Yuki-Uma

Hey TB once I get the invite in the mail I'll order the Hovercraft for you

I vote for the Hovercraft for the wedding present or the Demo, had a week each at Shiga & Hakuba recently on the 160, took my Lib Tech skunk ape but that never got ridden, The hovercraft rode crud or Pow & trees with ease I did also have some new Cartel bindings as well which helped The setback stance & longer nose felt like you floated in just about any conditions

Leaving Shiga Kogen on Saturday & Heading to hakuba for a week, I hope the forecast holds up

you'll have no drama, I've taken a 190cm snowboard bag on the Chuo for the last 5 years without an issue

The Perth weather used to always be a dry heat but we seem to be getting a more humid weather pattern over the last few years, during summer we have been getting forecasts of mid 30's with a possible late arvo thunderstorm, most of the time no storm really appears but the humidty does which sucks as I don't like sweating 8 days till departure to Japowland Shiga then Hakuba Mama & Gareth I'll buy the place in Japan & then we can go swapsies every now and again for something different, just missed out on a place recently in Goryu, my bid was too low yes I know I'm a cheapskate

thanks people for your replies 30 days & I'm there riding

Hi Snowjunky Thats what I trying to avoid the flat spots if I can help it Staying in Ichinose & looking at the trail map the area you speak of looks to be close by, any hints on the stash you are talking about I have a new Jones Hovercraft to try out & that sounds a perfect spot to do it

Hi everyone any advice on the area's to ride the most & the area's to stay away from on a board some tree area's would be good cheers

You can get restricted gear sent to a freight forwarder in the States ( normally at no cost to get there since most dizzy's offer free freight over a certain $ figure ) then they readdress the goods, charge you freight & send it to Oz & yes some are expensive but there are a couple that the charges for the freight are no different or cheaper than what it would be if it was sent direct from the dizzy's

Mamabear you're so mean but I like it Rookie,head over to mainpeak before Saturday if your going to be trying gear on it was bedlam there last year also remember each boot brand may say they are the same size on the label but may actually be slightly different fit my Thirty two size 12's fit great but Burton for example size 12's are a little bit smaller & don't feel the same. My last 2 boards have been Lib Tech & I've got a new Jones board just about to leave the States as your riding progresses you will want to upgrade anyway

Not trying to be too personal but what size are your feet? The range of gear that is available in Perth is very limited & expensive If you have feet on the smaller side 9's or under I would be looking at buying your gear in Tokyo the range & price is much better at worst I would buy some boots here in Perth & then get the board & outerwear over there or even online out of the states Your budget will determine how good the gear is you buy, if you intend going regularly to the snow then buy quality over price on a freezing day it all comes back to bite you if you skimp

Bearsden in goryu has always been good to me

a mate borrowed & shredded the base on my board at Hotham & strangely no-one does grinds here in Perth not sure why

Looks like Ichi wins by a nose thanks for the advice one other question any places that are able to do base grinds in that area

Hi Snowpony, thanks for adding your details. Re Shiga, I have been there a few times and suggest you stay in the Ichinose area (pronounced itchy-no-say) It is central to the best skiing/riding & has the largest collection of accommodation. Check the Snow Japan site for details. Thanks Snowjunky I have had a look at them all on the site How far is Ichinose from the Hasuike area? The Shiga Kanko hotel lists cable TV which from what I'm told is probably required in such a quite place unless you know of any in the Ichinose area that have it

Snowpony & Criffy Shiga ( 1st time any advice appreciated ) 4-2-12 to 11-2-12 Hakuba ( 6th year ) 12-2-12 18-2-12

let me know where & when I'm more than likely to attend as most people don't get it (The Obsession)so I need some sensible conversation occasionally cheers

Mamabear this is my sixth year in a row traveling to Japan after doing a few trips into Canada & the states I've been a whore both for powder & gear for a few years now & I know it will continue for the rest of my life, I got the bug in 1992 on a trip to the States, some say I'm a little obsessed about it. like the rest of people on here I suspect cheers

Hi Mamabear Being half a world away from the snow is the biggest bugger 2010 Libtech Skunk ape 161 I like the way you think I have actually been looking at the new Libtech's that have been released for awhile & since the board came back a week ago looking like it's been through a grater and attacked with a claw hammer I'm leaning towards a new board http://www.lib-tech.com/snowboards/skunk-apes/ one of these would do me fine cheers

Seemore Main peak told me they can do Ptex repairs ( so can I ) but not a base grind Mamabear wouldn't normally worry about a few scratches but this has several that appear to have penetrated the surface so it needs a few Ptex repairs then a base grind Thanks for everyone's help Mark

any ideas about the availability of base repairs being done in Shiga? lent my board to a mate who went to Hotham & the base is now like a railway siding yard tracks going everywhere I live in Perth so base repairs aren't available here

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/hotel/viewhotel.php?hotid=143 [Well that was a link and nothing else. So I have changed the link to the page for that hotel on our site.] oops sorry grabbed the wrong link

Hi Everyone Has anyone stayed at the Kanko hotel in Shiga Kogen? Also does anyone know if I can get a base grind anywhere in Shiga Kogen cheers

Hi does this place have a website I'm looking at buying a board etc out of the states & having it shipped to Japan ready for my trip in Feb but if I can find something suitable in Japan I'd buy it there any other websites would be appreciated cheers

Min delivery is US$100 but I could have 2 complete board packages sent for that so i will probably buy some outerwear & my boarding buddy is looking at some gear as well. Had a look at those sites, as usual size is going to be an issue pricing was about (landed) AUS$115 difference between the USA & Japan, which is AUS$375 cheaper than being advertised in Australia.( I would then have to pay for shipping across to Perth ) cheers