Joetsu Kokusai, 3rd Jan 14

January 3, 2014, 5:30 pm

≫ Next: Cheeseman's "Cheese at Resorts" Gallery

≪ Previous: Guess Where This Is

$

0

0

Spent the morning at Joetsu Kokusai.

As things were looking busy, decided to park over at the Osawa area which is always quieter. Was quiet when we got there, but the car park was close to full when we left just before 2pm.

Had a fun day. Snow is better up on the top Atema area than lower down, where it was a bit heavy.

One thing very noticeably is how relatively little snow there is yet. There's full cover, just not deep and lots of bushes still sticking out.

A few pics









Last year, this hut was pretty much almost covered...



And this was a big 'wall' of snow with an entrace cut out to get onto the slopes...



Atema area quad lift. Best snow found here.







Can still see the contours of the rice fields

---

Cheeseman's "Cheese at Resorts" Gallery

January 3, 2014, 5:37 pm

≫ Next: Maiko or Ishiuichi Maruyama

≪ Previous: Joetsu Kokusai, 3rd Jan 14

$

0

0

This year I thought I would create a special "Cheese at Resorts" Gallery.

At the moment, myself along with Cheesewoman, Cheesegirl and Cheeseboy are at Nozawa Onsen in Nagano. Lovely place, but no good views yet as it has been snowing.

Anyway to start off my gallery, here's the gallery and some cheese in Nozawa. Just some run of the mill 'natural cheese' as they call it used to melt on pizzas etc. Not the most gourmet start....

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/insider/member_photo_gallery.php?userGallery=222




Please upload any cheese at resort pics to SnowJapan and tag them as 'cheese at resort'. That way, they'll all be grouped together.

Thanks.

Maiko or Ishiuichi Maruyama

January 3, 2014, 6:02 pm

≫ Next: Stolen ski/board gear in Japan

≪ Previous: Cheeseman's "Cheese at Resorts" Gallery

$

0

0

Hello,

I usally ski around the north Niigata area.

I just discovered a company that have pretty cheap bus/lift pass deals. The buses leave from Niigata station and go to Yuzawa area. The cost is about 6000 yen. It seems pretty cheap considering the price of a lift pass and train or highway tolls.

The resorts they go to are Maiko and Ishiuchi. I have never been to either. Which do people in the know recommend?

If possible I would like some ungroomed/tree runs but nothing too gnarly that requires a big hike in/out.

Any opinions are appreciated.

Stolen ski/board gear in Japan

January 3, 2014, 6:03 pm

≫ Next: Question on snow depths

≪ Previous: Maiko or Ishiuichi Maruyama

$

0

0

Talk in another thread about stolen gear

http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/23478-skiing-quivers-in-niseko/

Always amazed at how almost no-one locks stuff up here, but also that I have never heard of anything being stolen.

Any experiences - when and where?

Question on snow depths

January 3, 2014, 6:14 pm

≫ Next: Ski Boots Questions

≪ Previous: Stolen ski/board gear in Japan

$

0

0

I see Otaru is reporting almost 3x as much depth as Niseko while a gentleman with his own thread on Niseko is saying they've been having almost 5m of snowfalls season-to-date. Obviously snow does pack down, is wind-affected, etc... but I am thinking that after almost 5m the sasa we still see on the pics should be gone. We also know some resorts after a certain threshold under-report. anyway, I was trying to locate the SJ resort rankings per official depth and could not find it anymore. Could somebody point me in the right direction? I am guessing numbers should look much better after today. Thanks.

Ski Boots Questions

January 8, 2014, 5:13 am

≫ Next: 2 days in early Feb - Nagano?

≪ Previous: Question on snow depths

$

0

0

I guess this should be in the Gear forum but I couldn't start a new topic there.

I am in the market for some new ski boots.

My feet are on the large size (31cm) and I live out in the inaka so my options are very limited.

The only boots at the local shop that fit my fat, hairy hobbit hoofs are Head Cubes. Anyone ever used them?

Recently, I have started to get into park skiiing a little bit and I am interested in the Salomon SPK 85s. According to the Salomon catalogue they only go up to 28.5 in Japan. A search around rakuten etc. confirmed this. Does anyone know of anywhere selling them in bigger sizes?

Finally, does anyone know any shops (prefferably net shops) that stock boots in bigger sizes?

Thanks.

