HelperElfMissy

Originally Posted By: ger I dunno. I was watching cbc news the other day and they featured an atheist summer camp for kids and they interviewed all these people who had freed themselves from religion and had seen the light. They seemed to have all the answers. They seemed pretty self-righteous actually -- I thought that's what they were trying to escape. Extremism is the problem (in ideology, not sports). Religion's not for me at this point but I don't think we should lump all "Snowboarders for Christ" in with the "Snowboarders Who Kill People Who Don't Conform to the Doctrine for Christ

OK - so this stuff in the pic is being blown out the pipe AS snow right? It is not water sprayed into the cold cold air and freezing as it falls... THATS GOTTA BE FULLA CHEMICALS! I get it that the Aussie (and some other less blessed than the powder heaven of Japan) locations need to use snowmaking to make the industry viable. But I was under the impression that our Aussie snowmaking was simply providing the sprayed 'precipitation' (plain ol' water) into the needed location on the hill when the conditions were right for snow but mother nature was not obliging on the precipitation front

Blah.. I couldn't be bothered doing it myself - if we lived in snow country and went boarding the whole season - THEN I would set up a bench and get all the gear. But for fly in, board, fly home and store the gear ...the professional tune ups do it for me, whatever the cost! Remember you are paying for the tradesmans time, consumable materials (like wax), non-consumable materials (wear & tear/purchase costs on the gear), AND his/her expertise. HIJACK ALERT What I wanna know is can a snowboard that has lifted in a section of laminate be repaired? This is my 10yr olds board

Originally Posted By: ger I've only met small handfulls of people who like powder, mainly at places like Niseko. As my previous trip to Niseko was in April (2007) - I can't say I really got to see any powder...fresh snow, yes - lots, no...but it was certainly softer than anything I have seen since.. ....I am excited to be hitting Niseko in premium powder time - mid-january 2008, I will let you know if it is "MY THING" or not... ...but however it turns out - it has gotta be better than the ICE days at Thredbo. Man they hurt!

Gotta admit by the end of a day on the board I am ready for a hot bath, a hot chocolate, a few ibuprofen/antiinflamatories and BED! That way I can greet the next day on the board with the same enthusiasm as the last. The odd night out and drinks with my friends and some new friends met on snow is great - but I would rather be saying "woo-hoo...bay-be!" on the way down the mountain than saying it stumbling along the street... Maybe *I* am getting old too, Domokun! Eh? And as far as the lift passes and accomodation goes ... ummm Europe is cheaper than Japan? REALLY? Heck -

Originally Posted By: ausi ski bum I am booked from 28 Dec to 17 Jan and I am not worried in the least. Robbo the worst posible conditions for Japan in January will still be better than the 2000 season in Australia. Oh I did hear however that if you vote ALP at the election it will rain the whole week your there. LOL!! Ya reckon we can actually get the thing back on track with that line? Maybe the Ski-dudes can turn it all back around for Johnny?

Also - just a tip regarding Communication issues...USE BODY LANGUAGE! It amazes how when you are not understood the first time most people just repeat the same words but LOUDER again and again. I work as a Sign Language Interpreter for the Deaf, and so I am very comfortable with expressing myself using my hands and body. Meet people half way - don't expect them to always speak your language. Also - learn a few key terms in Japanese. I am lazy - haven't learnt much bec 2 of my sons are learning it at school, and they interpret/translate food stuff for us. Oldest boy has 4 yrs stud

Not any more...mostly due to relocation and not finding a real welcoming church in my new area - plus a busy life! But I do listen to Christian Radio - does that count? I am of the "faith is a personal thing" school of thought. If I find God in the beauty of the snow tipped tree's on a chairlift ride, and live my life honestly, compassionately and to leave the world better than I found it - then I am happy with that! As far as getting married in church - ya know ... if these churches opened the doors to anyone wanting to get married there, rather than forcing a 6 month rule on them

Originally Posted By: thursday quite seriously, things like touristy boomerangs and cuddly Koalas are not made in Australia, they are made in the sweatshop of the world. They ARE hard to find Thursday! Doing a lot of International Swapping I am always looking for the MADE in AUSTRALIA tag - no point sending something from elsewhere to someone in one of these 'Taste of Home' swaps... But they ARE out there - they just cost a lot more. There are some seriously yummy smelling Aussie made soaps and body lotions out there - set you back $10 - $30 a bar (!!) but they are WONDERFUL. Sandalw

aaaahhhhhhhhhh... if we are talking Footy...I am NOT. That is NOT at all. My 10yr old is an Eagles supporter. My hubby is a North Melbourne supporter (blue and white translates from East Fremantle from his child hood - go figure). But our family has more of a Rugby Union bent ... although NOT in favour at the moment as it was a rugby injury that has His Injuredness OUT OF ACTION for this next snow trip - How many times do I have to say it - Grey hair appears; HANG up the boots!! (As long as thye are not snowboard boots...!) SO what are YOUR colors Bushpig?

Hey - what about the Tim Tams. I do a lot international swapping and the most requested items are Tim Tams and Cadbury Chocolate (ohh yeah and stuffed Koala's!) We have also hosted 2 J-exchange students and both of them couldn't get enough of the Tim Tams - I had to send home multiple value packs with them for thier families... As for wrapping - I got some fabulous high quality wrapping paper printed with photo like pics of Koala's, with matching gift cards from the Perth Zoo Gift shop. Wrapping whatever you buy in a paper like that with some lovely satin ribbon (not curling ri

Originally Posted By: Robbo07 I'm booked for Niseko from the 2 - 9 Jan but i'm starting to worry about snow conditions... Do i have reason to worry... I hope not Robbo! We will be getting there about the same time, probably checking in and unpacking while you are stuffing your still wet gear into placky bags for the trip home!! LOL! Mother Nature will play the biggest hand, as there is no snowmaking to cover the variations (not needed is it!!) ... but I reckon we will be blessed with powder in January.

