Japan Meteorological Agency have announced that the El Niño event, which had persisted since boreal summer 2014, is likely to have ended in spring 2016. 2015-2016 winter season in Japan have been affected a lot by this El Niño event.
Shorter snow season, less snow overall, late opening and early closing at Ski resorts... But sometimes a contradiction happens such like strong snowstorms. It seems more difficult to predict and avoid an avalanche for skiers, snowboarders, and mountain climbers.
Many of the ski areas in Niigata Pref. still open in April with a dozen feet of snow on the ground in a usual season and have a snow-park with huge size of kickers and jib items, but not in this season. There remains a few ski resorts that still open in this condition, Kagura was one of them. Kagura ski resort is one of the largest combined ski resort in Niigata Pref.
They have brought in the gate system for the backcountry skiers and snowboarders from the beginning of 2015-2016 season. The users must show a document written down everything about their plans and routes to the patrol. Then you have to check your avalanche beacon functioning well.
After checking everything was OK, well prepared, then you can come into the gate, and start hiking.
Also, you need to have a phone call to the patrol office after you get back safely to the base. It seems pretty much for an expert, however, it is very good for a beginner to prepare their stuff well.
Kagura Mitsumata Ski Resrort
Address: Mitsumata, Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture, 949-6211, Japan
http://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/mtnaeba/index.html
http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/niigata/yuzawa/kagura
Open Until: End of May in usual
Yuzawa Town
http://www.e-yuzawa.gr.jp/english/
