I'm looking at retiring early next year as work is offering a fairly decent disengagement package. Consequently I'm saving all my leave to add into the package. So I was aiming at '24 as my kids are about to start jobs out of Uni next year so will be available with both their boyfriends/girlfriends who are also keen for Japan in 24 .
Yep most of the Retail outlets in the past I went to in Hokkaido, Japan just browsing at Snowboards and outerwear I found they were a lot more expensive than full Aussie RRP....., and that folks is already a shock to the system.If you do head over to Japan there is a T.J Brand store in Hakuba, Moss Snowstick in Myoko and a Gentemstick in Niseko. It's always nice to fondle the boards but the prices have stopped me buying so far, I usually leave my card in the hotel just as a precaution
Pretty sure he works or has worked at ESS in Jindy.
Never had leashes for the last 15 years I've been there at any resorts: Niseko, Furano, Kamui, Rusutsu, Tomamu. They also have an additional extra 1000yen ($Au10 approx) since introduction of electronic lift passes but you get that back when you hand the ticket in at the machine each day etc.
I've always caught the bus to Rusutsu from Niseko. From memory, pretty sure you book at the bus terminal. It gets there earlier and leaves shortly after the Lifts shut down in evening. It is a good idea to have a bag for your board as they throw all the skis and snowboards underneath the coach and they get thrown around a little and get scratched against other ski/boards. There are cheap lockers at Rusutsu to store your gear in whilst you ride. Everytime I've been to Rusutsu it's been absolutely epic powder conditions so it's cemented a deep emotional affection within. The Mountain and terrain is really really good and some superbly nice powdery tree runs.
We've done both cabs and buses from Furano to Kamui (about an hour each way). We got friendly with our Japanese accommodation Manager and he was able to get us a cab to and home for close to the same as a bus with the 4 of us (around $Au200 total ($US130)). It's weird as you come off the Mountain after riding all day and the cab driver is waiting in the car park for your return. We only paid when we got home at the end but you're still semi nervous about getting stranded on the Mountain with no lift..., but you forget it's Japan and they're confidently pretty damn reliable.
How frigging good is that. Looks like you only really need to take the powder boards.
I have a 120v ToKo T8 as well and I take over a small tuning kit to Japan. We normally go for 2 weeks and I re wax half way through the trip. It's powder so not overly abrasive like what we get here in Oz. I do it because I have the gear and you have to factor in the iron weight into luggage as well. It's okay when we have a few of us going as we share the entire luggage weight together.
God..., you'd be clearly in trouble without a powder board there at present.
Knock down a few Naprosyn or Voltaren and you'll be good to go tomorrow.
You have to fight the mouth piece/hose freeze with blow back even with an insulated hose.
www.snowboardingforum.com
Yep that is the best and safest option. You can get back packs as well that have small bottle pocket to the side as well.
NT blessed with epic conditions
Gee Myoko, that first picture is a nice shot over the tree line. Is that blue outfit a one piece?
80/60g fill weight, Lycra wrist gaiters, 25k nice. Looks the best colour of the range. I see they have a rear zip opening for toilet. Does the front central zip come down far enough to go for a piss.
I remember seeing a Documentary where David Attenborough said Bali was the best Country he'd ever been to back in the old days pre-commercialism and Tourism.
I haven't been to Niseko for a few years but there is an electrical/electronic type store I've been to in Kutchan just east of Railway Stn. I tried to find it on map but was not able to. We used to always bus it to the Co-Op next to Railway Stn to do our grocery shopping. There would be something like that around there. You could check with the accommodation staff when you're there.
