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Photos of Japanese ski resorts... taken from other skijo

April 13, 2014, 4:29 pm
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As I was at Iwappara and Yuzawa Kogen today, I realised just how many skijo you can see in the area.

Thought it might be a good idea for a thread - photos of skijo taken from other skijo. Well I find it interesting anyway!

SJ-David kindly added a new public gallery on the Forums, so anyone can add photos to it.

When you upload photo via the Forums ('Gallery' link top right), just choose 'From one skijo to another' as the gallery. Simples!

Feel free to add photos if you like.

Anyway, here's some from today:

GALA Yuzawa from Yuzawa Kogen

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Kandatsu Kogen (closed this year) from Iwappara

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Kagura (Mitsumata on left, main runs on right) from Iwappara

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NASPA Ski Garden from Iwappara

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Ludens Yuzawa from Iwappara

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Yuzawa Nakazato from Iwappara

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Yuzawa Park from Iwappara

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Muikamachi Hakkaisan from Iwappara

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Kagura from Iwappara (left side of photo)

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Kayama Captain Coast (closed) from Iwappara

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Kagura (Mitsumata) from Yuzawa Kogen

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Kagura (main run) from Yuzawa Kogen

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Iwappara from Yuzawa Kogen

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Yuzawa Nakazato from Yuzawa Kogen

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Yuzawa Park from Yuzawa Kogen

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Muikamachi Hakkaisan from Yuzawa Kogen

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Kandatsu Kogen (closed this year) from Yuzawa Kogen

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Senjojiki: I kind of want to check this place out!

April 16, 2014, 5:20 pm
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Here is the link for this place.
http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/nagano/komagane/senjojiki

Has anyone been? If so, how was it? It looks like an epic location. It looks like the lift is a "T-bar" which I have no experience with (is it kind of like a bunny hill rope tow?). I've also seen people climbing the surrounding peaks from here which is also intriguing to me. Boarding down from the ridge line could be amazing too! Any info would be appreciated.

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How many days did you ski/board this season

April 16, 2014, 5:33 pm
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Now that the 13-14 season is winding up, I'm curious to hear how many days people got in this winter.
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Kagura Quandary!

April 16, 2014, 6:01 pm
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So the plan today was to get a morning in at Maiko (done!) then head over to the Wadagoya Mountain Hut at Kagura before the gondola closes. I knew the top lifts would be shut there today because of the high winds, which means there'll be plenty of untracked pow to play in on Tuesday, and staying there gives you first tracks in all that loveliness!! The trouble is that tomorrow's forecast is also now saying 40-45 km/h up top.

So do I gamble and stay there, with the possibility of more lift closures, or go spend another (cheaper) night at Yuzawa Kenkouland (which actually wasn't bad) then hit up another resort tomorrow, knowing that everywhere's going to be good? If the latter, I'm thinking about Gala, then I could treat myself to an unreserved shink seat home!

What say you?
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At last, it's the all-Japan Snow Depth Chart. Hurray!

April 16, 2014, 6:19 pm
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Until now this season you have been able to check out the official snow depths at ski resorts and play around with sorting of that data in the Prefecture listings on the site.
You didn't know?! Well just to recap:

Go to our Resorts section of the main site:
http://www.snowjapan...pan-ski-resorts

OK on the left side you will see a list of prefectures.
Click on one, for example Nagano:
http://www.snowjapan...efecture/nagano

Sugoi! Look, there's all the ski jo in Nagano!
See the top of the columns? Click on any of those to sort the data by that field. Click on it again to sort the opposite way.
By doing this you can list up the resorts by snow depth, just like this:
http://www.snowjapan...th&sortdir=DESC
Or indeed you can sort the resorts by town name or any of the other fields on that age.
Yes, I know, it's exciting stuff.

But now, and at last, we have our "all Japan" list ready.
Hurray!

And here it is:
http://www.snowjapan...ial-snow-depths

The data is updated daily.
Please note the disclaimer at the bottom and use it for what it is.
If a resort is not listed, it means that there is no official snow depth data being supplied by that resort.

And we are still in the process of linking it up and making a few fine adjustments..... I just wanted to let you know here as soon as it was working.
As such I'm not putting it on our News page yet or on our ridiculously popular and fabulously thrilling Facebook page.

