Billabong Attack 13 at Kagura - March 30th

Some big names on the snowboarding circuit will be in Kagura for a big air competition on Saturday March 30th for this year's installment of the Billabong Attack Contest.

This is a big air contest with the emphasis on "big". Last year saw some amazing tricks thrown down and this year is sure to see more of the same. It is pro riders pulling out their very best moves in front of an appreciative crowd, so a great atmosphere guaranteed if you are just there to watch.

The competition runs from 0900 until the early afternoon. Check out the Billabong Attack 13 website for full details (and check out the videos of last year's action to see what you have to look forward to...)

Fuji Rock 2013 - 26-28 July

It is never too early to start on your preparations for Fuji Rock. This incredibly popular music festival draws crowds from all over the world and accommodation books up quickly, so if you want to get a bed close to the festival venue, it is a good time to set the ball in motion. The dates for the Fuji Rock Festival 2013 are Friday 26th July, Saturday 27th July and Sunday 28th July.

Line up news is starting to come on line so if you are keeping an eye out for a certain artist then the anticipation can begin.

It is an amazing event that gets big name acts across many genres of music. There are stages dotted around the forests of Naeba Ski Resort and hordes of people descend on the Yuzawa area. There are buses from Echigo Yuzawa Station so you can stay up at Naeba or in and around the main Yuzawa town area. Or for the true festival experience, pack your tent and get ready to wash in the mountain streams of Snow Country!

Kagura Heliski 2013

Snow, helicopters, skiing and boarding...... if you like the sound of those things and would like them all together then you need to head off to Kagura for the middle of April. The Kagura Heliski Weekend is back and scheduled for April 12, 13 & 14.

This is a great weekend and a chance to ski the back ridge of Kagura that most people only get to look at.

If you fancy earning your turns with a bit of sweat and legwork then you can get involved in the hike up tour from the beginning of April. The top lift of Kagura has been open for a while so the hike to the top is shorter than in mid-winter and the views from the top are stunning.

We've had some blue skies of late and those fair weather skiers and boarders have been congregating on the deck at the top of the Kagura gondola with a cold drink in hand working on their tans. You have to love a bit of spring snow action.....

Kagura Heliski Homepage

The Snow Has Arrived

Every year there is a period of speculation about what this season will bring, and more importantly, when it will start. The long range forecast is carefully studied, nature's signs are taken into account and everyone has an opinion. Invariably in Snow Country the heaven's suddenly open and masses of white stuff falls out of the sky. That has been the case over  the last couple of days.

It is perfect timing for many of the resorts who are planning on opening soon and need a bit more of a base. It is also a boon for those resorts that are open with many people shooting up to this area for the first real powder day of the season. Kagura, which has been open since late November, is one of the higher resorts around and get consistently good snow. It is a popular destination for day return trips from Tokyo and the resorts it links up with, Tashiro and Naeba, both opened this past weekend. All three resorts are offering free ski passes for children this year which make them great locations for the family ski trip.

Naeba is also offering free lift tickets for 19 year olds

It's open season now so get up here and enjoy the snow.

All things igloo at Naeba

There is a great deal going on in January around Snow Country with many places choosing to stage their events during this popular month to ski.

Another yearly favorite is the Kamakura Festival at Naeba. A kamakura is a Japanese style igloo, and a whole host of them will be decorating the bottom of the slopes at Naeba for a couple of weeks.

For a house made of snow they get pretty snug and welcoming so it is great to check them out and see what a traditional snow shelter is like. There are also mochi making nights, treasure hunts, a candle night, fireworks, food and drinks in and around the kamakuras. You can even learn how to make one if you are interested.

They are impressive structures so if you are at Naeba (enjoying the free lift tickets for children this year)  pop your skis off to get a closer look.

Back in the day....

History plays a big part in small town Japan, especially in Snow Country. Families have been here for generations, many of them running the same business which is passed down from parent to child. If you are lucky enough to stay in a ryokan in this area you are likely to see some photos from back in the day adorning the walls of the hotel. They are fascinating glimpses of the past and how the town used to look. The height of the snow next to some of the old buildings is staggering and makes you realize what a battle winter must have been. It is a far cry from the built up town we know today.

If you haven't seen some of these photos you can head on over to the website of Yuzawa Shoji, one of the real estate agents in Yuzawa (who'll also be able to help you if you are looking to buy or rent a holiday home in the mountains.

