Crunky 0 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I've been looking at options for some slackcountry/ easy backcountry in early Feb (7th-). Some of the reviews of the terrain accessed from the number 5 romance lift (the top lift) sounded very appealing. The in bounds sounds a little mellow but as it's the start of the trip I'm sure we'll enjoy a warm up run or three. But looking further it seems that lift (also called Kagura Pair Lift No. 5) is not actually open in early Feb. Was this the case this year? If it is the case is there anything there to appeal to a crew that likes the getting into the trees and some easy back country (on snowboards so prefer to ride out but carry full avi gear and snowshoes). Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Have a read through here for when that lift opened: http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-daily-snow-weather-reports/yuzawa-now Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Is thst the forestry course lift? If so then yes.....there are quite a few lines of interest Link to post Share on other sites
Crunky 0 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Hmmm that links not much help. I'll have to go through each day report and hope that it mentions something about that lift opening in the comments. Spend 20 minutes on it and haven't found a mention. Anyone else? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Sorry I can't remember, I would have to look back myself. But I do remember that the guys mentioned it in the reports a number of times. (You spent 20 minutes? Honto ni?!) Link to post Share on other sites
Crunky 0 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 I've read all Feb and half of March (up until the 13th. I'm not putting it past my ability to miss it in the skim read of each day. I'll look more tonight. Link to post Share on other sites
Crunky 0 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Ahh, found it!! 11th of Jan http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-daily-snow-weather-reports/Yuzawa-Now/11th-January-2014 Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 I would say definitely worth it. Link to post Share on other sites
A lawyer 0 Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 The last few years they seem to have opened that lift earlier and earlier. Hopefully they will keep doing that. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Wonder if they've been clearing deadfall, etc in the green season so they can open it with a lower snowpack? Or maybe just responding to increased visitor numbers in the deep winter months? Link to post Share on other sites
kkk 7 Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Prince..... responding? Good one! Link to post Share on other sites
Sciclone 2 Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Been there in Mid-Late Feb and there was plenty to play in off the runs. I ended up having to commando crawl out of some deeper stuff, because I followed a snowbunny who floated over the powder, but my heavier figure sunk down. Quite a few cat-tracks and trees to muck around in, that aren't too far from the runs. Link to post Share on other sites
Karnidge 2 Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Yes, this. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Been there in Mid-Late Feb and there was plenty to play in off the runs. I ended up having to commando crawl out of some deeper stuff, because I followed a snowbunny who floated over the powder, but my heavier figure sunk down. Quite a few cat-tracks and trees to muck around in, that aren't too far from the runs. Been caught out this way myself at Kagura Link to post Share on other sites
JellyBelly 1 Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Do not follow the snow bunnies! (Let me!) Link to post Share on other sites
fritzonline 1 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Definitely worth it, and even if it's not open, it's not too long of a climb from the top of the Pair Lift No. 3 to the top of Pair Lift No.5, and there will be even fewer people along with you. I've even considered skinning it when that top lift is open and busy; anything is preferable to waiting. Not to hijack the thread (by which I mean I'm absolutely hijacking the thread) but does anyone have any advice on skiing to the right or left of the Gondola trail? I've always returned to the piste above the top Gondola station, but I have seen people dropping off to the right of the Giant course. Considering the Gondola trail is so flat, and there is a river down to the right, I don't want to risk it and get stuck trekking out. Alternately, is it worth following the ridgeline skiers left of the top lift, which looks to end at the bottom gondola station? I'm going to give that a go anyway, but it's always good to know beforehand if you'll spend more time climbing out of a valley than skiing. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 I haven't been away out on that yummy looking ridge where the heli-ski takes you, but I've been away thru the trees skiers left under the lift and over the ridge (I guess its best described) that takes you down a great open glade and spits you out above the gondola (this may well be the area you are saying you do anyway). Anything past the gondola looks a bit hairy in the small patches that I've looked at on the lift up. Be interesting to hear if you coukd keep going past the top gondola station and end up at or near the bottom station. Link to post Share on other sites
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