Yuzawa Now: Thursday 17th December 2020
- Dec 17, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata
New snowfall at base 76cm
Snowfall at base this seas 215cm
Posted on Thursday 17th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here.
Since my report yesterday for the most part we have had more of the same. Snowfall, heavy at times, piling up quickly.
It looks like the Yuzawa region and Minakami region in northern Gunma have been in the bullseye of this particular snow storm and clocking up the biggest numbers. Many mentions on the national news even.
Apparently, yesterday, a new 24 hour record of snowfall was observed in Yuzawa Town - 113cm. And at that official measuring point in town, 113cm is about 6 times the amount usually there at this time of the year.
As of 9am this morning our measuring point shows 74cm of snowfall since 9am yesterday, with a similar situation to the north in Minamiuonuma.
Snow observed on Sunday: 0cm
Snow observed on Monday: 1cm
Snow observed on Tuesday: 42cm
Snow observed on Wednesday: 96cm
Snow observed on Thursday: 76cm
That's an incredible 215cm of snowfall observed since Monday morning.
At town level!
Forgive the lack of talk of skiing or snowboarding just yet! That's because we're still very much in survival and coping mode. Once everyone involved locally gets on top of the situation and things calm down, then we can concentrate on enjoying it.
More snow is due over the coming days, possibly even through into early week, and clearer skies are forecast from Tuesday onwards. It does look like we might be seeing more sensible numbers from now on
But could there be a bigger contrast with the start of last season? I don't think there could. You couldn't make it up, as they say.
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On to news from ski areas this morning:
GALA Yuzawa are open and added their Gigi course.
Kagura are reporting another 80cm of snowfall this morning (since yesterday). But they also only have the Family Course at Mitsumata and the Gondola course open this morning. I'm guessing that is as they simply cope with the snow. But wouldn't be surprised to see them close on fully open soon.
Maiko Snow Resort were planning on opening tomorrow (Friday) but they have delayed that opening - as they also deal with all the snow.
Ishiuchi Maruyama and Joetsu Kokusai appear to still be planning on opening tomorrow.
If you plan to drive here or come by train, check the traffic news. There has been and possibly may be various disruption in these circumstances.
OK, back to the shovelling...
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GALA Yuzawa
Operating lifts:
- Diligence Gondola
- Sociable quad lift
- Phaeton pair lift
Courses open:
- Melody
- Entertainment
- GiGi
- Snow Enjoyment Park
Official snow depth:
- 180cm
Kagura
Operating lifts:
- Mitsumata Ropeway
- Mitsumata Number 1 quad lift
- Mitsumata Number 2 romance lift
- Kagura Gondola
Courses open:
- Gondola course
- Family course
Official snow depth:
- Top: 200cm
- Base: 120cm
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Friday 18th December 2020
- Ishiuchi Maruyama
- Joetsu Kokusai
- Maiko Snow Resort *DELAYED*
- Kagura (via Tashiro)
Saturday 19th December 2020
- Kandatsu Snow Resort
- Naeba
- Nakazato Snow Wood
- Yuzawa Kogen
- Yuzawa Nakazato
Thursday 24th December 2020
- Iwappara
- NASPA Ski Garden
Friday 25th December 2020
- Ipponsugi
- Muica Snow Resort
- Muikamachi Hakkaisan
- Yuzawa Park
Saturday 26th December 2020
- Chateau Shiozawa
- Hakkai Sanroku
- Itsukamachi
Late December
- Mt Granview
Closed during the 2020-2021 winter season
- Ishiuchi Hanaoka
Yuzawa Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Thursday 17th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 215cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 96cm (16th December) November 2020 snowfall 0cm December 2020 snowfall 215cm reported on 4 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Yuzawa. 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.