Hornster

A ski resort in Bulgaria, Bansko, where I have spent a bit of time over the years skiing suffered a tragic avalanche earlier this week. A group of snowboarders and skiers were all caught in what I am told was a massive slab avalanche the day after very heavy snowfalls. Most of them were only partially buried but one snowboarder was not so lucky and was found until the following day. What amazed me was that the resort had put up warning notices everywhere warning people that the avalanche danger that day was extrememly high and that all backcountry skiing/boarding should be avoided. I supp

Yes, pretty much but only if you are flying. Driving to the northern highlands from the south east can take up to 12hrs.

Ok, no worries. Here's to praying for good powder conditions next week hey!

From the South East where I live I just jump on a plane from Gatwick Airport to Glasgow Airport, pick up a hired car and can be in Glencoe or Fort William within about 2hrs drive. Flight takes just under two hours.

I have managed to get a further 10kg on top of the 20kg allowance approved by JAL for our flights into and out of Japan - much happier now! Just had to phone them and give them the dimensions of all our check-in luggage and individual bad weights and they were happy to approve the extra weight.

ratherb@thesnow, We (wife and I) arrive on Sunday evening making our first day on the mountain Monday morning - first gondola for first tracks as always!! How about yourself? Are you looking for someone to ski with?

I am praying that it doesn't shift and miss Niseko - big time disaster!!

Last year I had to pay £240 for being 6kg over the weoght allowance!! The thing that really annoyed me about this is even though i was at fault for being over the weight limit the plane wws literally a 3rd full!!! We could have had a football match on the 747-400 given how empty it was.

Unfortunately not - I wish! I live in the South East of England which very flat. However, I can get over to the French Alps (Chamonix) within about 4hrs and to the Scottish Highlands in about 4hrs which is convenient enough.

Living in the UK, I have been mountaineering in Scotland and the European Alps (as well as bigger mountain ranges around the world) for quite a few years now and have enjoyed many adventurous and sometimes downright "sketchy" routes. Ask any mountaineer why they climb and you are more than likely to get variations of the same reasons: 1) Love of the remote mountain regions 2) Feeling of achievement and self satisfaction after taking on a route or mountain that presents a particular challenge for them. 3) That feeling of being exposed in what is often a hostile environment where your

I will second the use of Zardoz Notwax. I use it every season and have been more than impressed with the performance.

Thanks Mike. Looking forward to meeting you next week.

Thanks for the link.

What are the chances of there been a return to the really good powder conditions next week? I really am praying given that I will be arriving this weekend!

Post Office is currently selling at 117 to the Pound and I am flying out to Japan omn Saturday!!

I share your envy!

How many skiers/boarders who ski the backcountry in Niseko actually carry a shovel, probe and transceiver? I will admit to skiing the backcountry in Niseko last season for the first time and not carrying any of this equipment but I wouldn't choose to do it again. Hence, why I will be taking all this equipment with me this season. I did notice that there was a lot of other skiers and boarders who were riding the backcountry last season without even a backpack never mind avalanche safety equipment! I suppose that it goes back to my original question for this thread..."does it avala

Mike, did you get my PM?

Thanks for the reply Mike and I totally agree with you about the significant achievement should someone be skilled and experienced enough to be awared with a UIAGM badge. I have done a lot of mountaineering in the European Alps, South America, Africa and elsewhere where I come across genuine guides i.e. UIAGM. I suppose that for the purpose of this thread I am referring to "guides" who are familiar with the Niseko powder locations as well as being a skilled skier with avalanche training and experience. Is 44,000Yen a fair price for 4hrs of private "guiding"? Thanks again.

What is the going rate for 4hrs of private powder guiding in Niseko these days? One guiding company has quoted me 44,000Yen!!

Thanks for the link.

I'm trying to get hold of a price list for private lessons and ski school at the Niseko Village ski school. Also, I will be arriving on the 1st February for 7 days and was wondering if you know what availability is like for that week? I have been emailing Jeff but he hasn't replied to any of my emails. Can you help out please?

Thanks for the link Niseko Instructor.

Niseko Instructor, I will be staying in Higashiyama again for the first week of February and was curious if you knew what the Higashiyama ski school you will be working for charges for a day and half day of private guiding? Cheers.

For someone who considers themself not to be a specialist in this field you certainly seem to know what you are talking about. Thanks again. What I enjoyed about skiing in Niseko was that there is just so much powder in the in-bounds off-piste areas that there is honestly no need to duck ropes to ski powder. I tend to get up early with the first gondola etc so I always get first tracks everyday. I suppose that if it is fresh tracks that encourages people to duck ropes then the simple answer is to get up earlier!