Miltie

Boostertwo, Interested. Sent you email. Thanks! Tom

Just picked up a 2-3 year old Nidecker Custom GS178 in plastic. Noticed that the binding insert packs are much further toward the tail than my other boards. The board specs from Nidecker say the setback is 40 mm, however, when I measure it appears to be about 60 mm. Does anyone have any experience with this board or possibly a GS177? Just wondering if I should try to mount my bindings as far forward as possible. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!! Tom

Gecko, Thanks for your efforts to scan the cover and to provide the ISBN#. Will scour the book shops in Nagoya this weekend. Thanks again! Tom

Gecko, If possible, could you either post a scan of the front cover or post the name on the cover? Want to try to locate some copies here in Nagoya. Thanks! Tom

Lee, I have an extra copy. Send me a email though Bomber and we can figure out how to get it to you. Happy Carving! Tom

Yo Baka! Hope your winter in Tochigi is going well. I have a new 0 degree disk for TD1 with red bumpers at my place in Nagoya. Would be willing to trade for 6 degree disk. Send me a PM and we can work out the details. Tom

gkanai, You can find more shops that carry alpine stuff in Japan than in US. Also, you will see more alpine riders on the slopes. Check out this website for some helpful links http://www.carvingmachine.com/ There is a lot of alpine stuff available on yahoo auctions. http://list4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/2084032367-category-leaf.html Another option is to find 1 to 2 year old boards that are sitting in a shop's inventory. I have purchased several boards that way and saved tons. Check Vittoria Sports in Ochanomizu for boots (the building in the back has the alpine stuff - walk through the building on the main street to get to it). Lots of decent resorts for carving here. Have fun!

Fees and charges we have in Japan are crazy. Last year I spent roughtly $60 a day for highway tolls for a trip equivalent to driving from LA to Big Bear. Diesel is $4 a gallon and regular gas is almost $5 a gallon. Once you get to the resort it is anywhere from $10 to $20 for parking. Then an additional $10 (refundable) for the lift transmitter on top of the usual $40-50 lift ticket price. Gate training cost about $15 a day when shared with over 20 people. The $10 fee to use a snowpark mentioned by Ernie00 doesn't seem like all that much.

I think Bob nailed it. My equipment is pretty good. Just need more days at the gym and more time on the mountain.

Gecko, I picked up the Carve magazine at Mana House in Nagoya. Any larger bookstore that carries Snowstyle magazine will probably have it. Hopefully you won't have a tough time finding it in Yokohama.

As Gecko mentioned, Ogasaka is a large manufacturer that builds boards and skis under their name and for other brands. In addition, there are companies like Moss, Gray, Yonex and BC Stream that make both freestyle and alpine boards. See links below: http://www.pioneermoss.com/mosssnowboards/ http://www.graysnowboards.co.jp/productindex/productindex.html Note: select a model then click "graphics" at the bottom of the page to see the boards and specs. http://www.yonex.co.jp/snow/pro2005/index.html http://www.bc-stream.com/ The prices here are insane (roughly $1000 for a new model board!!) but the quality is primo. The cool thing is that the manufacturers still offer Alpine boards even though Alpine products account for less than 5% of their sales. "Carve" magazine for the 2005 season just hit the book stores this week.

Mr. Shorty, As Baka Dasai mentioned, there are many places to ride in Japan because of the mountainous terrain. Would also recommend to check out snowjapan.com as it includes a lot of good resource information on resorts and there is forum with several foreign members. Many of them are teachers. My winter experience over the last few seasons has been great. I am based out of the Nagoya area and have spent the last 3 seasons riding mosty in Gifu Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture with an occassional jaunt to Niigata Prefecture. My work commitments are pretty hectic but still managed 25 days on the snow last season. Even snuck in 1 race and about 5 days of gate training. Have had some unbelievable powder days here as well - one thing I never expected. The alpine scene here is a little stronger than in the US. Joined a shop club last season and made some good Japanese alpine friends. There is an organization called the JSBA that runs quite few races and instructor clinics all over Japan. Like the US, Freestyle and Freeriding are very popular. You will have no trouble meeting people who are into Freeriding. How is your Japanese? Mine is pretty weak so living in a bigger city has made life a little easier. If you will have a car with a navigation system and snowtires you can get to the resorts fairly easy. If your Japanese is good, you can get around on trains and buses without too much trouble. One recommendation is to bring most of the equipment you plan to ride with you. Boards, bindings and boots are really pricey here. Many current model alpine decks are in the $900 to $1000 range. There are some decent board companies here (Moss, Gray, Ogasaka and BC Stream) but again the prices are way steep. Hope this helps!

Yo D-Sub, I've had 3 pairs of Superfeet cork footbeds fitted at a place on PCH in Newport (across from Joe's Crab Shack). It was either called Peter Glenn or Newport Ski - Can't remember. There was a guy named George who hooked me up - very knowledgeable. I believe he also did boot fitting. FYI - these Superfeet cork footbeds are the best I've had in the last 15 years. The place in Hermosa that Tim mentioned is also top notch. It is a smaller place, however, their customer service is great. Very helpful. Miltie

Yo Baka! Hope you had a good season. Sorry to hear about your equipment concerns - now you have an excuse to buy more stuff. I would agree that most alpine riders here in Japan have a similar style. Rode a lot this season with a racing club full of alpine "otakus" (fanatics). Naturally, most of their styles were more racing oriented. Many of the riders were very focused on having perfect technique. Seemed to me that a lot of riders exaggerated upper body movements - especially shoulder movements. I am a desk-jockey myself so my main focus has been more of burning off steam than perfecting technique. Did end up learning a little about running gates and edge pressure timing though. Most of the alpine riders here are just super stoked and friendly. Even though I can't speak much Japanese, I have made quite a few good friends this season. Would have to say the alipne community here is tight (very similar to the USA). You have the same experiences? About the percentage of alpine riders in Japan... The owner of large shop around Nagoya told me that alpine accounts for between 2 and 5% in Japan. My guess would be closer to 2%. Still it is definitely stronger than in the USA. You mentioned that you see many riders on old equipment. This is different to what I have seen. Most of the guys I rode with this winter were on the newest stuff. Some guys already have the new 04/05 Japanese models [Gray and R-17 Addicted(Burton stuff in Japan)]. Some shops are already showcasing next year's stuff. http://www.spielen-sb.com/report/sbj/sbj.htm Picked up a video called "Installer 2" of Japanese riders early in the season. Was filmed in New Zealand and has some decent footage. Also, saw somewhere that "Carve Emotion 3" is currently in the works. You done for the season? Will be heading to Ciao Ontake on 4/18 for one last session. Take care.

Greetings xak, I am an American living in Nagoya and usually ride in the Gifu and Nagano areas. What is your home Gelande? Mine is Ciao Ontake. Unfortunately, I cannot join your Carve Fest due to other plans. Drop me line at board_otaku@hotmail.com if you ever make it up to the Nagano area. Take care, Miltie

Markpr, Picked up a Sims Carve II 164 a few years ago to use as a rock board during early season. The Carve II would be a decent board to start on, however, you may want to upgrade to a narrower as your skills progress. I find mine a little more flexible than I would prefer and the purple graphics are awkward. You probably can't go wrong if you can pick one up cheap. You may also want to check the Burton Alps or Wires at www.klugriding.com. Have fun!