DayTripper 0 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I did a search on the forums but couldn't find any threads on this topic. I'd like to know, which ski resorts in Japan keep their lifts running for longest - ie where are the best places for spring skiing? I've heard tell of somewhere in north Honshu that doesn't even open its lifts until spring - because it gets so much snow! - anyone know if this is true? cheers Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 This is just what I know... Around our area (Niigata), some places often open until Golden Week (Kagura). This year though, thats a big ??? because of the relatively low levels of snow. I think they'll be struggling. There are other places that go until then in Hakuba and Shiga Kogen I believe in Nagano. And doesn't Niseko open until then? Other than that, I believe there is a 'resort' in Yamagata called Gassan which usually opens until July. It's just a few lifts though nothing big as far as I know. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Yes there is a resort somewhere in Ishikawa I think that opens from July, beacause they get something like 20 metres or more of snow per season so everything is blocked off until around July! I think the season is something like from July to October! I found some info about it somewhere but forget where! They do tourist trips to this area, which start in July, because only by then has enough snow melted to allow the roads to be cleared, and there are still 18 metre high walls each side of the road in July! Link to post Share on other sites
DayTripper 0 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 are you sure that's in Ishikawa? I lived in the hokuriku area for 2 years but never heard of anywhere like that in Ishikawa! - please don't tell me it passed me by! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Bollocks. Please elaborate. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Originally Posted By: snowdude and there are still 18 metre high walls each side of the road in July! Even if this were true, I bet there won't be this particular July!! Maybe 1.8 Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 (cm) Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 It's just bollox. Link to post Share on other sites
Hotaka Scott 0 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Originally Posted By: snowdude Yes there is a resort somewhere in Ishikawa I think that opens from July, beacause they get something like 20 metres or more of snow per season so everything is blocked off until around July! I think the season is something like from July to October! I found some info about it somewhere but forget where! They do tourist trips to this area, which start in July, because only by then has enough snow melted to allow the roads to be cleared, and there are still 18 metre high walls each side of the road in July! Sounds like the Tateyama Alpen Route which isn't a resort, but rather a series of buses, cable cars, ropeways, etc. which allows you to cross the Northern Alps from Toyama to Nagano (or vice versa). The route opens from late April until the end of November, and as for skiing it is all backcounty (although there is one area that they set up T-bar that gets some use - but not much). Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 pretty sure its Gassan in Yamagata, I think Soubs posted a few pics last year of the road with the huge walls of snow towering over it Link to post Share on other sites
XilR8 0 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Okutadami Maruyama doesn't open until March 20th this year. I think that's the place you've heard of before. Usually they have a lot more snow, but so far this season "only" 340cm. Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesnow 0 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Where is Okutadami Maruyama? and where can I get more info re this resort? Planning spring ski for 10 days somewhere in Japan,and never been this country before. Any info would be very helpful. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted February 26, 2009 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted February 26, 2009 Hello. Okutadami is a small resort in Niigata, somewhere between Yuzawa and Nagaoka, nearest town is Koide. http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=23 Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Sorry like I said not sure, but thought it was Ishikawa, but come to mention it Hotaka Scott maybe right, it could be the Tateyama Alpine route, if I can find the details I'll post them here, but it is for real, I am not making it up. It is even advertised in holiday brochures. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Ok found it, it's not Ishikawa, it is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route as Hotaka Scott mentioned! I am sure in the brochure I saw that this area has a ski season that starts in July, but can't find it on this page! Anyway this route is opened from the end of April each year due to the amount of snow! Link to post Share on other sites
JellyBelly 1 Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Yep that's it. Nice one! Bet they haven't got 18-20 metres of snow this year though, wonder how many metres this year?? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 wow!! that looks photoshopped!! But it is the same place that Soubs posted last year....I thought it was up in Yamagata though Link to post Share on other sites
Hotaka Scott 0 Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver wow!! that looks photoshopped!! It's the real deal. Link to post Share on other sites
nagpants 1 Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 When there's no snow, is that flat? I would presume that there are banks there anyway (not saying it isn't impressive....) Link to post Share on other sites
Hotaka Scott 0 Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 The area around the road is "flatish" (not sure if that's really a word), but of course being Tateyama the mountains are quite close to the road. Kind of hard to explain actually. There aren't banks per se, just a guard rail that appears once summer rolls around. Having trouble finding a decent picture of the route in summer/fall, but the one below might give you some idea. That particular area isn't where the deep snow is though, but a little lower down. And one more of Yuki no Ootani for good measure. Link to post Share on other sites
hothead 0 Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 I wonder how tall it will be THIS year. Link to post Share on other sites
Hotaka Scott 0 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Just saw on the local news that there is currently 15 meters of snow in the Yuki no Ootani area. Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Gassan is also usually open until late July, though calling it a resort is pushing the meaning I think! I doubt this year it will be open that long due to less snow. I have never been the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route but I hope to one day. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts