Skis for Japan

[Mike Pow]

If I had a Japow guide tell me that he skied on 177 cm, 84 mm waist skis at that height and weight......I'd promptly keep searching for a different guide based on the fact that we probably have different goals and styles.

That's cool.

In fairness, the guides at Hokkaido Backcountry Club's cat ski operation out of Shimamkai gave me the same disparaging look when I rocked up with my skis

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwMbvllFnkN/


Just make sure your 'guide' is a certified guide with local knowledge and experience and the skills to get you in and out of potentially dangerous terrain and conditions safely and not just a second-year previously employed ski instructor who just wants to get first tracks every run.

[Mike Pow]

Well, and not to dunk on Mike Pow at all cuz he seems legit and his advice upthread is actually very good…. But leaning back and taking the straightest line through low angle pow to maintain speed, which is what you see in the video, doesn’t look like reaching the highest potential of that snow condition. For me.

It's physics.

If you're my body weight skiing on groomed slopes where there is no resistance to the skis, boots, legs, waist and if you're very lucky chest from the snow then to manage the momentum from gravity's pull you either have to forcefully push the ski edges into the groomed slopes and skid turns to control your speed or shape the turn to completion with a blend of pivoting and edging skills.

If you're my body weight skiing on a narrow platform then you will sink below the snow surface in powder snow as light and as consistent as found on Hokkaido.

As light as the snow is it will still create resistance against the skier (me) to varying degrees depending on the depth of immersion/snow penetration which will negate the need for pronounced turn shapes to complete the turn.

What you've interpreted as

"leaning back and taking the straightest line through low angle pow to maintain speed, which is what you see in the video, doesn’t look like reaching the highest potential of that snow condition. For me."

is in fact me being tall, relaxed and centred over my skis with enough shape in the turn to maintain momentum and flow during the run maximising and embracing every flake

Perhaps the non-POV footage in this video will demonstrate this




This footage is from the Dolomites

The snow isn't as deep so perhaps you can see more of the turn shape

Skinny skis work in Italy too!

[Mustonen]

You’re doing great, Mike! I don’t have a problem with anything you’re doing or saying.

I was reading through this thread and recpro started saying some weird stuff without any context and I was just trying to clarify if folk actually meant you should size down for Japan.

Your style and vibe is similar to many ski instructors. Not my cup of tea, but happy to see you out enjoying the snow and helping others do the same.

I picked on your skiing not because I don’t think it’s good skiing, but because it LOOKS like you’re skiing deep snow on a smaller ski than I might choose. It’s great validation for “ski the ski you like and are comfortable with.” Not great validation for “ski short 84mm wide skis in Japan.”

[gaijin]

Look... bro... you and I got into this more than a decade ago and we got nowhere. I have since laid off asking you to try modern shapes. I've literally ignored you for more than a decade. You're stubborn. I get it. You've found your market, and I applaud it because you're enjoying yourself. And that's all legit, human, good shit. Keep it up.

But a bum knee with a brace might be just enough reason as to why you should learn (not just try) to ride a modern powder ski.

/over-and-out. Carry on doing what you're doing. Just make sure that everyone who is booking their trips to Hokkaido, spending their cash for their bucket list trip knows who they're hiring.

[Mike Pow]

You’re doing great, Mike! I don’t have a problem with anything you’re doing or saying.

I was reading through this thread and recpro started saying some weird stuff without any context and I was just trying to clarify if folk actually meant you should size down for Japan.

Your style and vibe is similar to many ski instructors. Not my cup of tea, but happy to see you out enjoying the snow and helping others do the same.

I picked on your skiing not because I don’t think it’s good skiing, but because it LOOKS like you’re skiing deep snow on a smaller ski than I might choose. It’s great validation for “ski the ski you like and are comfortable with.” Not great validation for “ski short 84mm wide skis in Japan.”

100%

Although I would give a narrower platform than you're used to a whirl on Hokkaido

You may find you like the experience better

Or not

[LeeLau]

He traveled Japan with his tamagotchi pet. And also I believe the man has smoked some weed.

Try to keep up, plz.

A metric ass ton of weed. Luv ya Al

[LeeLau]

Good/excellent discussion between MikePow, Gaijin, Mustonen. Even polite! Very unTGR.

