RobBright 35 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Just a quick review here - nothing of Ippy's length. Or so I hope. Background This season, I am trying to get to as many new places as possible, and this is definitely one I have not tried before. I tend to use the JR day return trips, 日帰り, deals as you can get some money off if you plan the trains well, which means more money to spend at the resort. Yuzawa Park Resort is about a 4kms bus ride from Echigo-Yuzawa train station, and there is a free shuttle bus that departs from the East exit, every half hour or so, or on the hour. But be warned, it's quite a small bus, so get there early to be first in the queue, otherwise you may have to wait for a bit for the next one. I chose Yuzawa Park Resort, primarily because I had heard that it does get some good powder, and after the last few days of snow, I wasn't disappointed. I didn't take many pictures, as I thought it was going to be snowing; however, how wrong was I?! The morning turned out to be beautiful, with blue skies and a few clouds, dotted around, which lent the area to produce some stunning views of Yuzawa and further afield. In the afternoon though, it started to dump down, but nowhere near as bad as a few weeks back, on the 4th, but pictures were definitely out of the picture. Resort As you can see above, the course's aren't too difficult, and I would recommend this place for beginners and intermediates alike. See those green patches? Those are the tress. And they aren't roped off. So, in I went, and had a great time, although the board, a Burton TWC wide 158 did have some problems handling the powder, as it was pretty deep, almost up to my knees, it did me well. If you go up to the top, there are lots of places to rip up, and I think in the whole time I was there, I saw two orange fences, and they were well placed as there were two steep drops either side of them. The courses are nice and wide, so plenty of turns could be made, and also the resort was quite quiet, compared to some of the other places around Yuzawa. There was also a small park area, and some fun little courses e.g. go alternate going between blue and red flags, some slalom courses and so on. You could easily cover the whole resort in the morning, but I wasn't there for that, like I said, it was powder and there was plenty to play in. Did I mention that already? Food & Drink Standard stuff really, ramen, curry, udon etc, but well priced and the portions were a good size too. I had a curry and beer, came to about 1000yen, which was a nice surprise, and was pretty tasty. There were quite a few restaurants dotted all over the place, and well similarly priced. Overall I enjoyed the place, more than I thought I would, but I would recommend a JR deal. At 4,000yen for a day pass, it's a tad expensive for what it offers, but a good resort for families, beginners and also intermediates. This man was happy with it all though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Good report Thanks Man Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Great review! We actually need more reviews like this if you ask me (as if id say otherwise!). It really helps people thinking about riding there get at least some idea of it. Yuzawa park especially is one of those places i cant see anyone a) riding; b ) even thinking about riding; and c) even if they were thinking about riding, would be struggling to find information on it. Aside a few pictures, maybe one thing the resort is lacking is info on vert just because its hard to really get a sense of the scale. Sooooo... http://www.snowjapan...ail.php?resid=9 Just to round it out. Great stuff dude, and thanks for putting it up. Muika picture robery time! Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I'm really glad you enjoyed it so much, MiJ. That's where I first clicked into a pair of skis, and I put a lot of days in there back in the day. Have always thought it offers a tremendous amount of variety for a place that's not very large. :thumbsup: Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 You can always rob my pictures, ippy. Though it would be good to see some fresh ones. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 I'd love to have taken photos but the weather so far this season, for me at least, hasn't been conducive to photos. Either has rain or lots of snow. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks man in Japan Short and sweet thats all most of us need to know Trail Guide looks good Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Nice review. Thanks for that. I'm going to be in Yuzawa later this season thanks to one of the giveaways. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Yuzawa Park would be well down on my list of places to recommend to someone who is going to Yuzawa for the first time. It is fine for a half day, but it is small. For me it's a place to go to once in a while 'for a change'. Link to post Share on other sites
69 5 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Wouldn't get carried away with the Yuzawa Park love dudes, small and not particularly interesting place. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 Wouldn't get carried away with the Yuzawa Park love dudes, small and not particularly interesting place. Yuzawa Park would be well down on my list of places to recommend to someone who is going to Yuzawa for the first time. It is fine for a half day, but it is small. For me it's a place to go to once in a while 'for a change'. Very much agreed, guys. I fancied a change from the melee that is Kagura / Maiko on the weekends. I probably wouldn't go back here again but was pleased I did go. Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Didn't there used to be another lift on the right hand side? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Not that I can remember tokabochi. Andrew or DiGriz might be able to rewind more than myself! Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 There was a resort behind it that looked closed. Wondered what it was. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan#Andrew 6 Posted January 21, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 21, 2013 I don't think there was another lift. Haven't been for ages, I used to go there 2-3 times a week for nighta after work. I think it was the first skijo in Yuzawa to really welcome snowboarders. The resort behind is/was Kayama Captain Coast, now closed. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Rob did you notice have they taken the lifts down at Kayama or are they still there? I suppose from what you said they are still there... Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I went there when I first came here, not been back. The other one neary was Yuzawa Nakazato. Not been there for ages either. Not sure if it would be worth it actually, though bring back some memories. Link to post Share on other sites
onsen tamago 0 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Nakazato very much a similar kind of place, and aiming at families. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 I almost went to Nakazato a few weeks back but didn't as it was a bit far from the station for me. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 It's only about 1km further on than Yuzawa Park isn't it. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I took a pic of Yuzawa Park from Iwappara today and here it is Link to post Share on other sites
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