Thundercat 60 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Well, after spending a pretty sweet day at Madarao Kogen we headed over to Ryuoo Ski Park in Kita Shiga Kogen. One of the reasons I love this website so much is that I had never heard of this place before a couple of SJ'ers recommended that I check it out (thanks SKI and Iiyamadude ). When we arrived at the hill we were surprised to find that our super cheap accommodation (7000Â¥ for stay, lift ticket and breakfast) was actually ski in ski out and located half way up the piste! Score! Early on in the evening it was looking very promising as the snow was bucketing down. But by the time we had gotten settled down and a few beers in the snow had stopped. Boo! We found out later that this didn't seem to matter much as we found fresh lines in the trees until the end of the day! Some pics View from the top of the ropeway. +1900m. Absolutely stunning views on this mountain. One of the most beautiful places I've boarded in Japan. The trees were just loaded with snow as the temps remain consistently low at the top of the hill. Midway up the hill. Ropeway in the distance G looking super serious as he carves up the pow! Deep in the forest. Getting out from behind the camera again. Amazingly, this was the last run of the day and we found freshies from top to bottom! Waving bye~bye Oh, hello! Emerging from the white room. Soaring like an eagle! (kind of ) This resort is A+ in my books. It wasn't crowded. Had beautiful snow even though it hadn't snowed in 2 days. The elevation ensures that the snow that is there stays perfect and fluffy throughout the day. There are challenging steep and deep tree runs and probably one of the only 'true' black diamond runs I've seen in Japan. Steep and very long. The ropeway connecting the Valley area with the Sky Land area was quick and comfortable (8 mins to cover 1100m vertical, max capacity 150+ people!) I'm planning on going back after the next big snowfall to explore more of the mountain as one day didn't seem like quite enough time. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 looks great thanks bm Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 OK well that place is definitely on my list now. Many thanks Black Mountain, love the photos. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 **** me, that's beautiful Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Def on my list. Wish I was there ... Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted January 26, 2010 Author Share Posted January 26, 2010 A couple more for your viewing pleasure! View from the restaurant Snow fight! I win! Link to post Share on other sites
foreversnow 5 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Originally Posted By: Black Mountain View from the top of the ropeway. +1900m. This one is my favourite Awesome photo's BM thanks for sharing yet another awesome japanese resort with us. Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 wow. awesome TR BM. looks like you had a killer weekend. i'll be adding this resort to my list too Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Lovely Link to post Share on other sites
sunsetcoast 0 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 awesome post BM! hopping on plane tonight from oz, literally bursting at the seams now! will definately make trip when on honshu later in feb nice work. cheers and beers Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Glad you liked it looks like you picked a fine day to be there. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Fine photos thanks BD. Must get back there myself it's only a 20 minute drive or so. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted January 26, 2010 Author Share Posted January 26, 2010 Thanks everyone. Glad you enjoyed. Spook, this resort isn't all that far away from where you are now. We could very easily see Mt. Myoko for the upper part of Ryuoo. I'd suggest getting over there if you get the chance. I've been dreaming of that top to bottom run the last two nights... thinking about heading back there this weekend (if only for a day trip)! Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 BM, Where exactly is this place? Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 It's basically between Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Here: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/maps/japan-ma...o-ski-park.html Top of the resort ain't too far from the top of Yakebitaiyama (Shiga Kogen), as those crows fly of course. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted January 27, 2010 Author Share Posted January 27, 2010 Yeah, take the Joetsu and get off at the Shinshu Nakano I.C. Follow route 403 for about 20 mins and you are there. We left Ryuoo at 5:30 and were back in Numazu at 9:00 (two stops along the way for food and dropping off a friend). Surprisingly, there was no traffic even though we were coming back on a Sunday night. I guess we waited just long enough for the traffic to have died down a bit. People are so predictable with their driving habits! Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Coming from Nozawa as well it's just about 15-20 minutes. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 when you drive back to Izu, do you have to go by Tokyo? Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Lovely! I like Ryuo it's a good place. Never seems to get too busy either. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted January 27, 2010 Author Share Posted January 27, 2010 Actually TB, I take the Chuo Expressway to Kofu and then drive through Fujinomiya so I don't go anywhere near Tokyo. If you want to come along sometime you'll have to get the train down here first Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Originally Posted By: Black Mountain Thanks everyone. Glad you enjoyed. Spook, this resort isn't all that far away from where you are now. We could very easily see Mt. Myoko for the upper part of Ryuoo. I'd suggest getting over there if you get the chance. I've been dreaming of that top to bottom run the last two nights... thinking about heading back there this weekend (if only for a day trip)! sweet BM. it sounds pretty ace. i guess for us transport is a bit of an issue - not having a car turns a simple trip into a bit of a drama. had a sick day at suginohara today though. rode for 8 hours - first chair to last runs. yeeha! funny thing is we only really rode the gondola and the top lift, just lapping trees all day.. and we still didn't manage to track it out Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Hey spook you seem to have been there forever - how long is it now? Any images to share with the crowd? Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 only been here two weeks now...! got another two weeks to go. thought we'd maximise our snow time because it's been a few years. seeing as i've been drooling over everyone else's pics and trip reports it's only fair that i return the favour. you'll just have to be patient cos we're working on it... will definitely put up an in depth report and lots of pics when we're done you ski today muikabochi? you seem to get a lot of time on the mountain Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Originally Posted By: Black Mountain Actually TB, I take the Chuo Expressway to Kofu and then drive through Fujinomiya so I don't go anywhere near Tokyo. If you want to come along sometime you'll have to get the train down here first haha...yeah I didn't think you would detour past here. Link to post Share on other sites
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