WantToSki

Quote: Originally posted by Fattwins: i read some reviews and i have skied another salomon model close to the same shape. they hate going straight at speed so you need to be active and continue to keep the ski on edge turning. bites into japanese hardpack easy enough no sliping. a little narrow to learn good powder skills but a good carving ski for the quiver. if you like them go back and ask if the deal is still on the table you can not beat that price. i myself wouldnt buy a ski like that but if you are going to take more badge tests it is a pretty good ski for that. btw, whe

thanks... yes, i guess ill try for as far as 1-kyu next season (basically, take 2-kyu, then a couple of months later, 1-kyu if i can)...). and if a ski at least would be good for that, i guess its a good buy. ill be headed to shop after work then - and let you guys know!! *thumbs up*

well - i just started this year and never really knew the good deals, so i just spent money here and there. i also had private lessons as much as i can during each trip. i also bought some instruction DVDs, some ski accesories, clothes/wears, boots, a ski, etc. however, i would assume that next season would be much cheaper.

Quote: Originally posted by Team snow bee: what sort of runs do you mostly do ? well, i really cant say much - but i like doing high-speed middle and long turns... especially from the "regent grat" course all the way down to the nakiyama gelande in the Hakuba Happo-One resort. and of course, i would like to be able to do this in all snow conditions, just like after a new snow has fallen, to it being a much used piste like in the mid-afternoons, and even during slush during warm periods, etc. thoughts? im really all new to this (as some would know, i only started skiing only this season)

okay... i hope no one flames me for this... i know, i know, i posted that "id tell you guys know of what i find..." but i just saw a brand new Salomon Streetracer 8/S711 (05-06 model) for about 45,000 yen! and well, i really wanted the Scrambler 8 besides it, and unfortunately since the shop didnt have the size i needed; they said that they were willing to let me have the Streetracer for only 24,000 yen!!! i mean, isnt this a good deal? my original budget was about 50,000 yen - and i was about to get the Atomic ST8 from another shop (assuming that i walked out on this one), but

Quote: Originally posted by slow: I took a mogul lesson this weekend. My short turn skill was improved. But I am still scared of the deep ditch. I guess I have to overcome this fear. But I was thinking like this all day today..."for what?" I think this short turn skill is useful when I ski off piste, too and that's enough. actually, im still aching all over due to trying to get my short turns to actually work... *sigh*

if i only live near those ski resorts it might have been cheaper... however, tokyo is what pays me to eat, and ski... i guess no choice... shoganai...

Quote: Originally posted by Sanno: Yesteday there was 10cm fresh but heavy snow at Kagura. I really enjoyed it, but I think that was my last day of the lift serviced season. I hope to do some skinning around Tateyama in May. i hope we still have some left over before next saturday (it would be my first to kagura)

im going to kagura this coming weekend... its about 9,200 yen (hhhmmm.. Gala is cheaper)...

Quote: Originally posted by Creek Boy: > SAJ Badge tests...!!! wanttoski, was that test so you could get a job somewhere? no - it is some kind of "level tests," just like what you find in the martial arts, ie., yello belt, green belt, blue belt, brown belt, and the black belt. but of course, here in "certification-happy" japan - if you'd like to be a patrol you need to pass (i think) at least 1-Kyu (1st Grade) of the SAJ Badge Tests. PS: here are the ranks: Crown Price Badge - highest Technical Prize Badge 1st-Kyu (1st Grade) 2nd-Kyu 3rd-Kyu 4th-Kyu 5th-Kyu - lowest (

Quote: Originally posted by Fattwins: about the same if not a bit higher. stores want to clear the stock rooms now! what they cant sell now at 30 to 40% off might go for only 10 to 20% off next season to try and make more money. shop around and come back with a price and we can tell you if its a good deal or not. but we need details ski make and model and year. got it... thanks a lot!!! really appreciate it...!!!

Quote: Originally posted by Brian Bile: It aint over, till it's over. ill try to get as much higaeri up until the end of the month (of course, that would depend on my day trip to Gala tomorrow)

Quote: Originally posted by Fattwins: there is not alot of difference year to year on models. I would by now. how about the price? dont you think 2005-2006 models bought just before the 2007 season would be cheaper? rather than buying them now? thanks!!

