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Fukushima 2013/2014

June 3, 2014, 6:20 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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Cheeseman's "Cheese at Resorts" Gallery

June 3, 2014, 6:32 am
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This year I thought I would create a special "Cheese at Resorts" Gallery.

At the moment, myself along with Cheesewoman, Cheesegirl and Cheeseboy are at Nozawa Onsen in Nagano. Lovely place, but no good views yet as it has been snowing.

Anyway to start off my gallery, here's the gallery and some cheese in Nozawa. Just some run of the mill 'natural cheese' as they call it used to melt on pizzas etc. Not the most gourmet start.... wink

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/insider/member_photo_gallery.php?userGallery=222




Please upload any cheese at resort pics to SnowJapan and tag them as 'cheese at resort'. That way, they'll all be grouped together.

Thanks.
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Opinions on Arbor Coda or Wasteland for deep powder?

June 3, 2014, 8:29 pm
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Anyone ride an Arbor Coda or Wasteland in Japan? Looking at one for deep pow in the trees, for my next trip to Japan. Both Arbor boards are centered, no setback and that worries me a little, I have never ridden centered in deep powder. Tried a continuous rocker board in Japan this year and was shocked at how much fun it was in the trees.........
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Shuttle Buses/Goryu

June 3, 2014, 9:14 pm
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When I was planning our trip and deciding on which area to stay the shuttle buses where a big selling point for the different Hakuba ski areas from the Goryu lodges.
They where great to pick us up from outside the Goryu lodge to take us to Escal plaza (Goryu ski area) in the morning and bring us home in the afternoon when we where skiing.

They were not keen to shuttle us from say Escal plaza Goryu to Hakuba central on our rest day, I now understand why, Escal plaza bus doesnt want to take 2 aussies to another ski resort for a day trip. Im sure if we where there early we could have caught the Happo bus to Happo. Had we been told.

We did travel to another ski area on another day, the lodge owner drove us into the Goryu town to wait at a bus stop for that particular resort shuttle bus to pick us up, they also dropped us back in town. We did get a Escal plaza bus pick us up and dropped us off at the plaza. Where we waited for the next bus to shuttle us to the lodge

Had we stayed in Hakuba I feel it may have been easier to get around to the other resorts. This is not a complaint, just a observation from a first time traveler to the area. The shuttle buses are not a free public transport system. Although I would have gladly paid a fee for the service.

The service they offer is fantastic and friendly and they leave exactly on time,just as long as you are aware of why they are there.

My suggestions for anyone else new to the Goryu area is to use the taxis if you want to have a look around they are pretty reasonable as we found out at the end of the trip.

I hope this helps another newbie to understand the shuttle system.
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Marunuma Kogen - closed course?

June 10, 2014, 5:13 pm
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Posted Image

In this image on the Guess Where thread, there's what looks like a lift going up to the gondola from the south and a course (courses?)

I do not recall seeing those.

A bit of research and it seems there was (is?) a lift/course called おおひろ. Ou-hiro? Seems it was running when the March 11th earthquake struck, but it's absent from the current map of Marunuma Kogen.

Posted Image

Presumably it is closed then. Anyone ever ridden that?
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Mt Granview watch (or... the Japanese ski resort to watch for the 12/13 season)

June 10, 2014, 6:12 pm
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There's no doubt that Mt Granview is one of the Japanese ski resorts to watch in the run up to the 12/13 season.

After some epic days out this season by various members on here, including myself:

http://www.snowjapan...at-time-forgot/

http://www.snowjapan...difference-etc/

.....it's definitely one of the most talked about.

And for once the reality lives up to the hype! Endless powder, 7 (!) lifts, bottomless conditions guaranteed, friendly staff and everything else you could possibly want to let your ski dreams come true... it's got it all!

With that potential gondola tie-up with local Ishiuchi Hanaoka on the cards and a location right in the middle of Paradise Alley, it's set to be one of the new Mega Resorts in Japan.

This thread will hopefully keep us all up to date with the latest Mt Granview news, as it comes in thick and fast.

Here's a few pics from today:

Posted Image

The Ice Monsters from Zao take a trip to Paradise Alley as they have heard so much about Mt Granview. Next season look out for them firmly planting themselves at Mt Granview.

Posted Image

Feel free to share other Mt Granview news and photos if you happen to come across any in this (hot) topic.

