ILoveZao

Thank you!

A few photos. The crater close by to the village (about 20 minute drive) is very popular. Lovely cool weather recently up here. Not quite busy as usual I feel but people starting to get out.

Worth mentioning the Zao Exciting 10 ticket, 10 days for 36,000 yen. Worth getting if you are here for that period of time.

Sad to hear that. Urasa, while very snow and not the best snow, has a long history and well known. It could not survive with such tiny numbers though - 150,000 to 10,000. That's just about 7% of what it used to be! Shocking. Makes you wonder who all those people were going there back then.

I am amazed at the cost of that season ticket. It includes nighta as well, right?

Lift ticket at Zao is 65,000 yen and you can use it at night. So 12 days and 4 nights and you are covered. Great if you can be up here a lot and/or live nearby, but I suppose out of the range of most people.

Thanks for putting that together, good job.

Amazing!

Are they supposed to operate out of a shed?

Not sure I'd like to do Tokyo in one day! And ski in the middle?!

Not good if driver wants to drink though. And a taxi is expensive. Another alternative is to stay down below in the Yamagata area.

Did you get there in the end Black Mountain-san?

It is that! The snow has gone now, it feels a long time ago. Ropeways moving for the "green season" though they don't get much rest in a year.

You did Zao proud Mr muikabochi. If you plan to come again please do let me know!

Omedeto gozaimasu. Hope you enjoy the new place and that Niigata doesn't get any more shakes too. We have all had enough of those in north/east Japan now.

Originally Posted By: D train Bit sad to see this on Tokyu website- shows pretty deep lack of communication in town between powers that be and the local gaijins who have helped make the place what it is. The History of Hirafu 50 year celebrations are also computer generated translations- when I am sure if asked, loads of people would have been more than happy to give them a read over so they would look presentable. It may sound strange but I think some people have the mindset that they are presenting this to Japanese, not foreigners. I actually heard someone infer that with something

My friend had a good plan this last season. He arrived on Sunday 9th January and had the week in Zao then went to Tokyo for the weekend and then was in Nagano Sunday night for another 5 days skiing there. He avoided weekend skijo, got a bit of Tokyo in and also got to see two regions. Good plan that I think.

Originally Posted By: muikabochi From what I remember, two areas. One is the famous "kabe" to the right of Zao Ropeway near the Astrea Hotel. Then the other was a bit further to the right under one of those very fast quads. But happily, for me, Zao isn't covered in moguls! Yes the most famous mogul run in Zao for sure!

Zao is relatively cool. Still gets what some will call "hot" though. Not as cool as northern Hokkaido for sure.

I don't have any Zao numbers but with the resort closed for more than a month after the earthquake they won't be great looking.

Thank you. Will do, but it's a few weeks general rest now I think!

I think maybe about 40. But quite a few of those are just for a few hours.

My last day today just an hour - it was busy! A strange season overall, but glad that the resort could open up later on for the last bit. I'll post some summer photos as well if and when.

Shocked Positive Tired Genki Worried Hopeful

I certainly hope so.