It was really trying yesterday... trying to snow. And it did succeed in higher areas as well. Snow started falling from around mid-day in the Naeba area and on the mountains as well. Snowfall didn't quite reach the main town area of Yuzawa (as far as I experienced), where at times it was really raining very heavily.

This morning the rain has stopped and again we have some clouds amongst clearer blue skies at the moment, even though the local forecast is more for rain through the day again. Things seem somewhat unpredictable at the moment, as if nature can't make up its mind if it wants to get into that full on winter feeling yet.

Sitting here in the Ishiuchi area just to the north of central Yuzawa now, I can see that the top third of the slopes of Ishiuchi Maruyama, Yuzawa Kogen and the upper areas of Maiko Snow Resort are looking quite white with a blanket of snow. First time I have seen the snow get so close to town this season.

Over at Kagura they are reporting this morning 5cm of snowfall in the Mitsumata area, and presumably more up at Kagura. It's not enough to open Kagura though, so the choice remains just the Family run at Mitsumata for the moment. We can be sure that they will open up more as soon as possible.

This morning is forecast to be relatively mild - and it feels that way at about 6 degrees now - but temperatures are due to drop later on in the day and rain (with snow higher up) expected.

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

Currently part open:
Kagura (Mitsumata) - 1100m course at Mitsumata open with snow mats - no natural snow to ski on yet

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