muikabochi 208 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Today I went to Gala Yuzawa resort in Yuzawa with tokabochi. We arrived at the resort at about 9am but were surprised to see only 4 other cars in the car park right in front of the station/gondola building. Where was everyone?! Anyway got straight up onto that Gondola and was on the first quad lift within 10 minutes or so. The snow was pretty good, actually better than I was expecting, though not what you'd expect for peak season up there. In places bushes are still poking through. When we got there there really was hardly anyone about but more people arrived as the morning went on. You couldn't call it busy though by any stretch of the imagination. Those "Gala = mad busy" rumours may be true on weekends, but on weekdays it is a very outdated bit of info. With the south part of the resort once again closed this season (are they ever going to open that part again?), Gala actually isn't that big when you think about it. The vid clips I am uploading links below pretty much cover the whole place and especially when there are zero lift queues you can ride the whole place quite quickly. The courses are fairly narrow but again when there aren't many people that isn't a problem and they are quite fun actually you can get some decent speed going on there. Great views of Yuzawa town from Gala. Very fine weather today though more a hazy blue rather than a deep blue. Here's some vids (below) and scenic photos More pics in my gallery http://www.snowjapan.com/e/insider/photo_section.php?userid=muikabochi Here's some video taken with my basic helmetcam. The 6 vids pretty much cover the whole resort apart from a few easy slopes. (I think) you'll need to register at http://www.snowjapan.tv and login to view them all I think but it's easy and helps support our friends who run these sites. Anyway this first one is right from the top of the resort down to the base of the resort (which is actually the top station of the Gondola, confusing as it may seem): http://www.snowjapan.tv/view_video.php?viewkey=918a4aa29be29d2c386f This is the main run in the north part of the resort: http://www.snowjapan.tv/view_video.php?viewkey=13cf5eaa496d51fea640 An easy slope in the north part, close to where Gala connects to Ishiuchi: http://www.snowjapan.tv/view_video.php?viewkey=88a51f6ca8cfc1ac79b5 The top run again: http://www.snowjapan.tv/view_video.php?viewkey=f202f26c1a174c735758 The 'main slope' - taking a right (and taking a right at the bottom) going down to the base: http://www.snowjapan.tv/view_video.php?viewkey=0db1d11b6acca57d8ea8 The 'main slope' - taking a left going down to the base: http://www.snowjapan.tv/view_video.php?viewkey=6c95bd2b32ed45989c61 That's all folks until the next sunny day! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 marvelous. Pics are getting better and better Link to post Share on other sites
Rag-Doll 0 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Muika those top photos of the mountains and yuzawa are stunning. Amazing how ragged the mountains are. Places like yuzawa must have been incredibly isolated back in the day. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 Thank you. I really enjoy taking the photos, it's all part of the fun for me. I've also added 6 vid clips of Gala using Muikacam. As you will note (hear), I attached my rocket once again! Link to post Share on other sites
wendy-cake 0 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 You obviously put a lot of effort into all this. Thanks for sharing, your photos are always excellent keep them coming! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 that narrow ridge does look a bit narrow. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Fabtastulastic! Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Great photos. I don't think that 'ridge' (the one in the third pic)is actually a course thursday. Link to post Share on other sites
panhead_pete 27 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Oh thanks, two weeks now seems like too far away Awesome pics. Link to post Share on other sites
KlingKlang 1 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Great scenery I'd like to go there. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Lovely photos muikabochi, great schenary. I will be out in the snow this weekend in Nagano doing some sliding down the mountains on my two planks again. Looks like snow nearly everywhere from tonight through the weekend, even Tokyo is forcasted to get snow tonight! Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Excellent! always enjoy seeing your photos. Link to post Share on other sites
yamayamayama 2 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 How did you get the lift lines to look all funky like this Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 I like that one. It was using a fisheye lens. Fisheyes are fun. Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 nice pics as always Muika-san Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Great views from up there. Fine pictures. Do you just go out on fine days muika? (I am jealous). Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 what's the fisheye spec muika? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Don't know! I'm really not into specs, that'll have to wait until I get home and look at the writing on the lens. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Just remembered I ordered it online and the info is on my computer. It's the Nikon 10.5MM F2.8G AF DX IF-ED FISHEYE-NIKKOR Such long names. Absolutely love it, oh yes. (The lens not the silly name) Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Nice lens - just seen the price - am jealous that you're that brave to take that kit out. Is that using the nikon d60? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Just saw. Not 08 anymore gringo. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 (What does that mean?) Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Gala yuzawa 8 jan 08. Capish? Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Ahhhh! I have changed it here. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Cool. Wish I thouhgt of that. NOT. ... Link to post Share on other sites
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