Shows different strokes for different folks

[Mike Pow]

Look... bro... you and I got into this more than a decade ago and we got nowhere. I have since laid off asking you to try modern shapes. I've literally ignored you for more than a decade. You're stubborn. I get it. You've found your market, and I applaud it because you're enjoying yourself. And that's all legit, human, good shit. Keep it up.

But a bum knee with a brace might be just enough reason as to why you should learn (not just try) to ride a modern powder ski.

/over-and-out. Carry on doing what you're doing. Just make sure that everyone who is booking their trips to Hokkaido, spending their cash for their bucket list trip knows who they're hiring.

That's absolutely hilarious. Good to see you haven't changed.

You obviously chose not to read what I wrote in reply to your thinly veiled dig at my opinions and thoughts on skiing and skis for Hokkaido.

We have different opinions. I get it. I got it a decade ago.

I'm not trying to convince you or anyone else that 'my way' is the only way. That's your department.

I've tried modern skis and modern shapes. I enjoyed them. It was a fun, easier ride, much easier, but it's not the feeling I'm looking for. You knew that then. You know it now.

I am genuinely curious as to what one needs to 'learn' about a modern powder ski as opposed to trying it on demo though.

If I was looking for a different experience and outcome I'd absolutely be on a different ski. I'm not sponsored. I've got no dog in the game. Who the fuck would pay me to pimp their skis when you can't see what the hell I'm skiing on 95% of the time?

We ski in different places, in different ways, and we want different outcomes from our time on snow.

I've recommended modern skis and modern shapes to my students and forum members alike. They've enjoyed them and thanked me.

None of my students ski on the platform I'm on.

One or two ski a similar shape but in a wider platform with the latest technology. The rest ski the latest modern skis with the latest modern technology you can get from the various Niseko hire shops best suited to their ability and the outcomes they're trying to achieve. They're not my acolytes

Powder skis were invented as a crutch to maximise recreational skiers' time and enjoyment whilst heliskiing.

Those initial 'fence posts' have evolved to very sophisticated tools with which to enjoy the whole mountain and without them skiing would be dying on its arse. More power / powder to them!

I've interpreted the requests on this thread from those who intend to ski on Hokkaido as :

This is what I normally ski on where I normally ski, will it be suitable for Hokkaido?

Do I need something longer and/or wider? Do I need a different type of ski (e.g. full rocker) to make the most of the conditions and the investment I'm making in leaving my regular patch to travel half way round the world?

The easiest thing in the world would be to say bring/buy/hire the biggest, most modern powder ski you can find and have at it.

But as I wrote in my previous reply my honest take is if you're looking to experience the full wonder of Hokkaido powder I would posit that being 'in it' as well as 'on it' is key.

Pros can literally ski with two doors below their feet and still get 'in it'. If you're that person fan-fucking-tastic.

For mere mortals, who can already ski powder but who don't ski at 'Mach 1' and who can't flip their skis sideways and ride through the powder explosion then maybe, just maybe they might want to consider skiing on a modern ski with modern technology that's a little bit narrower than they're used to which will keep them 'on the snow' when conditions are mixed and funky (i.e. what they're used to) and also allow them to be 'in the snow' in what is normal low-density Hokkaido powder snow.

There are plenty of skis out there which will enable you to have the best of both worlds.

As to your overt and obnoxious end to your reply questioning my professional capabilities you've let yourself down there and made yourself look like a dick.

[shank]

For mere mortals, who can already ski powder but who don't ski at 'Mach 1' and who can't flip their skis sideways and ride through the powder explosion then maybe, just maybe they might want to consider skiing on a modern ski with modern technology that's a little bit narrower than they're used to which will keep them 'on the snow' when conditions are mixed and funky (i.e. what they're used to) and also allow them to be 'in the snow' in what is normal low-density Hokkaido powder snow.

Don’t want to get in the middle of beef w/ gaijin but… your central thesis here seems to be that beaters should ski beater boards in Japan. That’s fine. If you’re reading this thread and you spend your snow time making PSIA turns on a system binding, vaya con dios. SkiTalk is right over there ->

Re: “in it” vs “on it”… I could give a fuck about the snow tickling my dick, I’m skiing japow for a feeling in my feet that I can’t get that bottom feeding on center mounted park skis. Try reframing to “against it” vs “with it” - and I think most mags rocking up in this thread are looking for advice on gear for a Japan trip that lets them flow with it, surf and slarve. Not perfect their dolphin turn.

