deanrobi
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Posts posted by deanrobi
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MB take the clan over to Annapuri and if you are feeling up to it have a shot at the bowl on the skiers left,Gate no 7 i think it is(some one maybe able to clarify that). its out off bounds and as long as the gate is open, its amazing. Stick to the skier right to start off and then head over to the skiers left thru the trees. Its like being the only boarder on the mountain in there, especially after fresh snow. Follow the gully down and you should pop out at the base of the gondola there. Probably mu favourite area. If you did strawberry fields the other day you should have no problem with this area. Have fun
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Go on GN just between us, no one else will find out.
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Moonwalker, you need to do like 20 posts before the mods will turn on your PM
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MB What were you doing in Kutchen and not out snow boarding? conditions not good to day?
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Thanks MB. I think we will get some when we arrive. Enjoy your trip. the clans new gear looks awesome. keep the photos coming if you have any spare time.
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MB did you have any luck getting the Hand held radios on your transit. Looking forward to some photos of the snow.
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Just recieved the following info:
AFTER years of tirelessly deliberating with the government, national parks and other affiliated parties, Niseko Village will this season finally open the epic Mizuno no Sawa terrain to the public.
Access to the controversial run has been at the centre of debate for years, but this year's opening will undoubtedly offer 67ha of the best ridable terrain in Niseko.
Mizuno no Sawa is located to the skier's right of the Niseko Gondola, marked in yellow as 'Avalanche Control Operation Area' on this season's course map.
The much-anticipated run will offer smiles all-round this winter, thanks to its delicious bowl of long, steep and deep terrain, from open walls to tight tree runs, giant mushrooms, fallen trees and natural booters.
Despite huge public pressure to open the terrain within Mizuno no Sawa, it has for years been a 'no-go zone', off limits to the public due to avalanche risks and government regulations.
Niseko Village general manager Luke Hurford said the resort would open the run after appropriate snow coverage, and with certain conditions and restrictions.
“If you want to ski or board Mizuno no Sawa you will be allowed access after a 20-minute safety and awareness lecture to give a rundown on the area, dangers, and off-piste safety tips,†he said, adding the area would be governed differently to Niseko United's backcountry gates system.
“Once you have that understanding and a high enough skill level, one of the ski patrollers will allow a restricted number of skiers and boarders into the area at a particular single entry point.
“This is not a guided tour, but an educational program. After the safety lecture, ski patrol will be there to make sure you enter and exit at the correct points and enjoy the area safely, but will not get in the way of a great ski or ride.â€
For continued access throughout the season, skiers and riders can pay ¥2000 for a season pass card once they have attended the safety lecture.
Mizuno no Sawa will only be accessible at certain times of the day, and this will be dependent on the right safety conditions.
Hurford warned that just because the area was open did not mean it was open slather for those who wished to duck ropes instead of entering and exiting correctly.
“It is still very black and white. If you are caught ducking ropes and breaking the rules, the same penalty applies – your pass will be taken,†he said.
Hurford said increased ski patrollers in the area, dynamite blasting, skiers and boarders compacting the slopes, and the public obeying the Niseko Rules should ensure the area is safe to ride this season.
Hurford said the opening of Mizuno no Sawa was a huge step forward for Niseko, adding that success with this project would lead to further terrain expansion at other ski resorts where possible.
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Thanks MB, WOW 12 that's impressive. Won't be any frequencies left for us guys to talk on. I would love to see the shop keepers face when you ask to buy 12, then again the look on the airport staff's faces as you go thru those X-ray machine could be interesting.
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MB, are you still thinking of buying a set of walkie talkies? if so I'd be keen to hear where you get them from and roughtly how much they cost. It's apity the Aust ones aren't suitable as they are so cheap here at the moment. I will have five followers this trip and it will be great to help keep the crew together.
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Mitch, we need to see some photo's please
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Now that we look close to moving into a ture winter patten and the possibilities of some good snow falls next week is there any more news on Mizuno no Sawa. Is anyone in the area planning to check this new area out soon?
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My inbox mustn't be working then.
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I know what you are saying there Vossy, I would not even think about snow boarding, MTB or road riding with out a helmet but I'm currently learning to Kiteboard and someone asked just last night 'how come you dont wear a hemet like some of those other guys?. funny I'd never given it any thought but on considering it I dont feel I would be comfortable in the water with one on.
