Whitegold 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi All, This is my first post to SJF. I was wondering if anyone here has skied Karuizawa (Prince Snow Resort), a small resort a coupla hours north of Tokyo by train? I have a chance to ski there for 2 to 3 days in the second week of Dec 2008 (probably a Sat, Sun and Mon). Is it worth the trek? What has the snow been like historically in that area in early Dec? Thanks in advance for any inputs, no matter how small. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi The reviews on this site may well say this but - it's a bit rubbish - and I might be right in thinking that the only snow there then will be man-made. You would be much better off going a bit further up to Kagura in Yuzawa at that time. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Some reviews Reviews Link to post Share on other sites
Whitegold 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 @tokyo -- Top tip. That helps a lot. Thanks. Off the top of your head, do you have a feel for how long it might take by train from Tokyo to Kagura? Are we talking 2 hours roughly? Thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Whitegold, the fastest shinkansens from Tokyo Station to Echigo Yuzawa station (nearest to Kagura) take about 75 minutes, the slower ones are more like 90, either way not too long. From Echigo Yuzawa you either wait for a bus or catch a taxi to Mitsumata Ropeway station (the main starting point for most vistors to Mitsumata / Kagura / Tashiro resorts, which all link together), which takes about 20 minutes / 4,500 yen (so worth sharing a taxi). If you are going up for 2-3 nights you could stay at Yuzawa town, close to Mitsumata Ropeway, or in Naeba which is further on up the road. All of these options are now very well covered by reviews and guidance elsewhere on this site. If the choice is the artificial snow at Karuizawa Prince or Kagura, then for most posters here, there's no choice to make - as long as Kagura has reasonably good cover by the time of your visit. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Karuizawa is very cold in winter, but it is a dry area compared to a bit further north so doesn't get that much snow at the best of times. Like the others said, go a bit further over to Niigata, especially as access is easy and not long from Tokyo, if you take the shink. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Kagura would be the better choice I reckon, snow dependent of course, BUT I forsee a huge dump of white stuff to make Kagura more than covered at that time!! (I'm going up around that time too ) Link to post Share on other sites
wakaran 1 Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I have waaaay not enough money to waste it on Karuizawa! Shopping seems to be part of the attraction, so if that floats your boat too! Link to post Share on other sites
Whitegold 0 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Share Posted November 12, 2008 skidaisuki / snowdude / Tubby Beaver / wakaran -- All great info. Thanksalot. It looks like we're gonna ski in Kagura and lodge in Yuzawa. Link to post Share on other sites
wakaran 1 Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Good choice sir! Link to post Share on other sites
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