They have collected together a whole bunch of old photos and it is an amazing sight.

They have photos from several parts of Yuzawa, Iwappara, Nakazato, Futai and Naeba. If you have been to the area then you are sure to see some familiar sights. Today's resorts would do anything to have the crowds that you can see in some of the photos.

Yuzawa Area Ski Resort Videos

Heading to Yuzawa for a bit of snow action this winter but not sure where to go?

Or just looking for some shots of snow to get you pumped up for your turns when the snow falls?

Then check out these video intros to some of the ski resorts in the Yuzawa area of Snow Country. There are guides to Yuzawa Kogen, Snow Wood, NASPA, Nakazato, Naeba, Ludens, Yuzawa Kogen, Iwappara, Ipponsugi, GALA, and Yuzawa Park.

Start getting excited about the snow.....

Kagura - Opens 23rd November (touch wood)

Kagura have posted their opening date for the 2012/13 season, and if the weather cooperates, this is set for Friday 23rd November, which is a public holiday.

This is just a planned date at the moment so we will have to wait and see what happens, but they have put in more snow-making facilities at the top, so as long as it is cold, there should be at least some base to have a slide on. The area covered by the snow-making has been extended which is good news for those that like a bit of early winter action. Some years we have even opened the season with powder turns at Kagura so fingers crossed for cold temps and early snow.

As a Prince Resort there will also be free lift tickets for under 12s which is a great new development for families with young kids.

No excuses not to get our there and blow the cobwebs off in time for your Christmas holiday in the snow. Why not grab a ski lesson or snowboard lesson while you are there?

50 Years of Naeba

The 50 Year Anniversary of Naeba continues with big news from both the hotel and the resort for this coming season.

The hotel has renovated a whole bunch of rooms that will be available for the first time this winter. The mock ups look amazing with lots of color and modern, really comfortable family rooms. These are sure to be really popular improvements.

And the resort too look as if it will be a great options for youngsters. They already have one of the best play areas with dedicated kids facilities both inside and out, but now they will have free lift tickets for  Elementary School children and younger.

This will make it a very attractive destination for families.

Powder Ski Magazine Winter 2013

If you are getting excited about winter already then you probably want to start indulging your passion. The winter 2013 edition of PowderSki Magazine is out in Japan and Snow Country gets a mention.

Their cover story is all about tree runs. After some pretty mouthwatering glossy pictures they have a guide to the best tree runs in the country. As you would expect, Snow Country favorites Kagura and Tenjin get a mention but a few other lesser known resorts also make the cut. Houdaigi, Nakazato, Tsunan and Kandatsu all have column inches dedicated to them too.

If you are keen to find the best tree skiing and boarding this winter and discover some new stashes, this could well be a sound investment.

Autumn Colors in Tashiro

Autumn is just around the corner with the official start just a couple of weeks away. It is still warm and summery in Snow Country at the moment but the temperatures should start to gradually fall as we head through September and into October. It is a great time to visit - the rice is starting to change color and the leaves will soon follow.

The changing colors are pretty famous around here. There are many kinds of trees on the mountain slopes which mean lots of different colors on display.

A great way to get an amazing view of the autumn colors in on the Dragondola.

It is a cable car connecting Naeba and Tashiro ski resorts - a trip of just under five and a half kilometers. Their Autumn Season starts on Saturday 6th October and  goes on until Sunday November 4th.

It is a 25 minutes ride one way so gives you plenty of time to marvel at the scenery.

Movement Dance Festival - Naeba, Sept 14-16

Naeba is a great place for a festival as it proves every year when it hosts Fuji Rock; great facilities, plenty of space and stunning surroundings. Fuji Rock is by far the most famous of the events at Naeba but by no means the only one. There are plenty of other things going on. Mid September sees the Movement Dance Festival

Dance is booming in Japan at the moment as a form of enjoyment and exercise so this is sure to be well attended. This festival is going to have something for everyone with a strong line up of artists and DJs and also dance workshops, demonstrations and sales of all things dance related. Of course, there will be plenty to eat and drink too.

Don your hip-hop gear and we'll see you there!

Kids' Days at Yuzawa Resorts

"Kodomo no hi" or Kids' Day is a great initiative that has been taken up by almost every resort in the Yuzawa area. On the third Sunday of every month over winter elementary school students and younger receive a free ski pass.

