timcraig

I had a bad experience with Evergreen last week. I think the key is to make sure of the standard of people across the whole tour because they will cater to the lowest level. Also try (often hard with weather unpredictability) to go on a day when the snow pack will be more stable (ie. not when snowing or within 24-48 hours of snow finishing) as if the avi potential is high they will not take you to the terrain you are hoping for (and rightly so I guess because of the risk). There is another company (bluecat??) in town opposite the Post office (It has a pair of K2 pontoons and a pairt of Line

Yeah mate, shink is worth it! Just go downstairs at Narita, exchange your pass and head to Tokyo station. Bus to Hakuba leaves Nagano station east exit and you just pay when you get off actually!!! A good trick for skiing the arvo is to stand next to the electronic pass return machine and offer someone returning their pass the 1000 yen deposit. Go ride and then collect your 1000 yen when you return the pass. Free arvo skiing/boarding! The other thing about JR east pass is that they are meant to stamp it each day you use it. I have used mine 3 days and have not been stamped once. I t

Last years PE's are cool. I went to Wangel in Tokyo to get a cheap pair, but I think you guys bought out the last few. They still have a stack of 159cm though for the princely sum of 25,000 yen!!! I wish I was only 4 feet tall and then I'd buy them!

Get a JR east flexi 4 day pass it will save you money. You can get it in Japan at the airport JR counter downstairs. Shiga Kogen says they will not accept Credit card for lift tickets over 30000 yen, but my mate bought his for 36000 the other day on CC no probs. Hot choc is available, don't know the quality though. Try the udon noodles with curry, 650 yen a bowl in a little place under the Yakabetei gondola (blue and green one). Money can be got at post office ATMs - not sure where in tokyo or nagano. There is a post office in Hasuike resort at Shiga, I assume they have a PO ATM

I'll second that snow monkeys are cool!! But a hike from Hakuba for the day.

#8 today, but waiting for first big powder day

Yeah Snosurf that sounds about right. Narita Express to Tokyo station, Shink to Nagano and bus to Hakuba. This is quickest, but also the most expensive You can get a taxi from Airport to your door at Hakuba for I think 11,000 yen a friend told me last week (Chuo taxi). If you are going to train it and are in Hakuba for less than one month you should get a JR east 4 day flexi pass. This allows you to travel on all JR east for any 4 days in a 30 day period. You can buy it at the Narita airport or get a travel agent at home to organise it for you. It is 200 aussie at flight centre

SSX on PSP is pretty good. Skiing and snowboarding as I recall. Tony Hawk is good and also FIFA if you are into it. Basically all the games on PS2 that were good!! A new Ridge Racer just came out, that should be good.

I have a pair of 12 year old Reusch gloves. Goretex with leather palms. Still going strong. Finding it difficult to part with them!!!

I would also be keen to see trip report from Asahidake

Bus from nagano to hakuba takes a bit over an hour. Cost is 1400 yen. Snow conditions may affect travel time. The buses run every hour I think (pretty regularly anyway)and are pretty comfortable. Drop off at goryu, Hakuba JR and happo alpico bus terminal. Just found timetable on internet http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/nagano_hakuba/index_e.html Hope that helps

PS. Paid 42500 for medium size at Wangel in Tokyo, free mounting. They were very helpful

I ended up getting the 06/07 Volkl Gotamas with Naxo NX21s. The bindings have been bomber for the last 5 days in the resorts. Admittedly you are a bit up off the ski and with a fat powder ski the groomers (as not much pow in Hakuba lately) have been a bit testing. The bindings seem ery stiff, not any noteable flex in my opinion. Did ski a bit of BC powder/trees today and the skis/bindings went sweet. Don't have any skins trimmed at the moment so can't comment on climbing as yet. Skis do feel heavy on the chairs, but this is a combo of fat skis and the bindings. Can't complain so far...........

A wise man once said 'trees always win', but who ever listens to good advice!

Noone at 47. Have been up the last few days and haven't waited for a lift yet.

I went to Matsumoto on the way up to Hakuba yesterday. It is a nice town and the castle is impressive

Yeah the NX21's look pretty solid on the web. The "normal" toe piece looks better then the Fritschi's (bit worried about what release is like on Fritschis downhill?!), but they do put you higher up off your skis than the Fritschi. Both look pretty good, probably will just decide to buy one or the other, maybe even just on price!

Thanks for the help. Will Rappies be able to mount them on the spot/overnight in January or will they take a while?? Merry Christmas

Just wondering from people's experience whether they would recommend Naxo or Fritschi AT bindings. Is it best to get them in Tokyo or do they sell them in Hakuba? Thanks