Kingofmyrrh

It's just like Go Native says, but give it a try and you'll know that words aren't enough!

Great coverage from the gondola up. Some bare patches around the top of the Mitsumata ropeway, but who actually skis down there anyway?

I was in Okutadami for the first time this weekend and had a pretty good time despite some neutral to negative reviews on SJ. Maybe a little too small for a full weekend but a great day's skiing. To even up the balance I thought I'd throw in my own review, have a look if you feel like it: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/voice/readrer...fecture=Niigata I'm curious to hear what other forum members who have been there thought about it.

Was at Kagura and Okutadami this weekend. Snow conditions still seemed pretty reasonable for the time of year, although I can't imagine making it up there again this season.

Quote: Originally posted by samurai: they're ignorant. That or I'm anal. Don't get me wrong, many had gear. But any time I see a skier with snowshoes, it's pretty obvious he doesn't spend much time hiking. If you've had a drop of avi training... then check it out. Why is a skier with snowshoes ignorant? I'm not arguing, I just wouldn't know why as I don't have any experience. Is it because skiers should be using skins for hiking? Thanks.

We're thinking of hitting Kagura and maybe Okutadami for some tricks this weekend. Anyone been there over the last few days? I read Tsondaboy's informative report and it sounded like things were still good, but time has passed and the sun is shining...

Good to see that the Mail is still pumping out the usual xenophobic tripe...

9 so far... didn't really get in gear until the end of February. Still, snow conditions at Shiga Kogen last weekend and Hakuba the week before that tell me it might not be quite over yet...

I must admit I've never come across these before... looks like another new way for me to break my face Still, I wish I could slide the box on my first day. Don't really want to remember my first attempt a couple of weeks ago.

You make a good point - I work in the 2nd tallest (tallest until last week!) building in Tokyo so I am asking for earthquake-based pain. My relatives live in S. Africa and I've been in a house that was struck by lightning there, which I really, really didn't enjoy (was about 7 yrs old at the time though)... maybe it's time to get over it.

Hmmm... I had the idea at the back of my mind of getting myself a tiny place in Hakuba for winter weekends and holidays, but stories like that aren't too encouraging!

You mean lightning actually hit your house!?!? What happened?

You'd better believe it! We were measuring the gaps between lightning and thunder to see how close we were to getting sizzled.

Yes, but I think they have shut the Sakka lifts for this season...

In mid-december you could be fine, or you could be unlucky with the snow. It sounds like you're really into the trip, so waiting until january when the snow should be much more reliable might be for the best.

Quote: Originally posted by eskimobasecamp: king - hahahahahahahahaha yeh i saw you, i remember your green & white jacket, my mate and i were on the lift behind you up to the virgin cafe..... and i was making a face at her as she came through the ticket gate (damn slowboarders), but she was just behind you, so it probably looked like i was looking at you lol. you were with some other dude right? glad you had a good day up there. ps - doing moguls is ANYTHING but sensibe, what were you thinking? Yup, that was us. I'm not really a moguls type normally (probably because I am so incredi

It was fun making the final run of the day back down to the bottom of the gondola from around the park area. As the thunder rumbled behind us it felt like we were trying to outrun a tidal wave!

I thought I was, but things were kind of slushy at Happo over the weekend and I still managed to have a great time. Good for mogul practice as it doesn't really hurt when you fall over.

Thanks Kumapix. She needs to deploy it on people who are better skiers though...

Quote: ... so it HAD to be happo, and i HAD to take the pontoons, and i managed to stumble onto the gondola, possibly still quite wasted at 3pm. Hello, long-time lurker, first time poster. I have a feeling I saw you at Happo - getting the quad up to the virgin cafe in the afternoon, somebody who looked quite a lot like your photo gave me a surprise with a big smile/scowl/hard to read when you're both wearing goggles expression. At the time I saw how huge your skis were and wondered whether you might be related to the SJ gang, but didn't say hello as I'm a shy retiring englishman. I was wearin