QUOTE(lh2705 @ Jan 5 2019, 11:00 AM)
Hi,
Cool thread. Good to know that there are other people who also enjoy the sport.
I'm an avid snowboarder, have been going to Japan about once or twice per season since 2015. Why Japan? Shortest/affordable flights, quality snow, food, costs are reasonable (compared to western resorts).
Just got back from Niseko in late Dec and will be in Hakuba from Feb 23 to Mar 4.
I agree it takes quite a bit of commitment to get into the sport as:
1. It's relatively intense on your body so you have to be somewhat fit (especially if you're doing a longer trip, >4 ski days)
2. We have to travel for snow
3. There's additional costs involved for proper gear/clothing
But I think the popularity is increasing, we even have an indoor dry slope now (in Klang Valley) -
http://firsttraxx.com/Anyway, happy to help/advise anyone who is interested in picking up the sport.
Awesome, good to see another boarder here.
Tried firstraxx, it's good for beginner skiers but it feels completely different on a board.
So responding to your points:
1) Yup fitness, especially legs, is essential. Recovery after first day used to take a couple of days, but I started doing the P90x plyo section 3 times a week for a month before going, and day after first was very bearable, recovery was really short. Nowadays it's a couple of weeks before going off, and it's a mix of a lot of lower body movement exercises.
2) Yup AA direct to CTS is optimal, although a night in Sapporo is necessary on the way back. Going thru Tokyo puts you in action central with food and sights and snowsports street (great to get asian-fit gear, cos Niseko is marked up, and while Kutchan is cheaper, it can't beat Tokyo esp for variety and stock). Going thru Tokyo also means a domestic flight, which is a pain if carrying a board bag.
3) Here's some hints, more for beginners:
- Decathlon here has their in-house Wed'ze brand which covers quite a bit for budget gear. Snow jackets, pants, base layers, goggles, helmets etc...
- The North Face/Columbia carry snow gear, but it's not cheap.
- Uniqlo heat tech for stocking up on base layers. Can't have enough.
- Asos can ship their in-house 4505 ski gear brand, as well as others like Burton, Quiksilver, adidas, Helly Hansen, Superdry, Volcom, Oakley etc mainly entry to midrange stuff. Free shipping over GBP20. Deliveries can be quick, or damn slow.
- Quiksilver/DC Shoes/Roxy joint sites can ship here from Australia for RM50 or so. Comprehensive list of snow gear. Reasonably quick delivery.
- Snowinn has a heck of a lot of stuff, their website ships from Europe and lists shipping via Poslaju on site for a reasonable amount. Slow Poslaju delivery.
- Mr Porter/Net-A-Porter for some high end stuff, but shipping is free for Mr and the tax is included. Mid-year for good snow sales. Super fast delivery.
If you have a US freight forwarder, then you can latch on to REI, Backcountry, Evo etc, their sales are quite reasonable if you catch them.
Stuff over RM500 gets a tax hit usually.
Other things to watch out for: sizing. Everyone has their own sizing and it's a pain. Snow jackets/pants usually wear slightly larger, but in many cases they're built for a tall and large caucasian frame, so when a website shows a 6'2" model fitting perfectly in a M, there's a strong possibility a regular asian guy who'd normally wear a M will have to size down to S.
Boots of any kind - try before you buy. And if you do commit and buy, your own boots will be a million times better than rental crap. Boots = first commitment step, and do it right, get them properly fitted, and you won't regret. Well, you may regret if you get ski boots then decide boarding is more your thing. But you'd be happy to not lug around 5kg of ski boots instead of super light board boots.
Remember, layers. Base layer, then mids, then outer. Base can and should be changed after each session - uniqlo heat tech is an affordable choice. Mids can be fleece or insulators, depending on conditions, and outer is usually a shell or insulated waterproof with skirts and gaiters. Mix and match, apply or remove depending on conditions.
Also remember - rent a helmet if you don't have one. You never know if you'd need it, but you'd be glad to have one when you do.
Gear is really important for snowsports. Your enjoyment and motivation will be a lot higher in comfortable, correct and well-fitted gear, and since rental is not cheap anywhere, it will only take 2-3 trips to pay back whatever you get. First day out for beginners is really tough, and I've seen people bundled up and struggling and overheating and frustrated in all sorts of incorrect gear, and others who are comfortable looking forward to the next day.
Stay safe on the hill.