OK so we have had some snow overnight but perhaps not as much as we were led to expect. Here in Naeba just a few cm really and hardly a covering, with Kagura reporting 5-7cm of fresh up there.

Things are looking quite promising though still for more snow today and into early tomorrow morning. A bit earlier on it even looked like it might clear up a bit, but thankfully the snow clouds are back with us at the moment as I write this and it is snowing in Naeba and up at Kagura. No more half-hearted snowfalls please, we want major dumps!!

Anyway, resort news. From tomorrow more of Naeba promises to open up --- but we don't have any details yet. I suppose it is going to depend on how much fluffy white snowflakes we receive over the next 18 hours or so. Tomorrow Naeba is also going to have a special floodlit "Nighta" open from 6pm-8:30pm.

At Kagura the news is that the Mitsumata Ropeway to Kagura Gondola is not needed again and the Mitsumata lift and slope can be used just as a connecting course. Also, from tomorrow you will be able to get from Tashiro to the main Kagura area - the connecting course will be open. So a larger area of Kagura will be operating from tomorrow. Again, just how much will probably depend on the snowfall we get today and tonight.

Fingers crossed for a decent amount. Onegai shimasu!

Official snow depths

Naeba:
40cm (open course, helped with artificial snow)

Kagura:
60cm

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Update:

I thought I'd update the report for this evening as I bring good news.

The snow has been coming down good today and there's 30-40cm of the wonderful stuff on it's way overnight, according to my favorite weather lady. She seemed a bit down about all that cold snow falling, but it's top news for us lot. It would really kick things off in style tomorrow I reckon if we got that.

Whatever, Kagura has announced that tomorrow 'ALL' of the resort will be open - all of Mitsumata, all of Kagura and all of Tashiro. In reality it looks like there will be a few restrictions (like the downhill course at Mitsumata not being open), but generally it should all be open from tomorrow morning. Good news hey.

More of Naeba will be open as well. The Number 2 Gondola will be operating along with the two lifts coming off the top there along with the Daishamen course. Unless plans change, you'll have to get the Gondola back down though as there won't be a connecting run down the mountain.