Which Board To Niseko???

Hey All
I am in the process of packing to go to Niseko next week and was planning on taking two boards and bindings but when everything is packed and weighed, it is smack bang on 22kg. I checked JAL website and it says that you’re allowed 23kg but I don’t trust the scales at the airport and like to have a weight buffer. I am going to have a re-pack and stuff some gear into carry on but if I can’t get it to or below 20 I will have to consider taking just one board. So…. my question is do I take my new Ride Machete or my new GNU Park Pickle. I won’t be riding the park in Niseko, can do that here, will be in the trees and looking for the pow. Both boards apparently go well in powder as they are rockered. What are your thoughts.

I wouldn’t stress too much about weight, my board bag came in at 26kg on the way to Canada. They didn’t say anything, it was the only check-in bag I took though.

I cant give you much advice coz I’ve never ridden Japan, but it might help other people suggest a board if they knew the length of the boards, and your height/weight.

clax - 05 February 2012 01:29 AM

. . . I won’t be riding the park in Niseko, can do that here, will be in the trees and looking for the pow. . .

Hey mate, just be aware that there’s no 100% guarantee of scoring pow in Japan. It’s likely, but not definite. Take a pow board and a park/allrounder board.

just take the machete,

its pretty much a do it all board, my best mate rides one and it easily handles park, pow and everything in between

chucky - 05 February 2012 02:06 AM

clax - 05 February 2012 01:29 AM

. . . I won’t be riding the park in Niseko, can do that here, will be in the trees and looking for the pow. . .

Hey mate, just be aware that there’s no 100% guarantee of scoring pow in Japan. It’s likely, but not definite. Take a pow board and a park/allrounder board.

Agree. Pack smarter - take both.

Agree with the others - try to take both. Be sneaky if you have to. Pack as much stuff into your hand luggage (or even a jacket you’re wearing) as possible. Stash it in front of the counter so they don’t see it or weigh it. When I went to Japan, I carried on three bags coming home (just didn’t show it to them at the check-in). Regardless, they aren’t going to give you a hard time over 1kg.

Koper - 05 February 2012 01:46 AM

I wouldn’t stress too much about weight, my board bag came in at 26kg on the way to Canada. They didn’t say anything, it was the only check-in bag I took though.

I cant give you much advice coz I’ve never ridden Japan, but it might help other people suggest a board if they knew the length of the boards, and your height/weight.

Both 158/159, I’m 6’ & 87kg

Either board would serve you well but personally I think I would take the Park Pickle. Chances are you will get pow and the Pickle would go better in the deep stuff. It’s not like you couldn’t ride that board all over the mountain. It will be fun to ride everywhere. Not to mention it’s your new board - take it shredding and enjoy it!

Thanks for the replies. I should be right to take both boards. Have put boots and jacket in carry on. I just don’t trust the airport check in, have been stung before and that was only taking one board. I now have a roller bag, hence why taking two boards and new way of packing.
.
The JAL staff in Japan are really good, it is usually the surly Qantas staff that work the JAL counter in Sydney that is the problem. I do like the idea of loading up between check in and drop off of over size luggage. Also the JAL website says 23kg but Sydney airports says check with your airline but baggage over 20kg may incur a fee. I should be right, as I said, I have been stung beforehand and I am trying to avoid any extra costs as this beer $$$$ down the drain.

yep I packed stuff in my board bag after it had been weighed at check-in and before it went to oversize. Also, you can subtley use your leg to take a bit of weight off the bag when they weigh it!

hmm every time i’ve went on airplane snowboarding trip ......100% of the time I’ve been checked for weight at the oversized drop off area
however i think the weight check at drop off is to make sure your under 30kg for OHS reason rather than the airline itself

this said i wouldn’t risk being too over zealous with over stuffing

also if i recall correctly, Sapporo airport (with JAL) they just take it then and there…no special drop off for oversize

humdingaling - 06 February 2012 12:45 AM

hmm every time i’ve went on airplane snowboarding trip ......100% of the time I’ve been checked for weight at the oversized drop off area
however i think the weight check at drop off is to make sure your under 30kg for OHS reason rather than the airline itself

this said i wouldn’t risk being too over zealous with over stuffing

also if i recall correctly, Sapporo airport (with JAL) they just take it then and there…no special drop off for oversize

Your right with this one. I think that last year they weighed again at oversize but I don’t think they checked it against anything. But we had to pay $150 excess baggage before they would hand over our boarding passes. At Sapporo and most othe airports in US and Canada they just take it all at check in. I know now that a lot of the US internal flights have a 1 bag check in policy so when you go over its OK because usually everything is checked right through but on the way back you get slugged with an extra bag fee if you don’t have a wheelie bag.

not if you fly Southwest, i had 2 checked bags on all internal US flights. they only weighed my bag once (at reno) and all i did was carry on my boots.
Also my board bag was 166 long, the limit was 160 maybe? they never checked, even though it has 166 written in massive letters on the side…

I just came back from Hakuba and only took a Park Pickle (156). Board did great in pow with the stance set back.. it’s no fish, so keeping your speed up anything over knee deep isn’t easy (although this probably more due to my ability) but floats really well, is playful when you want it to be, and did great around the whole mountain, even on the groomers. If you can only take one, go the Pickle… and as the others said, pack smarter!

I took a fair bit and my board bag only came to 19kg fully packed (including a 17” laptop!).. I had a big ass carry on backpack though, it probably weighed close to 15kg’s. Basically anything that was small and heavy went in the carry on, everything else that was lighter but bulky (hoodies, etc) went in the checked.

Got it all sorted and bags are packed and ready to go. 21kgs including wheelie bag, 2 boards, 2 sets of bindings, and everything else. Boots in carrying on along with iPad, camera etc… My wife has put me to shame. She has 17kg including skis and suitcase.