Skiing and snowboarding - calling Singapore's powder junkies

[PowderRangers]

Hi All,
I just started up my own ski tour operator business based in BC, Canada, home to some of the World's finest powder playgrounds. I'm trying to reach out to the Singaporean market and wanted to know if there are any clubs/societies/groups bringing together skiers and snowboarders in Singapore.
Also, I hear that Snow City is a new(ish) indoor snow arena that offers lessons from Canadian qualified instructors. Does anyone use the facility? Do you know if there is a store or kiosk counter or noticeboard where I could leave some promotional flyers?
If any of you ever plan a trip to BC, Canada, do please give me a shout. I would be happy to welcome you!

[mrmartins]

Wow didn't know about Snow City. Their website isn't too great either, does anyone use this facility for actual Snowboarding or Ski-ing? Interested to know how long the slope is, what is the uplift method, and the best times to go to avoid all the sledgers?

[Lizat80]

Hi,

I just moved here from the US and would LOVE to go snowboarding somewhere...it's too hot here! I didn't bring my gear, but I would rent everything. I'd say I'm intermediate (at least by US West Coast standards), but it's been a couple years since I've gone and have never been snowboarding out in this part of the world. I think it would be awesome to take a long weekend off work and go! I realize this forum was opened a long time ago, but if anyone is still up for planning trips, count me in!

[Peruvia]

Hi All,
I just started up my own ski tour operator business based in BC, Canada, home to some of the World's finest powder playgrounds. I'm trying to reach out to the Singaporean market and wanted to know if there are any clubs/societies/groups bringing together skiers and snowboarders in Singapore.
Also, I hear that Snow City is a new(ish) indoor snow arena that offers lessons from Canadian qualified instructors. Does anyone use the facility? Do you know if there is a store or kiosk counter or noticeboard where I could leave some promotional flyers?
If any of you ever plan a trip to BC, Canada, do please give me a shout. I would be happy to welcome you!

Wow didn't know about Snow City. Their website isn't too great either, does anyone use this facility for actual Snowboarding or Ski-ing? Interested to know how long the slope is, what is the uplift method, and the best times to go to avoid all the sledgers?

Hi there, Snow City has been around for years but you will be disappointed if you are a skier/ boarder.

It's more of a place for kids (or adults, course) who've never encountered snow. It's a very small place, so don't think about long slopes & ski lifts & all. That place is more ice than snow though, so don't think of making snowmen & balls. It'll probably take you 8-15 seconds to get from the top to the bottom on skis. Method up? Climb. Like 50 steps or so. The place has a stale stench, probably caused by the rental gear soaked with water from melted snow+sweat over time. Rented gear will be yucky, be warned.

No photography is allowed inside, but there will be photographers snapping your pics away & later sell the pictures to you at a crazy price.

Not a place skiers/ boarders will visit (more local families) and most people who visit that place mostly leave upset, so not sure if dropping off flyers there will be of marketing value.

And to answer the question about ski clubs - not that i know off. Maybe the enthusiasts here could start something off. I buy my ski gear from a shop here in Singapore that sells camping stuff, not a shop that sells ski gear specially - but they do carry Black Diamond stuff though.

Feel free to buzz if you need any further information! =)

[doogs]

have you guys seen www.skisafari.com ?, the trips to Japan could be of interest,
you get to ski 3 or 4 different resorts and spend a couple of days in a city. isn't particularly cheap but looks like good fun.

[Pyromancer]

Hey Peruvia,

I was just wondering, but could you let me know where you buy your Ski gear in Singapore? And do you know if they sell Snowboarding stuff as well?

Thanks!

[Snowman1977]

Hey everyone.

I'm currently planning a trip to Japan for the start of March. the pow is supposed to be unreal and a friend of mine is working in a chalet over there. I've had a quick look and flights are not too expensive. If anyone else is interested let me know.

I'm from the UK, snowboarder and have a done a few seasons in France and the US.

The link is where my friend is working, i may be able to get some discount.

http://bluedragonhakuba.com/

Cheers,
James.

[PhantomX]

Hey Peruvia,

I was just wondering, but could you let me know where you buy your Ski gear in Singapore? And do you know if they sell Snowboarding stuff as well?

Thanks!

