foreversnow

Being your first trip you are going to have a blast!!! We are staying at Niseko again this season and the boys in our group are planning day trips to Rusutsu- Furano and some other secret local ski resort. Niseko is sorta handy to everything and is a nice introduction to your first trip to Japan. Niseko is as expensive as you want to make it. There is a great range of ski gear in Japan the only slight problem we had was with sizing especially boots and bindings (maybe different in Toyko). Definately either buy yourself some new gear or bring your own, don't bother hiring when you a

I'm with you Mantas - I am against anything being killed but with these guys SHOT THEM!! They will get out of it easy, a marksman with one lethal shot. Those poor people in that bombing were not that lucky many laying badly injured and badly burnt until help arrived and then the ones that survived endured months and months of rehabilitation.

I HATE Earl Grey it tastes like Morning Fresh Dishwashing liquid (want to state now I haven't ever tasted MF!!). I do enjoy a cup of English Breakfast with a dash of milk and Green Tea with roasted rice.

What a pretty area, beautiful autumn colours in the trees. Thank you for the photo's it is something I have never ever seen and I never even heard of the earhtquake. Those photo's are like something out of the Twilight Zone.

Expect big jams on SJ tomorrow everyone checking the webcams. MP Go for the first tracks AGAIN!!! Can't wait for a report tomorrow.

Welcome. You will learn heaps from this website. It is like a bible before going to Japan. Don't forget to check out the Daily Reports for the resort you are going to. Every cent you have spent on your trip will be well worth it YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED!

I really believe that this year they may find it affects them a little (they are saying down 20%)BUT I think it is going to be next year that they may see a real dive. This year most people are booked or committed and can't get out of it so they will still go but with tightened belts. With the economic outlook for next year not great I think 2009/2010 season may be a shocker. Also the winter olympics are on in vancouver. HANG ON - May that is the time to book for Japan????

Don't be worrying about that Mr Snowhunter makes up for me not eating Meat - He eats Kangaroo, Crocodile, Water Buffalo, has tried snake and Camel. EEEHHHHHHHH!!!!! He is the reason I probably don't eat meat.

I am a little freaked out also. 2 of our friends are stopping over for 3 days in Toyko (we are doing the direct Aus - Toyko - Chitose transfer) are they going to e in the same case as you with a 10kg limit?? They both have all their ski gear?

I am off on the weekend to my local Japanese Supermarket to buy some Gyoza and with all the advice make my own sauce. I will let you know what I think. Can you get just Vegetable ones????

I am a dog addict I would have 10 if I was allowed. I have a Staffy who is gorgeous and has the best personality A White German Shepard who is very reserved and a real gentleman, does have a few anxiety issues. A german shorthaired pointer who is like a big dog with a little dog personality VERY SMOOCHY!!!! Beagles and Jack Russels can be VERY Naughty but have great personalities. Really read up on your dog before you get one e.g. exercise needed, mental stimulation, general care, health issues etc. I only EVER get my dogs from the animal welfare league I would

I believe that you are charged for any incoming calls if you put a forwarding on your number??

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done .....

You know what I would actually beleive that. It blows my mind when you see the younger generation with brand new cars, boats, LCD tv's flash houses etc. I certainly did have all those luxuries at that age sure I am may have a few of them now BUT I also own everything I have. Most the youger gen have them are on lease, 24 months interest free etc. NOW I KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GETTING THEIR MONEY FROM.

JA a little good news the yen has climbed back up to 63yen = $1 who would have thought I would be excited about that but it is better tan 57Y. Am definately going to buy some yen if it gets to 65Y and then I will wait and see if there is any improvement before February. We are still doing 100% better than other people our trip is 100% paid for so it is just food while we are there. Which in the big scheme of things is not major!!

OH MY GOD Eaddie you are a living legend Let me know where and when you are going I am sure you will draw a crowd of worshippers.

thanks for the pics Mike. Am very excited - Don't care if I can't eat once I get there (dropping yen) POW skiing will make up for that Congrats on first tracks!!

I see a dusting of snow on Youtei and it looks like its down quite a long way.

MB can you fill my in more on these gyoza. Everyone seems to be salivating over them. Do you make them in Oz or buy them already done?? I would like to try them - Are they anything like Momo's YUMMY!!!!

This is why alcohol was invented June 2008 AUS $1 = $104 yen October 2008 AUS $1 = 57c yen With dyer predictions that it is going to keep falling!! May even get down to 30yen = $1 AUS by next year.

Keba I'm with you. If we were local skiers in Japan and our dollar had plummeted we all would be okay but we wouldn't get the overseas trade. HENCE if you are in Japan - Hong Kong - Singapore - UK - US everything is AOK because the yen hasn't plummeted like it has for us Australians and I believe that a lot of the winter ski trade comes from AUS. Like I said in another thread. We were lucky and paid for our trip in full before the meltdown BUT now when we get there FOOD - EXCURSIONS - SOUVENIORS are all going to expensive for us. I have got a least 6 of our friends that were c

I have the ultimate secret and SWEAR by it. RAPIGEL My sport masseuse used it on me for an injury with instant results. It can be bought at any Saddlery Store and is totally BRILLIANT. We take it with us any where we go and it is one of the biggest sellers with elite athletes for injuries and the blue rinse set for their arthritis. Yes it is a horse linament but don't let that put you off I have never found anything else that works this well. For those hangovers Berocca before you go to bed + a glass of water and one when you wake up. Alcohol dehydrates your body and depl

Hi NZS - We were informed to take cash with us to Niseko as there weren't any Eftpos machines. There is one in Kutchan but we didn't end up needing it. We took cash, I was a little weary as I have never taken a lot of cash with me on an OS trip before. Once you get to Japan and realise how safe and honest it is there it was no problem. Just take enough cash to get you by and at worst Kutchan is only a 15 minute trip by bus. EASY!!

HOW EXCITING I needed some cheering up after another slump on the markets. YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY!! I am excited again about my trip and doing a happy dance around my office GN & MP any photo's would be GREAT!!

Thanks for noticing that match up you must at least look cool when your head is buried deep in powder . This one wont split like the others but then again I'M COMING to board the POW not walk in it!!! This board has as crazy reverse camber thing going on I cant wait, bring on the POW. Post hijacked by Mr Snowhunter