Ski Resort Openings - 2014/2015 Season [UPDATED 2014/12/8]

A few more resort opening dates to add to the list courtesy of the instructors at Pod Snowsports who look like they are itching to get back on snow to teach ski and snowboard lessons.

Kagura - November 22nd 2014  OPEN
Tashiro - December 6th   OPEN

Iwappara - December 6th  Opening soon
Joetsu Kokusai - December 6th Opening soon
Naeba - December 13th
Maiko Kogen - December 13th
Houdaigi - December 13th
Norn - December 18th
Ishiuchi - December 19th
Yuzawa Nakazato - December 19th
GALA - December 20th
NASPA - December 20th
Kandatsu - December 20th
Hakkai-san - December 20th

All dates are planned opening dates so you'll want to check closer to the time if the resorts will actually open on that date or not.

Start doing your snow dance and let's get some big falls of the white stuff on the way.

Daily Updates on the SnowJapan Yuzawa Now page.

Bird Eye Exhibition at Tomioka White Art Museum

We've mentioned the Tomioka White Art Museum before and it is highly recommended for a relaxing side trip to take in some minimalist art inspired by the local snowscapes.

There is a new exhibition running from March 16th to June 24th called Bird Eye. Souichiro Tomioka employs his distinctive style on the snowy vistas he has seen but this time it is looking down on his subjects from the dizzying heights of a helicopter.

The works takes in views of mountains, ice floes, rivers and lakes seen from the sky and using only the bare essential colors. As always the art is beautiful. Head here on a warm spring day as you can almost feel the cold emanating from the pictures.

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

Snow Picnic at GALA Yuzawa - Apr 6 & Apr 21

Spring, sun, snow, stunning views and beautiful nature.... It will all be on offer at GALA in April. It is a long season over there with the ski slopes planning to be open through the Golden Week holidays at the beginning of May. There is also plenty going on off the slopes. As part of their series of events for women they are running a couple of snow trekking and picnic events on April 6th and April 21st.

Make your way through the forests at the top of the resort to a special view point with stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Enjoy a specially prepared picnic on a table crafted of snow.

It was a great success last year and sure to be another great couple of days this time around.

Yuzawa Snowmobile Land

If you haven't tried snowmobiling before you should definitely give it a go. Goodbye peace and tranquility, hello revving engines and the sound of the wind rushing past. Yuzawa Snowmobile Land is a great location for your first snowmobile excursion, or if you have done it before, has plenty of terrain to let you open up the throttle.

If you've driven to Iwappara from the center of Yuzawa you may well have driven past it. They are located just by the Aurora Water Slide pool. The large carpark serves as the base where you learn the basics of snowmobile operation, and once you have mastered that, they have several other areas for you to explore. Ungroomed areas with deep snow, trails and terrain courses will all keep things interesting.

It is a great activity for all ages and will certainly give you something to boast about when you get home.

SBJonSnow/Airmix at GALA - Mar 15-17

There is a busy competition schedule around Snow Country throughout winter with lots of chances for aspiring snowboarders to try their hand against the best riders out there. Then there are times when the pros hit the slopes and show how it is really done. March 15th to March 17th will see some of the top riders in Japan take to the skies above Yuzawa, and if previous performances are anything to go by it will be amazing - SBJonSnow & Airmix

It is a chance to see some of the guys you may have watched in videos and seen in magazines to some unbelievably big tricks. The jumps they use are specially crafted for this event.

If you get the chance, find a spot nearby, take your skis off and just sit down to watch. You will be amazed.

Check out the video from last year to get excited.

Nakazato Snow Carnival - Mar 9

March is a great time to enjoy yourself in the mountains in Japan. There is still good snow but the weather is getting more springlike and there area always plenty of off-snow events and festivals to participate in.

The evening of Saturday March 9th is the Nakazato Snow Carnival.

There will be mochi making, warming winter soups and drinks, fireworks, a torch light descent and plenty of other spectacles to enjoy.

If you have never been to Nakazato before you should definitely check it out. Good skiing, loads of accommodation close by and a very family friendly atmosphere. It is not one of the best known resorts in the area but people that go there often return.

