TL;DR
Kagura Ski Resort in Japan's Niigata prefecture experienced unprecedented snowfall, receiving three metres of snow in just three days. The extreme weather forced the resort and neighbouring areas to suspend operations, marking historical closures across the Yuzawa region.
Historic Snowfall Paralyses Operations at Japan's Renowned Kagura Ski Resort
In an extraordinary display of Japan's legendary snowfall, Kagura Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture has been blanketed by three metres of snow in just 72 hours, leading to unprecedented operational challenges and viral social media coverage of buried chairlifts.
Kagura Ski Resort, known for its extensive terrain spanning 1,181 metres of vertical drop and offering 23 courses across 6 kilometres of slopes, stands as one of Japan's premier snow destinations. The resort typically benefits from excellent powder conditions thanks to its location in the snow-rich Niigata region, with an average annual snowfall of 12 metres. However, this recent weather event has tested even this well-equipped resort's capabilities.
The intense snowfall forced Kagura to completely suspend lift operations on Wednesday and Thursday, while neighbouring GALA Yuzawa ski resort experienced its first-ever complete closure due to heavy snow on Friday. These closures mark a significant moment in the region's skiing history, highlighting the extraordinary nature of this weather event.
