Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 762cm Weather overview Sunny Wind Light Temperature 23C base / 15C top Visibility Excellent Posted at 9:15am on Monday 27th May 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. We have had more clear and sunny weather over the last few days in Yuzawa, and it has been getting hotter too. Up to 28 degrees in Yuzawa yesterday and it felt more humid as well. The more humid conditions are definitely just round the corner now. It is hopefully a while off the worst season of them all (for me anyway).... the rainy season. Hopefully we can enjoy lots of clear days before that lot sets in. Of course, yesterday was the last day of the season for the Kagura resort and so now there are no ski resorts open in the region. So you can say that the 12/13 season is now officially over! Thanks for reading. See you next season. Yuzawa Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Monday 27th May 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 762cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 60 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (10th December) November 2012 snowfall 8cm reported on 3 days December 2012 snowfall 217cm reported on 15 days January 2013 snowfall 254cm reported on 19 days February 2013 snowfall 238cm reported on 16 days March 2013 snowfall 42cm reported on 6 days April 2013 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day May 2013 snowfall 0cm Previous report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 0cm Posted on Sunday 10th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. We continue to have more rain than normal this autumn. After a lovely day yesterday, it has been wet and nasty today out there. Not that cold though with temps into double figures. Yesterday was probably the peak of the beautiful autumn colours at town level, as it looks like a more winter like weather pattern is taking over this next week. Lots of rain forecast but... wait for it... a chance of snow falling lower down the mountains as well, perhaps even down to town level. I'll let you know if and when that happens! Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Sunday 10th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 0cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 0 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 0cm November 2013 snowfall 0cm Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 5cm Posted on Tuesday 12th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. It was snowing later on in the evening when I last looked outside and this morning there was about 5cm of snow on the top of the car... with light snow still falling. This morning it has been somewhat on and off - with the sun making some brief appearances - and for the moment it is just cloudy. Snow is likely to fall on and off for the day though and it does look like higher up on the slopes some snow is falling right now. It is a chilly +1 degrees in town. Great to see the first snowfall of the season in town. Tomorrow might be slightly milder with a chance of sleet/snow continuing but it does look like it will warm up a fair bit from Thursday through the weekend. Kagura is of course the first resort planning to open for the season - on 23rd November. I'll be posting the other planned resort opening dates within the next few days. Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Tuesday 12th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 5cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 5cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 5cm Posted on Thursday 21st November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. Good morning from Yuzawa. As you might have read on the Naeba Now report page, this Yuzawa Now report page will be taking on the Naeba and Kagura news this season. While we have always given mention to Kagura and Naeba on Yuzawa Now, we'll be giving those areas more coverage now. After all, they are in the same town. Anyway, you want to know about the snow?! Well, a sprinkling over at Naeba and some more snowfall up on the slopes of Kagura overnight but at the moment the sun is out over Yuzawa. We did and still do actually have cloud and rain forecast for the day, so perhaps it will quickly cloud over again and that is what we will get. For now though a nice morning in Yuzawa and no snow on the ground in town. The snow season starts on Saturday though. That's for certain, as Kagura have announced it on their website. Saturday 23rd will be the first official day of the season in Yuzawa. As things stand, there will be 1500m of the main Kagura run open. The Mitsumata Ropeway will take eager sliders up and the Kagura Gondola will take people to the base of the Kagura area. The initial plan is for the Kagura No1 quad and the Kagura No1 pair lift to be open on weekends and just the quad on weekdays. A shuttle bus is planned to be operating from Mitsumata to the Kagura Gondola. Expect this situation to change them get rid of the bus as soon as is possible. (There was even rumour of a possible 'no bus' right from the beginning last week, but I haven't heard any more of that since and perhaps the milder conditions have put a stop to that). I also have news about Kandatsu Kogen to relay this morning. After the meeting in Yuzawa on Tuesday, it turns out that the Kandatsu Kogen resort will not be opening this season. It's quite big news in Yuzawa as you might expect as Kandatsu was one of the popular resorts, but unfortunately we're not going to be able to slide down the slopes there this time round. The company now in charge of the resort though seems to be confident looking forward to next (ie. 14/15) season and so I think there is probably a good chance that Kandatsu will be back next season. Please note that is a