muikabochi 208 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Considering this place is the second closest ski-jo to where I live (the closest being Muikamachi Ski Resort) and less than 10 minutes to the lifts, it's pretty amazing that I had never been until today. Today was the day though and we thought we would check it out - and actually were quite surprised at how big it was. Don't get me wrong, it's by no means big but certainly bigger than I thought. 4 quite slow pair lifts and two 'bases'. Yet another of the resorts along the recently named 'Paradise Alley'. It's basically a bit further north than Joetsu Kokusai, which can easily be seen from Chateaux. That also of course means that it is also not far from the magnificent Mt Granview. Perhaps the upcoming gondola from Ishiuchi Hanaoka > Mt Granview could be extended to Chateau Shiozawa to create an even Mega-rer Resort. Snow was very heavy and granular and spring. Very warm. I noticed a thermometer on one of the lifts saying +9 degrees. Thighs will have had a good work out. Runs apart from the top one basically just long and gentle-ish cruisers, so the bottom areas would be pretty good for kids I suppose and there were a fair few down there. No good camera today, as I have sold all my lenses as I wait for a new camera, so just some fun snapshots time. The top bit... might be more fun on a powder day. The Yoshizato side base, very close to town actually really low The resort basically has rice fields to the left and right. Wouldn't be surprised if some of the courses were over rice fields The other base. Not sure if twins called Kevin own that building on the right... Maiko on the left and Yuzawa behind in the distance The cheese shot Tired thighs but good exercise Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Cheers Muika Photos still look good Seemore Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 11, 2012 Author Share Posted March 11, 2012 Thanks - and before you all start bugging me about routes and how to get to all these stellar places, here we go The magical Ishiuchi Hanaoka > Mt Granview > Chateau Shiozawa route which will in a few years no doubt be THE route to do if you are going to ski in Japan: http://www.snowjapan...velMode=DRIVING Link to post Share on other sites
wendy-cake 0 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Nice. sounds like Gateau and I really like them! Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Never been there either muika. Trying out quite a few of the smaller local places this year hey? Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Can't say I had heard of that one, you're pulling them out of the hat! Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 The other base. Not sure if twins called Kevin own that building on the right... The Green Hut! It must be the only old building near a Japanese ski resort to have been repainted. You should go and shake their hand! Does the Chateau have its own wine? Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Brilliant Muika! I agree with Joshnii, can't believe you keep pulling these gems out of the hat. & I wonder how many more of them are hidden away in the aptly-named "Paradise Alley"?? I think we've been down this road before, but there's a guidebook waiting to be written here, with photos provided by the OP! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 11, 2012 Author Share Posted March 11, 2012 Definitly running out of them now, Mick! Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 One thing about that area for sure is you certainly have a lot of choice! Link to post Share on other sites
69 5 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 BTW.... "Paradise Alley"? Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Thanks for the report. Seriously, I often wonder how people choose a place to ski - with so many choices, and more so why people choose places like this. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Cute base area(s). Thanks for the report. Seriously, I often wonder how people choose a place to ski - with so many choices, and more so why people choose places like this. Could imagine it being nice for a low-key, family outing. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Very nice, the slopes look very flat or is that just how the pics make them look! That base of that resort and the restaurant and what not looks so much like Jigatake that I went to the other day, with the slopes resembling Shirakabako Royal Hills where I went in December. Nice to see the smaller less known places like this, I think it is fun to check out as many places as possible including the small one. It is also a way of spreading the word to others to help keep these smaller places running. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I used to live near a street that was locally dubbed "muggers Alley" Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Please tell me that was back in Scotland and not Fujisawa!! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 yeah of course Link to post Share on other sites
JellyBelly 1 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 So much to choose from in that category surely Metabo. Must be some fierce price wars going on perhaps? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 There were lots of kids/young families, but not sure if they were local types or come from afar. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 Today on the way over to Gala, I looked over to Chateau Shiozawa and realised why I never really considered it before - most of it isn't really visible from the main roads in the valley and it looks tiny, and the top bit is kind of hidden from view. I can see it now but I had never really noticed it before. Link to post Share on other sites
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