First Japan trip coming up - how big is big enough?

[Sammy5 0]

Hello SnowJapan people!

 

Me and his nibs are heading out for a taste of all this lovely powder we keep hearing so much about this coming January.

 

We've got a 30-day trip planned, with time split fairly equally between Hakuba, Niseko and Furano.

 

I'm a bit stuck with what boards to take; the main board is an easy choice; a 157 Lib Tech Cygnus - a banana thingy so it's great in pow as long as the terrain's steep enough and you keep your speed, but it's shite on traverses and flat stuff.

 

For the second board I was going to take either a Malolo (163cm, pintail with a bid old nose) or a Völkl Selecta (168cm, fishtail with an even bigger, older nose)...

 

The Völkl rips at high speed, inclines up to about 40˚, and through medium-density trees, and with it's massive length carries speed and traverses really well.

 

The Malolo's very much in the middle of the Lib and the Völkl, but if I'm honest not as much fun to ride as the other two.

 

It really depends on what kind of riding we can look forward to, especially at this time of the year - do we need massive boards to keep the float or is all the best stuff to be had on steeper, tighter slopes?

 

Also, I have read on here about the ski patrol in Furano being "really anal" about rope-ducking and riding out-of-bounds. What's they worst they can do, and is it just a case of not getting caught? The idea of being chased like pesky kids is rather appealling...

 

OK, I did search the forums for answers to the board question, I apologise if I've put my foot in it.

 

Cheers,

 

Sam

[HelperElfMissy 42]

You are headed to Hakuba and Niseko as well as Furano, so if the tightly controlled inbounds is gonna get up your nose, why not either ditch Furano, or spend less time there?

 

As for the boards - cant say - I am happy riding my one board everywhere; ice, tree's, groomers and the deep fluffy stuff in Japan ... I get quite precious about it (visualise full on girly tanty - but I wanna ride MY board!).

 

Lets here it from the J-experts - what say you on boards guys?

[Jynxx 4]

I haven't been boarding that long and my experience with fluffy stuff is minimum, but I get into my equipment and I can sus out a lot how it's like to be used and if I can use it.

In this case, I look at it in this way, for me : When I first went to Niseko, it was so wow! powder it made me feel like I improved a lot because it was easier, and even on shite equipment. Normally, closer to Tokyo you are dealing with ice and moguls, narrow short steep runs, and you want your equipment tuned into that. So if you are staying in Hokkaido longer, maybe your board choice is for powder.

I started with a SantaCruz 151 and now I ride a 157 Salomon Burner. I weigh 58 Kg. I like the fast base and the edge hold and how it can handle the snow condition change. I like it when it gets colder and windy up there and the snow turns hard and slippery but I feel the edge. I wonder if I'll do better if it's 163 but then, it must be bigger mountain and faster bigger curves. Haven't been there yet.

Haven't ridden the banana rocker yet. You're probably more heavier than me and you sound like the 168 Voelkl is the one you wanna take if you are taking two.

[Sammy5 0]

Yeah, I'm a good 80kg naked, so, like most human beings, a bit heavier than you Jynxx!

 

You're right in that the Völkl is the one I *want* to take, but it's quite a specialised board. It can handle almost anything but it's only ever really at home in the fresh.

 

All we really want to do is ride powder, you can go anywhere for groomers or parks, so why bother? I guess that doesn't make us so different here.

[Go Native 70]

I only want to ride powder too, that's why I chose to live here!

Sorry can't help much with your questions as I telemark...

[Jynxx 4]

Then take the Voelkl !

I was looking into buying a Malolo but I am so glad I chose the Burner instead. Malolo is said to be a powder board (old school) that handles trees, easy to turn for the length and ok on piste. Burner is like all mountain freeride can go fast, precise and easy in powder and still go fast.

Both of these boards suit my weight but I conclude Burner is a better high tech board.

At your weight Voelkl is really good. I can't ride them too stiff and long for me. You don't want to miss your top end quiver than your average, no?

Ride powder, go for it.

[RobBright 35]

Depends where you go on Honshu jynxx, as not all of honshu has ice and moguls, certainly last year, maiko and kagura had lots of powder early on in the day.

 

If you're going to to stay on honshu, would recommend an all round board, I currently ride a 163cms (183cms and 84kgs) but it has seen me throw three seasons now and *touch wood* except for the bindings, have had no problems with it in various conditions.

[Sammy5 0]

Cool, thanks for that. Boards on order and all that jazz. Is it snowing yet?

 

I've heard about the ski patrols being quite strict on out-of-bounds riding in Furano; whats the worst they can do to you if you get caught? I'm not planning on getting caught, but it helps to know these things.

[Campa 0]

I would imagine the worst they can do is kick you off the mountain, but i really dont know, seeing how its going to be my 1st year riding japan too.

either way since furano is just one of many great spots to ride, going out of bounds seems like a risk worth taking inorder to get some rides in. so i dont wouldent worry about it.

ALso judgeing by most of the pics i have seen of the mt's so far your 157 lib should be just fine or at least youll be able to make do. Seeing how ill be riding a 157 lib too. i hope thats the case.

[RobBright 35]

Snowing? In 33c? Um let me check.

 

Blue skies and low humidity says no...

 

Worst patrols can do is take your pass away. Now if you were to start an avalanche and it kills some people...