Mick Rich 78 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Gassan was mentioned a few weeks ago when discussing Man_in_Japan’s return to the slopes, more in jest I suspect, but it actually got me thinking about making a trip there this season year. I hesitate to say season because Gassan opens after most other Japanese resorts have closed! In fact, looking at their website, it's due to open within the next week. http://www.gassankanko.jp/ Here are some links to a little bit of blurb I’ve just blogged, plus a couple of previous posts (and photos) from ILoveZao and finally, the SJ resort reviews, though they're fairly mixed. http://www.snowjapan...ng-on-the-moon/ http://www.snowjapan...__fromsearch__1 http://www.snowjapan...__fromsearch__1 http://www.snowjapan...ecture=Yamagata I guess Gassan is one of those places to go to for the experience rather than the quality of the skiing/riding but, if a few of us went, it could also be a bit of a laugh. I haven’t thought through the logistics yet but being a fair way up northern Honshu, it’s no doubt going to involve a shinkansen or a car share/rental and/or an overnight stay but, as it’s only just April, I reckon there’s enough time to work things out. So, just to gauge interest and without any commitment whatsover, would anyone be interested in going up there one weekend in, say May, after the crazily-busy, crazy-to-travel-in Golden Week, or even June?? In those immortal words, let’s Gala Goryu Granview Gassan! C'mon, you know you want to! Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Kind of interested but more for the fun of the adventure than any kind of expectation for the place! Link to post Share on other sites
CnnmnSchnpps 0 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 If it's still open on July 24th I'll go up for a birthday ride, haha! Link to post Share on other sites
KlingKlang 1 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 You're just angling for a cake! Link to post Share on other sites
DumbStick 13 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I guess Gassan is one of those places to go to for the experience rather than the quality of the skiing/riding Seems that way, but I like the idea. Especially when things get hot and sticky. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I might be on for it. Link to post Share on other sites
HighlyTrainedNovaTeacher 2 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 How much further of a ride is it from Zao? Link to post Share on other sites
HighlyTrainedNovaTeacher 2 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I just remembered Route Finder, very useful 75km http://www.snowjapan...velMode=DRIVING That took me like 30 seconds! Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I definitely want to get there one day. Somehow, it always seems to end up being one of those well maybe next year places. Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Hmmm 403 km- about 6 hours 44 mins http://www.snowjapan.com/e/route-finder/japan-resort-directions-large.php?addresses=Happo-one(resort%3D65)ANDGassan(resort%3D118)&avoidHighways=false&avoidTolls=false&travelMode=DRIVING Not the nearest of places. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 But as you said above, it's "more for the fun of the adventure"! I think it's opening today!!! Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I get you Mick, though not sure I'd file 300km of expressway on the "fun adventure" list. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 Yeah, fair point. I guess both "I Spy With My Little Eye" and the number plate game would get a little tiresome after 300km!!! Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Im doing this. Dont think im not. This is happening some time in June. Who's in? (as late as possible though since its gonna be a one off and so it makes the gap to next season that little but more manageable). Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 Im doing this. Dont think im not. This is happening some time in June. Who's in? (as late as possible though since its gonna be a one off and so it makes the gap to next season that little but more manageable). Well seeing as though this is my post, you'd better count me in! Link to post Share on other sites
Wizz 11 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 You're funding the bus aren't you, Mick? Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Um, let me think about that for a moment. NO! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Aw, go on! Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Well maybe, if I can sell enough of your poster-sized resort photos on eBay!! Link to post Share on other sites
ham 0 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Wish I were closer. Must be great being able to get out skiing on a day where it's generally mad hot. Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 so wheres the nearest train station, is there a bus up to teh resort from it or is it a taxi mission? Whats the nearest town... lets get those logistics down! Are you only realistically able to ride this place if you have your own wheels? or can you public trasport most of the way on friday and then stay in some nice town overnight before getting there nice and easy on teh saturday... Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Actually I have never been in anything other than car.... but it's really a car place I think. Their website, from here bottom http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=118 doesn't give any kind of details at all. I think it would be a bit of an adventure Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 looks like there is a camp site nearby, could actually be a good weekend trip, if someone had a car. Drive up friday night, camp, ride saturday, camp and BBQ and come home sunday Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 It wouldn't be too bad to rent a car either, if you got a crew together. Would love to get some turns in, will have to wait till September when I am in NZ though. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted May 25, 2012 Author Share Posted May 25, 2012 so wheres the nearest train station, is there a bus up to teh resort from it or is it a taxi mission? Whats the nearest town... lets get those logistics down! Are you only realistically able to ride this place if you have your own wheels? or can you public trasport most of the way on friday and then stay in some nice town overnight before getting there nice and easy on teh saturday... Well if I was flying solo, I was thinking about taking the (Friday) night bus from Tokyo to Yamagata city (costs about 5K) then the Saturday morning (1 hour) bus from Yamagata station to the resort, riding there for the day and then staying in Yamagata on Sat night. Then depending on the state of the weather, my aching limbs and hangover, either go back for more action on Sun or have a lazy, sightseeing day in Yamagata (or even head over to Sendai), then get the night bus back to Tokyo or an earlier bus back home so I don't have to go straight to work on the Monday morning! looks like there is a camp site nearby, could actually be a good weekend trip, if someone had a car. Drive up friday night, camp, ride saturday, camp and BBQ and come home sunday If there were a few of us, this would be a laugh!! & we could stop off at Mt Granview to check up on the construction work! Link to post Share on other sites
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