Strawberries in Yuzawa

Valentine's Day is just around the corner which means gifts of chocolates and cookies will change hands. (In Japan it is usually the women who buy the goodies on Valentine's Day and then the men return the favor on White Day on March 14th.)

If you are looking for a less sugary but incredibly sweet gift for your loved one, how about some hand-picked strawberries from Yuzawa's very own Pick Your Own.

The strawberries are grown in glass houses and are ready to pick from mid-January. Resident bees keep everything ticking over as it should and even surrounded by snow, you can enjoy juicy, sweet strawberries - it's quite an experience for those of us who think of strawberries as a summer fruit.

It is worth a visit, and for the gluttons among you, the eat-as-much-as-you-can deal is a great challenge. For those with more control, you can pick them and take them away.

It usually runs until sometime in June so plenty of opportunity to get covered in strawberry juice yet.

Ryugon ryokan - traditional luxury

There are some amazing place to stay in Snow Country with many of them boasting centuries of history providing top quality accommodation to weary travellers. The inns on old trade routes are fantastic places to stay and you can often feel the history that surrounds you. Ryugon is one such inn and even if you just see it from the exterior it looks like it belongs in another period. The interior doesn't disappoint either.

The inside of this ryokan has been lovingly restored and is all dark beams and whitewash. There is a definite sense of peace and tranquillity as your footsteps echo down the wooden corridors. Each room is a suite with plenty of space to relax and admire the landscaped gardens outside. The hot spring baths are also famous and have been the location for commercials in the past.

The ryokan sits at the base of Sakado mountain from which the local lords controlled the area, and Ryugon has long links with the surrounding temples being firmly entwined in the rich history of the region. It is a great base if you intend to explore the area, and if you are staying over winter there are ski resorts close by. Even non-skiers can head up the nearby Hakkai-san ropeway to enjoy the stunning views of mountains and valleys.

Ryugon really is a class apart and if you are looking for a truly unique accommodation experience it will never disappoint.

Maiko 500 yen Night Ski

So for those of you that can't get enough time on the slopes Maiko have a pretty amazing deal on. 4 hours of night skiing for just 500 yen. That has to make it some of the cheapest skiing around.

The usual price is 1,500 yen for an adult so that is quite a nice saving.

Night skiing at Maiko runs every night until Sunday 3rd March (and for one more night on 9th March). The night ski ticket is valid from 4 - 8pm so you can get a decent session in. Night skiing is a great experience as you shoot down the runs under flood lights. It is fantastic if you get to do it in the snow too.

Maiko One Coin Nighta

Helmet Cam Rental at GALA

The internet is awash with home videos of skiers and boarders carving it up on the mountain and now you too can get in on the action.

GALA Yuzawa have teamed up with Contour to offer camera rental this season.

You'll need some ID and 2,000 yen, and then you'll be the proud possessor of a Contour head cam and mount for a day. It comes with an SD card to capture the thrills and spills. Make yourself the star of the show, capture the face shots as you rip through the powder or as you kill it in the park. It's great fun to watch afterwards and you can show friends and family what a great time you had in Snow Country.

GALA links up to Ishiuchi Maruyama and Yuzawa Kogen as part of the 3 Mountains Area so there is plenty of terrain for you to capture on film.

If you are interested, head up to the Information Desk at the Cheers Building at the top of the gondola.
More info (in Japanese).

Ride On Series at Ishiuchi

The cool kids are in the park these days and there are plenty of opportunities for them to show what they are made of in Snow Country. There are competitions throughout the season and almost every resort these days boasts a terrain park of one form or another.

One of the best in this area is Ishiuchi Maruyama. It boasts 2 half pipes, a couple of parks and lots of good features for freestylers.

They also host the Yonex Ride On Series which is three events in January, February and March. If you think you have what it takes fill out an entry form and book your place. If not, turn up and enjoy the action from the safety of the side. It is fantastic to watch and some of the tricks are breathtaking.

