Hello All!
I'm moving to Aomori this August with my wife to live in Japan for a years under the JET program. While she pursues her passion as a language teacher, I'd like to do the same, one being snowboarding. I've lived in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina for several years during college and enjoyed the moderate snow seasons and decent ski mountains. While there were a few venues within a 30 mile radius, there wasn't much but park made snow, and groomed slopes. Each run maybe lasted 2-3 minutes tops even the few black diamonds we had and there was no off-piste or backcountry to speak of. Because of that, I only have the basic snowboard gear. Board, bindings, boots, jacket pants, gloves.
Ever since we got assigned to Aomori, I've been doing research on the region, and one of the first (and probably most exciting) things I discovered was the multitude of slopes in Aomori alone, not to mention Hokkaido nearby.
Hakkoda-san has taken my interest for a few reasons. One, its going to be the closest one to me and two (three, four...) the amazing slopes! The more footage, videos and reviews I read about the place the more astounded I am and stoked to go there. Of course, the problem is that I have no gear for backcountry boarding, and have no idea what is required. I consider myself a mid-intermediate to advanced boarder, but I have no off groomed slopes experience. I want to be sure to take things slow this season.
I've climbed a few 14k ft mountains in Colorado before, and know about the proper ava-gear for that, but what should I start investing in if I plan to make Hakkoda-san my second home this winter?
I don't think my old board is going to cut it anymore but should I go for the split tail, or can I get by with another all-mountain?
Any advice from someone in the area or who does back-country boarding on the regular would be much appreciated!
I'm moving to Aomori this August with my wife to live in Japan for a years under the JET program. While she pursues her passion as a language teacher, I'd like to do the same, one being snowboarding. I've lived in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina for several years during college and enjoyed the moderate snow seasons and decent ski mountains. While there were a few venues within a 30 mile radius, there wasn't much but park made snow, and groomed slopes. Each run maybe lasted 2-3 minutes tops even the few black diamonds we had and there was no off-piste or backcountry to speak of. Because of that, I only have the basic snowboard gear. Board, bindings, boots, jacket pants, gloves.
Ever since we got assigned to Aomori, I've been doing research on the region, and one of the first (and probably most exciting) things I discovered was the multitude of slopes in Aomori alone, not to mention Hokkaido nearby.
Hakkoda-san has taken my interest for a few reasons. One, its going to be the closest one to me and two (three, four...) the amazing slopes! The more footage, videos and reviews I read about the place the more astounded I am and stoked to go there. Of course, the problem is that I have no gear for backcountry boarding, and have no idea what is required. I consider myself a mid-intermediate to advanced boarder, but I have no off groomed slopes experience. I want to be sure to take things slow this season.
I've climbed a few 14k ft mountains in Colorado before, and know about the proper ava-gear for that, but what should I start investing in if I plan to make Hakkoda-san my second home this winter?
I don't think my old board is going to cut it anymore but should I go for the split tail, or can I get by with another all-mountain?
Any advice from someone in the area or who does back-country boarding on the regular would be much appreciated!