personal guess. Hope you stick around. Here are the planned resort opening dates for all of the skijo in Yuzawa: November 23rd: Kagura (Mitsumata) December 7th: Kagura (Tashiro) Naeba Iwappara December 14th: Yuzawa Nakazato Yuzawa Kogen Nakazato Snow Wood December 20th: Yuzawa Park December 21st: GALA Yuzawa Ipponsugi Yuzawa Kogen (Nunoba area) Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Thursday 21st November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 5cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 5cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 5cm Posted on Saturday 23rd November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. Good morning from Yuzawa. After some heavy rain here in Yuzawa last night, the sun is breaking through the early morning clouds as we officially enter the ski season with Kagura opening up for the first time. So the sun is out and there's people sliding down that main course area. I am jealous. The resort is reporting 80cm. So it looks like it will be a fine day here with the forecast saying that it might warm up to as high as 11C later on this afternoon. More fine weather likely tomorrow before we get rain early in the week. Hopefully snow later on in the week... Here are the planned resort opening dates for all of the other skijo in Yuzawa: December 7th: Kagura (Tashiro) Naeba Iwappara December 14th: Yuzawa Nakazato Yuzawa Kogen Nakazato Snow Wood December 20th: Yuzawa Park December 21st: GALA Yuzawa Ipponsugi Yuzawa Kogen (Nunoba area) Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Saturday 23rd November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 5cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 5cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 5cm Posted on Friday 29th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. So much for forecast snowfall overnight! Rather it was a cold night dipping to around -2C at town level, but this morning we are greeted by clear blue skies (apart from a few clouds here and there), and the sun shining down. It's a beautiful morning. Kagura are not reporting any new snow with a high of 3C later this afternoon, wind speed of 4m/s. The same courses and lifts are open. There seems to be a chance of snow tonight but it does not seem destined to be prolonged and we might well get to see the sun again tomorrow. Planned resort opening dates for all of the skijo in Yuzawa town (subject to snow conditions) December 7th: Kagura (Tashiro) Naeba Iwappara December 14th: Yuzawa Nakazato Yuzawa Kogen Nakazato Snow Wood December 20th: Yuzawa Park December 21st: GALA Yuzawa Ipponsugi Yuzawa Kogen (Nunoba area) Resorts in neighbouring Minamiounuma city: December 7th: Joetsu Kokusai December 14th: Maiko Snow Resort Muikamachi Ski Resort December 20th: Ishiuchi Maruyama December 21st: Muikamachi Hakkaisan December 28th: Mt Granview Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Friday 29th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 5cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 5cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 5cm Posted on Friday 6th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. Good morning from Yuzawa and once again the sun is out early on though more cloud and the forecast is for rain from mid morning. Hopefully that will mean snow at higher elevations. OK so to the news. Tashiro was planning to open tomorrow - but as of yesterday afternoon they said that they have 10-15cm of snow up there and need at least 30cm. Some courses have more snow and would be ok for opening, but the important bits around the Ropeway area don't have enough. So no opening tomorrow - well, unless we get enough snow overnight into tomorrow that is. We'll have to wait until tomorrow to know that. They are just saying that they will open now as soon as possible. Naeba will be able to open on that run in front of the hotel - it will be all man-made snow on that run for now. Iwappara and Joetsu Kokusai will of course not be opening tomorrow either as planned as there is no snow on the majority of the resort slopes as of this morning. Basically, we just need a good old fashioned huge dump of snow! Snow forecast for tomorrow, hopefully down to town, and it should definitely be colder over the weekend. Currently open - parts of Kagura: Kagura main course - 1500m Technical course - 500m Giant course - 1100m Mitsumata Ropeway Kaguea Gondola Kagura Number 1 quad (every day) Kaguea Number 1 pair (just weekends for now - so not open today) Planned resort opening dates for all of the skijo in Yuzawa town (subject to snow conditions) December 7th: Naeba As soon as possible: Iwappara Kagura (Tashiro) December 14th: Yuzawa Nakazato Yuzawa Kogen Nakazato Snow Wood December 20th: Yuzawa Park December 21st: GALA Yuzawa Ipponsugi Yuzawa Kogen (Nunoba area) Resorts in neighbouring Minamiounuma city: December 7th: Joetsu Kokusai December 14th: Maiko Snow Resort Muikamachi Ski Resort December 20th: Ishiuchi Maruyama December 21st: Muikamachi Hakkaisan December 28th: Mt Granview Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Friday 6th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 5cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 5cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 0cm Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 15cm Posted on Sunday 8th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. Very light snowfall for most of the day yesterday in town, though it didn't amount to much at all - but this morning a bit more on the ground... perhaps up to 10cm or so. The bigger news is that Kagura is reporting 20cm, and also that Tashiro is able to open this morning which is good to hear. The Tashiro Number 1 Romance, Tashiro Number 2 Romance, Tashiro Number 4 Romance and Tashiro