103 replies to this topic

[TubbyBeaverinho]

They use this for maintenance

[Metabo Oyaji]

Mr Wiggles, on 20 January 2012 - 11:02 AM, said:

Metabo Oyaji, on 19 January 2012 - 09:41 PM, said:

I suppose even a little income is better than none, so they continue.

If it were one old lady in a shop in a deserted shopping arcade, that would be understandable, but a ski resort with three lifts running and groomed runs is going to have high running costs. All that electricity, two staff a lift, snowclearing/grooming etc. Based on the photos, I won't assume much is spent on maintenance (!)

I wouldn't be surprised if the lodge owners were doing the labor themselves. Though that wouldn't cover electricity and fuel, of course.

Also found a trip report by someone who used to frequent the place regularly in the '80s, when it was relatively lively, and then visited again a few years ago. Said it was always considered a minor ski resort, but charming in its way with lodges dotted on and around the slope. Some of the lodges were accessed by chair lift in the winter. Apparently they had a ski school with some well-known teachers.

When he went back, he asked an elderly skier he met there why he came, and he said it was for the "slow life" feeling, old-fashioned and uncrowded.
I suppose they will have a few fans in that camp.

[Metabo Oyaji]

SJ suggested it would be ok to post these links, so for anyone interested, here are the stories I mentioned above.

The story of the lodge owner is here:

http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~futou/sub34.htm



The story of the former regular is here:

http://www.geocities.../skiing/08.html

[muikabochi]

Interesting.
I like how those pages are all 'mid-90's' as well.
Would have been better with some flashing gifs up there.

[long-legged-lovely]

I knew someone who used to have one of the lodge place at the slope there.
They sold about 10 years ago when it was so quiet.
I went skiing there a few times but it is very small.

I like Maiko Kogen across the valley.

[@tokyo]

Love the pictures.
Interesting story too.

[snowglob]

Love the images, muikabochi.
The color really fits too!

[muikabochi]

Ishiuchi Hanaoka (foreground) and Mt Granview (near the top), as seen from Ishiuchi Maruyama. That new gondola is a must!

[TubbyBeaverinho]

could be a prime opportunity to develop our "Teleport Lift"

[muikabochi]

Definitely lots of potential.

[Wizz]

Done!!!

http://www.snowjapan...difference-etc/

Thanks for exposing this mega-resort, muika!

[muikabochi]

My Granview fans!

Not sure what this all means but I had to go to Yuzawa this morning and on the way back had a crafty look over to Mt Granview....... the bottom single lift was not moving. I repeat, not moving.
As you need to get that to get up to the main runs of this Mega Resort, I can only think it wasn't open.
Perhaps no-one turned up? It was 10am.
I would guess it usually opens until the end of March or beginning of April.

Had a look at their website, but that still says that they have 7 lifts ( ) so I don't think it's the place to get up to date info.

Definitely worth calling before you go.
Don't make the phone ring too loud though, you might wake up the girl in the office.

[Mick Rich]

Noooo!! Surely that can't be true!! Don't they realise that they're on the verge of acquiring true kokusai/"international skiing ground" status and a reputation that their more famous and illustrious neighbours can only dream of!?!

[igloo]

[Mick Rich]

Having slept on this overnight, I've come up with a cunning plan! Muika, if I kitted myself out in all my back slackcountry gear, namely a Snickers bar, whistle and the free, squeezy torchlight thing I was given last week on a tour of my local fire station, do you think I could hike up to the top???

[pie-eater]

muikabochi, on 06 March 2012 - 02:34 PM, said:

As Definitely worth calling before you go.
Don't make the phone ring too loud though, you might wake up the girl in the office.

[muikabochi]

Well Mick the course down from the resort is one of those road courses winding down. In summer it's just a road. So you could fairly easily walk up there. And walking up the slopes might just be as quick as the single lifts as well. Well, maybe not.
I can't think it's really closed, there is still tons of snow. Perhaps when I went past it was just stopped temporarily or something.
Or like I said perhaps no-one turned up!

[xxx]

It's pretty shocking news whatever.
Let's hope it's just a scare.

[muikabochi]

OK folks. I'll give them a call tomorrow and answer this worrying question once and for all!

[Wizz]

Good man.