[gaijin]

/sigh... It's getting quite painful.

Quoting for posterity--

That's absolutely hilarious. Good to see you haven't changed.

You obviously chose not to read what I wrote in reply to your thinly veiled dig at my opinions and thoughts on skiing and skis for Hokkaido.

We have different opinions. I get it. I got it a decade ago.

I'm not trying to convince you or anyone else that 'my way' is the only way. That's your department.

I've tried modern skis and modern shapes. I enjoyed them. It was a fun, easier ride, much easier, but it's not the feeling I'm looking for. You knew that then. You know it now.

I am genuinely curious as to what one needs to 'learn' about a modern powder ski as opposed to trying it on demo though.

If I was looking for a different experience and outcome I'd absolutely be on a different ski. I'm not sponsored. I've got no dog in the game. Who the fuck would pay me to pimp their skis when you can't see what the hell I'm skiing on 95% of the time?

We ski in different places, in different ways, and we want different outcomes from our time on snow.

I've recommended modern skis and modern shapes to my students and forum members alike. They've enjoyed them and thanked me.

None of my students ski on the platform I'm on.

One or two ski a similar shape but in a wider platform with the latest technology. The rest ski the latest modern skis with the latest modern technology you can get from the various Niseko hire shops best suited to their ability and the outcomes they're trying to achieve. They're not my acolytes

Powder skis were invented as a crutch to maximise recreational skiers' time and enjoyment whilst heliskiing.

Those initial 'fence posts' have evolved to very sophisticated tools with which to enjoy the whole mountain and without them skiing would be dying on its arse. More power / powder to them!

I've interpreted the requests on this thread from those who intend to ski on Hokkaido as :

This is what I normally ski on where I normally ski, will it be suitable for Hokkaido?

Do I need something longer and/or wider? Do I need a different type of ski (e.g. full rocker) to make the most of the conditions and the investment I'm making in leaving my regular patch to travel half way round the world?

The easiest thing in the world would be to say bring/buy/hire the biggest, most modern powder ski you can find and have at it.

But as I wrote in my previous reply my honest take is if you're looking to experience the full wonder of Hokkaido powder I would posit that being 'in it' as well as 'on it' is key.

Pros can literally ski with two doors below their feet and still get 'in it'. If you're that person fan-fucking-tastic.

For mere mortals, who can already ski powder but who don't ski at 'Mach 1' and who can't flip their skis sideways and ride through the powder explosion then maybe, just maybe they might want to consider skiing on a modern ski with modern technology that's a little bit narrower than they're used to which will keep them 'on the snow' when conditions are mixed and funky (i.e. what they're used to) and also allow them to be 'in the snow' in what is normal low-density Hokkaido powder snow.

There are plenty of skis out there which will enable you to have the best of both worlds.

As to your overt and obnoxious end to your reply questioning my professional capabilities you've let yourself down there and made yourself look like a dick.

I can assure you that at least half of my posts on TGR will make me look like a dick. Everyone knows I'm a dick. That's kind of my game around here. Most understand that it's textual comedy. It's TGR. We're just throwing feces around here. It's funny, or it hurts. That's just kind of the nature of this format.

But I also assure you that my post to you, about you finding your niche in Hokkaido, being happy, and that the world should know who they're hiring as a guide, was not me being a dick. That was me being polite. I'm legit stoked for you finding your business model and capitalizing on it.

[Mustonen]

Good/excellent discussion between MikePow, Gaijin, Mustonen. Even polite! Very unTGR.

Shows different strokes for different folks

You had to go and say something, eh?

[gaijin]

You had to go and say something, eh?

I was gonna tell Lee to shut his WhoreMouth and go back to WhoreIsland.

But then Mike decided to graffiti our wall with his text about how he thinks this is all real.

Very unTGR.

[Mustonen]

I was gonna tell him to eat a bag of dicks. But then I had to go to work and pretend to be an adult.

