nippontiger 8 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I was planning to hit Kagura again this sunday - looks like there's gonna be plenty of snow. However, latest forecast is now calling for severe gale force winds from Saturday night through Sunday which will very likely result in the top lifts being closed. Kagura isn't worth going to for me without the top quad open. Usually when the forecast was like this I'd go to Kandatsu - it was in a sheltered valley so didn't tend to be affected by strong winds - however, that place has now closed down. I wonder if anyone has recommendations for resorts in the Yuzawa area which don't get affected much by strong winds? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Hmm I don't go out on strong wind days so don't have much first hand experience. But I'd guess smaller places closer to town level like Nakazato, Park. And of course don't rule out the Legendary Mt Granview. It may have massive peaks but somehow I think it might be ok in the winds. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Sounds like a plan. Isn't it the Tokamachi Snow Festival this weekend? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 It is. Every year, it seems to end up snowing in the evening even when it has been dry either side. Looks like the same this time. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Its been several years since I went to the snow festival there. All looks nice lit up at night. Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Was it you who know a family in Matsunoyama/Matsudai or something? Let us know if you are coming later, muika. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 It wouldn't be the Koyama family by any chance they live in Matsudai? I used to go up there and do tou ue and inakari for a few years. They imtroduced us to the festival. Nice family but just not had the time to visit them in recent years. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Was just about to start a new topic but this one ties in with the following question:- How windy does it have to be before the Kagura top lifts close? I know that this is one of those "how long is a piece of string questions" questions but I'm thinking about hitting Kagura on Monday and 50-55km/h winds are forecast. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Strong winds and it gets closed. Sorry don't know what strong is in numbers but if it's forecast to be fairly strong you should expect it to not open. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Kagura isn't the place to be on a windy day. Mainly because they usually shut off at least from the top quad and often more. Obviously depending on how windy it actually is. Link to post Share on other sites
Gunma Boarder 14 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I was thinking of maybe going to Kagura this weekend too. The snow japan forecast only says 35 km/h winds for Kagura at the top on Sunday. If that holds true I can't imagine that stopping the quad lift. Even Saturday afternoon and evening don't seem too bad (45 and 40). I think it will be open but might be worth calling to make sure. How are Gala and Yuzawa Kogen in the wind compared to Kagura? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Problem with Yuzawa Kogen is that.... it's a bit rubbish. Apart from the fab views on a clear day of course. GALA can be closed in wind, but seem more resiliant than Kagura. Good job they have that downhill course now - before that they were really hurting closing sometimes when I thought there was no wind at all. Since then though all good. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Have GALA been opening all of the south area this season? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Mostly open as far as I know. That one time when we had heavy snow ( ) I remember it was closed for a few days but... Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Even the very top course? That one always seemed to be closed when I went, which reduced the rideable mountain by half Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I'd forgotten about GALA! Obviously my radar has been skewed by the other resort beginning with G!! I'd be tempted to go there if I knew the Southern Area was going to be open. Link to post Share on other sites
nippontiger 8 Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share Posted March 5, 2014 Was just about to start a new topic but this one ties in with the following question:- How windy does it have to be before the Kagura top lifts close? I know that this is one of those "how long is a piece of string questions" questions but I'm thinking about hitting Kagura on Monday and 50-55km/h winds are forecast. At Kagura I'd say 35-40 you should be OK, but above 40 there's a good chance the top quad will close. Looking at the forecast now, I'd say Sunday looks OK (hope so, I plan to go) and Monday I wouldn't want to risk it. I've done the Kagura trip loads of times and a few times I've made other plans because of forecast high winds and I was almost always right to do so. Things could change, so I'd leave it as late as possible and if it is still predicting 50-60KPH winds at the top as it is now, I'd give it a miss. Kagura simply isn't worth the trip for me if the top quad isn't open. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 That's brilliant info Gary, thanks a lot!! I want to stay at the Wadagoya Mountain Hut but as you say, it's not going to be worth it if I can't ride the top lifts and therefore the top tree runs!! Link to post Share on other sites
TsugaikeKogen 79 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Tsugaike Kogen 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 TK, I'm interested to hear what, in your opinion, is the worst resort with the crapest snow in the Hakuba-Otari area Link to post Share on other sites
onehunga 26 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Don't think you'll catch him out that way. Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post TsugaikeKogen 79 Posted March 5, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 5, 2014 Tsugaike Kogen 4 Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Back to Kagura..... top is closed today http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-daily-snow-weather-reports/yuzawa-now Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Tsugaike Kogen At least we've expanded his vocabulary by 33% Link to post Share on other sites
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