Yuzawa Now: Friday 8th January 2021
- Jan 8, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata
New snowfall at base 58cm
Snowfall at base this seas 619cm
Posted on Friday 8th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here.
Yesterday there were blue skies and calm conditions in the morning and into the afternoon too.
Clouds moved in during the afternoon with snow falling, then a lull, and then it coming in full on during the evening along with some stronger winds. Though the wind never seemed to get really rough, or not enough to be woken up by!
This morning Maiko Snow Resort is reporting 60cm of fresh snowfall and that is the only number I can find from ski areas.
I have just measured 58cm as of 9am... and counting. It is still coming down.
Limited visibility this morning and cold conditions. Some lifts may be delayed as ski areas cope with this fresh dumpage of snow.
In other news...
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Wish this did not need to be reported but here goes.
The Tashiro Area of Kagura is closed again today and unfortunately it appears that it will be remaining closed for the time being, with no indication of when it might re-open. Kagura is open via Mitsumata Ropeway up to the Kagura Number 1 quad lift. The reasons for this being given is:
Yesterday Tokyo and the surrounding three prefectures declared a 'state of emergency' regarding the coronavirus situation, running through 7th February. Japan can't legally do full on lockdowns like some other countries, and like last spring this is more like a strong request along with shortening hours etc.
Niigata Prefecture (and surrounding prefectures) remain unaffected directly by this, and apart from the Tashiro news above, it is important to note that ski areas remain open.
But of course many people visiting this region are normally coming from Tokyo and that area, so this will undoubtedly affect the number of people out on the slopes.
If you are in one of those regions affected by these new measures, we recommend checking up on the official guidelines and going along with them.
Gambarimasho!
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GALA Yuzawa
The Southern Area is closed this morning. Central & Northern Areas fully open
Official snow depth:
280cm
Ishiuchi Maruyama
The link with GALA Yuzawa is now open
Official snow depth:
Mid: 280cm
Base: 200cm
Iwappara
Top area appears to be closed
Official snow depth:
260cm
Joetsu Kokusai
5 lifts and 10 courses open (Atema area closed)
Official snow depth:
260cm
Kagura
Tashiro & top Kagura Number 5 pair lift closed today
Official snow depth:
Top: 280cm
Base: 230cm
Kandatsu Snow Resort
Official snow depth:
235cm
Maiko Snow Resort
Official snow depth:
Top: 310cm
Base: 210cm
Muikamachi Hakkaisan
Official snow depth:
Top: 300cm
Base: 220cm
NASPA Ski Garden
Official snow depth:
270cm
Naeba
Top area closed due to bad weather - three lower lifts operating
Official snow depth:
Top: 140cm
Base: 120cm
Yuzawa Kogen
The link with GALA Yuzawa is now open
Official snow depth:
Top: 300cm
Base: 240cm
Yuzawa Nakazato
Official snow depth:
280cm
Yuzawa Park
Official snow depth:
190cm
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Floodlit night skiing at ski areas in Yuzawa and Minamiuonuma
Below are the general plans for night skiing during the 2020-2021 season - this information will be checked periodically for any major changes. All are subject to change at short notice.
Ishiuchi Maruyama
Time: 4:00pm until 8:30pm
Dates: Daily until 28th February; then 6th-7th, 13th-14th March 2021
Lifts: Sunrise Express, Tyrol triple, Kanko Number 3
Iwappara
Time: Until 7:00pm on weekdays; until 8:00pm on Saturdays
Dates: Daily until 21st March 2021
Lifts: Number 2 and 3 pair lifts
Joetsu Kokusai
Time:5:00pm until 9:00pm
Dates: Daily until 21st March 2021
Lifts: In front of the base hotel and Nagamine
Kandatsu Snow Resort
Time: 6:00pm until 2:00am
Dates: Saturdays and nights before holidays until 3rd April 2021
Maiko Snow Resort
Time: 4:00pm until 8:00pm
Dates: On Saturdays until 14th March 2021
Lifts: Maiko Center quad, Maiko Number 1 pair
Naeba
Time: 4:00pm until 8:30pm
Dates: Daily until 21st March 2021
NASPA Ski Garden
Time: 5:00pm until 6:00pm
Dates: Saturdays until 27th February 2021
Lifts: Number 1 lift (A & B courses)
Yuzawa Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Friday 8th January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 619cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 19 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 96cm (16th December) November 2020 snowfall 0cm December 2020 snowfall 453cm reported on 13 days January 2021 snowfall 166cm reported on 6 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.