Sunset at Shiga Kogen

Kumanoyu Ski Area

Shiga Kogen, Joshinetsu National Park

Nagano, Japan

March 30, 2009.

From 5 to 6:15 P. M.

End of the day...

Yesterday ended beautifully in Shiga Kogen!

With a clear sky and mild wind, that's the view from Hotaru Onsen Area.

In this picture, you can see Kasadake on the left and some of the Kumanoyu Ski Courses.

Today it's not so shiny and bright as yesterday but it's a nice day to go out and enjoy the snow anyway!

Illustrious visitors...

Shiga Kogen was pretty busy today...

The Imperial Family spent almost a week skiing at Shiga Kogen. They use to come here once a year to enjoy the beautiful landscape and the good snow. And, as always, they were at Hotel Grand Phenix Okushiga. Lots of people were waiting in many spots of Shiga Kogen to have a chance to wave to the Imperial Family...


Here you can see Kootaishihi-Masako-sama or Princess Masako (Crown Princess of Japan) in front of Hasuike Hotel, a few minutes ago, when they left Shiga Kogen.

Another Sunny Day!

It's bright and sunny today in Shiga Kogen!
Temperatures in the morning were about -2℃ in Hasuike.
This is Misumaike (Misuma Pond), known as well as Sankaku Pond, a few hours ago.

Beautiful Sunday!

Sunday ended beautifully! With a blue sky and sunny day...

This is Kumanoyu Ski Area about 4:40 P. M.

Kumanoyu is a Ski only area and has 12 courses from beginners through Advanced skiers and also, has night skiing available.

Pizza Time!

If you are skiing at Takamagahara area and want to have a pizza, you can have lunch at Takamagahara Hotel.

This Bacon & Potato Pizza will be fine for everyone visiting Shiga Kogen.

Or, if you want to try some Japanese flavour pizza or you don't eat meat, you can try this Kinoko Pizza... 5 different mushrooms Pizza!

*Just at lunch time. You can have a look in other options here.

Cold Sunday...

It's very cold for a Spring day in Shiga Kogen.

-10℃ at Hasuike Area and it's impossible to define the weather right now...

some spots of light snow here and there, cloudy in some areas and sunny in others... a beautiful day anyway!

As you can see, the snow is back in Shiga Kogen and the trees are all white again! Just like a winter day.

Enjoy!!!!

A Perfect Saturday!!!

This Saturday doesn't remind us that is already Spring in Japan in any possible way!
The trees are all snowy again, we had some snow during the day and temperatures registered were below zero just like an ordinary winter day!
It was cold Saturday, but sunny and beautiful! At the end of the day, I was told that it was -5℃ on the ski course...

This is Yokoteyama Kid's Park and Kumanoyu Ski Area on the background.

Kumanoyu Ski courses and Kasadake

The summit of Yokoteyama hiden in the clouds, viewed from Yokoteyama Sky Lift 2.


An hour later, the summit could be seen perfectly. This is Yokoteyama Sky Lift 1.



This is Mt. Kasadake, viewed from Yokoteyama Sky Lift 2.


The Yokoteyama trees are all white again!
Yokoteyama Sky Lift 2.

This is the view from the top of Yokoteyama Sky Lift 2.

From Yokoteyama Sky Lift 3 the trees are even more snowy!

Shibutoge Area

From the top of Yokoteyama Lift 6 Kasadake is beautiful

This is the Yokoteyama Lift 6

From Yokoteyama Lift 6, you can choose a intermediate course, on the left, or a easier one, on the right.

And that's Yokoteyama main course in the end of the day.

Okojo

Okojo or Ermine, is the most famous inhabitant of Shiga Kogen and the animal symbol of our ski resort. That's why you can find lots of souvenirs with this cute animal.

I found this cookies yesterday at Hasuike Hotel.

I wish I could meet an Okojo walking in the snow once in Shiga Kogen.

Still winter in Shiga Kogen

The winter is still with us in Shiga Kogen. During the night, we registered -6℃ and 12 cm of fresh snow in Hasuike.

More snow is expected during the day and it's cloud at the moment.

Warm up and have fun!!!

Shiga Kogen Backcountry Ski Tour 2009...

Pictures from the last Shiga Kogen Backcountry Ski Tour 2009, happened on the last Saturday, March 21st.

This time, they skied through the Kusatsu course.

To hit there, they had to take the Yokoteyama Sky lifts and could appreciate the beautiful view of a snowy Mt. Kasadake.

They were very lucky, because the day before we had some snow at Shiga Kogen...


So they could ski in fresh powder snow.

After skiing all morning, a brief stop...

at noon, to rest and have lunch in the middle of the snow.

Also, they could taste the Shiga Kogen wine and beer.

Gorgeous weather and snow that Saturday.

As you can see, it was a great Saturday for those who could enjoy the...

last Shiga Kogen Backcountry Ski Tour of the year.

Another Perfect Day!

The day starts with fresh snow in Shiga Kogen, the sun is bright and it's not so cold outside. Couldn't be more perfect! Enjoy!

Fresh snow...

This picture was taken from the same place and day as the picture posted before, at the end of the day. Hopefully, we will have more snow during the week!

This is Hasuike Ropeway Station, 4:30 P. M.

Good news!!!

As we expected, the day started with some snow today in Shiga Kogen.

It was just a light snow about 9 in the morning at Hasuike but it's becoming better right now! Looks like it will be a cloudy/snowy day today... and becoming colder than the previously days. So, if you are planning to go out on the slopes, be prepared wearing warm clothes.

Shiga Kogen at Sunset

Yesterday the sky was so beautiful that we decided to watch the sunset. Maeyama seems to be a good choice, because the Maeyama C course it's not so difficult to snowshoe hike. The course it's just about 750 m. and we reached the top of the mountain in 15 min. You just need to ask at the front desk where you can hire some snowshoes and go with comfortable shoes and warm clothes.

We start to walk about 5:15 P. M.

And we were on the summit of Maeyama at 5:30 P. M.

Just in time to watch this beautiful sunset.


Sunset watched from 1810 m above sea level.


From the summit, you can see Kasadake, Kumanoyu Ski Area and all the Hotaru Onsen Hotels

At this time of the day, all the lifts had already stopped and it's very peaceful.



If you have the chance, I highly recommend, it's worth!

Sunny Sunny Sunny!!!

This is how the sky was in the morning and still is a sunny blue sky day! Some people from Canada came here today to enjoy this beautiful day and go out snowshoe hiking. They decided to walk around Yokoteyama where, on clear days, it's possible to see even the Mt. Fuji. Hope they are enjoying the view right now!