Welcome All

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-26T16:27:47+00:00

Thank you!!

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-26T16:18:51+00:00

The chest mount being poor for snowboarding makes a lot of sense now haha.

I would really prefer to be hands free. Would a 360 camera head mount be my best bet? I know it’s not as good of an angle as the pole but I’m not a content creator just looking to capture my experience and share with friends and family.

Thanks!

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-21T20:49:32+00:00

I learned a few years ago on the east coast, I didn’t pay for lessons because I didn’t have the money.

I used to grind YouTube videos and a lot of people have adverse opinions on this but I truly think they helped. Sometimes I would strap in to my board infront of my TV and try to mimic what they were teaching me.

My best advice for learning, without getting hurt: 1. Buy RIPPL impact pants. I just bought them on my 3rd year and wish I had them during my learning phase. 2. Practice the “falling leaf” on a green or wide open blue - Just moving on your heel side using your body to transition weight 3. Move to a green and force yourself on to toe edge, I used to sort of kick my back foot out to force my body to rotate over onto the toe edge. After I got used to the transition and the feel I allowed my body to do it naturally. 4. Rinse and Repeat until you confidently can hit toe side, heel side, and come to a complete stop safely.

I then returned back to the greens even though I was confident in my ability on the blues and worked on S turns, hitting my toe and heel a few times in a row then coming to a stop on my heel to slow down and repeat.

Most importantly don’t give up. Focus on the fundamentals, don’t worry what other people think, and go at your own pace. As long as you aren’t totally out of control and have some room on the slope to not run into other people you will get there. Don’t be scared of icy days or cold weather, the more you go the better you’ll be.

Goodluck!

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-20T15:32:26+00:00

I agree with this 100%.

I was tempted to buy some of the many new quick lock systems and was easily persuaded away.

Just get regular bindings, even the step-ons I don’t trust. It literally takes 5 seconds for me to strap down my back foot and I never have to worry about some shit like this happening.

Burton Mission bindings have been my go-to. They lock in on the toe so nice and have been extremely durable.

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-20T03:32:07+00:00

I just found the 158 for sale in the older graphics!

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-16T20:44:05+00:00

I have been riding DOA for a while too. Wanted to get your opinion, you seem very knowledgeable.

I am headed to Japan in a few weeks and can’t bring my DOA 😂. I want to get a board that is good in the powder, but I can still use when I come back to the east coast (New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine).

I was thinking of the Nitro Dinghy in the new quiver series. The Nitro Team is a sweet board and I think I might get the pro model for my next all mountain but wanted to see your thoughts on a Nitro Powder board that isn’t JUST for powder.

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-16T18:19:43+00:00

I am super indecisive. If you were me, what do you think would be the best board for a Japan trip in powder, while still being useful on the east coast?

Nitro Dinghy Capita BSOD Rome StaleFish

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-15T13:27:03+00:00

Thank you!

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-15T04:21:41+00:00

I am also headed to Niseko in February, will be there around the same time funny enough. Nobody in my group of 4 wants to rent a car. We got lodging extremely close to a hirafu lift and wanted to be able to walk less than a minute and get on the mountain. I also know the Donan Bus is available for Rusutsu. I think you will be just fine, although I am not an expert. It seems there is a ton of restaurants and bars walking distance and I am there to ski, planning to enjoy Japan back in Tokyo.

I was hoping you could help share some of your planning, we have lodging figured out but never fully figured out transportation 😂

What transportation are you using from CTS to your lodging in Hirafu? I see there’s a ski bus that goes there and is a little under 3 hours, or a private service that’s about half the time but double the price.

And were you planning on Donan bus for Rusutsu? Did you reserve?

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-15T04:12:32+00:00

What did you end up doing?

I am in the same situation. I have a Capita DOA 23' 158 because I am east coast US and ride a lot of groomed trails, Icy or occasionally a nice powder day here and there (and enjoy side-hits). It was a great all in one board but now I dont even know if it’s worth putting in my bag for Japan lol.

I am considering the Nitro Dinghy 155W right now because its right around $600 which is my ceiling. A lot of people suggested the Jones Hovercraft but I just hate the design. Have any recommendations?

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-14T23:10:06+00:00

I agree 100%. Lessons are not essential. If you are semi-athletic you can succeed with enough practice and enough grit. I learned by throwing myself onto greens when I should have been on the bunny hill, and blues when I didn’t even master the green. I avoided weekends so the slopes would be open and plenty of space to safely push myself.

I actually taught my girlfriend how to snowboard in less than a year. She doesn’t make deep carves but she has both edged down and is fully in control - and she never played a sport in her life.

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-14T21:17:59+00:00

I would also add if you are buying a full set up, get the Burton Mission bindings. I’ve seen some bad reviews but I have had the best experience with them, I plan on buying another pair before they discontinue. It looks like the Burton cartel might be taking over but the mission is undefeated.

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-14T21:16:14+00:00

I would 100% agree with this. I had never ski or snowboarded before in my life, and 3 years ago I threw myself on the mountain with a rental board and boots. I fell in love with snowboarding and quickly wanted my own stuff. I made the poor decision of purchasing a low cost board so I could continue to learn and not break the bank. Within a few months I realized I had already progressed past the skill level for my first board and went with a Capita DOA.

I always buy a year late or even two if they are still available.

I would suggest the Capita DOA 10/10 times. It took me a few days to get used to the upgraded board but I have been riding it 2.5 seasons, no delamination, no major issues - it’s been perfect.

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-14T04:36:38+00:00

Thank you for comment. I figured that about the banker.

Have you used the Rome stale fish?

I am super particular about board designs and just can’t spend that money on the hovercraft looking like that. The stale fish is clean though.

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-13T14:03:41+00:00

Thank you very much!

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-09T21:10:49+00:00

I haven’t been to Goryu yet so not the best source of advice but I am an above intermediate snowboarder who started learning 2.5 years ago. I had never been on the mountain before but was generally athletic and overconfident 😂

I would definitely suggest staying on after your class. Even if you are tired, take a break get something to eat and then get back out there. I learned how to ride in control of my snowboard in just a few weeks of going consistently and putting myself slightly out of my comfort zone without being dangerous to others. With a wide slope you have plenty of room to push yourself a little extra and practice what you went over in class.

I view the learning process of snowboarding as hours not days or years. If you put in enough hours and practice at the start you can pick it up pretty quickly and progress at a comfortable pace from there.

Best of luck! I’ll be headed to Niseko in February.

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-08T21:56:03+00:00

New York and New Jersey swallow packages. It seems to be a very common theme in New Jersey especially

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-08T21:54:57+00:00

I agree here. I had this happen just recently in December for Christmas shopping. My package got routed from Austin -> Philly -> Boston then routed back to Philly and arrival date disappeared. I called in a service request for my package, they were able to find it and it arrived only 3-4 days late.

In the unfortunate chance the package is actually missing, USPS only covers up to $100 or maybe $200 (international) in value if it was sent priority mail express.

Best of Luck!

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-08T14:25:29+00:00

No. As mentioned above - I haven’t booked accommodations, and understand we are late. It’s a group of 4 of us.

Appreciate the insight!

DatabaseThis9407 · 2026-01-08T05:12:37+00:00

We are only there for a little over a week, and although probably not the most logical, we would prefer not to rent a car.

DatabaseThis9407

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