LOL..I am in China at the moment!! But I am a born and bred Freo girl, currently living in the 'burbs' (Claremont).

OK..new snowboarder chiming in here... We have travelled with not only our 6, but 2 other families of 4 each to Niskeo. Mix of experienced skiers, expereinced boarders, newish boarders, and complete novices - MY take on it ... EVERYONE should have lessons. Unless you are the instructor, and you spend every winter hammering down the slopes, carving up the park and treking the back country you can always get something from a session with an appropraite levelled instructor. For a beginner it means the difference between getting going and feeling excited with your experience - and

These guys are the experts - but our family has enjoyed Niseko so much we are just about ready for trip 3 in 12 months!! However listen to these guys about the snow chances in early December - you would hate to be all excited arriving with your board tucked under your arm only to find the only snow to be had is after an 8 hr hike to the top of Yotei! LOL! Me - I like the chairlifts - personally... Seeing the push for Hakuba on here - I might have to talk to His Injuredness about planning the next trip for there! Knowing a place/familiarity is great, but you can't beat new experien

LOL! Thursday ... I remain the optimist depsite what I hear!! I reckon I can make a fun time in a tin can full of dugites.. Been to that building/commercial centre on the way home from Niseko in April 07...I bought some stuff but lost most of it in a burglery 2 weeks ago, so I will def be replacing it. No, no business acquaintence - not yet anyway ... we ARE going to a conference, so maybe we will meet a local..

I am a firm believer that "people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime". Might sound cynical - but some friends are not meant to be with us from 3 to 103...some ARE, but most are not. I appreciate each and every friend I have had throughout my life - but I certainly do not keep in contact with them all...or even 'many'. I have two special female friends in my life who are here forever - one I met at 3, the other the first day of highschool...and we are a trio! Girls night out is a loud hysterical and alcohol filled event. Sad as it is sometimes the reas

Travelling within the country that you live and will give birth is a whole different thing to international travel while preggers. Been there done that 4 times - I would travel within Aus (my home) up to 36/37 weeks any day... after 37 weeks you are risking it - high chance of labour! If she is going to be prem then it would happen at home or away, and while she might be closer to a neonatal ICU in Tokyo you can't live your life deciding not to do stuff because of worst case scenario's. Yes - look into the options for a worst case scenario - but don't build a cotton wool fortress

Yeah... I saw that photo on the website a few days ago - can't remember WHERE on the site...but it was that photo that really piqued my intrigue! It looks from that pic that the lift is going up at a right hand right angle to the Gondola itself. From my hazy memories of April there was nada over that side when I was there - but I might just have my bearings off... The Gondola was only open weekends in April - so we didn't use it that much, but I treked up there and practiced on my little hire board on the GENTLE GENTLE run in at the bottom for the first few days until I scored an in

LOL! The Teen Bearcubs would be all over that! In fact - they LOOK like adults and me-thinks the January Trip "The Mens Trip" involved a level of underage drinking that would have this responsible mother freaking out!! REAAALLLYYYY keen on the snowmobile stuff - but also keen on the snowcat trip - the little bear cubs would LOVE to do that with thier Dad!! Thanks for brilliant suggestions!

Originally Posted By: big-will check the niseko now page I have been - DAILY - for like 2 months... Repeat after me - "It is not an addiction it is just a healthy fascination with a 'new to me' sport that will improve my fitness!" That is where I read that a new lift was being installed, and I read that it was going to take the pressure off the beginners slope at Ace Family, and also that it was located somewhere near the Gondola... SOoooooo...I was just wondering if there is anymore info... Maybe it is hidden somewhere on Niseko Now...I just couldn't find it.. Love the pic'

Ruffian - my eldest has one more year left at school - and there are 4 altogether... I think we have done our bit for population growth!! LOL!! Besides someone has to WATCH the bear cubs to make sure they don't find themselves in trouble... Believe it or not I actually had to pull babybear (8) out of chest deep snow (his chest)at Thredbo, when he took a wrong turn and ended up in a black run and then tried to escape through the tree's... I think His Injuredness is gonna be on his own a LOT! YES, we were looking at the snowmobiles...sound great! Thanks for the reminder Fattwins!

We are off to Shenzhen on business in a couple of days...anyone got any tips for me. Seems there is little in the way of historical stuff to look at - mostly a new commercial hub (ala Las Vegas, if YKWIM), but due to the wriggle with direct flights we have a couple of days either side of the business stuff to have a look around. Any tips from the 'been there done that' crew would be great!

I have been scanning the forums to see if there was any info about the new lift that has been built this summer at Niseko to take the pressure of the beginners run...but haven't found anything. Anyone point me in the direction of an existing thread...? Or anybody got any info about the new lift? Curious as a Cheshire cat over here!

Originally Posted By: thursday In the meantime, nothing will be done to apprehend anybody, card company writes down the miniscule loss, carries on. I agree that not much seems to be done to apprehend anyone - but I think it is for difficulty of apprehension rather than apathy.... Because our CC was hijacked in Perth (at some stage during regular use of card it was 'scanned and reproduced')and the fellow used his fake card at a particular place of business in the Perth area, along with a few other fake cards they were able to trace it back and put the guy in custody. The idiot worked