Possible to rent raceboards in Nagano? (Happo One, Hakuba)

[Helvetico]

Will be there for four days over New Year's. I'll haul my boots and plates over, but don't want to tote my board around. Will be staying close to the Happo One lift.

Any help is much appreciated.

[Flywalker]

No idea...

But l would be surprised if you can. l have a 173 Burton Factory Prime you can use if you like. l'm in Sapporo Japan but l can send it to you if you give me an address.

[kipstar]

I have a board and some bindings you are welcome to use if you are flying via Bangkok.

Then again, if you are doing that you might as well bring your own, but anyhow, it's there if you need it.

[Helvetico]

Thanks for the kind offers, guys, but I'll probably just rent the narrowest all-mountain board I can find and ride hardboots on it...if the rental shops let me.

[Flywalker]

l can tell you right now that they will never let you do that.

However... bring your own screw driver along with your boots and bindings and you'll be fine (^_-)

[Rob Stevens]

... outside the "snow-park".

I got on the real lift there using my "Terrible-mighty Gai-Jin" disguise, for two runs in 70 cm's fresh, before I had to "Go now".

Super sick snow and a good laugh.

The whole day was madness, with the riding experience the least interesting highlight. Drove to the mountain, somehow winding up in the motorcade of the crown Prince and Princess, and back to town in a mini-van / guided missile with an Italian driver, to attend the Rebagliati lynching.

Try Yakebitai-Yama (I think that's the spelling) for some "nearby" shredding. Alpine board rentals? I've never heard such a preposterous thing!

[Miltie]

Helvetico, Finding an alpine board for rental in Nagano will be difficult. Not much here in terms of rental. They do have some demo days but usually in March/April time fame.

The best way (as Flywalker suggested) would be to have someone here in Japan ship a board to your hotel (actually not so expensive internal to Japan). After you are finished, you could ship back (again not so expensive - maybe 2000 Yen or $25 US).

I might have something that could be shipped. Will be in the US during that time but could ship something before I leave. You could ship back from your hotel to my house in Nagoya before you leave Nagano.

What size board would you be looking for and what is your boot size? Would probably recommend something on the shorter side (160 to 165 cm range) as it will be crowded during that time of year.

Let me know and I can see what boards I have that might work. Shoot me an email through BOL.

Take care, Tom