Yuzawa Now: Tuesday 19th December 2023
- Dec 19, 2023
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata
New snowfall at base 26cm
Snowfall at base this seas 66cm
Posted on Tuesday 19th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here.
Good morning from Yuzawa.
Yesterday was a good day in terms of snowfall. After my report yesterday morning there was another 26cm of snow in Yuzawa (and about 15cm to the north in Ishiuchi). The snowfall eased off later in the evening.
So that was really great to see. But, of course, we need much more. Think of it as a start. Ideally, it will stay cold over the next few days and we can keep this snow until the next lot comes. That is due late Thursday into Friday. If that happens, we should be having a lot of action next weekend.
The snowfall helps ski areas open, of course, and so here is where we stand on this Tuesday morning.
Kandatsu Snow Resort will be open from 12 noon today, with the A and C lifts are scheduled to be available. This is being called a 'pre-open', with most other facilities - restaurants, baths, shuttle bus etc, not available.
GALA Yuzawa will be part open from tomorrow. The Melody and Entertainment runs should be available.
Ishiuchi Maruyama yesterday reported 50-60cm of snowfall yesterday and might be able to open on Wednesday. They will make an announcement today. (See below)
Maiko Snow Resort and Joetsu Kokusai have both announced they now plan to open on Friday 22nd December.
Naeba is still just saying that they will open when they can. It did not snowing as much south of the main town area.
This report will be updated later today if there is any additional news.
4:30pm update:
The biggest news is that Ishiuchi Maruyama will be doing a 'pre-open' thing tomorrow. The Sunrise Express gondola and Green Lift will be operating, with just the Green course available for skiing and snowboarding.
NASPA Ski Garden has today said it will not be opening on Friday as planned and will just open as soon as there is enough snow.
Recap: Kagura is part open. Kandatsu Snow Resort sort of opened today. GALA Yuzawa and Ishiuchi Maruyama will both have a limited opening from tomorrow.
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Ski area information for Tuesday 19th December 2023
The information below is manually checked with official sources and updated for every report.
Please note that details can change quickly, especially at the beginning of the season, and official information may take a bit longer to update.
All information is subject to change.
Kagura (via Mitsumata)
Part open
Lifts open:
- Mitsumata Ropeway (from 8:00am on weekends; 7:30am on weekends)
- Mitsumata Number 1 quad
- Mitsumata Number 2 romance pair lift
- Kagura Gondola
- Kagura Number 1 quad
Courses available:
- Kagura main slope
- Gondola line
- Family (Mitsumata)
Official snow depth:
- Top: 50cm
- Base: 30cm
Notes:
The Family Course at Mitsumata can now be used.
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Kandatsu Snow Resort
Part open from 12pm
Lifts open:
- A pair lift
- C quad lift
Courses available:
- 4 courses
Official snow depth:
- Unconfirmed
Notes:
The ski area will open from 12:00pm today.
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Planned opening dates for other ski areas
Wednesday 20th December 2023:
GALA Yuzawa
Ishiuchi Maruyama
Friday 22nd December 2023:
Joetsu Kokusai
Opening as soon as there is enough snow:
Kagura (via Tashiro)
Maiko Snow Resort
Naeba
NASPA Ski Garden
Yuzawa Kogen
Thursday 21st December 2023:
Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort
Saturday 23rd December 2023:
Iwappara
Muikamachi Hakkaisan
Yuzawa Park
Closed for the 2023-2024 season:
Ishiuchi Hanaoka
Itsukamachi
Mt Granview
Nakasato Kiyotsu
Yuzawa Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Tuesday 19th December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 66cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 26cm (19th December) November 2023 snowfall 14cm reported on 2 days December 2023 snowfall 52cm 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.