2 days in early Feb - Nagano?

January 8, 2014, 5:41 am

≫ Next: Japan's most famous snow icon - the Emergency Telephone Box 13/14 (Yuzawa, Niigata)

≪ Previous: Ski Boots Questions

$

0

0

Hi all,
First post - looking for some last minute advice!
Have a chance to spend a couple of days boarding while in Japan early Feb.
Figured there's plenty of choice in the "reasonably close to Tokyo" Nagano area?
Looking for somewhere with a traditional Japanese feel.
I am an intermediate boarder looking to try some of Japan's famous powder.
Any advice / opinions welcomed.

Japan's most famous snow icon - the Emergency Telephone Box 13/14 (Yuzawa, Niigata)

January 8, 2014, 3:47 pm

≫ Next: This Guy Cracks Me Up

≪ Previous: 2 days in early Feb - Nagano?

$

0

0

We missed the snowfall the other day but there's still a bit hanging around the base of the famous telephone box.

A rainy day here today, but I noticed that last year's thread was also started on 15th November.

May the box be completely covered this year.

(For newcomers, last year's fantastic and thoroughly exciting thread is here)

---

This Guy Cracks Me Up

January 8, 2014, 4:22 pm

≫ Next: Snow Dude's 2013-14 ski thread (Sun Meadows, Kiyosato, Yamanashi)

≪ Previous: Japan's most famous snow icon - the Emergency Telephone Box 13/14 (Yuzawa, Niigata)

$

0

0

The depth and breadth of his knowledge of the worldwide snow scene is legendary.
He is aways willing to help others to appreciate the Mountain environment and can converse for hours and hours on many topics keeping listeners enthralled

Tradgically he suffered a serious brain industry on a downhill run in Japan, the name of which skijo escapes me, and now his speech and thought processes are limited to just two words.

Click on his posts for some enlightenment

http://www.snowjapan...tsugaike-kogen/



He is still in Japan somewhere - keep an eye out for him.

Snow Dude's 2013-14 ski thread (Sun Meadows, Kiyosato, Yamanashi)

January 8, 2014, 4:49 pm

≫ Next: 40-50cm snow here in northern Yamanashi

≪ Previous: This Guy Cracks Me Up

$

0

0

I thought it would be nice to make a ski thread as I will be visiting my local resort a lot this year and document the weather/ snow conditions, etc each time I go as a reference for others and as a record for me.
I will also (sometimes) add photos that I take at the resort.
It is a small resort and has 10 courses with the longest being about 1600 metres top to bottom.
The reason I go there, is it is about 20 mins from my house, it is somewhere I have been going for years now and I like the area/ski resort and we have friends who go there too.

Day 1 : 7th Dec 2013 (Opening day) Just one lower course was open with mostly man made snow. Weather was mostly sunny, but very windy peaked out at about +1oC that day. Almost empty!

Day 2 : 8th Dec 2013 Same as above really!

Day 3 : 21st Dec 2013 Two thirds open all natural snow, soft powdery snow, sunny, nice conditions, although clouded up in the afternoon. Quite a few people, but never crowded. Top to bottom skiing.

Day 4: 22nd Dec 2013 It snowed up to about 8cm or so the night before so was treated to fresh pow on top of the already soft snow and sunny sky in the morning. The snow remained soft and powdery the whole day and were plenty of powder pockets to be found all day, albeit chopped up.
Around lunch time onward it clouded over and some light snow fell for a while before turning sunny again More people today..
A great day was had by all.
I will add some photos later, takes too long download from my phone now.

Day 5: 25th Dec 2013 Woke up to absolutely crystal clear blue sky, which lasted the whole day, but no new snow, calm conditions. The snow was soft and powdery on the sun facing slopes and a bit hard packed with icy patches on the sheltered slopes, especially as the temps didn't get above -6 today.
Basically a really nice day on the slopes, although would like some new snow. Looks like tomorrow afternoon onwards should give some nice new snow.
I added a few new pics which I took today.







Look closely at this photo, what can you see, that normally would not be there during the day?

40-50cm snow here in northern Yamanashi

January 8, 2014, 4:57 pm

≫ Next: Onegai shimasu, snowboarders!

≪ Previous: Snow Dude's 2013-14 ski thread (Sun Meadows, Kiyosato, Yamanashi)

$

0

0

Dropped my daughter off at the ski jo today I got to work sucks big time as it snowed around 50cm.

