aranarthx

Having navigated Tokyo's train system one or two times, I'll pitch in. I'm in your boat, not speaking any Japanese. The rail system is superb though, very easy to navigate when you are actually at the stations. Getting to Tokyo or Ueno station should be a breeze. Look for the 'give me the english version' on the automated ticketing machines. Look for express trains to/from the airport, vice the local ones, or prepare for a loooong trip. Ask around to find the shinkansen platforms, as I found them difficult to find among all the trains. But as long as you just go around asking for "Shink

Mostly encouraging about time, thanks all. Hopefully we have a good beginning of March and end of March, eh Mantas? Same as you, wanted to ride a bit earlier, but work intervened for me. CB, know exactly the stuff you are talking about with shipping from airport, or what I read from the forum posts about services. My problem is I am going to other countries besides Japan. Carrying it to/from Narita wouldn't be an issue, but don't want to lug the board & stuff around with me in SE Asia.

I don't wear a helmet. I like the feel of the wind blowing by, and the overall feel of snow jumping up everwhere around your head when you eat it on the slope and you go one way while your goggles go one way, and your beanie goes the other. But even discounting crazy people that are out of control, you have your own accidents to deal with. My roommate was Heli-vac'd off of Mount Baker in Washington after landing a jump on his head. Good of it was the nurse in the hospital told him he was cute and would be a nice match for her daughter, as she was holding his tool and telling him to pee in

So, I have a week in Japan at the beginning of March, and looking to get back on the slopes since the snow is usually so far way. Through reading all the good stuff you guys have here on these forums (great stuff all, thanks!), I get the impression that the snow season should still be good everywhere then. But wanting some comfirmation. I am leaning toward Hakuba because: a) It seems convenient to Tokyo, where I am flying through, and may want to be tourist for a day or so; Looks to have a good Apre-ski atmostphere, though I understand I probably won't find much of a Whistler-town experi

I'll throw a take on this, cause I have some cinch's. They are pretty much the combination of strap in's and flows. They have all the benefits and negatives of flow's for stepping in and going at the top of the hill, which can suck sometimes in deep conditions when you need to get te back reclined prior to inserting the foot, but other times you just bend over, pull up and go. No more watching the skiiers half-way down the mountain as you start. They have the nice adjustable tension of straps though, since they are just straps with a reclining back. A bit heavier, but doesn't make much di