inned muppet 0 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I think this last season was the third season that the southern part of Gala Yuzawa wasn't open. I used to like that area - the best bit if you ask me... steep slopes, loads of snow, good trees. Why exactly is it closed and are they ever going to open it up again anyone know? Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 If I remember correctly, the first year it didn't open was 04/05 just after the Chuetsu earthquake, so it will have been closed 4 seasons now. (Correct me if I'm wrong anyone!) Again, not 100% on this, but I heard that the earthquake did a bit of damage over there (enough for them not to open it) and they haven't fixed it up and/or know what to do with it yet. I agree it was a good part of the resort quite steep and lots of untouched snow. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Got to wonder whats going on there. They don't seem in a hurry to open it up do they. I didn't think Yuzawa was affected much by the earthquake. Agree though that it was the most fun part of Gala. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Has it been closed that long? You'd think it would be top priority, it being 1/3 of their resort and all with the connection to Yuzawa Kogen as well. Must be lots of money needed for something. Link to post Share on other sites
Myoko Guy 0 Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 "The earthquake did a bit of damage over there" Japanese way of saying, "Good excuse to close part of the resort and save money." I doubt it will be open again anytime soon unfortunately. Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Not necessarily. Yuzawa was shindo 4 in the earthquake there was damage in areas and that steep slope got some landslides. I heard the lift base got some damage too. I am sure money has a lot to do with it, but I would also guess that they would really like to get that part open if they can as it is a significant part of a popular resort. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 its a new testing area for aerial tricks Link to post Share on other sites
I'm Sexy 0 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I heard the cost for fixing the area due to landslide and lift strengthen (sorry bad English) was extremely high making it difficult. It was good area. Link to post Share on other sites
gurningbob 0 Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Are lift tickets 1/3 cheaper since the 1/3 of the resort was closed? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Shhhh, don't tell anyone but apparently the Southern Area will be opening for the 09/10 season. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 really mb? what are your sources? Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted May 18, 2009 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted May 18, 2009 Gala have been planning and are apparently now seeing to fixing up what needs fixing up on that southern area with a view to opening it for 09/10. (Whether the Ropeway connecting Gala with Yuzawa Kogen will also re-open is another matter as that is operated jointly by both the resorts). Link to post Share on other sites
Myoko Guy 0 Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I stand corrected. Exceedingly good news if it happens. Link to post Share on other sites
Ctrl-Z 0 Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Thats good to hear. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Any word on Gala trying to get that downhill (meaning from the top of the gondola to the bottom base station) course done as well? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I haven't heard anything about that. Link to post Share on other sites
Curt 1 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Would be interesting to hear exactly what was the problem there and why it took so long to clear up. Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 In the local newspaper this week: Gala Yuzawa officially announces preparing new 2.5km course (570m vertical) downhill from the bottom of the resort (northern area) to the bottom gondola station. The first real resort development in Yuzawa town since the opening of Naspa Ski Garden in 1992. One of the main reasons is that strong winds stop the gondola sometimes leaving people stranded on the mountain with no other way to get down and there have been a few times this happened in recent years getting a lot of bad publicity. Lots of it is a typical down the mountain zigzag and it mentions them building a small tunnel or something near the bottom to get people back to the gondola station. Not sure about that bit. Should be open properly NEXT season. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Good to hear. They must have lost a ton in the last few years closing the gondola so often. I heard that it would be like a trial run this season with that course, though not sure what that means.. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Hope it goes well. 7,000 stranded up top aint gonna be much fun, but it was a great headline. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I'm interested to know how they deal with that streep bottom bit. Any news on the south area opening? Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Some bad planning and research. Or did it suddenly get windy there Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Someone posted on another topic about this - should be opening NEXT season apparently. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted October 15, 2009 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted October 15, 2009 Perhaps I confused things in an earlier post with a typo. I believe they intend on opening that part up again for the 10/11 season. I'm sure they are looking forward to it. About the wind issue. They didn't seem to have big problems until that storm a few years back. It created a lot of publicity and it seems that since then they have been extra cautious in order to avoid the same. Just my guessing. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 They were getting almost paranoid I think! Sometimes they were closed even on bright sunny days with no wind but with the forecast of some moderate winds that never turned up. I didn't count but last season they missed quite a lot of days, a fair few of them being weekends as well. Link to post Share on other sites
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