Skiing

[andrewt]

So, i think i saw someone talk about snowboarding/skiing on here before.
When is in season for that and where are the good slopes?

I presume all in hokkaido. I wonder if I'll be able to get some time in during the October/November timeframe...
from what i've found so far - looks like that'll be too early for the season.. =\

[gentlemanandscholar]

I don't really have experience with it, but I did find this website:
http://www.skijapanguide.com/index.php

and it has a lot of crap, even various resorts mapped out.

[Plekto]

I really suggest snowboarding, because you can not only get into it for less money, but it's also MUCH easier to transport your gear.(and it's IMO more fun :) ) $300-$400 should get you set up nicely. Or you can rent.(the differences between a rental snowboard and a rental set of skis isn't quite as pronounced, IME)

[RoxFontaine]

I snowboard in Gunma. My home slope is White Valley. If anybody wants to go up there, let me know. I have a house up there. I'm getting a season pass so I'll be there a lot this winter.

[six-eight-ten]

Quite a few places in Hokkaido, Niseco probably being the most popular, especially among Australians. There are lots of others to choose from, though. Mt. Teine in Sapporo was home to the '72 Winter Olympics. October is definitely too early. November is a maybe, depending on the year. The later in November, the better your chances, obviously.

I'm voting for skiing. I despise snowboarding with a passion. I'm never strapping another one of those infernal pieces of crap to my feet again. If anyone ever asks me to go snowboarding, I'll offer to just climb up on the 2nd floor of the house and jump into a snowbank, ice chunks and rocks optional, ass first. Probably more fun, and you don't have to pay the lift ticket.

[erbiumfiber]

If you prefer skiing (as I do) and hate having to haul your gear on the train, I suggest snowblades. Super short little skis (you don't need poles unless you suck, like I do) and you use them a bit like ice skates. Cheap, cheap, cheap! (under $150 I think mine were).

I go day-tripping from Tokyo to Gala Yuzawa as there are cheap packages. I'll work on a Saturday, then go skiing on a Wednesday to avoid the crowds.

I hate snowboarders as I have been hit by several (and injured for a couple of weeks by one...).

[andrewt]

- Plekto and erbiumfiber - I'm thinking about just renting on site.
I'll be in Japan for about a month hangin w/ friends, etc.... but due to extra luggage charges i was thinking i would bring no gear for anything and just renting.
Is that a bad idea ya think? (i was thinking - no hauling on train, no fees for flying w/ it, etc etc)
I dont own (snow)ski/board gear... but had debated about this for biking, tennis, and baseball gear as I'd be looking to do some of each w/ certain friends... and decided the bball gear was the only stuff that is reasonable to bring...

- RoxFontaine - you purchased a house there??? Is that something feasible for normal people, or only those who buy and sell clubs, etc etc? haha. But dang - that's really generous of you to open up yer house like that. :theking:

I guess you gotta wait to see when the snowfall starts that year to decide when to start going eh.... so it aint really something you can plan ahead.... right?
It could be a cool way to get to know some of you in person if it works out - a ski trip! =)

[MNJetter]

If you prefer skiing (as I do) and hate having to haul your gear on the train, I suggest snowblades. Super short little skis (you don't need poles unless you suck, like I do) and you use them a bit like ice skates. Cheap, cheap, cheap! (under $150 I think mine were).
Are snowblades harder to use than regular skis? I want a pair so bad, but I'm hardly a pro, so I didn't know if I could handle them.

[erbiumfiber]

Way easier to use than regular skis (especially if you keep using poles, like I do). You don't cross them and fall because they're too short.

They're parabola shaped which is good for something about skiing (most skis are now parabola-shaped).

I am really happy with mine and I'm really a total clutz.

[Plekto]

Oh, I didn't know about them - I'll have to grab me a pair for this winter! Still, they are in the 3ft to 1m range. You might be able to have them as carry-on.(the advantage is if you can practice once or twice at home and also get a proper boot fitted) - Maybe $250 total by the looks of it.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9906EFDD1031F934A15751C1A9679C8B63

A very nice write-up :)

http://www.skitruck.com/product_listing.php?subcat=26
Good deals here - a nice used pair with a new boot is cheap and easy. $250 for a new package or $100 plus boots for new. Poles optional. They use normal ski boots, so there's a bit of dual-role going on.

[RoxFontaine]

- Plekto and erbiumfiber - I'm thinking about just renting on site.
I'll be in Japan for about a month hangin w/ friends, etc.... but due to extra luggage charges i was thinking i would bring no gear for anything and just renting.
Is that a bad idea ya think? (i was thinking - no hauling on train, no fees for flying w/ it, etc etc)
I dont own (snow)ski/board gear... but had debated about this for biking, tennis, and baseball gear as I'd be looking to do some of each w/ certain friends... and decided the bball gear was the only stuff that is reasonable to bring...

- RoxFontaine - you purchased a house there??? Is that something feasible for normal people, or only those who buy and sell clubs, etc etc? haha. But dang - that's really generous of you to open up yer house like that. :theking:

I guess you gotta wait to see when the snowfall starts that year to decide when to start going eh.... so it aint really something you can plan ahead.... right?
It could be a cool way to get to know some of you in person if it works out - a ski trip! =)

I didn't. My father-in-law did. It will very likely be passed on to me though. I'm being groomed for it already.

[mochyan]

I hate snowboarders as I have been hit by several (and injured for a couple of weeks by one...).

i used to hate skiiers because i've had a bunch be mean to me when i was learning how to board. I've had snowboarders be jerks to me too even though i'm a snowboarder. i think it just depends on the people out there if they want to be jerks or not. i've had a few run ins w/ snowboarders and skiiers. i tend to injure myself worse than anyone else. =/

[b4k4ni04]

To interject: I have my own skis, so the one time I used snow blades, I picked up some bad skiing habits. The blades are small enough that you can get away with it, but bad habits are still bad habits. When I got back to skis I fixed what I was being lazy about, and love skiing to this day :3. (Sorry snowboarders, got a hideous cramp the one time I tried, never doing that again -_-;.)

I probably could go back, use snow blades, enjoy them and not fall back into the bad habits. I have my own skis, however, so why would I want to rent snowblades >>;.

Anywho, snowblades are a different beast than skis. The difference in size makes you control just your feet. Rather than the entire plank attached to your foot, as would be with skis. To stop rambling, try them and you'll probably enjoy them. If you can stand on ice skates on a rink, you'll likely do fine with snowblades on a slope.