Blue skies and powder snow in Tashiro

Today was the first time that we had the chance to try out a few runs in the Tashiro area of Kagura ski resort.

After quickly bombing around the resort just to make sure that all the runs were still there, we ended up taking one or two slight diversions, finding some great runs and fresh powder snow.

The weather was very changeable: periods of deep winter blizzards interspersed with bright blue skies. I took these photos while the sun was out (click photo for a larger version)...

Kagura ski resort

Slight diversion in Tashiro

Kagura on Friday 30th of Nov

The early seasons runs are just getting better, trying out all the different conditions and getting back to last years levels. Friday was again blue skies with the sun beating down, but it was colder you can sense the real big dumps of snow are on the way. The melting and freezing of the courses has made them really quick, Kagura Gondola course on full throttle is the quickest it has been in a longtime. (The re shaping work in off season makes it a straight through race with no slowing down half way like last year). One down side (still rather take the blue skies at this stage) is that no new snow has meant the deep moguls on the challenge course. Get a tin hat and ready for trench warfare attempting to fly down this one.

Forecast ahead looks like the snow will return during mid week, although still rocking at the amount of early snow, we are greedy for a new fresh dump. I had a chance to take the camera out a few times so hope you enjoy the shots below