panhead_pete

What? 21 ski resorts, 71 lifts, promoted as the largest ski area in Japan and no steeps/tree runs? In my experience - pretty much. And not all open to snowboards either. There is still some fun to be had though.

Must be.

Lots of snow yesterday with that later in the day being some what wet as the temps increased during the day and it stopped early evening. Plows were working all day trying to keep up. It almost felt like it wanted to rain but didnt. Was out shovelling at about 4pm and it was defineltly heavier (mass not volumes) then the snow we had over night and in the morning. It got rather cold last night so there was one of those light freezers on top this morning.

No snow next weekend for me, just a truck load of monsoon rain.

x2. Very little overnight, Cortina is reporting 20cm though but the top lifts are closed again today. Snow outside is wet and heavy.

Hakuba

Just been shovelling the white stuff falling from the sky. Hasnt stopped all day. I'd be guessing 40+cm.

If you are overnighting it in Tokyo drop all your big bags at the airport and get the Black Cat to deliever them to your hotel. Approx $20 a bag. Makes a big difference.

Was told this morning that apparently the guy was riding by himself and stopped on a large cornice and it collapsed triggering the avie and taking him with it.

Heard there was no rain in Hakuba, just snow, LOTS of snow.

Get yourself a JR East Rail Pass. I like the 4 day Flexis that gives you any 4 days within a month and costs you pretty much the same as if you get the Narita Express/Shinkansen to Nagano return. That way if you want to travel eslewhere like to Zao you can without any additional travel costs. If you have 10 days I'd conider 5 days in Hakuba and 3 in say Nozawa and a couple in Tokyo on the way out. Snow monkeys can be done by organised chater bus from Hakuba and you get to go to a couple other places as well. Dont bother with Shiga (The resort area) you'll be bored senseless when not skiiing bu

Been snowing in Hakuba since early morning and there is 10-15cm of fresh snow on the verandah rail. Not sure whats going to happen temp wise but hopefully it will stay cold enough.

Yesterday morning we saw the heli flying, apparently out to the site. They were bombing and testing cornices and wind lips on the Cortina side yesterday prior to opening. From the Cortina FB page just now: TERRAIN REPORT　　 Lift Operations: No. 1 lift (8:30～17:00)　OPEN No. 2 lift (8:30～17:00)　OPEN No. 3 lift (9:00～16:00)　OPEN No. 4 lift CLOSE *all day * Due to high avalanche hazards. No. 5 lift CLOSE *all day * Due to high avalanche hazards. No. 6 lift (8:30～16:30)　OPEN No. 7 lift CLOSE *all day ※Open on weekends

I cant comment directly for Nozawa as am yet to get there but I've ridden quiet a lot of new to me resorts by myself and slowly work into them after arriving. Scoping out lines close to runs where its apparent safe egress can be made if it goes wrong, hitting them then pushing further into that area, always with an eye to riding out. I've had unexpected hike outs and they can be tough! Then on other lines I've seen try meeting folks on the lifts and then riding with them or waiting where guys are dropping into an area, sussing it out how hard it is and asking if you can join that group if you

Awesome mad day at Cortina. Big crowds but LOTS of insanely great bluebird riding. I forget how good it can get there.

Well woken to probably 50cm of new snow over night and no sign of it stopping. For those that are riding this weekend it should be awesome but beware of avalanche danger.

Absolutely dumping still at Myoko. Slack country should be wonderful tomorrow.

For a 1st trip to Japan and for 10 days Hakuba is indeed a great choice. Its relatively easy to get to either by bus/van from Narita or by train (Shinkansen) and bus. Most businesses cater for english only speaking and reading visitors and there is a range of riding/skiing that various from novice to Jeremy Jones. I wouldnt have dinner as part of the package as there is a wide range of restuarnts that are well worth getting to. A couple days in Tokyo on the way in or out is also a great idea. Any additional questions ask away.

Yeah Rucky the quality of the video is quite good actually. Im impressed with them for the $. Watching the footage is a tad boring though as you dont have anyone in frame when riding by yourself. Going to have a crack at making a little vid of this trip and will post it if it turns out OK. Here's a little bit.

Snowing now at the base in Myoko.

Having friends rock up for a day trip then off to Hakuba with them for 4 days.

At work we look at risk by assessing the liklihood of something happening on one axis and the consequence of the event if it does, nothing revolutionary there. In my case the risk of something happening decreases with age with improved equipment, knowledge and experience. Now that being said the consequence of an event should it happen is increasing though by being in more inherently dangerous situations which is only partially offset by safety gear such a beacon and helmet etc. When undertaking risk assessments they are always very subjective (the best ones are done as a group/team) and witho

Those Happo Moguls are the size of VW beetles some day. And the views can be glorious! Glad you had a good time Dunga.

Looks great mate!

Was speaking with an Aussie girl at Seki Onsen today that told me yesterday her boyfriend and his mate set off an avie at Kanko when riding an area near those barriers under the 2nd quad if I understood correctly, with pillows and it came down the slope and buried her to knee height. I didnt glean any additional info from her re size, type etc. They had no avie gear and no awareness of what could have happened and was flppant about the whole thing. Im thinking that's why patrol were so active in that area yesterday.