Am off to japan in 3 weeks for a bit of boarding for 1 week n site seeing for 2, i dont have any of my own gear apart from the clothes of course. Was wondering if it worth buying all my gear over here (n ireland), and lugging it along with me, coz the exchange rate is proper poor at the moment for the pound.

Also wondered if you have to pay extra for luggage/board on domestic flights with skymark? as im flying from tokyo to sapporo. Gonna email them and look on there site now but thought i'd throw that q in incase anyone has a quick response for me

(edit: cant fint an email address, so any help would be greatly appreciated!)

Cheers blokes n lasseys

Hey JB, if you bring your gear with you, then you don't necessarilly need to cart on the plane up to Sapporo with you. At Narita you can Courier all your gear and usually its there for the next day (check with them 1st about the date obv) Its really cheap and convienient, when you clear customs just look out for the black cat sign or the pelican sign and they are the couriers. Its not like the Postal service or DHL etc in the UK, these guys are good and won't lose your stuff!!

I am bringing my own gear (I fear that I might be short on clothes) I brought my first board and boots during the pre-season sales (where they get rid of last years stuff) and I worked out that if I use my board and boots on 3 trips I would of paid the same amount in retail costs

(my trip in December will be my 3rd this year )

yah, 3 trips should 'pay' for boots and board; am doing the same.

Cool, its starting to sound like a better idea just to buy, thanks for replies, esp Tubby Baver, the courier thing sounds very handy!

Going on another trip in feb too to austria so i guess it would be worth while in long run just to buy. First time buyer tho, hard to choose what to get! the burton custom boards look n sound like a good show. Nippy on the price tho

They do wide boards for "big feet", whats classed as big feet? my stompers are size 11. Am 6ft also, anyone who wants to spec me up can if they like but i'll go and do some research now!

Cheers again

anything over a US 10 (which you are) then you'd be better with a wide board and large bindings.