snowdude
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Posts posted by snowdude
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Originally Posted By: d-spinSnowdude, high stuff in Hokkaido has snow now. Click link in my other post.
I'm sure it has!
Isn't it nice to see some white already!
Those living in Hokkaido are lucky as you always get to see white first, it will arrive at the rest of us soon though. Yipeee! -
Getting down to around 13oC here in Gunma now at night, it won't be long now. Even in Tokyo the air is cooling a lot from what it was.
Some of the higher mountains in Hokkaido may well get snow this week!
Finally nice to loose that terrible heat which I hate.
I'm still going with what I told you all a few weeks ago that this winter is going to be a cold one.
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Originally Posted By: thursday"unreal for a compact, as good as an SLR"
so which crappy SLR are you comparing with?
My Father plus a couple of friends of mine that are in to photography got NEW SLR's, Wasn't expecting it to be as good, but actually pic quality is the same. If you compare any average SLR with the compact I got the actual pic quality is no different. Of course if you buy a really expensive top of the range camera then yes I'm sure it must be better.
I am not here to argue which cam is better or worse, I couldn't give a shit basically, I simply came on here to tell people that the cam I got is very good for a compact and for the money and that it compares in pic quality to an SLR, I will upload some pics later when I figure out how to get them up. Some from an SLR and some from my compact and then you can tell me the difference.
I was going to buy an SLR, because I like photography a lot actually, but as I travel a lot I thought it a bit bulky to carry around so I went for the compact after trying every single camera in the shops both SLR'S and compacts, before choosing what I got now. And I am glad that I did. -
Originally Posted By: Kumapixthat camera has no viewfinder so good luck taking shots on a sunny day on the slopes!
Well my last camera didn't have a viewfinder either, but never had a problem so no reason I should have a problem this year.
It anyway has a function to allow taking pictures in sunlight so that you can see the screen.
Once the snow arrives I will take some pics and see how I get on, but I bet i'll get some good pics. -
Well for me I guess have to be new boots and stocks, otherwise got everything else.
Bought a new camera a couple months ago, Panasonic DMC-TZ3 28-280mm lense. The pics it takes is un real for a compact, as good as an SLR.
If your looking for something small, light and able to take really clear pics then I would recommend this. And unlike most small cams it really does have a lense that starts at wide angle 28mm and goes right through to 280mm. 10x optical and 4x digital giving it a 40x zoom. Not many of the biggies can match that without paying a small fortune.
If anyone is looking to buy a new cam for this years snow season and wants to see the pic quality let me know and ill post a few pics up here, of course not snow ones.
I'm looking forward to taking lots of snow pics this year with it.
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Well I am guessing there will be resorts opening earlier than usual this year.
some of you may remember that I said we would have a long hot summer this year, which so far we have. And I said that this winter was going to be a cold one, well looking at several things still is indicating a cold one.
Actually some of the typical winter airstreams are already with us, just the cold air hasn't arrived yet obviously and the air system of course is not settled yet and wont be until around November, quite different to last year.
How long the season will last I can't tell for sure, but I believe it will be at least usual length. I also think that the east side will get snow this year, and I mean a decent dump, not the few flakes that normally falls in Tokyo and surrounding areas.
The reason for this is that the winter jetstream that usually is dominant across the country may well be slightly further over than usual, causing cold wet winds to dominate a larger area of the country.
If the weather turns out to be like I said above then it is not GW that is the course of the unpredictable weather that we have been getting over the past years, it's ............ (tell you all later)
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Yeah how about return the design of the forum back to how it was, it was so much more clearer and organised before and easy to find everything. I have to say this new design is a mess and not at all organised looking.
As for content how about add more weather links and more about now reports for other ski resort areas not just the main ones, if that is possible.
Otherwise the info on here is quite good I think. I have enjoyed looking at the info and joining in the forum so thumbs up to that!
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I have climbed it once about 6 years ago when my brother came here, we climbed at night, got to the top by day break and watched the sunset, then climbed down.
Doing this way is really cool, especially if you get a clear night sky it is really beautiful and peaceful. Also you don't have to worry about paying for the crappy accomodation huts they have.
I want to do it again this July or Aug, which is the best time as the top is usually free of snow, usually, any other time you are likely to get snow at the very top due to the altitude.
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Absolutely Mina2, because in general Gunma is actually colder than Niigata, hence not as much snow, but still more than enough, and what does fall is much lighter and drier.
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Actually Gunma is renowned for it's powder snow, better than a lot imagine.
Houdaigi will be good, but have you considered Tambara or Tanagawadake Tenjindaira, both have got far more snow than Houdaigi.
Tambara is maybe better for families, whereas Tanagawadake is better for the more advanced skier. Houdaigi I can't comment on never been to it.
Anyway, have fun where ever you decide on.
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Helicoils are actually like a stiff kind of spring, that is screwed into oversized holes, often use to use them on an engine years ago, if the spark plug was put in on the piss and the threads got stripped.
Helicoils are by far the safest, if done correctly will last the entire life of the ski, epoxy glues, etc, tend to work harden and can crack or even effect the rest of the surface.
If I were you I'd either go for helicoils or ditch the skiis and get new ones.
Working as an engineer for more than 10 years, I have a lot of experience in this field.
