base40 0 Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 I was just reading in this thread: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/227424#Post227424 where someone mentioned they like "progressive and open-minded" resorts. So lets Japan list. Which resorts might fall into this category? >> Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 I've only ridden at places on Hokkaido, but here's my 2-cents: Niseko - pretty open off-piste policy at the 3 conjoined resorts, accessible B/C Tomamu - there's specified off-piste riding areas, but you need a keitai and have to fill out a wavier Sahoro - there's a designated off-piste area I've heard people on here saying Rusutsu is "open minded", but my experience has been to the contrary. "Progressive"? How about Sapporo Kokusai Ski-Jyou - last season they had a boarder on the patrol! He's probably like an unmarked police car to catch off-piste powder poaching pirates though... No boarder taking a quick glance over his shoulder would guess the boarder coming up behind them is about to bust their @$$! This is Japan we're talking about here, so "open-minded" and "progressive" is difficult to come by, and when present comes in well-rationed quantities. Think of the opposite of The USA when it comes to "common sense" and "restraint". Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Happo Iwatake Nozawa Charmont hachimantai Takasu Dynaland Kagura Tenjin The list goes on really There is more than just Hokkaido. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 reminded me of this thread: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthread...=true#Post89732 Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 any hill that allows snowks8ing. ie NOT 47. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 That area still is not open Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 what happens if you try and go snowskating at 47? it seems weird that they won't let snowskates, when most resorts allow people to ride those ridiculous scooter contraptions Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 They dont allow you, I dont think snowskates or bikes should be allowed without leashes. Link to post Share on other sites
daver 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 to add to fattwins' list: Ghetou Kogen Yamagata Zao Hakkoda Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Originally Posted By: Fattwins They dont allow you, I dont think snowskates or bikes should be allowed without leashes. that was the killer. They asked us about leashes at the bottom of the gondola, and we showed that we have them (i have a particularily beefy one, and ALWAYS use it) so they let us on. Then, when we tried to get onto a lift, they said no. I complained that we were let up the gondola (they didn't believe us, they thoight we had hidden them from the lifteies) when all of a sudden, some guy on a snow scooter pulls up and gets on the lift no problem. THAT pissed me off, and i asked why jack-ass contraptiosn like that were allowed, but mine wasn't, and they gave the usual arbitrary excuses. Whatever, we went to Tsugaike after and never heard a peep from anyone. The park was way better too. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 snowskates?? is that the same as snow blades?? Small skis about a foot long? Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 No, they are basicaly skateboard decks mounted on a single short ski. You ride them bindingless, but need a leash. this is Hime, doing a perfect heelside turn on one Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 i know you started another thread on them, but those snowskates look fun for spring... Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 the best thing ever in slush. Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 asahidake would be another 'progressive' resort. they let you go anywhere Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 yeah, I'd rather still stick to the board.....in saying that I did have fun with snow blades Link to post Share on other sites
ireallylikebakedbeans 0 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 I remember the 47 thread from a while back. What is it with that resort and strictness? Any particular reason? Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 No real reason ORLBB. Asahidake is not a resort really its a backcountry area that has a lift. If the weather turns to crap there is maybe one groomed course. Link to post Share on other sites
daver 0 Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 this is hokkaido's asahidake i presume? Link to post Share on other sites
klingon 10 Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 I heard perhaps this is mistaken that there is a particularly dangerous part to 47 just off course and has caused problems in the past. Someone will surely know more on that than me, anyone? Link to post Share on other sites
AK 77 0 Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Progressive and open minded? In my limited experience (in terms of numbers of resorts visited) only 2: Hachimantai Hakkoda and half a vote for: Happo Link to post Share on other sites
AK 77 0 Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 but that doesn't count as 'progressive' in any freestyle / park related way... haven't seen any for that yet. Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Kagura I think is the most progressive resort I ve been in terms of letting anyone go anywhere he likes, but I find some of their tactics controversial. They have practically opened up the entire mountain and even give you free topo map photocopy’s of the area above the top lift. Also advertise (posters etc) their tree runs and BC to the point that have an enormous amount of people, considering the size of the mountain, going out every weekend. Still, they don’t do any avalanche forecasting/control for the same areas they advertise they have opened and it is probably a miracle that no one got hurt up to now. Basically if you go out you are on your own and the resort doesn’t take any responsibility. Also twice this season, I was asked at the top of the mountain by people that came up holding their boards on their hands “how do I get back to the lift areas from here”. Even if they don’t start doing avalanche forecasting and staff, I think I would be much happier if they installed a beacon-gate or something at the entrance of the top lift. Link to post Share on other sites
Rag-Doll 0 Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 I'm glad they don't. It's one thing to be safe but the hills around Kagura are pretty tame. There is far greater danger of running out of ride than getting caught in the slide. Not that I'm saying you do TB, but there are people who impress themselves about being hard BC men around Kagura when but apart from the bitch of a climb from the quad to the top of the top lift, the rest is a doddle. I know there have been slides but last season there were slides in bounds a Naeba. A healthy dose of reality wouldn't go astray. Link to post Share on other sites
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