Anyone else get some decent snow？

Will take more pics this afternoon and post latet.

Onegai shimasu, snowboarders!

January 8, 2014, 5:07 pm

≫ Next: Am I going to be warm enough skiing in Hakuba

≪ Previous: 40-50cm snow here in northern Yamanashi

$

0

0

This is meant to be a friendly post.

But please, snowboarding people, can you please get out of the way when you get off a lift.

Don't just sit there all lined up at the top of the run almost completely blocking it for everyone else to get past.

Can't you just go to the side or something. You know, let people past.

Thank you.

Am I going to be warm enough skiing in Hakuba

January 9, 2014, 7:55 am

≫ Next: Disintegrating boots?

≪ Previous: Onegai shimasu, snowboarders!

$

0

0

Just getting a little nervous about my wife and I being warm enough in Hakuba, in Jan.
We have thermals ski jacket and pants and helmet, wife shopping In Tokyo for hers, Not sure how much other clothes I will need on?Any suggestions?
Thinking more about while out skiing, the bars wont be a problem. Im sure it depends on the day, but it seems pretty dam chilly..ha
Also Goggles, wife and I wears glasses, I can do without while skiing, just cant read anything, any suggestions, and whats a fair price to pay, we only ski at best once a year,

Any tips thankfully received.

Disintegrating boots?

January 9, 2014, 5:30 pm

≫ Next: Niseko 2013-2014

≪ Previous: Am I going to be warm enough skiing in Hakuba

$

0

0

Hi everybody,

first time poster, long-time site visitor here. I ski every year, but I am not a power skiier, it is just a winter activitiy that I enjoy tremendously. I can get down the montain on all slopes, somehow, but not always in the most elegant way (never had formal instruction; I learned skiiing way back then from a Japanese girlfriend). Never been into the whole throwaway society concept, so I tend to use my gear until it falls apart (which literally happened with my last ski bindings...).

Which brings me to my question. We were in Niseko last weekend; I´d left my (antediluvian) own skis at home and just brought my boots. The guy the in rental shop freaked out when he saw them. He told me they were so antique they were actually dangerous, because the soles would fall off. He really pushed me into renting some of his boots, but I held my ground, so he gave up, adjusted his skis for my boots, and I had a glorious 3 days in Hirafu powder.

Now, I am wondering: Do old ski boots really disintegrate? I get that plastic gets brittle after a while, but these things look really solid, and I have never heard this warning before. Fwiw, the brand is Salomon SX61 rear entry (which I love, I´d hate to fasten all these multiple straps on the modern boots). I think they must about, umm... 20 years old now.

Ironically, on the same trip, my son managed to break a buckle on his "modern" boots, which are only about 10 years old.

So, what is the story? Do disintegrating boots really happen? At the temperatures in Hirafu, that would have been a scary situation... they has me spooked a little.

Thanks for any advice.

Niseko 2013-2014

January 9, 2014, 5:35 pm

≫ Next: Heading to Niseko. 1st time at the snow

≪ Previous: Disintegrating boots?

$

0

0

My first day of skiing at Hirafu. Overnight we had about 10-15 centimeters.
The snow was pretty dry but hard and icy underneath. I just cruised, taking it easy and getting my legs in.







photos by Tai. thanks.

---

Heading to Niseko. 1st time at the snow

January 9, 2014, 5:44 pm

≫ Next: Question on snow depths

≪ Previous: Niseko 2013-2014

$

0

0

Hey guys

Im new to the forum, but have been reading for a while.
Im heading to Niseko at the end of Feb and staying in the Hirafu area.
Cant wait. Been very busy buying all our gear for snowboarding, as we have always had a massive interest in it.
Got some great gera and just can't wait to get out there and use it now.

What are some things i should look at doing while I'm there?
We are staying for about 12 days. So we have a fair bit of time.

Ive heard that there are not a lot of ATM and places where i can get money out. Or use a card also.
Just wondering how true this is. I just need to know how much money to take with me thats all.

