REPORT

Due to the heavy snowmelt caused by the rain and warm weather on 12/15 (Fri.) and 12/16 (Sat.), the only open runs today were the Panorama Course and the upper portion of Route 8. When I got off the Goryu Telecabin, which is now the only way to access both courses, the snow that began falling last night was still going strong, and there was a cold northeasterly wind.
[Panorama Course]

The Panorama Course (pictured) had a firmly groomed wet snow surface with 3 to 5cm of fluffy, fresh snow on top that made for a fun run. There was up to 10cm of new snow covering the hard, ungroomed base on the sides of the run. There was one narrow area at the beginning of the course, but it was clearly marked with poles, so I was able to ski without any issues.
[Panorama Course]

There was a thin layer of fog hanging over the mountain, but it wasn’t thick enough to affect the skiing. However, the wind was very cold, and I really felt it when I stopped to use my camera. It was hard to believe how warm it had been just yesterday. The upper portion of Route 8 (pictured) had plenty of snow and was pleasant to ski, with approximately 5cm of fresh snow covering the well-packed, groomed wet snow surface.
[Upper Portion of Route 8]

Even though the number of open slopes has been reduced to two, it’s still a treat to ski runs with solid, 100% natural snow cover. Visitor turnout was quick today, and by 9:00 a.m. there was already a 2 to 3-minute wait for the Alps 1st Chair Lift (pictured), and by 9:30, parking lots 1 and 2 were full and parking lot 3 was about 80% full.
[Upper Portion of Route 8]

　
[Hakuba Goryu & Hakuba47 Availability Information on 12/17 (Sun.)]
*Available Courses … Panorama C, Upper Route 8
*Available Lifts … Tele-cabin (8:15-), Alps No.1 Pair, Line-E
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY7,500, 13-17 y/o JPY5,400, 6-12 y/o JPY3,800, 60-79 y/o JPY6,700, Under 6 y/o & Over 80 y/o Free *JPY500 deposit will be required.
　
*Request for the original data of our photographs
*This season’s Goryu 47 report will be updated 5 times a week from December to March, and 2 to 3 times a week from April onwards.

reported by Snownavi