:thumbsup:
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Guess which Japanese ski resort gets the most page views on SnowJapan

June 10, 2014, 6:12 pm
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Quiz!

Some very interesting info/data being found as we wade through statistics and logs for the site.

Which ski resorts do you think get the most pages views on SnowJapan over the last 12 months?

1
2
3

I am referring to the 500+ resort listing pages, such as this one:
http://www.snowjapan...uma/mt-granview

Prizes galore for those who get it right!
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2015 Ski Trip Booked

June 11, 2014, 12:06 am
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YAHOO we are all booked!!! 3 weeks :party:
Furano with day trips to Asahidake & Tomamu
Asahikawa - Ice Festival - Zoo - Day Trip to Kamui Links
Niseko day trips to Chisenpuri - Mowia & Kiroro.

Interested in any other day trips if anyone has any suggestions :banner:
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Is Yuzawa a town or a ski resort?

June 12, 2014, 12:27 am
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I'm a little confused.

Is 'Yuzawa' a town name or a specific ski resort?

Thanks.
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How does El Nino affect Japan again?

June 12, 2014, 6:29 am
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Anyone seen any good snow movies recently?

June 13, 2014, 1:41 am
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Saw 'Warren Miller's Dynasty' the other month. Not bad, but never been a fan of Miller's doco style. The early movies with loads of fluro 1-pieces are classic though!

'That's it that's all' was pretty impressive.
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What does 'kokusai' mean?

June 13, 2014, 8:19 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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Early Gear deals

June 13, 2014, 12:30 pm
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Yeah I know its a bit early for new gear threads, but ever since the onset of spring I had been thinking about getting a shorter board to use early and late season that'd give me a good chance to improve my park/trick skills without worrying about hurting my powder snake......but the prices weren't really there to justify it......until now! On Backcountry, I managed to pick up a capita Thunderstick, 157 (a 6cm decrease in my usual riding length :evilgrin: ) for 25k including shipping (19k excl shipping). I had a search on evo as well and there are some very cheap deals on some Rome boards just now, I saw a couple for $136 and $160 US.....the reason I didn't get one of them was that they were rockered......I wanted a camber board.

Anyone else buying some new gear early?
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Opinions on Arbor Coda or Wasteland for deep powder?

June 14, 2014, 9:04 pm
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Anyone ride an Arbor Coda or Wasteland in Japan? Looking at one for deep pow in the trees, for my next trip to Japan. Both Arbor boards are centered, no setback and that worries me a little, I have never ridden centered in deep powder. Tried a continuous rocker board in Japan this year and was shocked at how much fun it was in the trees.........
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Marunuma Kogen - closed course?

June 16, 2014, 1:22 am
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Posted Image

In this image on the Guess Where thread, there's what looks like a lift going up to the gondola from the south and a course (courses?)

I do not recall seeing those.

A bit of research and it seems there was (is?) a lift/course called おおひろ. Ou-hiro? Seems it was running when the March 11th earthquake struck, but it's absent from the current map of Marunuma Kogen.

Posted Image

Presumably it is closed then. Anyone ever ridden that?
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Schumacher accident

June 16, 2014, 7:49 am
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Wearing a helmet, serious condition

Quote

Michael Schumacher, seven-time Formula 1 world champion, is in a "critical condition" after a skiing accident, says the French hospital at which he is being treated.

The 44-year-old German "was suffering a serious brain trauma with coma on his arrival" the hospital in the south-east city of Grenoble said in a statement.

Schumacher's management confirmed his critical condition, reports said.

He was skiing off-piste with his son in the Alps when the accident occurred.

Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he fell and hit his head against a rock, Meribel resort director Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte said earlier.

Early reports had said his condition was not life-threatening.

Mr Gernignon-Lecomte said Schumacher was conscious when he was attended to by two ski patrollers who requested helicopter evacuation to the nearby valley town of Moutiers.

He was subsequently moved to the bigger facility at Grenoble. His wife Corinna and children are with him.

The German, who is due to turn 45 on 3 January, retired from F1 for a second time in 2012.

Professor Gerard Saillant, a close ally and friend of Schumacher, and his former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt are at the hospital.

Prof Saillant is an expert in brain and spine injury. He oversaw Schumacher's medical care when the German broke his leg in the 1999 British GP.