Hope it is interesting.
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Which two weeks would you choose for best snow?

April 16, 2014, 6:29 pm
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I kind of want to start this thread so I can show my friends who keep on asking me. Probably one every year but hey, it's a new year.

So, if you had to pick a 2 week period to go to Japan for best snow conditions, when would you plump for? Other things being equal.
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What does 'kokusai' mean?

April 16, 2014, 7:02 pm
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I know it translates as 'international' but is there any other meaning when it's used by a skijo?

I was looking at the Akakura Kanko website and it has this:

昭和12年12月12日、日本で最初に国際スキー場として指定を受けたＡＫＡＫＡＮ（赤倉観光リゾートスキー場）

The first international skijo in Japan? What does that mean then?
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Hakuba and Myoko were unfortunately... disappointing

April 16, 2014, 7:52 pm
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Hi :wave:

It was my first time in Japan and I was stoked about the awesome tales of bottomless-ness and the like.

But I was very disappointed with snow conditions. I hit Japan in February during a particularly dry spell and honestly it fell way short of expectations.

I can definitely see the potential so maybe I have to get back. But if you hit poor in February, when is less of a risk? Mid January?
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Did you win a lift ticket from SnowJapan this season?

April 18, 2014, 12:28 am
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If you did, please write a Review, here:

http://www.snowjapan...-resort-reviews

We have had a few resorts already asking us about what the feedback has been like from the winners.... in one case, there has been no response. Not a sausage.

Obviously that's not going to happen next year if it stays like that - the resorts might not be keen and we won't be bothered going to the trouble either.

So come on, please take a short while to do what you agreed to do when you entered:

http://www.snowjapan...-resort-reviews

Even if you have posted on in previous years, please post another. It's what the resorts want to see.

Thank you.

(And of course thanks to everyone who has posted already).
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Fukushima 2013/2014

April 18, 2014, 3:47 am
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With Minowa opening today, the 2013/2014 season has officially started in Fukushima.
And hence, time for this season's thread.

Previous season's threads:
2010/2011
2011/2012
2012/2013


Planned openings:

11.15
Minowa (B lift)

11.30
Grandeco

12.14
Adatara Kogen
Nekoma

12.15
Oze Hinoemata Onsen

12.19
Aizu Kogen Daikura

12.20
Grandsunpia Inawashiro Resort
Numajiri

12.21
Aizu Kogen Takatsue
Alts Bandai
Fairyland Kaneyama
Family Snow Park Bandai x2
Grandee Hatoriko
Inawashiro
Listel Ski Fantasia
Nihonmatsu Shiozawa
Tadami
Ten-Ei
Urabandai

12.22
Aizu Kogen Nango
Aizu Kogen Takahata

12.23
Yanaizu Onsen

From 14 Jan. to 31 March 2014, 21 resorts in Fukushima are offering free weekday skiing to 20-22 year-olds who register through the 雪マジ！ふくしま/Snow Magic Fukushima program. (Separate from, and in addition to, the nationwide 雪マジ！１９ program for 19-year-olds.)
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Maiko Snow Resort (Minamiuonuma, Niigata) - 12th April 2014

April 18, 2014, 6:05 pm
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Nothing much else pressing to do today, so with the fine weather we decided to get up to Maiko again.

And I'm very glad I did. Somehow, this was probably one of my most fun (half) days of the season.

The snow was spring-y but not sticky and as it wasn't busy it wasn't roughed up and cut up. Could really get some speed going and very suberi-yasui.

Some patches of ground appearing but still I would say not far off 100% cover on the runs, though it's clearly thin in some lower places now and there's sansai growing around the bases of some of the lifts. Take home tempura ingredients!

I enjoyed it so much today that I might even go again tomorrow. Today and last week kind of changed my impression of spring skiing. Get it on a good day and it can be pretty good.

Base:

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Half way down, a few bare patches

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But full cover up at Okusoeji

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SR : HokkaidOH! 2013/14

April 18, 2014, 10:47 pm
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SR : HokkaidOH! 2013/14

DAY 1 : THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013

21 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ (Mike's Quarters, in Higashiyama)


It's that time of the year again.

