cal 6 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Didn't there used to be loads of half pipes at skijo? Are they just not the thing now or some other reason why in recent seasons there seem to be less. I'm not saying this as someone who uses them, just noticed this and wondering... Link to post Share on other sites
scree 0 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 People more interested in riding the natural pipes? Link to post Share on other sites
gozaimaas 61 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Look at skating, half pipe was where it was at for years, then street skating took over. Same with snowboarding I guess. Link to post Share on other sites
Sciclone 2 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I've never had access to a half-pipe, so I've never ridden one.. I'd do it if I could, but I guess a lot of park stuff creates headaches for resorts getting injured people off the mountain. Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I wish there were more myself. Nature gives us good shapes but I always liked playing in the pipe. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Glad there are less of them (if that's the case) because it reduces the risk of me killing myself trying to ride one! Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Went into one once; don't see the point. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 yeah its not my thing either.....but probably because I can't ride em properly! Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Same here would like to give it a go though Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 There used to be a really good one right at the bottom of Happo until about 2005 or so.... Lit up at night too! Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Arent they just a massive drain on resources and terrain? Dont you also need one of those massive shaping machines as well? Seems a bit of a luxury if your resort is struggling and youre not really a park rat hole. Link to post Share on other sites
MagSeven 40 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 I love a half pipe and really wish there were more. The one at Hanazono in Niseko isn't bad in the springtime. They're super expensive to build and maintain, and need daily cutting to be any good. A poorly built and maintained pipe is a waste of time. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Didn't think about the cost aspect, I suppose that is one rather important big reason why they have 'gone out of fashion'! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 There's one at Hotaka Bokujo in Gunma Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 & I hear one's being built at Mt Granview! Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 I hear they're going for a quadruple pipe at daGranview. None of this fraction nonsense. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 I hear they're going for a quadruple pipe at daGranview. That's like an octuple halfpipe! Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Had some fun in a halfpipe once, but natural features are just as fun. Maybe for boarders it is (or was) more exciting. But the maintenance cost, I hadn't realized that either. Are other types of park features significantly cheaper to maintain? May explain why Alts/Nekoma has shuttered their halfpipe for the time being, while focusing more on other types of park features instead. Link to post Share on other sites
MagSeven 40 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 A pipe needs a specific 'pipe dragon' attachment for a snow cat. Not a small investment. Normal jumps can be built with a standard snowcat's plow/tiller then shaped and maintained by hand. Plus every time a pipe is shaped, it shaves off a few inches of snow, so it gets progressively wider. So several times a season it needs to be completely refilled and recut. No real clue what kind of figures we're talking, but I imagine these days most Japanese ski-jos are just focused on getting enough punters through the door to cover the electricity bill. Can't see a half pipe being realistically in the budget for many. Link to post Share on other sites
634-maru 4 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Problem is with so many places that they just keep cutting back on services leaving things very bare and sad looking. I suppose if you are that strapped you have no choice, but I suppose some people will go to a skijo because it has a half pipe... Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Ishiuchi used to have a big one in the middle bit next to one of the lifts going up. Looked pretty big! They are still out there just not as many from what I can tell. Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 X-Jam resort near Ryuo and Shiga Kogen is a smaller resort, but it has a big park and 2 pipes. Well cut and maintained from what I hear. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 I have never got to play in a half pipe, must try and give it a go before they become extinct. Link to post Share on other sites
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