The hospital statement was signed by the facility's neurosurgeon, the professor in charge of its anaesthesia/revival unit, and the hospital's deputy director, said AFP news agency.

Schumacher won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during a 19-year career in Formula 1.

He won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000.

The German retired in 2006, but returned in 2010 with Mercedes. After three seasons which yielded just one podium finish, he quit the sport at the end of 2012.
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Gassan, Yamagata, 2014.5.25

June 20, 2014, 3:11 am
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Last time I went to Gassan (http://www.snowjapan...magata-2014429/), I wrote, "I will definitely go back some time." So I did, today.
The weather forecast looked reasonable, and I figured the snow coverage should still be pretty good, so I thought, what the heck.

As it turned out, the entire population of Japan thought the exact same thing.

Hit the road at 4:30, made it there by 9:00, and was one of the last cars allowed into the parking lot. Those behind us ended up parking alongside the road going down the hill from the pension mura.

Looking up at the hill, look at all those ants!
Posted Image

And the lift line! This is not Naeba ca 1988:
Posted Image

Well, I guess once everything else is closed, where else are you going to go?

The inhabitants of Honshu took up residence on the (greatly-expanded since last month) mogul courses:
Posted Image

Kyushu and Shikoku battled it out in a snowboard mogul (!) competition off the first T-bar lift:
Posted Image

Okinawa went hiking beyond the pale:
Posted Image

Hokkaido was lost in the trees.

Other than some bare spots near the top of the chair lift, coverage seemed still pretty complete.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image

Last time, there were two mogul courses. This time, there were more mogul courses than you could shake a stick at.
Posted Image
Posted Image

Actually, this was a nice thing, if one is at all interested in moguls. One could go hunting for a mogul course at one's level. I hunted around and found some (many) too hard, some too easy, and some... just right! めっちゃ楽しい, as the kids say.
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Kandatsu Kogen (Yuzawa) in trouble....again

June 22, 2014, 11:56 pm
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This time the company director/owner has 'run off', leaving salaries, bills etc not being paid....and it all looking bleak once again.

I first heard this last week, but put it down as a rumor. But I heard the same story now from a few other reliable people, one of whom is the friend of one of the now unpaid and nothing to do (ex) staff.

There seems to be a 'Kandatsu in trouble' story every year, so perhaps they'll somehow survive again....

Can't say I like the place, but it would be a significant bit of news if it closed up.
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Mt Granview watch (or... the Japanese ski resort to watch for the 12/13 season)

June 23, 2014, 2:43 am
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There's no doubt that Mt Granview is one of the Japanese ski resorts to watch in the run up to the 12/13 season.

After some epic days out this season by various members on here, including myself:

http://www.snowjapan...at-time-forgot/

http://www.snowjapan...difference-etc/

.....it's definitely one of the most talked about.

And for once the reality lives up to the hype! Endless powder, 7 (!) lifts, bottomless conditions guaranteed, friendly staff and everything else you could possibly want to let your ski dreams come true... it's got it all!

With that potential gondola tie-up with local Ishiuchi Hanaoka on the cards and a location right in the middle of Paradise Alley, it's set to be one of the new Mega Resorts in Japan.

This thread will hopefully keep us all up to date with the latest Mt Granview news, as it comes in thick and fast.

Here's a few pics from today:

Posted Image

The Ice Monsters from Zao take a trip to Paradise Alley as they have heard so much about Mt Granview. Next season look out for them firmly planting themselves at Mt Granview.

Posted Image

Feel free to share other Mt Granview news and photos if you happen to come across any in this (hot) topic.

:thumbsup:
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xmas trip w/kids

June 23, 2014, 5:25 am
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Hi guys and gals, first post.

Deciding on my xmas trip, either to Rusutsu or Tomamu.

Will be travelling with kids (1, 3 and 5yr old)
To those that have travelled to these 2 resorts

1)which children ski area is better?

I see that Rusutsu has the Crayon shin chan school, pretty much can cater to my 3 and 5 yr old (skied once at Akan lake)
How is the school/ children area at Tomamu?

2) Wave pool and children activities.
which resort has more children fun?
Also I know onsen are pretty strict on tattoo's how about pools?

3) Snow condition.
Generally how is the snow in december?
Niskeo was great feb/ march this year when we went and Akan was also pretty good in early feb.

Club med is out of the question as they don't teach 3 yr olds to ski.

Thanks in advance.
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