Good morning from Yuzawa.

This morning is starting with some not particularly nice rain. Fingers crossed that stops. Higher elevations may even get some light snow today, though early on Kagura are talking rain rather than snow. Not exactly sure what to expect. The biggest hope is to avoid much rain.

More lifts running for the weekend and the popular ski areas are expecting another busy weekend.

Tomorrow should be fine and sunny from the start of the day.

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GALA Yuzawa remains closed today and tomorrow, but they have announced that they will be re-opening from Monday (8th March).

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As expected, the Tokyo situation has been extended by two weeks. It looks like ski areas are going to similarly extend their recent operation changes to cover that period. Confirmed updates as we have them.

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A full check on the planned closing dates will be posted in the coming week, but one interesting thing noticed this morning is:

Yuzawa Nakazato are actually extending their season. The original plan was to be open until 28th March, but they now plan to remain open until 4th April.

Snow might have been melting in recent days, but we are in the good position of having a lot of it. :)

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Individual ski area information: Saturday 6th March 2021
Information on a selection of the larger ski areas in the region, listed in alphabetical order.
All information is checked with official sources and updated manually every day. Subject to change.

GALA Yuzawa
Closed today and tomorrow; re-opening on Monday

Ishiuchi Maruyama
All areas open
Official snow depth:
Mid: 240cm

Iwappara
Base to summit area open - 18 of 20 courses available
Official snow depth:
195cm

Joetsu Kokusai
10 lifts and 15 courses in the Nagamine, Panorama and Osawa areas
Official snow depth:
250cm

Kagura
Open as planned. 12 lifts and 19 courses open
Official snow depth:
Top: 340cm
Base: 290cm

Kandatsu Snow Resort
All lifts and courses open
Official snow depth:
220cm

Maiko Snow Resort
All courses open
Official snow depth:
Top: 280cm
Base: 140cm

Muikamachi Hakkaisan
Ropeway and Number 1 pair lift open
Official snow depth:
Top: 330cm
Base: 230cm

NASPA Ski Garden
All lifts and courses open
Official snow depth:
230cm

Naeba
7 lifts (including Number 2 Gondola) and 9 courses scheduled to open
Official snow depth:
Top: 180cm
Base: 150cm

Yuzawa Kogen
Base and Kogen area both open
Official snow depth:
Top: 280cm
Base: 200cm

Yuzawa Nakazato
Number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 lifts operating
Official snow depth:
180cm

Yuzawa Park
Number 1, 7 and 8 lifts open
Official snow depth:
160cm

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Various announced changes to operations at ski areas:
Most of these temporary changes are due to the current 'state of emergency' announced in urban areas.
Updated: Saturday 6th March

GALA Yuzawa:
All courses are scheduled to be open every day. On weekdays the Sociable lift will be closed for the time being.
Currently closed due to staff infection. The plan is to be closed until Sunday 7th March.

Ishiuchi Maruyama:
On weekdays, the Green Lift and Chuo triple lifts are closed for the time being.

Iwappara:
On most weekdays, only the Number 2 pair lift in the central area of Iwappara is open.
Base to summit areas are open on weekends.
Until 28th March (planned last day of the season).

Joetsu Kokusai:
On weekdays the main area in front of the hotel and (at least part of) Panorama area are open.
The Osawa area will be open on 6th-7th March.
Otherwise, the Atema and Osawa areas are closed for the time being.

NASPA Ski Garden:
All lifts and courses are open on weekends.
The Number 2 and 3 lifts are rested on weekdays, when all courses but C will be open.
Until 28th March (planned last day of the season).

Yuzawa Park:
Closed on the following dates:
Tuesday 9th - Friday 12th; Monday 15th - Tuesday 16th March


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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 8:00pm [*adjusted]
Dates: 6th-7th, 13th-14th March 2021
Lifts: Sunrise Express, Tyrol triple, Kanko Number 3

Iwappara
Time: Until 7:00pm
Dates: Weekends only [*adjusted]
Lifts: Number 2 and 3 pair lifts

Joetsu Kokusai
Time: 5:00pm until 9:00pm
Dates: Adjusted to only on Saturdays until 7th March
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: Saturdays until 14th March 2021
Lifts: Maiko Center quad, Maiko Number 1 pair

Naeba
Time: Until 8:30pm
Dates: Daily
Lifts: Number 4 pair lift

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Closed during the 2020-2021 winter season
- Ishiuchi Hanaoka


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Photos:

GALA Yuzawa (3)
Yuzawa Kogen (2)
NASPA Ski Garden
Ishiuchi Maruyama (2)
Route 17 (Yuzawa IC exit)
Maiko Snow Resort