abmcdonald 0 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Hi, Never been snowboarding before or to japan and I just want to make sure before i spend a boot load of cash that hakuba 'should' have good snow, especially for a beginner in early jan? Thank you in advance for your input. Alex Link to post Share on other sites
gaijindrifter 0 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 if hakuba doesn't have snow in january, there would be no reason to come to japan haha yeah hakuba should have a decent cover by then. even most places in gunma have near a meter by then Link to post Share on other sites
TJ OZ 0 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Especially for a beginner. Hakuba's worst year would be better than Australias best year. Lay down your hard earned and feel confident. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 And do it NOW!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 We've been around for nine years now and even when its been ropey at Christmas, its dumped like mad over New Year. Early Jan should see everything open. If anything, the bigger concern would be blizzard like weather. Poor viz, snow on the chops, and cold aren't good for beginners, who don't always have the best skiwear. First time on a snowboard? Padded shorts aren't a bad idea, especially for the girls. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Early January is peak or close to it, we would be in a pickle if there was no decent snow by then! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 ...and knee pads. If you haven't got the abdo strength and balance to get up on your heelside you will be getting up on your knee's/toeside a LOT - and they rapidly turn black. Link to post Share on other sites
noonsa 0 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 What about Hakuba last year? Kanto conditions were pretty terrible if I remember correctly. When I went to Hakuba last year it was icy and there was hardly any off-piste powder. Hope it's different this year. edit: I guess I should add that I know Hakuba can be pretty great as I went there 3 times the year before and I was up to my chest in snow sometimes. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Last year was genuinely bad, but that was the exception not the rule. No offpiste doesn't affect beginners, but bald patches on the piste like last year certainly do. It was worse in February than January anyway. You can have icy anywhere at any time, even on a massive base. All it takes is a couple of sunny days in a row to melt and refreeze the snow surface. You can feel it at a nighta after a sunny day even. Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 I was going to post but.... as he said! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Originally Posted By: Mr Wiggles You can feel it at a nighta after a sunny day even. Don't even bother with a Thredbo nighta after a sunny day - it is like slippery wet highly polished CONCRETE! for fluffy cold and soft Niseko Nighta's! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 now you've done it. Mentioned the N place in an H thread. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 hee hee hee .... but I also mentioned the 'T' place - and I think that is worse Link to post Share on other sites
Timmyhugecans 0 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Thats a quiet time to come and snow is usually awesome! Link to post Share on other sites
abmcdonald 0 Posted November 27, 2009 Author Share Posted November 27, 2009 Sensational. Cheers for your input. 9 nights 27000 yen, so cheap. Its going to be legit. Might see some of you there Link to post Share on other sites
abmcdonald 0 Posted December 10, 2009 Author Share Posted December 10, 2009 Come on snow... only 3 weeks till i am there... i dont want to waste my money! Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 I reckon you'll be ok. Good snowfalls forecast next week and plenty of follow up for the rest of Dec. Link to post Share on other sites
korbzy 0 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Originally Posted By: AlexMcD Come on snow... only 3 weeks till i am there... i dont want to waste my money! im going on the 27th of dec, and im not worrying too much, next week is meant to snow pretty good. edited the date Link to post Share on other sites
tripitaka 0 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Even after the dumps over Xmas/New Year, I still find that the big Hakuba resorts can be treacherous (ice) later in the day. 47 can be particularly gnarly with the sheer number of punters. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Damn and I'd heard it was the perfect winter wonderland. Link to post Share on other sites
blu 3 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 from SJ Daily Reports - 5 Jan 2007: "Once again our on-slope team of observers report lots of rocks and other obstacles (mysterious holes, drainage ditches, odd bits brick-a-brack) on the lift accessible, groomed terrain." Link to post Share on other sites
rider69 18 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 All the forecasts are pointing to a massive storm about to come in. The Matsumoto mad rush to change tires is in full effect. Might we be seeing a 2005 type of December ending for snow? Link to post Share on other sites
tripitaka 0 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Originally Posted By: rider69 All the forecasts are pointing to a massive storm about to come in. The Matsumoto mad rush to change tires is in full effect. Might we be seeing a 2005 type of December ending for snow? Actually, I think the weather charts are promising but it is really quite warm and it feels like autumn has only been with us for a 3 weeks. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Looks promising... but don't get excited too much yet. That forecast is a long way off. I'm crossing my fingers though that I'll be able to get a few turns in before heading up to Hokkaido! Link to post Share on other sites
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