REPORT

As is the case every year, the quality of snow in Shiga Kogen really stands out during the latter half of the season (especially from late February to March). It was a brisk -12℃ at Okushiga Kogen (pictured) this morning, with intermittent gusts of wind from the north, and dry falling snow. I noticed a number of visitors capturing photos of the beautiful rime ice on their smartphones around the gondola summit station, before heading down.
[Okushiga Kogen・Third Slope]

I was able to enjoy some fun, fast runs on the Third (pictured) and Fourth slopes, where 1 to 2 cm of fresh topped the moderately packed, groomed wet snow surfaces that had a powdery feel. I saw a number of groups taking lessons (pictured) with the Sugiyama Ski & Snow Sports School on both the Third Slope and the Downhill Course.
[Okushiga Kogen・Third Slope]

The wife of a couple from Kyoto (pictured, left) told me, “I love your site! I see you’re reporting at Okushiga today! I was afraid that the slopes would be hard and icy like a skating rink this morning because of the warm weather yesterday, but luckily the conditions are pretty good.” The groomed wet snow base on the Downhill Course was hard packed at the beginning, firm in the middle, and slightly less firm at the end.
[Okushiga Kogen・Downhill Course]

The groomed part of the Hillside Course had a firm, wet snow surface, while the ungroomed area was a challenging mix of hard moguls and 5 to 10 cm of fresh snow unevenly distributed. The Sixth Slope (pictured) was groomed with a moderately firm wet snow surface. In other news, 2/18 (Sun.) is a Kids Ski Free Day where lift tickets are free for children of elementary school age and younger.
[Okushiga Kogen・Sixth Slope]
　
*The snow depth listed at the top of the report is the highest reported throughout the Shiga Kogen area. Currently, that amount of 195 cm is at Takamagahara, and includes both natural and artificial snow.

　
[Availability Information on 2/16 (Fri.)]
*All Courses are available (Except for 10 courses)
*Available Lifts … Kumanoyu No.1 Pair (8:30 a.m.-) and totally 39 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY7,500, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY6,400, Under 12 y/o JPY3,700

*Request for the original data of our photographs
　
　
reported by Snownavi