[half-fast]

I didn’t find the trees where I skied (Rusutsu, Niseko) to be tight compared to east coast trees

[Mike Pow]

Don’t want to get in the middle of beef w/ gaijin but… your central thesis here seems to be that beaters should ski beater boards in Japan. That’s fine. If you’re reading this thread and you spend your snow time making PSIA turns on a system binding, vaya con dios. SkiTalk is right over there ->

Re: “in it” vs “on it”… I could give a fuck about the snow tickling my dick, I’m skiing japow for a feeling in my feet that I can’t get that bottom feeding on center mounted park skis. Try reframing to “against it” vs “with it” - and I think most mags rocking up in this thread are looking for advice on gear for a Japan trip that lets them flow with it, surf and slarve. Not perfect their dolphin turn.

Absolutely not.

My 'central thesis' which I've tried - and obviously failed - to explain on more than one occasion is choose the skis which are going to give YOU the greatest enjoyment.

Dedicated powder skis will give what you call 'beaters' a leg up in the powder AND they'll allow very good skiers to go balls to the wall, slarve, surf and jump off shit. Both things can be true at the same time.

You've described what you are looking for on a trip to Japan and that's why it would be fruitless to suggest anything that will take you away from what you want.

Others on this thread might be undecided or curious to try something different.

That's why TGR and the the like are called forums not soap boxes.

And am I correct in thinking that by your classification I'm 'with it' in terms of my relationship with the powder?

[Mike Pow]

/sigh... It's getting quite painful.

Quoting for posterity--



I can assure you that at least half of my posts on TGR will make me look like a dick. Everyone knows I'm a dick. That's kind of my game around here. Most understand that it's textual comedy. It's TGR. We're just throwing feces around here. It's funny, or it hurts. That's just kind of the nature of this format.

But I also assure you that my post to you, about you finding your niche in Hokkaido, being happy, and that the world should know who they're hiring as a guide, was not me being a dick. That was me being polite. I'm legit stoked for you finding your business model and capitalizing on it.

Thanks for clarifying, my misunderstanding.

My apologies.

[LeeLau]

You had to go and say something, eh?

Sigh. Well can't hurt for trying. I mean... I'm even semi polite in the BTC thread

[Mike Pow]

I didn’t find the trees where I skied (Rusutsu, Niseko) to be tight compared to east coast trees

No they can be very similar

[SUPERIOR]

I can’t believe I wasted five minutes reading all of these arguments about skinny vs fat skis in powder.

I mean…

[muted reborn]

I get the impression that the super narrow trees I saw untracked in Japan days after a storm are what Mike and his skis can navigate and shred. To me those are trees I'd avoid skiing anywhere in the world as I'd rather ski cut up pow, groomers, moguls, etc. after the pow is tracked in all the nearby "wide" tree skiing, than ski that narrow of a line. But that's me and a choice mainly made by my skis, I def can't ski those trees on my 118's even if I wanted to. So I do see why a 105 would be nice over there, you'd get into more little pockets here and there.

[XXX-er]

I didn’t find the trees where I skied (Rusutsu, Niseko) to be tight compared to east coast trees

Yup same ^^ I'm used to ridiculously tight Balsam stands, I've never skied deciduous before but I found it was all pretty open and bamboo tops were way easier than willow

and the shorter 120's ( I own both) can be slarved anywhere but YMMV eh

I think this would be a perfect app for Rax

[shank]

I think this would be a perfect app for Rax

FKNA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zion zig zag]

I get the impression that the super narrow trees I saw untracked in Japan days after a storm are what Mike and his skis can navigate and shred. To me those are trees I'd avoid skiing anywhere in the world as I'd rather ski cut up pow, groomers, moguls, etc. after the pow is tracked in all the nearby "wide" tree skiing, than ski that narrow of a line. But that's me and a choice mainly made by my skis, I def can't ski those trees on my 118's even if I wanted to. So I do see why a 105 would be nice over there, you'd get into more little pockets here and there.

Agreed. The videos he posted look like the area between Needles and Strawberry at the bottom third of the mountain. Low angle choked with scrub/Gamble oak.

[Buzzworthy]

All of you dumb bastards are completely wrong anyway.

You want a snowboard for Japan.

[m2711c]

them trees seemed pretty well spaced to me… lot thinner than upstates woods. plenty ‘o room to turn a pair of 196.















and them 120 waisted skis went deep enough for my needs… pretty sure i was in that shit.







fact.