Local photographer Glen Claydon and Sam Kerr of Niseko Xtreme Tours got first tracks of the season way back on 09 November, but then the warm wind and the rain came and washed most of it away.

The 23 November Opening Day at Grand Hirafu was cancelled and rescheduled for 30 November.

I arrived back on Fantasy Island yesterday afternoon and the snowfall had returned. In spades.

After settling in at the cabin and shovelling the day's snow it was out for Ian MacKenzie's 40th birthday.

Dinner at Niseko Pizza with owner Cezar, Brian from Niseko Ski Academy and Mick from Niseko Cellars, followed by drinks at Niseko Cellars.

Cracking night.


Last season's words, pictures & video can be found here:

SR : Shiribeshi Stories, Hokkaido 2012/13
http://www.snowjapan...okkaido-201213/



DAY 2 : FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2013

23 cm in the past 24hrs at MQ


As of today 116 cm (46") has fallen in the Niseko Resort Area


Another good fall overnight and a solid couple of hours shovelling all around the house getting after it before it gets out of control.

Went to the Dragon Bistro & Bar opening party in J-Sekka this evening, a return to Hirafu for the restaurant.

Japanese Italian fusion with a celebrated chef from Sapporo.

The local businesses try to outdo each other with the most colourful floral gift

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Looking forward to sampling dinner.

Snowing as I type and Opening Day for Grand Hirafu is scheduled for 8.30 tomorrow.

Let's hope it's as good as last season's opening day


Nikki Langley, Opening Day 23 November 2012

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Deadly Everest avalanche

April 19, 2014, 1:00 am
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Nepal's Sherpa community is confronting a dark tragedy after at least 12 guides were killed by an avalanche that swept down a climbing route on Mt Everest. A search was ongoing for at least three more guides still missing following the deadliest ever single day on the world's highest mountain.

Officials said the men were killed after the avalanche struck at around 6.30am on Friday as they were laying fixed ropes for other climbers. Rescue workers struggled to pull their bodies from mounds of snow and ice after they were struck just about Camp 2. Two men, who survived but suffered injuries, were lifted from the ice debris and flown by helicopter to Kathmandu.

A spokesman for Nepal's Tourism Ministry, Mohan Krishna Sapkota, told the AFP news agency that all the climbers involved were of Nepali origin and had been preparing the route ahead of the main spring climbing season, which starts in a matter of days.

"The sherpa guides were carrying up equipment and other necessities for climbers when the disaster happened," he said.

Friday's deaths easily surpassed the previous highest number of deaths on Everest. That occurred on May 11 1996 when eight foreign climbers were killed in bad weather, an event that featured in journalist Jon Krakauer's book Into Thin Air. Six Nepalese guides died in an avalanche in 1970.

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Let's Gassan!

April 19, 2014, 7:01 am
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Gassan was mentioned a few weeks ago when discussing Man_in_Japan’s return to the slopes, more in jest I suspect, but it actually got me thinking about making a trip there this season year. I hesitate to say season because Gassan opens after most other Japanese resorts have closed! In fact, looking at their website, it's due to open within the next week.

http://www.gassankanko.jp/

Here are some links to a little bit of blurb I’ve just blogged, plus a couple of previous posts (and photos) from ILoveZao and finally, the SJ resort reviews, though they're fairly mixed.

http://www.snowjapan...ng-on-the-moon/

http://www.snowjapan...__fromsearch__1

http://www.snowjapan...__fromsearch__1

http://www.snowjapan...ecture=Yamagata

I guess Gassan is one of those places to go to for the experience rather than the quality of the skiing/riding but, if a few of us went, it could also be a bit of a laugh. I haven’t thought through the logistics yet but being a fair way up northern Honshu, it’s no doubt going to involve a shinkansen or a car share/rental and/or an overnight stay but, as it’s only just April, I reckon there’s enough time to work things out.

So, just to gauge interest and without any commitment whatsover, would anyone be interested in going up there one weekend in, say May, after the crazily-busy, crazy-to-travel-in Golden Week, or even June??

