!!!
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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 joshnii:
I'm planning next season already. Going to go about it properly this time.
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EVERY work morning in a traditional japanese company (which is the majority) during the CHOREI...Quote:Originally posted by Creek Boy:
Can anybody say military?? This country is still run like everybody is in the military.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...
Kiritsu
Rei
"onegaishimasu"
Chakuseki
How often do you hear that??
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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 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. -
for my sched - i would be spending two days at Coronet Peak, and two days at The Remarkables.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/
and if i have the confidence - some heliskiing in Mt Harris. -
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.Quote:Originally posted by Experiment IV:
What do they get this 1kyu for? To become an instructor or something?
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 latter, you have the "Technical Prize," then the "Crown Prize."
ALSO, note that Japan is a very "certificate-oriented" country, there are certificates for ALMOST everything; and well, it seems like some sort of jiman (or something to be proud of), etc. -
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.
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it being that japanese are so methodological (spelling??)...?
everything has to have a system, a set of processes; and this includes skiing..
hhhmmm...
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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, and enjoy the off season.
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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 skiing here in Japan)
Your deal sounds pretty reasonable and August should be a good time for snow.
GREAT!!!
I think for the heli-skiing you'd want to be a good intermediate level skier who's comfortable in powder. If not you could be wasting your money. If you can get down any on-piste slope with confidence and good control you'd be fine. I'm not a skier so take my advice for what it is.
for one, though i do lose a little "form" as the gradient angle increases; but as far as i know, i can safely get down any on-piste slope with good control. however, my only worry is that ive never skied in deep powder before.
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thanks!!!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.
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. -
btw, what are the skill/level requirements for heli-skiing? ive just read about the beauty/wonders of powder skiing - and would just like to try it myself.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, bungy jumps, 4WD tours, etc.).
by comparison, JAL Tours are 29,000 yen/day, while JTB is at 33,000 yen; and these does not include insurance, lifts, rentals, etc.
what a great deal!?! *i think*
ill be staying in queenstown for 8 days - with 4 days skiing! and all for less than 300,000 yen...
im currently an SAJ 3-Kyu (got it on April Fool's Day 2006); but took the 2-Kyu in Naeba a week back, albeit missing the passing score by 8 points!! *bummer*
im thinking about Mt Harris near Queenstown; and when i checked out the website of one operators - i think i may be suitable for either Heli1 or Heli2... its about NZ$500 for 2/3 runs...
thoughts anyone? -
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 comparison, JAL Tours are 29,000 yen/day, while JTB is at 33,000 yen; and these does not include insurance, lifts, rentals, etc.
what a great deal!?! *i think*
ill be staying in queenstown for 8 days - with 4 days skiing! and all for less than 300,000 yen...
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yes - after today's ski trip... i guess, for me, im just trying to hard... and honestly, im finally, maybe losing the fun...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.
and, i really appreciate these posts - knocked some sense into my head... -
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 sanjo:
There's a lot of that technique over fun going on here (don't know about other places). It should be FUN.
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yep - right here smack in Roppongi..Quote:Originally posted by slow:
It's thunderstorm in Tokyo now, very dark outside!
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yep - weekends it was...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
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... -
DEFINITELY!!!Quote:Originally posted by rach:
But you had fun, right?
Australia / NZ season
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
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.
thanks!!