Wednesday 28 November 2007

Blue Skies in Naeba

After almost breaking my knees over the weekend, I took a few days off. Today I tried a couple of hours in Naeba. It was a beautiful day: the blue skies were stunning. I had a few techinal problems with my camera (remembered the camera, forgot the memory stick), so today I'll have to post some low-res pics taken with my mobile phone:




Naeba has less snow than Kagura or Mitsumata. The Gondola No 2 was running, but the course under it shouldn't really have been open. There is a small lift just below Gondola No 2: this run had great snow, and is a nice easy run to get warmed up.


It was just great to be out in the mountain today, and the views were fantastic. The temperatures came right down: I regretted not bringing a scarf with me...

Sunday 25 November 2007

Kagura opening day - amazing conditions out there!

Kagura's season started on Friday 23rd November, and with style: the conditions were fantastic.

Even the lowest slopes in the Mitsumata area had knee-deep powder runs. Friday was a cold day, though thankfully as the morning progressed the snow held up, allowing for better visibility.

Usually on the first day of the season, there isn't a great deal of snow around: this gives you a chance to get your legs ready for when the snow dumps arrive. There was no such luxury this time round: from the very start, the powder was up to knee deep. It was amazing to have such conditions at the end of November. My leg muscles were begging for mercy after an hour or two, but it was impossible to stop.

Saturday was more of a blue sky day. There was still plenty of powder snow to be found, as shown on the picture below (clicking on the image gives a larger version).

Blue sky & fresh powder snow in Kagura, Sat 24 NovemberBlue sky & fresh powder snow in Kagura, Sat 24 November


Kagura main gelende, Sat 24 November
Kagura main gelende, Sat 24 November


Outside Echigo Yuzawa train station, Fri 23rd NovemberOutside Echigo Yuzawa Train station, Friday 23rd November


The ski season couldn't have started better. Looking forward to plenty more days like these...

Thursday 22 November 2007

Snow everywhere !




It has snowed all night. This year is already bringing back memories of the epic season 2 winters ago. The snow is still falling and it is only November. Looking out of our window it already looks like mid-winter here in Yuzawa. There is a very good reason this area has been nicknamed "Snow Country". Check the photos.

Wednesday 21 November 2007

Its Snowing !


Our prayers have been answered and the snow has arrived in fine style....and just in time too. With Kagura opening their lifts on Friday we fully intend to be first in the queue to see if rumours that both the Kagura and Mitsumata areas will be open for the first day. The town is back to its winter finest and hopefully this is just a little taste of all the snow to come this winter. Have a look at these photos taken on the way to work this morning.

Tuesday 20 November 2007

Snow on the Yuzawa webcam

It was great to see the view on the Yuzawa webcam today: snow on the ground level. What with Kagura reporting 70cm of snow down on the top piste, its looking like all systems go very soon

The above picture shows a still of the Yuzawa webcam.

Friday 16 November 2007

Snow forecast

Just recieved this weather update from snow-forecast.com for Kagura ski resort, and its looking good. The below report is for the resort mid-level



Kagura opens on November 23rd...cant wait!

Saturday 3 November 2007

Snow on the slopes!

Okay, its only the man-made stuff, but its still good to see. I went to Naeba yesterday, and saw the resort preparing for the start of their season on 17th November. The snow-making has started in earnest.

snow-making in naeba ski resort, 2 nov 07
The picture shows part of the snow being covered. The temperature when I visited at lunchtime was 11 degrees, with quite a wind chill and spitting rain. It certainly wouldn't take much to get the temperature down to 4 degrees overnight, and for that rain to turn to snow.

snow-making at naeba ski resort, 2 nov 07
Apart from the forthcoming snow season, at the moment its actually a beautiful time to escape the concrete of Tokyo and get out into the Niigata or Nagano mountains. Its now the peak of the 'kouyou' season, when the leaves of the trees turn colour. The below picture shows Daigenta canyon, a 15min drive from Yuzawa.

daigenta canyon, yuzawa, niigata prefecture