This is bound to be a hit with the parents.

The following resorts offer a free lift ticket for children of the right age: Naeba, Kagura, Kandatsu Kogen, Ludens, Echigo Nakazato, Iwappara, Yuzawa Kogen, GALA Yuzawa.

NASPA Ski Garden offers 50% off to elementary school age children on Kids' Day, and Ipponsugi offers entry into a prize draw.

Time your trip right and the savings will get Mummy a bottle of wine.

FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup in Naeba 2012

One of the biggest events to hit Snow Country this winter will be the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup in Naeba on Saturday February 18th and Sunday February 19th. Some of the world's best mogul skiers, including some impressive homegrown talent will be battling it out for rankings and medals.

Saturday is the Men's Moguls and Sunday sees the Men's and Women's Dual Moguls, both of which will be great spectacles. It is not often you get to see such high class athletes strut their stuff and it is always impressive.

If you are up for the weekend there is also the after party held at the ever popular Asagai Resthouse which is proving to be the place to be seen this year.

Kamakura - Japanese Igloos

Living in the snow you soon learn how to make yourself a shelter of some kind and the kamakura is the Japanese version of the igloo.

Many of the festivals you go to will feature kamakura in one way or another and some of them are dedicated solely to these constructions. With a hollowed out inside, once you get a fire going they can get quite cosy, especially as you are sitting in there enjoying some warming winter soup or some hot sake.

Naeba Ski Resort currently have a Kamakura Festival in progress until the end of the month. You can have a crack at making your own or just spend some time chilling out (literally) in one of these shelters.

Busy Weekend in Yuzawa - Candle Live & Snowsplash

Yuzawa seems to be the place to be this Saturday.

The 2012 Snowsplash parties kick off in Naeba

And it is Candle Live in Yuzawa itself.

There is no reason that you can't be at both.

Snow Splash in Naeba - Jan 21st 2012

A few more details leaking out about the Snow Splash Event in Naeba on January 21st. The date is fast approaching and it promises to be a great party to be held at the Asagai Guest House.

These annual parties combine live music, DJs, performance artists and a whole bunch of revellers who have spent all day going large out on the slopes. If you are one of those people who likes a health dose of apres with their ski then you will not want to miss out on this.

It's Snowing in Snow Country

Winter has well and truly descended on Snow Country. The snow started falling last night and has continued all day today, covering everywhere in white.

It is great timing as tomorrow is due to be the opening day of several resorts including Naeba, Tashiro and Tenjindaira.

You can keep an eye on opening day at Naeba on their live webcams

Ski Resort Opening Dates - Yuzawa Town

List of some of the planned opening dates for the upcoming winter. As always, it is snow dependent so subject to change. It has been pretty cold recently but the snow is still quite high up. Many of the resorts listed below will need quite a bit of snow lower down to be able to open on these dates so some postponements are looking highly likely.

Kagura (Mitsumata) - 23 November
Kagura (Tashiro) - 10 December
Naeba - 10 December
Iwappara - 10 December
Yuzawa Kogen - 10 December
Kandatsu Kogen - 16 December
Yuzawa Nakazato - 17 December
Ludens Yuzawa - 17 December
Nakazato Snow Wood - 17 December
GALA Yuzawa - 17 December
Yuzawa Park - 22 December
NASPA Ski Garden - 23 December
Nunoba - 23 December
Ipponsugi - 23 December

Snowmobiling

All the surrounding peaks are snow-capped now and there is the definite winter feel around Snow Country at the moment. The first resorts are already opening their doors for the winter and the other resorts are just waiting for the snow line to creep a little lower down. Skiing and snowboarding are hugely popular but there are plenty of other things to keep you amused if these are not your thing.

One great activity for thrill seekers is snowmobiling. Hurtling around the winter landscape on a specially designed machine definitely gets the pulse racing.

One of the great things about is that no special skills are needed to have an amazing time on a snowmobile. With a few pointers from the experienced instructors you are soon up and away, throttling your machine through the powder. It is also a good day out for the kids as there are smaller machines for the young ones or they often get a kick out of riding on the same sled as their parents.

RSS Snowmobiling run tours in Yuzawa and in Naeba. The course in Naeba is particularly good as there is a trail through the forest so you get a real feeling of exploration.