Quote: Originally posted by brit-gob: Did you pass? yep - it was so smooth to ski, that when i took the kentei just after noon... i passed!!! cheers!!! PS: i guess the snow gods were smiling at me on that day...

Quote: Originally posted by rigor mortis: i think its important to 'have no fear' and take a few hits. always challenge yourself - and you can surprise yourself what you can do. confidence is a great teacher (but can be very strict sometimes!) *thumbs up* i remember an instructor told me once that when you are not falling, then you may not be trying...

yes - i was there in Happo-One when it looked more like peak winter rather than early spring! there was heaps of snow... and luckly for me, too - since i was scheduled to take the SAJ Badge tests...!!!

for your info - tokyo to goryu/gala is around 9,000 yen for higaeri (one-day trip) via JR Shinkansen... and as i would remember, either they include rentals with it, or you get a 20% discount. and yes, this definitely includes the lift tickets!

hi to all... i think i am ready to buy my own boots and skis... and am just wondering is when is the best time to time? around february and march, 2005-2006 models are being had for drop-down prices. but i wonder - "now, there is less time to use it?" for the 2006-2007 models - i think there are lots of "try them own" events, and im assuming that they be in stores by june - but still, you cant use them yet... when is the best time to get them? just after season, or just before the season starts? thanks!!! of course, though im not looking for top-of-the-line b

Quote: Originally posted by snowboarding-sam: Probably around 200K for me. I'd be interested to hear the adventures of the over 1m guy/gal?! if i do decide to go skiing in australia/new zealand this year, i may easily top 1M in one-year (mind you, that is two seasons)... but, i dont think that this would be worth it... ne?

i started only this season, and counting in the lessons, the wear, the tour costs, miscellaneous expenses, the DVDs and books, etc. hhhmmm... somewhere around 300,000 to 400,000 yen... i just envy those who live near ski resorts...

Quote: Originally posted by WantToSki: i started skiing this season - 2 days/1 night in january, two more 2 days/1 night in february, and in march i have had three 2 days/1 night (almost every week)... and in that, i try to get at least ONE lesson (group setting) that cost about 2,000 to 4,000 yen for 2 hours. so much so that i am now able to do parallel long turns, and parallel short turns in intermediate/beginner groomed pistes (not yet pretty perfect like a Demonstrator, though); able to survive some bumps in advanced terrain, and bad snow conditions; and just recently passed by SAJ Ba

i started skiing this season - 2 days/1 night in january, two more 2 days/1 night in february, and in march i have had three 2 days/1 night (almost every week)... and in that, i try to get at least ONE lesson (group setting) that cost about 2,000 to 4,000 yen for 2 hours. so much so that i am now able to do parallel long turns, and parallel short turns in intermediate/beginner groomed pistes (not yet pretty perfect like a Demonstrator, though); able to survive some bumps in advanced terrain, and bad snow conditions; and just recently passed by SAJ Badge Test for the 3rd Grade. -- im

im heading out to Gala for a higaeri (one-day trip) this saturday... it is just that i cant believe that the ski season is still OVER...

Quote: Originally posted by daver: congradulations! now get out there and enjoy yourself. i think the best lesson i ever had involved one small tip and a full day of solid skiing with an amazing skier that just asked me what i was thinking about while on the lifts. thank you don kjorvn. thanks a lot... yes! im really happing - as ive said, i just started skiing this season, enjoyed it, and grab all opportunity to ski... and sooner or later, here i am doing long parallels. it is not pretty, and my form really breaks down in not-so-good snow conditions, but, im now cruising down inte

hi all... if you guys remember me, im the one that started this thread - and well, id just let you guys know that i just passed my SAJ Badge Test for 3-Kyu (Hakuba Happo-One Nakiyama Course)...!!! if you're not familiar with it, 3-Kyu requires parallel short turns, parellel long turns in beginner/intermediate course, and a free run also in a beginner/intermediate course. the main point being able to perform connected turns... passing score for each subject is 60 points - and i scored 60 for ST, 66 for LT, and 64 for free...!! (personally, i think that the kentei-nin was being ni