JAPAN GRABS - Hakuba Blog 2013 / 2014
Hey everyone, my name is Marc and I’m a Canadian living in Japan. Follow me this winter as I snowboard in Hakuba and the surrounding area, in search of the best snow. I am a published photographer and will keep you updated with mag-worthy iphone shots (kidding!) and when stars align, some pov videos.
You’ll want to check in here over the course of the season to get the latest in snow conditions, tech talk and just good old snowboard stoke. I’d say keep an eye on cheap flights and be ready to book when the conditions line up, because things can get epic here pretty quickly!
So sit back for now, grab a cold beverage and let me bring you the latest in Japan Grabs!
- Marc
stay tuned…..
Happo One opens tomorrow.
it’s going to be powdery 
Awesome!
Welcome - looking forward to reading your blog.
“Powdery”!!!!! 
Welcome a board MarcD!!!!! 
Hey everybody,
Just want to start this blog off with a little introduction and some info about what’s going to be covered. First off, thanks Ozgirl and Mizu for welcoming me, or should I say, welcoming my true ID - as all the regulars on here know me as that loveable God of Gambling from the Simpsons 
So yes, my name really is Marc and this blog will follow my season here on the island of Honshu, Japan. I’m based in the prefecture of Toyama and besides riding the local resort 30 minutes from my house, I’ll be spending some quality shredding time in Nagano. My home away from home will be Happo One (pronounced o-nay, not 1) in Hakuba, and will be visiting some other resorts throughout the winter.
As we all know, not every day can be total radness and I hope to fill in the blanks with some equipment reviews and general nerding out on trivial tech found in snowboards, bindings, outerwear, you name it. A discussion is always better than a lecture, and I look forward to your thoughts, comments, questions, and of course, answers to any questions i might have!
So, Happo had their pre-opening today (but I had to work), so I am resigned to sloppy seconds tomorrow. However, as it’s cold and raining here, my fingers are crossed that there’ll be some fresh snow for me there tomorrow.
Let the season begin!!! woohoo!
Ah, getting ready for the first day of the year always takes me HOURS! First off, finding all the gear that I so carefully put away last spring in different spots is a challenge in itself. I realized I had lost a Burton AK jacket over the summer…until the wife remembered she had taken it to the in-law’s place to Nikwax it. Phew, first problem solved!
Next up is agonizing over whether there’s enough snow coverage to pull out the new board(s). There SHOULD be enough snow, but more often than not, a new board on the first day is sure to bring some mental anguish as I count the new gouges. Oddly enough, when I ride a rock board on the first day, it always comes through unscathed. Funny how that happens.
So, I’ve had a busy summer and the new boards this year are the following:
2014 Smokin Team 159 (with the new Thrasher rocker - think Lib’s C3)
2013 Smokin Superpark 159 CTX
2013 Burton Freebird 162 splitboard
and an honourable mention goes out to:
2013 163 Burton Juice Wagon (which I only rode once last spring). Can’t wait to try it in the pow pow.
The result of my three days of analyzing all the boards and the chances that they’ll get scratched up is the following ‘safe’ choice:
2008 160 Nitro Pantera (rock board, since I won it for 1 yen on the Japanese auctions lol) with the Smokin team to sit in the car. If I get bored near the end of the day and the runs seem ok, then the Team might get a chance. I’m dying to try this new Thrash rocker.
Has anyone tried it, or Lib Tech’s C3? Any thoughts?
Hahahaa, tricky Gamblor!!!!!
Lookin forward to hear/see/hopefully not smell (unless its local fare), your adventures!!!!!
I’m also keen to see what you think of C3 also, as I wasn’t a fan of C2!!!!!
Hm that reminds me I need to buy some Nikwax from Jezworld.
Yeah, Mizu, I’m not a fan of C2 either.
Mudhoney, good call on the nikwax - no need to buy new jackets anymore!
I’m really excited about this blog. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures.
I’m really excited about this blog. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures.
What she said!
^^^
Is this Gamblor? I can tell just from the quiver of boards haha.
Just checkin’ in from Happo…..man, I am exhausted….too much pow!!!
On my way to grab the new board from the car- no fear of hitting rocks with this much coverage!
Just checkin’ in from Happo…..man, I am exhausted….too much pow!!!
On my way to grab the new board from the car- no fear of hitting rocks with this much coverage!
Do we have a jealous smiley?? 
screen grab from today
