mogski 0 Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 Was up at Kagura yesterday and well can anyone tell me why the very top lift at Kagura is closed? Closed so much that there isn't even a trail to get to it. What is up there? Link to post Share on other sites
oblivion 5 Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 That run is ALWAYS closed until 'spring ski' season when they open it up and get the lift moving. When I asked them a couple of years ago, the response I got was "too much snow to open that run/lift". But it does happen each season - won't be open until maybe end of March/April. Link to post Share on other sites
oblivion 5 Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 Oh yeah, there is a pair lift up there (400m?), an a couple of ways to come down, one in the trees and the other wide - lots of out of bounds area where they don't like you going.. Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted January 20, 2003 Author Share Posted January 20, 2003 Forgive me, but "too much snow to open?!" What a lame arse excuse!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
xxx 2 Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 Well, lets think of possible reasons, shall we? I'm sure this will raise blood pressure levels amongst some of you - maybe why I'm offering these feeble reasons.. , but here goes: - Too much snow for the lift to operate in the main season; - Too many problems with unstable snow or other related danger problems with the amounts of snow that falls up there; - Not worth the huge work possibly involved in preparing the way to / the courses / etc for the 'main' season (and possibly that area was planned as a 'spring ski' are initially for some reason); - As above, just planned that way I don't know - same for all of us. I'm sure some of them comments will get ripped apart on here - go ahead. But the fact is that lift and run is a 'spring season' one it seems. I've never known them to open it until fairly late in the season. Perhaps we should ask them? SJ? Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted January 20, 2003 Author Share Posted January 20, 2003 My comments to your suggestions. 1. The lift was visible and the snow level did not appear to be much more than the rest of the mountain. (Granted I did not walk to the lift and check.) 2. Quite possible, but is it not one of the jobs of the patrol to work these safety issues by avvie bombs etc. 3. If this is the case then it would be nice for Kagura to post something stating this at the ticket booth so you have the decision to put down the money or not on the lift ticket. (Nothing apparent anywhere in this regard and nothign more than a sign saying Tachiiri Kinshi. I add here that there was at least 100+ people hiking in with snowshoes to this area.) 4. Refer above. I don't mind the lifts being closed for particular reasons. What I object to is not being told this when purchasing tickets or at any other time on the mountain. It is just me or does anyone else see the irony in the "too much snow" excuse from a ski/board resort? Link to post Share on other sites
xxx 2 Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 Like I said, not in this to get into a prolonged disection of those simple thoughts... I'm outta here Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted January 20, 2003 Author Share Posted January 20, 2003 And not intended to be one either. Just trying to put an issue on the table for open discussion. Afterall I work to afford to ski and I don't like seeing my good lift yens going to waste without prior notice! Link to post Share on other sites
IceEiji 0 Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 It's good point! Link to post Share on other sites
oo 1 Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 I think I actually saw that written somewhere at the ropeway station previously. So we'll have to check next time. Link to post Share on other sites
IM 0 Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 They had an avalanche on the run 7-8 years ago and they are closed most of the time. I have seen the chair running only in Spring and even then only a few times. Last weekend there were AG tours and saw a group of 40 hiking up there. A buddy of mine and I hiked up to Kagura peak and did the powder run towards Tashiro area. The snow was just fine both Sat and Sun. For me I prefer that the lift is closed. That way only those who is willing to earn the turns will enjoy. Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted January 21, 2003 Author Share Posted January 21, 2003 40! That looked more like a 100! Were you the guy who rolled away in the Green Benz SUV? Link to post Share on other sites
IM 0 Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 May be there were separate groups of 40 each. They were obviousely back country newbies on a guided tour. The hike up was like a traffice jam on Kanetsu Sunday night. Yes, my car is a bugger green MB SUV, how did you know? Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted January 21, 2003 Author Share Posted January 21, 2003 I was the one in the white jacket with the other peoples having the photo taken when you guys were loading up your car. Link to post Share on other sites
IM 0 Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 Oh, I guess you guys were in a black car? In the morning at the ticket booth, there were 3 people with different tour company flags, and out come the herd of people with BC gear. Never seen such a huge group in Kagura before. Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted January 21, 2003 Author Share Posted January 21, 2003 Yep! Black car guys. Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 I'm taking the day off tomorrow and going, so I'll take a look. Link to post Share on other sites
nagoid 4 Posted January 23, 2003 Share Posted January 23, 2003 When that top part is open, it's really good Link to post Share on other sites
IM 0 Posted January 23, 2003 Share Posted January 23, 2003 Kagura is notorious for having a high wind at the top sometimes. I always call for lift status and the weather before I go. Nothing like finding the half of the place is closed when you get there. Link to post Share on other sites
proudtobegay 0 Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 They do owe us an explanation. I demand it! Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 Well I was up there a few days ago and I didn't see any signs explaining about that top part being closed, but it was marked on a map of the course layout (but without an explanation as to why). Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted January 28, 2003 Author Share Posted January 28, 2003 Quote: Originally posted by joshnii: Well I was up there a few days ago and I didn't see any signs explaining about that top part being closed, but it was marked on a map of the course layout (but without an explanation as to why). Do you mean the lift closure was indicated on the course map? Or do you mean that the lift was indicated on the course map with no notice of closure? Link to post Share on other sites
oo 1 Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Just to keep the thread up there... Link to post Share on other sites
montoya 0 Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Just noticed that the Kagura website is using a couple of riders hiking off-piste (I'm assuming) for the main photo on their website: http://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/kagura/index.html I'd love to email them in Japanese and ask them about their off-piste policies, if they have any back-country tours, etc. Actually, would love to have a one-page list of contact email addresses for other resorts as well. SnowJapan guys, maybe another asset to add to this already fantastic website? Link to post Share on other sites
IM 0 Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 I believe I put this up on some other thread, but here you go again. I see these guys guiding a bunch of guests (some look really novice with regular ski outfits) at Kagura all the time. http://www.adventure-guides.co.jp/ Under Club Adventure It also looks the do rent equipment, too. This is a very good way to be intro. to back country and meet others with the same interest. Link to post Share on other sites
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