XilR8 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I've spent a couple of years riding the pistes in Japan, and I keep hearing and reading about how great it is to ride BC. But I'm not really sure where to start with this. For example, Kagura - everyone raves about it, but the groomed tracks suck. So, how would I get into the good stuff? Just wander off the piste? Some pointers for getting into this would be much appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites
Kumapix 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I think this is a good question since we have all been at this point at one time (or will be). 1.do not wander offpiste! 2. take an avalanche awareness course 3. buy at the very least a beacon/probe/shovel, and depending on whether you're a boarder or skier, snowshoes or skins 4. find a bc buddy Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Buy gear Make friends Read everything you possibly can about the dangers Take a course Enjoy Link to post Share on other sites
marnix 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I would start with a (bc) buddy. If you don't then you might not even need a beacon (no one will miss you, so maybe no search at all in case something bad happens). Do you really want BC or just off-piste powder? If it is off-piste powder then go out and wander just slightly off the groomed stuff and get some practice. (Kagura has some easy tree-less off-piste possibilities). No matter what you want to do off the groomers be sure to take an avalanche awareness course and practice with you beacon/probe/shovel as much as possible. In BC do not follow tracks you don't know where they will take you! (I did that once and after 4 hours of hiking/traversing/cursing I finally made it back to the base station of the gondola.) Link to post Share on other sites
XilR8 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Author Share Posted May 11, 2006 I guess I'd like to start with off piste powder and then move into proper BC. Thanks for all the advice so far! Link to post Share on other sites
marnix 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Go out as much as possible (during or right after a dump) and have fun. I think there must be better options around Yuzawa than Kagura for this purpose. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 if you can ride in most conditions then just try to ride slightly off-piste or head to a resort where off-piste is allowed. If you are then intent on taking it up start buying gear it can get expensive very fast. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 A pretty good place might be Niseko too. Loads of off-piste and easy access back to runs/lifts compared with other places. Link to post Share on other sites
montoya 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I would start hiking various stuff this summer to learn the terrain and develop your mountaineering skills. Look for places you can easily access from Tokyo, such as Tanigawa-dake, Tairappyo, etc. Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by montoya: I would start hiking various stuff this summer to learn the terrain and develop your mountaineering skills Really good idea for everybody All the places I've been into real backcountry besides Hakuba I've first gone into them in the summer or fall when there isn't any snow. Link to post Share on other sites
Kumapix 0 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 i would suggest the avy course before buying gear as you can usually rent equipment. This will give you an idea of what you like and what is good. I'm sure we've all got gear that we bought before trying and regretted it. I found i learned a lot about different beacons etc on my avy course and I found I didn't like some. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by Toque: Quote: Originally posted by montoya: I would start hiking various stuff this summer to learn the terrain and develop your mountaineering skills Really good idea for everybody All the places I've been into real backcountry besides Hakuba I've first gone into them in the summer or fall when there isn't any snow. yeah but quite far for many of us to get to and do that...wish I had a car... Link to post Share on other sites
dizzy 0 Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 if you don't want to pay for a full avie course, i suggest you join a day tour (in english)...most usually don't require that much BC knowledge and the avie kit (beacon, probe, shovel, day pack) is usually included in the cost or can be rented. you can also pick your guide's head for good equipment and recommendations. Link to post Share on other sites
sava 0 Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by Toque: All the places I've been into real backcountry besides Hakuba I've first gone into them in the summer or fall when there isn't any snow. Tried that in Aus, place was covered in snow! Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Yeah, that sucks eh TSB! Link to post Share on other sites
sava 0 Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 ahh well live and learn! when are you coming back to Aus BP or are you there for life? Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Definitely next season I'm going to take a course. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Good question TSB. Maybe in the next few years. I need at least a break, but not sure if it will be a permanent move back or not. I could see myself coming back up here again at some point. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Bushpig, if you don't mind me asking - do you "teach", teach or something else? Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 I teach English in a private boys school. By teach, I mean I teach my own classes including oral communication classes and writing classes. I set tests, exams, all that stuff. So is that "teaching" or teaching? You tell me. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 oh piss off Bushy, youre an AET and we all know it let alone you couldnt even teach your boys how to wank properly Link to post Share on other sites
sava 0 Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by Creek Boy: let alone you couldnt even teach your boys how to wank properly The way you phrase that implies that you can and do?! Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Slammed eh CB! Nice one TSB And I sometimes wish I was an AET again just so I could slack off and abuse the system! Link to post Share on other sites
Davo 1 Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Instead of having to coach the boys how to abuse themselves . You Private XXX school boys are a suspicious sounding bunch. Link to post Share on other sites
Davo 1 Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Anyway, back on topic. I pretty much started off riding in the trees rather than anywhere open or really BC. Get a helmet if you're gonna do that though. Link to post Share on other sites
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