In those immortal words, let’s Gala Goryu Granview Gassan! :groovy: C'mon, you know you want to! :D
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TR- Tomamu March 30th 2014

April 20, 2014, 8:19 am
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After winning some tickets from Snowjapan (and getting a re-up from unclaimed tickets!! domo!), me and some mates piled into a car and headed east from Sapporo to Tomamu. With the weather the way it has been recently we certainly weren't expecting to find any blower powder conditions, we were dead set ready for some spring slush! Unfortunately, nobody thought to tell Tomamu!! The recent conditions in the Sapporo region has been warm and sunny, resulting in some ace soft, wet, slush-puppy like slopes and I expect the same has been true for Tomamu. However yesterday the freeze-thaw cycle was interrupted by the appearance of low temps and very light snow…….this meant one thing……bulletproof slopes! The slush of the previous day had frozen overnight and without the sun, it had set hard for the entire day. It was like trying to ride a giant ice-cube! So its a little unfair to judge Tomamu on this occasion and looking at the fairly consistent pitch of the treed areas, when the snow is fresh, this place would be top notch! Some really nice spaced trees on some interesting looking slopes would make excellent pow turns!

We basically spent the day lapping the pipe and the kickers in the park….

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Ben getting some good air off a kicker…...
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Alex getting not so much air…….
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I had taken a fair few more pics of the resort, including the lovely towers that blend in so well to the mountains, BUT I'm having problems with my iPhone and when I went to fix it, I found that instead of fixing the problem, it decided to delete a huge chuck of my photo library!! So muchos apologisos about there being so few of the mountain.

After a particularly long lunch, we headed out again to try a few of the other slopes but they weren't any better. That horrible ice-scraping noise that accompanied us everywhere put a real dampener on our spirits and we decided to call it a day pretty early in the afternoon. At the base station of the gondola, Tokachi wine had an outdoor stall and BBQ, so we plonked ourselves down there and had a few apres wines


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But thanks again to Tomamu and Snowjapan for providing us with tickets, it was still nice to be out n about in the mountains for a day. When the snow is on, this place would be great……low crowds and some good looking tree runs. Hopefully next season I can come back and experience it for real.
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Guess Where This Is

April 20, 2014, 11:15 pm
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See if you can guess where this is?

If you get it right you get to post the next pic and so on..........and so on.

I have made this one fairly easy to get the thread started

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Did you win a lift ticket from SnowJapan this season?

April 21, 2014, 5:29 pm
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If you did, please write a Review, here:

http://www.snowjapan...-resort-reviews

We have had a few resorts already asking us about what the feedback has been like from the winners.... in one case, there has been no response. Not a sausage.

Obviously that's not going to happen next year if it stays like that - the resorts might not be keen and we won't be bothered going to the trouble either.

So come on, please take a short while to do what you agreed to do when you entered:

http://www.snowjapan...-resort-reviews

Even if you have posted on in previous years, please post another. It's what the resorts want to see.

Thank you.

(And of course thanks to everyone who has posted already).
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Rusutsu 2014

April 25, 2014, 11:49 pm
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The time has finally arrived looks like snow when we land and a decent dump the 1st day :thumbsup:

This is me so if you are around say hi obviously I will have gloves and boots on as well
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I will be their for 3 weeks mainly by myself so keen for a laugh / ride with anyone.

Brand new 160 Libtech Birdman and 159 Smokin Pinner waxed and scraped
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They are a similar size :friend:
Brand new Flux DS30's and Burton Cartels to go with them
some different clothes (new and used) see above staying at the Resort
Stay tuned for epic vids and photos
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What does 'kokusai' mean?

April 26, 2014, 3:00 am
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I know it translates as 'international' but is there any other meaning when it's used by a skijo?

I was looking at the Akakura Kanko website and it has this:

昭和12年12月12日、日本で最初に国際スキー場として指定を受けたＡＫＡＫＡＮ（赤倉観光リゾートスキー場）

The first international skijo in Japan? What does that mean then?
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Skiing or boarding Mt. Fuji

April 26, 2014, 3:03 am
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Hey SJers! I've been a little quiet on the boards these days because of my workload... hope you haven't missed me too much wink

I'm staring up at Mt. Fuji every day now with one thought running through my head! Anyone else considering going up there for a ski? There is still plenty of snow which will likely remain for some time now... If I can get organized enough (and get someone to come along with me!) I'm thinking about heading up there some time during Golden Week. Let me know if anyone else is interested!
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