Sorry don't know where in Tokyo you can get that done, but should be quite cheap. You might want to check out the phone directory and find an engineering company, they almost certainly would be able to do it, ot know someone who can.
Hope that helps you.
Quote:Originally posted by Stuntcok:I ripped a binding off the ski this weekend, stripping the screwholes. I am told the only fix is helicoils. I am not even sure what a helicoil is (I think it is the metal screw holes like those that hold on a snowboard binding). Does anyone know where I could get this done?
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Yep I was in Minakami and Naeba yesterday and today with loads of fresh snow. Was still snowing in the afternoon,more snow tomorrow too and the end of the week for the higher elevations.
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Hi there WantToski,
Well I too am a beginner, and except for one ski lesson have learned by myself, still crap at skiing, but never the less I can ski down the mountain, turn and stop with out crashing or falling now.
One thing I find from a beginners point of view, is the ability to relax.
I think this is one of the most important things, the experts out there correct me if I am wrong, but that is what I found.
If you are tense, which most newbies are it's not easy to balance or turn, etc.
I found that once I simply relaxed, it was so much easier, another problem for me was balance.
I found by bending my legs slightly and moving my weight forward just a tad, made all the difference in the world, I was soon able to ski all the way down with out crashing.
For me another part is fresh snow, as a beginner, hard ice packed snow is a definate no-no.
If it has just dumped then maybe any part is ok, otherwise if like early this season the mountains where looking a little worse for where, I would tend to ski of line a little, where there is still a little deeper snow.
I found this had a few advantages,
1. Tends to be a little slower, as more friction, ideal for newbies.
2. Easier to stop, due to the softness of the deeper snow, icy snow is still difficult for me to stop in.
When you try to turn, just simply move your weight to one side, nice and smoothly and you will turn, imagine your on a motorbike, you lean your weight to go round a corner, you never try to steer or you will go straight.
Ok this is just my advice as a beginner.
There are many much better skiiers here than me, so if I got something wrong please correct me, but this is how I found was the best way to learn?
At the end of the day, the main thing is to have fun, it's not how fast or how many jumps or turns you can do, it's if your enjoying yourself on the white stuff!
Quote:Originally posted by WantToSki:good day to all... just an inquiry from a newbie...
i had my first and second ski tour about two/three years ago... just a one-night stay, wherein we were there just for fun - nothing serious.
then mid-january, i hit the slopes again; and i guess i fell in love with it! just this season, i have been to already 4 tours already.
my question would be is how long does it usually take for one to become a good intermediate skier? i mean, doing long turns/short turns in intermediate slopes? how much practice is required (how many times per season)?
what is required? private lessons? japanese badge tests? etc. what about off-season?
thanks for any advice!
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You might want to try Tambara in Gunma, they are still saying that they are going to be open for Golden Week, although looking at the weather this year I think that's pushing it a bit, but April should still be ok.
They have a beginners and family course there, however not sure if the lower slopes will have enough snow cover. This I think will be a problem anywhere this year, except for the far nothern areas.
If possible I would recommend this month to be safe, otherwise Hokkaido, they got more than 3 metres of snow on several of the ski resorts there and still snowing.
As a complete beginner, you should definately go for the low down slopes.
Tsunan in Niigata has got a great beginners slope, but you need to get on two lifts and at least have some basic skiing ability to make it up there yourself. I was there a few weeks ago when it was dumping, but I don't think this year there will be enough snow by April.
Another place that usually is good for beginners and tend to get a lot of snow is Tougakushi in Nagano. I haven't been there this year, so not sure about the snow conditions.
It has a nice gentle slope and they offer ski lessons for beginners.
There is alos a nice little minshiku type hotel and bar right next to the resort.
What ever you choose, have fun!
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Don't know but I was wearing a Tee-shirt at my house in Gunma, it was 17oC today.
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Very interesting data!
Actually this year we are in for a scorcher, unfortunately, more like a traditional summer.
But before that kicks in we are in for another nice cold snap from around Tuesday next week and that should continue for at least the next two weeks, dumping some snow around, even at the lower elavations.
Looking at all the data and studying the weather patterns over the last few months, I predict next winter 2007/08 is going to be a snowy and cold one.
A bit early to tell yet for sure, but several factors are pointing in that direction.
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Depends where you are, but yes Niigata, Northern Nagano, Northern Gumna and of course all of the northern areas will get snow Friday night and into saturday morning, may fall as rain to start in the valey areas, but for sure will be snow before the morning. Looking at a good 20-30cm in some areas, not a lot by other years standards, but well better than nothing.
The freezing level by Sat morning from Saitama / Gunma upwards and accross is going to be at zero metres, so a very cold day Sat followed by an even colder night.
Quote:Originally posted by DumbStick:Will it be bringing us a fluffy white present?
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Well there is some really cold air heading to Japan. By Saturday most of Japan will be really cold.
Winter temperatures, rain/snow to be normal
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Well I did say months ago this year is going to be a cold snowy one and I think I will be right, looks like others are saying the same now.
In all the years I've been in Japan, this is the first year I can remember where there is actually a chill in the wind in September in Tokyo.
Normally Tokyo by now has cooler days and of course the air feels fresher, but this last couple of days the actual air has a chill to it, unlike anything I can remember for Sep, in the eight years that I have been here.
Please anyone correct me on that if it's just my memory.