Myoko Now: Friday 18th November 2022
- Nov 18, 2022
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Myoko region of Niigata
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Posted on Friday 18th November 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here.
It was a foggy morning at Mt. Myoko; when the mists moved the snow is still up there, almost down to the Akakura Kanko Hotel. It’s going to melt in the nice sun today (and we all have last-minute snow preparations to finish up, and it’s nice to have some good weather to rush around in), but that snow tells me it’s time to give a little pre-season presentation on our fair mountain. And surroundings.
No major changes on the hills in terms of lifts and runs and such. The only thing to note is the closure of the Champion No. 1 lift, the very bottom lift and run at the bottom of the Akakan side of the two Akakura areas. The lift actually stopped running last season, due to low numbers and the run kind of being set apart from the rest of the Akakan runs. Just remember if you do head to the bottom of the area that you either need a ticket at Akakura Onsen to go back up, or walk the 10 minutes or so down the road back to the Akakan gondola. There’s a new decorative waterfall now being completed at the base of Akakura Kanko (Kanko) next to the Myoko Sky Cable gondola. Don’t know how much of it will actually be visible in the snowy months (did you know there’s another waterfall between the gondola and the main road? It’s under there).
The biggest news is, of course, the pending return of international travelers after two viral-influenced years. Hotels look like they’re filling up all over the area, with guides and others reporting an increasing number of requests for tours and lessons and other activities. One worry is that two of the larger/more popular restaurants have closed in the last year or so, so it could be pretty hard to get a meal in town - reservations became a requirement in the pre-covid days, so it could be even more difficult this season. Take the friendly local train to Joetsu!
There are all the usual rumors: Will Prince sell Myoko Suginohara? Madarao did get a new owner in the fall, we hear. Will Kanko finally replace its aging gondola (it’s coming up on 40 - I understand it is Japan’s longest gondola with the least change in altitude, if that makes sense)? Will we get as much snow as last season’s amazing falls? Will I actually finish repairing my snow-damaged container house before the snow really falls?
Things are changing, no doubt about it, with more international money and more international guests. I hope we keep some of our traditional feeling through it all, though - and the mountains aren’t going to change. In the end, I guess, those great peaks are what’s most important about being here. Look up to Mt. Myoko, and it's always a good day.
Looking forward to welcoming you to Myoko!
Myoko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Friday 18th November 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 0cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 0 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 0cm November 2022 snowfall 0cm |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Myoko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.