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December, 2024

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A Japan Story

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MitchPee
Posts: 8871 - Karma: 1,509
So I noticed in the "top 5 resorts you want to visit" almost everyone said Niseko (or some other form of Japan). To reinforce that I want to share some pictures with you guys that show how amazing the season has been so far. Living in Utah for the past 5 years, I thought I had seen the most snow possible. I was mistaken when this year I saw almost 10 inches a day for an entire month. Needless to say Ja-Pow was had. Look for our video coming out from the Black Diamond Lodge this spring.

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The Nimbus guys are in town with us right now at Black Diamond Tours and we expect to have at least 3-4 more big names come through. It should be a pretty amazing rest of the season and I can only imagine what they will be able to do with the footage come fall.

Jan 21 2012 6:36PM
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Inline.
Posts: 4424 - Karma: 432
sick!
Jan 21 2012 6:39PM
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Shark.
Posts: 3158 - Karma: 270
so jealous. my buddy is out there this week shredding pow as well. I hate you all.

One day, I shall be there
Jan 21 2012 6:39PM
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MitchPee
Posts: 8871 - Karma: 1,509
I made this to encourage people so if you do decide to pull the trigger and have an awesome time let me know and I can give you some good recommendations on where/what to do. A lot of NSers have stayed here at the Black Diamond Lodge and had a blast.
Jan 21 2012 6:49PM
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Shark.
Posts: 3158 - Karma: 270
I know I will one day it's not a matter of that, more a matter of saving up the money! I'm sure ill be asking about all the details in the future
Jan 21 2012 8:22PM
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Clark_Griswold
Posts: 1283 - Karma: 49
Can't wait to go! finally will be able to check it off my list
Jan 21 2012 8:28PM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
I was in Japan just the other week, stayed for just under 3 weeks and it snowed everyday, if not much it still snowed. I also did a week with Black Diamond Lodge traveling other resorts, got some of the best pow lines i have ever had. Heres a vid of my trip just to reiterate the OPs point that Japan is AWESOME!! - It doesn't even come close to what we had as it was so difficult to go out and film when you were having such a good time. Got some photos i can post too but there not up on the comp yet. Listen with headphones or good speakers!


Jan 21 2012 10:33PM
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emily123
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
Hey,

I'm thinking of coming out to Japan for three weeks. I'm just wondering whether it is worth having my skis shipped over or whether it's cheaper to buy them over there.
How much would a pair of big rockered skis, around 175c ( for a girl) cost?

Also, where would be a good place to stay? Has anyone ever stayed at the Harifu backpackers?

Can you tell me a bit more about the back diamond lodge?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Feb 5 2012 1:31AM
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japanair
Posts: 441 - Karma: 40
bring your skis with you. Ski equipment in Japan is super pricey, and add the horrible exchange rate to that and you won't have any money left. My recommendation is to check ur skis into the plane. Once you land at Narita or Haneda (the two airports in tokyo) have one of the shipping companies send your equipment to your hotel. It'll cost you like 20 bucks and your skis will arive at your hotel before you do. everything ships over night.  The shipping companies are Nittsu or Kuroneko Yamato.
Feb 5 2012 3:00AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
That was a sick edit dude! What did you shoot it on!?

I live in Hirafu, but am going on a trip to Asahidake and Kamui this week so I'm going to try and make an edit of that.
Feb 5 2012 4:08AM
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MitchPee
Posts: 8871 - Karma: 1,509
Buying skis here would be very pricey. I would recommend getting a deal online and bringing some over.

With that said, I'll post some more photos in here soon. Matchstick and Warren Miller entertainment are both here right now trying to get the shots. After today, they won't have a hard time finding deep pow. That's for sure.

Here's a shot from the other day touring.

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Feb 5 2012 4:30AM
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JakeAssBeatClap
Posts: 6673 - Karma: 2,537
I'm going to go by the time i'm 25
Feb 5 2012 4:33AM
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zurk
Posts: 32 - Karma: 81
Went to Japan back in November probably the coolest and weirdest place I've ever been, would defiantly go back to go powder skiing.

also while i was there i just happen to to find a ski shop, went in to see if they had anything worthwhile, every thing was super expensive. yeah absolutely a better idea to bring your own stuff.
Feb 5 2012 5:25AM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Thanks man. Was shot on my 7D and the GoPro2. You can find more detail of what I used and the trip itself if you go to my vimeo page. Here are a few photos we snapped as well.

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Feb 5 2012 6:50AM
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emily123
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
What about an ex demo pair? It's going to cost me 200 US just to have them sent out.

Also, can anyone tell me what the snow is like in Japan in March? Is it worth bringing my park skis as well?


