Yesterday morning we had beautiful clear skies and sunshine and temperatures that were just too high. Come mid afternoon there was a bit of cloud around and some gusty winds blowing. I'm not sure if there was any rain overnight (light rain was forecast) but the roads are dry this morning.

There is a lot of cloud in the skies and rain is also forecast for today but for the moment it is holding off. The mild conditions continued overnight and it's still about 10 degrees as we approach 9am. Temperatures will probably rise a little by early afternoon before dropping a bit tonight and tomorrow but we will be lucky if it is cold enough for any snow. Hopefully at higher elevations, possibly lower down if it can get cold enough. Fingers crossed.

The snow mat area at Kagura Mitsumata is now there just to let people get over to the main Kagura area with the resort is saying that the skiing/boarding area is now just on the main Kagura run. Looking at the webcam this morning it is quite noticeable that there is less snow cover up there this morning no doubt due to the warmer conditions.

Tomorrow is the day to look to for a chance of snow at higher elevations but after that and into early next week the forecast is more sun than snow.

It's looking like we will need to wait a bit longer for winter to kick in proper.

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Planned opening dates for resorts in Yuzawa Town and Minamiuonuma City (by date):

Currently part open:
The lower part of the main Kagura area - 600m in length, real snow + artificial - is open.
The Mitsumata (snow-mat) area is currently being used as a connection to get to the open Kagura area.
Operating lifts are Mitsumata Ropeway, Mitsumata Number 1 lift, Mitsumata Number 3 lift, Kagura Gondola, Kagura Number 1 romance pair lift.
The Kagura Gondola needs to be taken to return back to the Mitsumata area.

Saturday 5th December:
Iwappara
Joetsu Kokusai

Saturday 12th December:
Kaguta (Tashiro)
Maiko Snow Resort
Naeba

Friday 18th December:
Ishiuchi Maruyama
Muikamachi Ski Resort
Yuzawa Nakazato
Yuzawa Park

Saturday 19th December:
GALA Yuzawa
Ipponsugi
Kandatsu Kogen
Ludens Yuzawa
Nakazato Snow Wood
Muimamachi Hakkaisan
NASPA Ski Garden
Yuzawa Kogen

Thursday 24th December:
Chateaux Shiozawa

Friday 25th December:
Hakkaisanroku

Saturday 26th December:
Itsukamachi
Ishiuchi Hanaoka
Mt Granview

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Ski resorts in Yuzawa town
Ski resorts in Minamiuonuma City