Poster: A snowHead
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As per the subject line......
I'm out Sun I think with a mixed group though will be looking at guiding options mid week onwards.
Just been reading about all the "rules" and does grate against what I'm used to!*
I need convincing I think!
*I was warned by a mate that I might have problems getting my head around things
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Don't duck ropes
Very simple really
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Mike Pow, what the feck are ropes!
That's what I'm on about. Feckin restrictions that I'm not used to!
Are they to control drunken Auusies?
Surely I can go down the road and skin up something I like the looks of?!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I'm out to furano Hokkaido.flight is on Saturday 10-50 from LHR. I will get a guide for a day or two and will be skiing mainly off piste bit of skinning to get the goods and will be ducking the ropes at some stage the worst that can happen is they will take your lift pass away
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Arriving in Niseko Friday evening for 6 nights then road trip to Kiroro and Furano.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Weathercam, within the resort boundary there are some ropes.
Don't duck them.
If you do and get caught the authorities might get a little stroppy.
There are also many Gates that lead to out-of-resort controlled areas.
Go out of them and re-enter lower down.
There is one very dangerous and STRICTLY OFF LIMITS area that is clearly marked on the resort maps, and has clear warning signs.
Do Not Go There!
If you do the authorities will get VERY stroppy.
Drive down the road, walk down the road, and find something that looks nice...skin up.
You are able to do that, other people do.
You are in Japan.
Respect their rules and laws, just as you would expect a Japanese visitor to Serre Chavalier to respect yours.
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I spent 6 weeks there and used loads of gates and ducked a fair amount of ropes. Even asked one of the ski patrols if we could go under one and he said yes but be careful and make sure we had probes etc.
My advice is get some guided days in and if your at gran hifaru hike the peak nice an early for the fresh pow.
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Bit of wine talking last night after a long wet n'windy drive up to the tunnel and then equally wet n'windy drive back to South Coast.
Was looking at various guiding Co's last night and will send a few emails later today after I've had a chat to a couple in our group suggesting the weaker skier maybe should have a few days lessons etc
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I think I remember reading that the only recorded fatal avalanches in Niseko occurred either when people were skiing in the off limits area, or were skiing outside the backcountry gates when they were closed (i.e. ducking ropes). I'd say they are pretty conservative when it comes to opening the gates.
That said, I witnessed some small slips and cracks out gate 5 on a day when the gate didn't open till mid morning. It felt pretty dicey, but the gate was open and people were piling in everywhere in the powder rush (self included ). I'm sure you don't need a lesson in backcountry safety, but it's very easy to get carried away in Niseko in particular as everyone is there for the powder and people start taking daft risks.
TLDR - don't duck ropes unless you really, really know what you're doing, and are prepared for a dressing down.
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@Weathercam, if some of your group need lessons in Niseko can I pimp you my daughter (a.k.a The Lass, a very experienced instructor) who is working there this season?
PM me if you like...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Use gates to access the off piste and don’t duck the ropes - you really don’t have to. If it’s roped off and no gates it’s either protected, sacred, dangerous or all of the above.
Don’t eat the sea urchin testicles.
Japan is different. Embrace the change; don’t hate it 🤘
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