Number 1 quad lifts are operating as well as the Ropeway. The connection between Tashiro and the main Kagura area is however not yet open. The Mitsumata area also now has the lifts moving, so there's no need for that pesky shuttle bus now either. The Mitsumata Number 1 quad and the Number 3 pair lifts are operating. Good to see more opening of course. Snow is expected to ease off this morning and then fine and clear, sunny weather tomorrow. Currently part open: Kagura (via Mitaumata) Tashiro Lower run of Naeba Planned resort opening dates for all of the skijo in Yuzawa town (subject to snow conditions) As soon as possible: Iwappara Kagura (Tashiro) December 14th: Yuzawa Nakazato Yuzawa Kogen Nakazato Snow Wood December 20th: Yuzawa Park December 21st: GALA Yuzawa Ipponsugi Yuzawa Kogen (Nunoba area) Resorts in neighbouring Minamiounuma city: As soon as snow allows!: Joetsu Kokusai December 14th: Maiko Snow Resort Muikamachi Ski Resort December 20th: Ishiuchi Maruyama December 21st: Muikamachi Hakkaisan December 28th: Mt Granview Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Sunday 8th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 15cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (8th December) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 10cm reported on 1 day Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 25cm Posted on Thursday 12th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. It was quite exciting to hear the snow moving machines out and about early this morning and we have started the day with about 10cm or so of snowfall in Yuzawa town. It is still snowing as I write this and so hopefully we'll be getting more (and more, please). I was surprised that Kagura only got 10-15cm as well actually this morning, I was expecting to hear bigger numbers from up there. But, 10-15cm it is which will add to what we got yesterday so it is building up nicely. Early on it does not look like there have been any changes to lift operations yet. The latest forecast has it snowing through the day today but perhaps easing off tomorrow. Then hopefully back to snow Saturday and Sunday. Forecasts have been less than fully correct of late, and so I'm holding onto this pinch of salt and just holding out for huge amounts of snow! Currently part open (limited operations): > Kagura: Mitsumata Ropeway Mitsumata Number 1 quad Mitsumata Number 3 pair Kagura Gondola Kagura Number 1 quad Tashiro Ropeway Tashiro Number 1 pair Tashiro Number 2 pair Tashiro Number 1 quad > Naeba: Number 5 quad Planned resort opening dates for all of the skijo in Yuzawa town (subject to snow conditions) As soon as possible: Iwappara Kagura (Tashiro) December 14th: Yuzawa Nakazato Yuzawa Kogen Nakazato Snow Wood December 20th: Yuzawa Park December 21st: GALA Yuzawa Ipponsugi Yuzawa Kogen (Nunoba area) Resorts in neighbouring Minamiounuma city: As soon as snow allows!: Joetsu Kokusai December 14th: Maiko Snow Resort Muikamachi Ski Resort December 20th: Ishiuchi Maruyama December 21st: Muikamachi Hakkaisan December 28th: Mt Granview Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Thursday 12th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 25cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (8th and 12th December) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 20cm reported on 2 days Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 26cm Posted on Friday 13th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. I was hoping to bring news of huge amounts of fresh snowfall this morning, but.... it's clear and sunny! Yes, we have beautiful blue skies over Yuzawa and there's hardly a cloud to be seen over this particular valley anyway. To the north it looks like there's a fair bit of cloud. Currently it is 1C with a high of 5C due later on. No new snow overnight to report, but it was snowing for most of the day yesterday and so I have added a few cm to the numbers on this page. Snow should be back though by the end of the day and snowfall along with cold temperatures are forecast for the weekend. --- In resort news, from tomorrow the connecting course between the Kagura area and Tashiro areas will be open for the first time this season. This means that most of the Kagura resort will be open. Not quite all, but most of it. Certainly enough to have a fine day in that fresh snow. Both of the Ropeways at Kagura will be opening from 7:30am tomorrow morning. The Dragondola between Naeba and Tashiro should be up and running from Saturday 21st December. Over at Naeba, lovely blue skies over that part of Yuzawa as well. They have the Number 4 pair lift moving today, possibly in celebration of the main base hotel opening for winter. Joetsu Kokusai in Minamiuonuma have actually opened a run this morning and Iwappara in Yuzawa are planning to be open tomorrow. Both are limited openings as things stand but if we do get snowfall tonight they will adjust as is possible. Maiko Snow Resort are hoping to open tomorrow but it's borderline right now. Again, probably will depend on snowfall overnight. I can tell that I'm going to be very busy tomorrow morning, and I'll try to bring you all the latest from around town. --- Currently part open: Kagura: Most of Kagura will be open from tomorrow including the connection between the main Kagura area and Tashiro. Naeba: Number 5 quad Number 4 pair lift Joetsu Kokusai: --- Planned resort opening dates for resorts in Yuzawa and Minamiuonuma: December 14th: Yuzawa Nakazato Yuzawa Kogen Nakazato Snow Wood Maiko Snow Resort Muikamachi Ski Resort December 20th: Yuzawa Park Ishiuchi Maruyama December 21st: GALA Yuzawa Ipponsugi Yuzawa Kogen (Nunoba area) Muikamachi Hakkaisan December 28th: Mt Granview Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Friday 13th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 26cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (8th and 12th December) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 21cm reported on 3 days Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 31cm Posted on Saturday 14th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. It kind of feels a bit like yesterday. Yesterday started off with clear blue skies when we were expecting something more snowy. It didn't last too long as by mid morning lots of white cloud had formed and by lunchtime it was almost all grey cover. By evening snow was falling and there is about 10cm of fresh snow on top of the car outside. Why does it feel like yesterday? Well, we were expecting a snow storm this morning. But it is actually clear and sunny once again. Brilliant if you are up at Kagura today, but not great for everywhere else as we need that snow. The forecast actually still insists that it will snow all day today, so I can only thing/hope that those clouds will move back in and it will be snowing soon. Right now though looking out of the window, it doesn't look likely. But then again again, it didn't yesterday either! It looks like the snow is falling to the north of our valley - Nagaoka city is getting snowed on right now. Looks like at the moment this is 'Satoyuki' - where it snows in the plains rather than in the mountains. So for what it is worth, the forecast is for snow all today and all tomorrow. It does look like the skies over Naeba and Kagura are getting clouded over a bit actually... anyway, I'll let you know tomorrow what it brings. In resort news as reported yesterday, the Tashiro and Kagura areas are now linked up so most of Kagura is now open. They report 10-20cm of snow overnight. Conditions should be very nice up there. Naeba this morning is reporting 5-10cm of new snowfall and this morning the Prince Number 2 Gondola is moving as well as the top Takenokodaira romance (pair) life and Daishamen romance lift, so there's some natural snow upper runs open this weekend. Iwappara are saying that they received 15cm of snow on the middle area slopes - but unfortunately it's not enough to open today. Yuzawa Kogen were saying yesterday that they still planned to open today but are being very shy with any kind of details. Maiko Snow Resort were also hoping to open today but are unable to. The other few resorts that were aiming for an opening today are not going to be able to. If this snowfall that is forecast for this weekend actually decides to make an appearance.... I don't think we are far away! --- Currently open: Kagura: Most of Kagura is now open. The 3 areas are linked up. Naeba: Prince Number 2 Gondola No5 high speed lift No4 romance lift Takenokodaira romance lift Daishamen romance lift Joetsu Kokusai: Very limited operations --- Planned resort opening dates for resorts in Yuzawa and Minamiuonuma: As soon as possible: Yuzawa Nakazato Yuzawa Kogen Nakazato Snow Wood Maiko Snow Resort Muikamachi Ski Resort December 20th: Yuzawa Park Ishiuchi Maruyama December 21st: GALA Yuzawa Ipponsugi Yuzawa Kogen (Nunoba area) Muikamachi Hakkaisan December 28th: Mt Granview Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Saturday 14th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 31cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (8th and 12th December) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 26cm reported on 4 days Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 41cm Posted on Sunday 15th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here. Snow is falling in Yuzawa this morning. After that lovely start to the day yesterday, once again clouds moved in later on and it was snowing by the time Sunday morning came around. Kagura is reporting 30-40cm of fresh snowfall since yesterday, and I am reporting around 15-20cm in town. Fairly gusty winds means that there's more or less in places so it's difficult to put a number on it. The snow is still coming down now, and the wind is still blowing. Kagura is also reporting their car park full up at 8:45am, so there's going to be a lot of people up there. Unfortunately strong winds mean that it's only open from the Mitsumta Ropeway to the Kagura Number 1 quad - Tashiro area is closed and so the people who were planning on going there will also be trying to get to Mitsumata. Naeba seems to be open as planned. Iwappara are reporting 40cm of fresh snowfall (presumably on upper runs) but also that they now hope to open on Friday 21st. Yuzawa Nakazato have opened with two lifts moving this morning. Maiko Snow Resort is open with the Gondola taking you up (and back down) from the upper bowl area where the quad lift is operating. Yuzawa Kogen are saying that they hope to be open from tomorrow. I think that's it for the moment - it's often a confusing picture at this time of year when the snow arrives. We always find it curious how some resorts seem almost reluctant to get their 'open' information out there! Fingers crossed we get more cm today to help these resorts get open. I'll do another round up tomorrow morning. --- Currently open: Kagura Naeba Yuzawa Nakazato Maiko Snow Resort Joetsu Kokusai --- Planned resort opening dates for resorts in Yuzawa and Minamiuonuma: As soon as possible: Yuzawa Kogen Nakazato Snow Wood Muikamachi Ski Resort December 20th: Yuzawa Park Ishiuchi Maruyama December 21st: GALA Yuzawa Ipponsugi Yuzawa Kogen (Nunoba area) Muikamachi Hakkaisan December 28th: Mt Granview Yuzawa Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Sunday 15th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 41cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (8th, 12th and 15th December) November 2013 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 36cm reported on 5 days Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com