norcal 5 Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I had an awesome time yesterday. It was only my 3rd time out here in Japan, and I missed all the good stuff earlier in the season, so this weeks dump made it great. The wife and I made a plan Thursday night to head up to Naeba. We reserved a rental room (weekends Y10000) because we have a 10 month old. I took the morning shift on the mountain, she took the afternoon. Actually, she had her first lesson & first time on a snowboard! (and she loved it...bonus!!) The rental room had a shower, bed, tv...almost like a small cheap hotel room. (In the future we will just reserve a hotel). Just what we needed though, having a 10 month old w/us. Moving on...it was snowing upon arrival to the mountain. There was so much untouched snow...it was great to see. I really wish I had more time so that I could hit up Kagura, but I wanted the wife to get some time out. (yeah, I'm an AWESOME husband, lol!) I have no major complaints about Naeba. It wasn't too busy, the only long lines were at the Gondola, and that was maybe a 5 minute wait (this was in the AM). First I took a lift up just to get a quick run in...on the way up I looked down at the skiers & snowboarder...and heard nothing. Powder Made my way up to the top after my first run. Soooo much fresh snow! Again not crowded, so that was a plus. Here's a problem I have - there was alot of nice untouched powder that was roped off unecessarily. I ducked a few ropes, but nothing to extreme. Seemed like a waste of good snow to me, but hey, I'm just a boarder, not the staff, lol. They played music there as well, which seemed unecessary also. I didn't have time to check out much of the Big Air comp that was going on there. I had a nap in the afternoon, which seemed more important, haha. I did check out a few jumps, seemed pretty cool to see in person. Red Bull sponsored it, I didn't see and adverts for it though. I don't know what else I can say...just seem to keep rambling on and on, haha. All I know is yesterday was awesome, not only b/c of the fresh snow, but b/c the wife had a great time as well. Looking forward to more mountain trips w/the fam! And now for me to stop talking and get on with the pics....unless you guys want me to keep talking...? lol Road to Naeba Our GPS gave us the wrong route. "Do you think that was our turn.....?" *bing* 're-routing' I don't know if it was b/c I was soooo hungry, but this place at the end of Gondola 1 had an awesome Nikuman The lift in the background goes to the top. Downhill course, just under Gondola 2 Another view of the lift for the top. I think this was from the end of Gondola 1 Top of the world...or just the mountain BOOOOO!!! Final thoughts: Would I go back? Yes. Would stay in a hotel though for sure. I still plan on checking out other places, but Naeba is a good place for beginner to advanced people in my opinion. (I'm in between the two ) Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Looks good norcal, great to hear about the good conditions. Did you see the area in the lower central area that had an avalance recently? http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/402431/Snow_slide_at_Naeba.html Might explain the roped off untouched areas you mentioned, though I don't know which parts you are meaning there of course. They seem to have made a good call on the above. Link to post Share on other sites
norcal 5 Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 I remember looking at that thread, forgot that was naeba. You can't even tell there was a slide. I can see why they would want to be more cautious then. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Where exactly was the roped off untouched you mention, norcal? Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Certainly not many people on your pics norcal. Looks good. Link to post Share on other sites
quattro 1 Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 looks good Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Nice photos thanks. Quote: It wasn't too busy, the only long lines were at the Gondola, and that was maybe a 5 minute wait Oh how things have changed!! Time was weekend you'd wait well over 30 minutes just for a pair lift there. Link to post Share on other sites
norcal 5 Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Muika - there was a really nice run up top that was shut off. really nice powder Link to post Share on other sites
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