rach 1 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I see there are some lift tickets for Zao and Kusatsu this week as the giveaway. I'm curious about Kusatsu. Don't seem to hear much about it. I've read the few reviews and things on it, but wondering if anyone on here has been and what you think? Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 It's a curious place Kusatsu. In some ways, it's like 3 small resorts linked up. There's the base area with a short mogul run alongside some fairly tame slopes. Then there's the middle bit at the base of the ropeway with 2 fairly short beginner/lower-intermediate slopes. Then there's the top part that has a couple of short runs and then the long run right back down to the base of the resort (8km I think but at least a few of that is just gliding). Nothing much in terms of challenge and competent intermediate skiers will find themselves bored with the runs fairly soon. It does have it's charms though. It's high up so the snow quality is often very nice up there (even if there often isn't much snow even 10 minutes or so further down the mountain). If you like long gliding courses, you'll like the top bit down to the bottom of the ropeway. On a clear day the views from the top are spectacular too - you can see over to Shiga Kogen, Myoko in the distance, Mount Naeba, Gunma etc. There's a distinctly 'old school' feel to the place I always thing, and I actually quite like that (unless it's one of the slow pair lifts!) The village of Kusatsu Onsen is also worth a visit. Some similarities to Nozawa, though Kusatsu has that central "yubatake" area which is very interesting. Basically the source of the hot springs. Overall, definitely worth a visit if you ask me. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Another interesting thing about Kusatsu is the melodic road on the way up there http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/301391.html Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I quite liked it the one time I went. The snow was really good when we went and up top there it was bitterly cold. It wasn't busy so we had those few courses at the top to ourselves and spent a few fine hours playing in the snow up there. Bottom part is not worth mentioning. Smelly place. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I was there yesterday. I'll be posting pics and info later. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Kusatsu Onsen village is a great little place, I really like it. Here's some pics of in and around that central bit of the village. Can you smell it??? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Hi rach I posted a trip report here too in a separate thread http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/301415/Kusatsu_Kokusai_25th_January_2.html Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 I was just looking at that - thanks. Looks like a really interesting place. I think I'll enter and see I can win me a ticket! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 It is interesting. I'd really like to stay there a few days and wander around. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Brilliant pics. Link to post Share on other sites
echineko 1 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 I highly recommend visit Kusatsu - for ski and onsen trip. Village is nice, onsen is great there. I have been about 6 times now to Kusatsu. Link to post Share on other sites
the snowboarding vicar 1 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 i went to Kusatsu last summer. Lovely area, I really liked the village + onsen + mountain + the crater up on the way near Shiga Kogen too. Very nice place. Link to post Share on other sites
guzzlers-baps 0 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 We went there once a while back. Once you get used to the smell (!)... it's a good place to visit. Quite unique that central part. And had some good age-manju (fried manju) which were really yummy. I like places like that. Link to post Share on other sites
Wizz 11 Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I love Kusatsu. Been 5 times now, just the once in winter. My lady's family love going there and we meet up in a hotel and spend a few days in the area. During non snow season, you can quickly get to Shiga Kogen in Nagano, so there's a lot to do in the area. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 How smelly is it on the 1-10 smelly scale? That sounds like a new post actually. Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Kusatsu is onsen/ski town, like Zao in some ways. I went once when I was younger, I thought it was very lovely area. I love trying out different area onsen. Link to post Share on other sites
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