muikabochi 208 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Kusatsu Kokusai was the target yesterday, and the weather co-operated. It's a nearly 2 hour drive from where I live in Niigata using the Kanetsu expressway and then cutting across west, so much further than I'm used to. But I really like Kusatsu. The ski resort itself isn't really that big - it's very long and thin and there's not much of a challange there in terms of courses. When I have been there the snow has always been really good. Yesterday it wasn't bad, but even up there at 2000+m they got rain recently and so it had taken a hit. Better than the snow lower down in Minamiuonuma anyway thats for sure. Part of the Kusatsu experince though surely has to be the onsen hot springs and little onsen village at the base. Some views on offer from the skijo: Looking south towards Asama, though it's a bit out of sight: Looking over towards Shiga Kogen: I think this is Mount Naeba: Looking over towards Myoko: This is the top lift: The "ropeway" which actually looks like a gondola to me, but they call it a ropeway!: Going down from the top of the ropeway: The quad taking you up to the Ropeway. You can see the Ropeway in the middle of the photo going up to the top. To the right there are a few courses and the downhill course: Unfortunately you can only catch a partial glimpse of Mt Asama from the top of the resort. But on the way up to Kusatsu you can get a view like this: Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I always thought that place was big. That Asama shot is ace. Link to post Share on other sites
yoroshiku onegai shimasu 2 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I really like reading about and seeing new places like that. Thanks muikabochi. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Am I right in saying that the road that connects Kusatsu with Shiga Kogen is closed winter? Link to post Share on other sites
mina2 6 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Good place Kusatsu. Got a Nozawa kind of appeal I feel. Link to post Share on other sites
DumbStick 13 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Kusatsu is a curious skijo. Others have said it but it feels like a few small places linked up by one long run. The top bit is the best but nothing really challenging. Link to post Share on other sites
SKMT 0 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I like Kusatsu, it's one of the "classic" resorts (also part of the Mount 6 group). The onsen is great there too. It's not really a big resort though it looks it on the map. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 see people got evacuated from around Mt asama the other day because of volcanic activity Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 That was talked about here TB http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/301412/Mt_Asama_Gunma.html Link to post Share on other sites
beesleyx 0 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I went to Kusatsu with my family using the ticket I won on this site. We really enjoyed it though the snow was fairly thin on the ground I thought. Pretty much agree with what muikabochi says. I took some photos and uploaded them, though they are not as good as the ones above!! Just want to say thanks for the ticket and all the great info on this site. Link to post Share on other sites
onsen tamago 0 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I love Kusatsu, been many a time both in winter and other seasons. Definitely worth a visit. Make sure you check out some of the public onsen near the center. Link to post Share on other sites
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