Thanks

Emily
Feb 5 2012 8:33PM
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emily123
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
So can you have them shipped up to niseko? Do you just do it in the airport? This sounds really good- I was planning on spending a few days in Tokyo and it would be so much easier if I didn't have to lug my skis around.
Feb 5 2012 8:56PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 5,455
Fuck. looks like Japans where the powders at this year. wish I could go.
Feb 5 2012 8:58PM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,355
Just a question, cause i'm very interested in going to japan.

How long did you stay, how much was a hotel/lift tickets/car rental.

Like how much was it per person per day? like with food and stuff. Cause i want to save up for next season.

Thanks!
Feb 5 2012 10:04PM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
Yeah you can get them shipped straight to your hotel with Black Cat (I have no idea of what their actual name is, but their logo is a black cat, and this is how you will find it at the airport). I would recommend park skis for March in Niseko, we do still get a few powder days, and the mountain is quiet so it doesn't get tracked, but it snows less than Jan/Feb and is a lot more sunny.

Re. buying skis, there are ex demos around, but all the good ones got sold at the start of the season. Even at sale prices, ski gear here is insanely expensive.
Feb 6 2012 2:12AM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
Next time we get around to nuking a country a couple times. We should take their good ski resorts as loot!
Feb 6 2012 3:21AM
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emily123
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
How expensive is expensive? Can you give me a rough guide to how much a pair of new skis would cost? Like the JJs of s7s?
Feb 6 2012 6:29AM
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emily123
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
How expensive is expensive? Can you give me a rough guide to how much a pair of new skis would cost? Like the JJs of s7s?
Feb 6 2012 6:31AM
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Jooky
Posts: 1239 - Karma: 37
I'll be at the BDL starting this Sunday, for a week.  Hope to see that kind of snow there!
Feb 6 2012 10:16AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
I just had a look on Rakuten (Japanese online shop) and s7s go for 1000-1200 dollars without bindings. Honestly not sure how much you could get them for here in town, as I don't spend much time in the shops, but like I said, pricey!

Feb 6 2012 5:35PM
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prophet
Posts: 4734 - Karma: 1,007
so i watched your video... then i thought, 'fuck i need to go to japan'... then i found out a friend of mine is going... crazy... can't afford it. but then that yeasayer song got stuck in my head so now i've got this whole playlist of emo bullshit going so uh... thanks! also, your other videos exhibit a vast superiority in 'Living The Dream'. congrats. must be nice.
Feb 13 2012 3:39AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,290
It has been decided. I am going to japan.
Feb 13 2012 4:03AM
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Pool.
Posts: 2820 - Karma: 662
i have skied one day of pow this season and i usually on average get 15-20 (fuck tahoe snow right now) this thread is just making me depressed
Feb 13 2012 4:12AM
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Deviate
Posts: 273 - Karma: 240

I went to Kiroro resort the other day, decent amount of snow there and very easy to access/find pow. Been a good season so far in Japan (Hokkaido)!
Feb 13 2012 4:56AM
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alexg1687
Posts: 1505 - Karma: 1,581
We were in Niseko until about 10 days ago. It was incredible. Check out our vid....


Feb 13 2012 6:03AM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412
Hey man, are you the guy I gave a ride down from Teine to the JR station back in December? I recognise the skis, pretty unique over here. Hope you're having a good season. Maybe see you up at Teine sometime!
Feb 13 2012 7:32AM
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Deviate
Posts: 273 - Karma: 240
It is I! Thanks for that. Season going well for you as well? Besides that little accident on that first trip to Teine I've been having a good time. :)
Feb 13 2012 8:58AM
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MitchPee
Posts: 8871 - Karma: 1,509
So the season has ended and I find myself back in the US. I wanted to share some of the best photos over this year with you guys. Japan has a special place in my heart and it is personally my favorite place to ski that I have been to yet. I hope you guys enjoy them and if you want to visit Japan PM me and I'll tell you the way to do it. We've hosted almost every major film company at our lodge and showed them the goods. Level 1, TGR, Matchstick, Nimbus, Two Plank, Field Productions, etc etc.

Japan's Famous Pillows
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Looking at lines into a a very active Tokachidake volcano
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Downtown Tokyo with Ski Gear
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Fun Jump
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Pillow Hopping
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Clayton Kernaghan Boostin at the ripe age of 38
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Clay Eating Pillows for Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, and Dinner
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Slashing
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Charging the Rocks
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Rob Turns the Sled
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Clayton on His Way to Death
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I have some more coming in that I will gladly share. I maintained a blog throughout winter while working at Black Diamond Lodge. http://www.skibumjapan.blogspot.com Also keep an eye out for a Black Diamond mini-movie that I'll be putting out.
Apr 27 2012 2:39PM
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