Wondering why you would want to buy ski gear in Singapore when storage of the stuff is a problem given the hot and tropical weather here? The wax at the bottom of your skis/boards will just melt away and the ski and snow boards will warp. You would have to store them in a cool and temperate place with humidity control. Most who want to ski travelling out of Singapore will either get rental skis where they are going or drop by Europe/US to pick a pair up where they will buy much cheaper with a better range given the critical mass of skiiers there. If they did buy there they would usually store it there with friends, relatives or their own lodgings if they live there. Buying in Sing is expensive impractical and risky. Anyway most good rental ski places will stock current model skis which would generally outperform your own which would have invariably been bought sometime back, which is another reason to avoid buying. Not unless you feel like ,geting a legacy pair to pass on to whoever. But then they may not want to inherit it either...

[Snowman1977]

I hate to come on here and contradict what has been said but some of that buying advice is a load of rubbish!!

1st unless you are planning on keeping you skis/snowboard outside in the sun then you will have no problem storing them in Singapore. I have never heard of a wax that melts at anywhere near the 30 to 35 degrees we get here. More like 80!! Also the wood/composite material that the board will be made from will not warp at this temperature.

2nd the idea of renting equipment is great if you love throwing away money!! To rent skis/board that are of a standard that you would buy will be very expensive. I would say that for 3 weeks rental would be the cost of buying a snowboard. If you buy decent equipment and use it for say 3 seasons you will still be able to sell this for a reasonable return at the end of that period. Therefore being better value.

My advice would be to buy from the USA, prices there are good and if you are not in a rush for a board then the postage isn't too bad. If not try ebay.

Cheers.

[PhantomX]

I hate to come on here and contradict what has been said but some of that buying advice is a load of rubbish!!

1st unless you are planning on keeping you skis/snowboard outside in the sun then you will have no problem storing them in Singapore. I have never heard of a wax that melts at anywhere near the 30 to 35 degrees we get here. More like 80!! Also the wood/composite material that the board will be made from will not warp at this temperature.

2nd the idea of renting equipment is great if you love throwing away money!! To rent skis/board that are of a standard that you would buy will be very expensive. I would say that for 3 weeks rental would be the cost of buying a snowboard. If you buy decent equipment and use it for say 3 seasons you will still be able to sell this for a reasonable return at the end of that period. Therefore being better value.

My advice would be to buy from the USA, prices there are good and if you are not in a rush for a board then the postage isn't too bad. If not try ebay.

Cheers.

U r quite right if looking at short term storage
But longer term, ie 5/6 years I think u would have the problem that I referred to.

[jezzadazzler]

not too sure. but i just came back from the slopes at hakuba. great place. 3rd season now. snowed a lot last weekend. i missed it all as i was there the week prior. stayed at Yamano Hotel Hakuba.

Conditions at Hakuba have never let me down. was a bit icy as the previous weeks had too much rain and temperatures scaled up to 6deg and then dropping over night once more.

finally got myself a beginner board, bindings and bag.

if u are regular, i suggest buying ur own euqipment. for clothing, i have bought most of my snow bound clothing at backcountry.com and have it proxy shipped. these stuff last a while.

Anyway, it costs around 98/3day to rent board/bindings/boots.
I got my setup for around 400sgd board binding boots bag.
Wax kits, hot d iron and tools cost another $100.

Clothing wise, jackets/gloves/pants for around $240 sgd. rental for these items were around 98/3 days as well. left goggles and beanie which will set u back another $100 for buying ur own. therefore it would be more practical to own your own gear. esp the boots.

covers the cost once u have had around 7 days worth of runs.

In Hakuba, u just have to find a nice place to bunk in. and the nearest slopes are pretty near lifts.. average costs between 200 yen to 1500 for the gondalas.

there will be free buses to and fro some of the slopes but only during season.

if you are going so learn, opt for the group instuctions and u might be lucky that u will end up with person in the class.

drop me an email if u need information.

[Chuayc1985]

Is there any upcoming trip planned?

I am interested.

I have snowboarded 4 years ago and want to experience the thrill again.

I am Singaporean by the way.

[vintagelover]

Kindly pm me if there's any upcoming trip... Thanks...

[RobertL]

Hi, I am a singaporean average skier turned beginner snowboarder. Snowboarded the past 2 seasons in Japan. Would be great to have a bunch of buddies to do this together. I have a small hotel at Nozawa Onsen, so it would be fantastic if we are headed that way. Hakuba would be just as great! PM me if any such trips!

[Amy Lee]

This thread seems to unmanaged and inactive.
To the people who had posted late last year and this year, should we start fresh and try gather a bunch of us who like to go skiing/snow boarding?

Amy