Anyway good luck in Niseko and watch out for those low branches when you are wizzing thru the trees looking for those un-tracked lines.
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Yep I will be there in 59 days
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Good to have a helmet on when going thru the trees. i didn't plan on hitting any trees last year, but i did!
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Tex, in the past I have taken $500 dollars cash out of the ATM at the airport and after 8 days I always have a wad of cast left but as a middle aged snowboarder I'm not out on the turps all night every night.
There are so many tree runs that you will over dose. There is no point in pointing out any particular spots to hit as you can have the best runs of your life just off to the side of any of the groomers.
Year before last we were having the best session in fresh untracked POW on a green family run at Hanazono, we stopped for lunch and while eating our noodles we watched in amazement as the heaviest snow fall I've seen in my life occurred. After lunch we went back to the same green run to see all the tracks where completely covered.
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MB, I switched to a GNU reverse camber board this year and after 30 days of riding in AUS & NZ I would highly recommend it particularly for AUS conditions where, as you know, more time than not is spent riding in icy conditions. The Magna Traction gives me that extra confidence to push harder, knowing that I will have that extra something when it comes to a halt on an ice skating rink.
There is definitely a greater ease in popping the board but at my age even if the board was a hover board I think I would have trouble getting it airborne.
I did feel that there was a little lose in flat out speed on cat tracks compared to my other boards. I found that I was just that little bit slower than the other in the group, but again it was just marginally and maybe that was my style rather than the board.
I have yet to try it in real pow and depending on the weight of my board bag I may see if I can fit it in with my Burton Maloo for the trip to Japan and maybe see how the two compare.
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Just a share house that a group of mainly snow boarders rent out for the season. Happens at perisher (Aust) alot where lifties working for the season share the expense with the occassional friend dropping in for a few weeks.
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Thanks GN. I think that we will go to Chisenupuri with a tour operator so as we can hire the avie gear from them. I like the idea of having someone guide us around the place. I rather that than fumabling around our selves and maybe missing some semi secret little stashes that is only know by the locals.
Thanks again for the info. Your quickly becoming the Niseko version of Sandy (main island)when it comes to any Hokkaido infomation.
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I'm researching (cant find much info) on a day trip to nearby Rankoshi-Cho Chisenupuri, is it worth it?. We have planned a couple of day trips to Mowia & Rusutsu.
I've read that Lake Toya is worth visiting on a day of from boarding, is it possiable to get there from Niseko using public transport?,
Also Kat skiing at Mt Weiss but that looks a little flat and not much terrain on offer.
thanks
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A set of cleats are only $10 from the local supermarket and have done the job on my last few visits.
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Agree with BM comments. Do a search on this site for the restaurants and it won't hurt to just email them a booking and then you know you are all sorted. Some of the restaurants will collect you from your accommodation which really can come in handy if the weather is bad as well many of the smaller restaurants are hidden away in the lower village which can make locating them in a bizzard fun.
You will be able to buy a set of rubber/steel studs that slip over your footwear from any of the town supermarkets, they will cost around the $10.00 mark. Also look at getting your self one of the neoprene type Ninja masks that they sell, again about the $10.00 mark, they are worth there weight in gold on some of the colder days.
I'm not sure what's in Sapporo ski shop wise but there is only a limited amount of ski shops in Nesiko, I would suggest that you do a bit of research on the internet and see what is available in Sapporro as its a big city.
I have noticed that batteries on camera and IPod drain very quickly in the cold over there but if you put them inside your jacket and close to your body heat you can get a lot longer life from them.
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Should get a few of the resort manager from Aust out there, they would open up on a few cms of base. Buller open this season just gone early on a base of nothing that was gone by about the following weekend.
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Go with JET* now. There flights are around $420 - $470 each way, plus some tax. I dont think you are going to find a much better deal unless the two for one deals come up again
09/10 Niseko Checkin Register
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
MB, how good was it in Ee No Sawa (gate 7)? that is one of my favourite areas and I really hanging out to get back in there (three weeks to day), Has the new area under the gondola (forgotten the name)open yet this season?