Thanks

Question on snow depths

January 10, 2014, 3:26 am

≫ Next: SnowJapan Giveaways - 3 Hanazono Powder Guides AM backcountry group tour vouchers (Niseko, Hokkaido)

≪ Previous: Heading to Niseko. 1st time at the snow

$

0

0

I see Otaru is reporting almost 3x as much depth as Niseko while a gentleman with his own thread on Niseko is saying they've been having almost 5m of snowfalls season-to-date. Obviously snow does pack down, is wind-affected, etc... but I am thinking that after almost 5m the sasa we still see on the pics should be gone. We also know some resorts after a certain threshold under-report. anyway, I was trying to locate the SJ resort rankings per official depth and could not find it anymore. Could somebody point me in the right direction? I am guessing numbers should look much better after today. Thanks.

SnowJapan Giveaways - 3 Hanazono Powder Guides AM backcountry group tour vouchers (Niseko, Hokkaido)

January 10, 2014, 3:26 am

≫ Next: Maiko Snow Resort (Minamiuonuma, Niigata) - 10th January 2014

≪ Previous: Question on snow depths

$

0

0

SnowJapan Giveaways 2013/2014
Friday 10th January 2014 until Thursday 16th January 2014

This weeks prize:
Three AM backcountry group tour vouchers with First Tracks Service included, courtesy of Hanazono Powder Guides in Niseko, Hokkaido.
Valid until 6th April 2014 (except February 1st-7th) and subject to availability.

Who can enter?
Any current and active member of SnowJapanForums. ('Active' means you have actually joined in and made posts on the Forums - not just simply signed up!)

How do I enter? Please read carefully!
1) Send an email to giveaways2013@snowjapan.com
2) Please note your SnowJapanForums username in the email - if you do not write this, you will not be entered.
3) Subject line 'Hanazono Powder Guides Giveaway'
4) Any comments either about the giveaway or SnowJapan are most welcome.

If your mail has been received, you should receive an automatic reply from us soon after sending. That means you have been entered!

Important! Please:
- Only enter if you are at least fairly sure that you will be able to use the prize if you win;
- Try to post a review and/or photos onto SnowJapan after you have used the prize.

The winners:
3 people will be chosen - each to receive 1 voucher - and notified within four days of the Giveaway period closing.









We would like to thank the good people at Nihon Harmony Resorts and Hanazono Powder Guides for taking part in this Giveaway.

For more information on Hanazono Powder Guides:
http://www.snowjapan...o-powder-guides

Website:
http://hanazononisek...ides/index.html

Please do take a few moments to post some comments when you enter... each year your comments help us try to improve SnowJapan.

Just to be very clear - we do not do ANYTHING with your email address other than use it to contact you if you win - your address is not put on any mailing lists, and your address is not shared with anyone.

Thank you.

Maiko Snow Resort (Minamiuonuma, Niigata) - 10th January 2014

January 10, 2014, 4:15 am

≫ Next: Japan's most famous snow icon - the Emergency Telephone Box 13/14 (Yuzawa, Niigata)

≪ Previous: SnowJapan Giveaways - 3 Hanazono Powder Guides AM backcountry group tour vouchers (Niseko, Hokkaido)

$

0

0

We got about 30cm of snow overnight and today was due to be snow all day so I wasn't expecting to ski.

But as it was getting near lunchtime, the sun was shining through the window and golly gosh, blue skies all round!
Computer was turned off promptly and I made my way to Maiko Snow Resort.

It was a stunner of an afternoon.
Still some cloud around amongst the blue skies, but they added to the beautiful-ness of it all.
Snow was decent, but we still need more.
Not many people at all, the Okusoeji quad was very quiet. I got fed up of waiting to take pics of a chair with someone on it!

The kind of day that just makes me so happy to live in this place and be able to just take it all in.


OK so I'll share some of it. Sorry there's lots and in no particular order - have tried to find some new angles, but my eye has this habit of taking me to the same spots, haha.
I've 'done' Maiko now this season so no more camera there.
Hoping to venture to some different places soon.





















Looking over to Ishiuchi Maruyama

Japan's most famous snow icon - the Emergency Telephone Box 13/14 (Yuzawa, Niigata)

January 10, 2014, 7:55 am

≫ Next: Schumacher accident

≪ Previous: Maiko Snow Resort (Minamiuonuma, Niigata) - 10th January 2014

$

0

0

We missed the snowfall the other day but there's still a bit hanging around the base of the famous telephone box.

A rainy day here today, but I noticed that last year's thread was also started on 15th November.

May the box be completely covered this year.

(For newcomers, last year's fantastic and thoroughly exciting thread is here)