Japan 2026

[Sbooker]

Like almost all of the ski areas in Japan the hill I went to yesterday has no or very little machine snow infrastructure so in warm seasons their open period is either very short or really low quality skiing/snowboarding. I believe 2022/23 was pretty terrible for the low elevation central Honshu resorts. Shiga Kogen up the road was fine because of the extra approx 3500 feet base elevation and 5000 feet extra top elevation.
The town we are staying in is very authentic with family run ryokans (tatami mats and futons on the floor) and restaurants that seat about 10 people and by last nights standard serve very good food. From what I can tell there is very little English spoken by the proprietors so communication is sometimes interesting.

For the beer thread but they have a local brewery that do great beers including a cracking porter.

 

[Sbooker]

We’re at Myoko. Only about 5 inches overnight. Turns a soft though.

 

[Sbooker]

@ChrisC those nicely spaced trees you spoke of.

 

[Sbooker]

It snowed about 20 inches on the hills last night apparently. We’ll head to Madarao in a few minutes in search of some powder turns. It’s about 30 minutes drive from our digs.

Had a pretty stunning dinner at a local joint last night. About $45 USD including two beers and a bad red wine.

 

[Sbooker]

Change of plans. At the recommendation of some people at breakfast we’ll go to Ryuoo Snow Park. The consensus is there will be less competition there.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Ryuoo Snow Park.

Sbooker is in full-on James mode. I thought that's where sbooker was yesterday because the town of Yomase is near the base of Ryuoo Snow Park. But today I notice Yomase Onsen ski area across the valley from Ryuoo. Then I notice Makinoiri Kogen on the north side of the mountain where Yomase Onsen is on the SE side. That's two more new pins on Worldwide Ski Map, in addition to Whaleback, NH courtesy of Project101.

 

[Sbooker]

The tram is luxury. Has seats. Eat your heart out Jackson/Snowbird.

Oh. And less people.

 

[Sbooker]

Got the rope drop at the top of the tram.
Recency bias and all but that could be the best inbounds ski run of my life.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Exactly how I pictured Japow.

 

[Tony Crocker]

that could be the best inbounds ski run of my life.

When the ski tracks look like body tracks, you know it's seriously deep. There's more on the way!

 

[Sbooker]

The second tram was delayed because they don’t run it with less than 10 people on board.

I had to share that run with someone else.

 

[Sbooker]

I don’t ski powder well but Kylie is struggling. A bit too much of a good thing.

Funny to watch.

 

[Tony Crocker]

You guys are renting extra fat skis for this, aren't you?

 

[Sbooker]

You guys are renting extra fat skis for this, aren't you?

No. I’m on my 102mm Rustlers. They keep me buoyant enough as I’m a lightweight. Any flaw in my powder skiing is the driver not the ski.
Kylie is on 92mm Blizzards. She could do with something a bit wider I guess.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Kylie is on 92mm Blizzards. She could do with something a bit wider I guess.

For that amount of fresh snow, you're torturing her with 92s.

 

[berkshireskier]

The tram is luxury. Has seats. Eat your heart out Jackson/Snowbird.View attachment 49153
Oh. And less people.

Are the seats heated??

 

[berkshireskier]

I don’t ski powder well but Kylie is struggling. A bit too much of a good thing.View attachment 49160

View attachment 49161

View attachment 49162
Funny to watch.

These photos look a little like my back yard in western Massachusetts!

 

[Skieric]

I have never been to Japan to ski, however it looks amazing. What would those who have been equate the terrain to in North America?

 

[ChrisC]

I have never been to Japan to ski, however it looks amazing. What would those who have been equate the terrain to in North America?

I just did side-by-side of NY State vs. Japan. It’s like that but 5x vertical, more reliable, more snowfall, less rain. Or Quebec.

Likely Mt Bohemia is most apt comparison. More snow and vertical.

The trails get tracked and are not numerous so you are off into the woods looking for fresh lines.

Touring trips are extremely popular to get off into side country and backcountry- sometimes using lifts.

 

[ChrisC]

No. I’m on my 102mm Rustlers. They keep me buoyant enough as I’m a lightweight. Any flaw in my powder skiing is the driver not the ski.
Kylie is on 92mm Blizzards. She could do with something a bit wider I guess.

Thats saddistic. Even 100cm is tough. Desirable 110-115 up to 120/125 for those conditions.

Again, why are so many skiers pursuing freeride, powder and off-piste?

The skiers are just as bad as 1970/80/90s, but the equipment has improved incredibly.

With Fat Skis and Rocker technology, most semi-aggressive skiers can handle 2ft of powder. You are mostly skiing the top 6-10 inches of snow since you are floating.

If you ski Europe, lots of narrow carving skis. These skiers will not go off piste because their equipment is difficult.

Sure, expert skiers made 200cm+ narrow skis work.

But any semi aggressive skier can graduate to deep powder these days without skills, weighting correctly, etc. and have fun not be exhausted.