January 27th - Big Air
February 24th - Technical Trial
March 24th - Half Pipe

Yonex Ride On at Ishiuchi Maruyama

Day Return Packages to Yuzawa Nakazato

The beauty of skiing in Snow Country is that it is so easy to get to and is therefore possible to do as a day trip from Tokyo. A day on the slopes can easily fit into the busiest itinerary and needs no special accommodation arrangements. Kagura and GALA are the well-known options for day return skiing but there are plenty of other resorts that offer the same package and have their own benefits. One great option that is off the radar is the day trip to Yuzawa Nakazato.

If you have ever driven in this area you will have seen this resort on your right as you approach the Yuzawa IC after the long tunnel. It also has its own JR line station right next to the resort. The slopes range across the slopes of the local mountains and there is plenty to explore with a good mix of terrain. There is lots of space for kids to play in the snow and some old train carriages make a novel place to take a breather. It is one of those resorts that people have heard of but never tried. Those that have given it a go often keep coming back.

The package makes everything as easy as possible for you.
Bullet train tickets, pick up from Echigo Yuzawa station, rental equipment, and lift passes.
For full details and prices by date, hit up the link.

Children's Day at GALA - 20th Jan

The third Sunday of every month is Children's Day at GALA Yuzawa which means that children of elementary school age will get a free lift ticket for the day.

A great excuse to bring the family up to the mountains for the day. There is also a dedicated sledding area and play area for the youngsters at the top of the gondola. Both of these are in sight of the restaurant so mum and dad can enjoy a quick sit down while the kids get their fill of the white stuff.

This is every month so if you are looking for a regular break with the kids, the dates for the diary are:
Sunday 20th January
Sunday 17th February
Sunday 17th March
Sunday 21st April

Banana Week at Joetsu Kokusai & Iwappara

Joetsu Kokusai and Iwappara are both resorts that make a special effort for families. There are great learner areas, dedicated sledging zones and play areas just for the children. They also both have on-snow accommodation which is a great boon if you are having to deal with young ones and all the gear that comes with a winter holiday.

This winter they add another toy to their play chests with the arrival of a banana boat, which is sure to be a big hit.

Save the date - how often to you get to ride a banana with a giant cartoon pig???

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.

Happy My Birthday in Echigo Yuzawa

If you are lucky enough to be in Yuzawa on your birthday you can reap the rewards this year. From December 10th until April 30th anyone with a birthday (and photo ID to prove it) can take advantage of the Happy My Birthday Campaign.

Pop into the Yukiguni Kankou Sha just outside the West Exit of the Station on your birthday with your ID and you could be the recipient of a free day pass, a onsen ticket and plenty of other goodies. There are a whole bunch of ski resorts, restaurants, hotels and shops that are taking part in the campaign so free food and drinks could be yours too.

A Safe and Prosperous Season

Winter is just around the corner. Some resorts have already opened and some are just waiting for one big snowfall to get their season cranking. It is a busy time of year for the ski resorts and any help is much appreciated. Many resorts have a ceremony to encourage a safe and prosperous season and that was the case today at GALA Yuzawa.

Everyone involved in the operation for the upcoming season, led by a priest from the local temple, raised a glass of sake and said a prayer for Winter 2013.

It is a big year for GALA and for the resorts in the area with celebrations for 100 years of skiing in the region still taking place. This November was also the thirtieth anniversary for the Joetsu Shinkansen line, that trusty workhorse that whisks people up from the capital to the mountains in just over an hour. You step off the bullet train right into the base of GALA's base building - an amazing set-up.

Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway

Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway is a popular spot for tourists visiting Yuzawa in all seasons. Once the largest gondola in the world, holding 160 passengers, it whisks you up to the top of the mountains that flank Yuzawa town. From there you get an amazing view of the Uonuma valley below.

It pretty much runs all year round with a few short breaks for routine maintenance. They have just finished operation for Green Season 2012 and will shortly be up and running for Winter 2012/2013 - the maintenance period is set for Nov 26 2012 - Dec 14 2012.

Head up to the top to enjoy the views, or have a play in the snow. If you are a skier or snowboarder you can spend some time at Yuzawa Kogen ski resort, which has a run all the way back down to village level. It also has a gondola that takes you across to GALA Yuzawa resort as part of the 3 Mountains area. There are some great restaurants at the top of the ropeway too.

Being right in the center of Yuzawa it couldn't be more convenient...