REPORT

During the Golden Week holiday period, early morning skiing is taking place at Ichinose Family (pictured), Takamagahara Mammoth, Yakebitaiyama, Okushiga Kogen, Kumanoyu, and Yokoteyama-Shibutoge. (*Please note that operating times vary by ski area). This morning, I spoke with a group of three visitors from Kagawa and Hiroshima prefectures (pictured) who told me, “We always check your updates! We’ve been skiing since Saturday, but we’re heading back home after this morning’s session. It’s about a 10-hour drive.”
[Ichinose Family・Front Slope]

The wet snow that had begun falling around 5:20 a.m., had mostly stopped by 6:00. The lower section of the Front Slope (pictured) had a light layer of fresh snow covering a firm, groomed granular spring granular snow base, making for fast and smooth conditions. The Tengu Course offered similar conditions—a firmly packed granular base with just under 1 cm of fresh snow on top that was also easy and enjoyable to ski.
[Ichinose Family・Front Slope]

I crossed paths with a pair from Shizuoka (pictured), who commented, “We always read your reports! We saw the low temperatures in the forecast and decided to come to Shiga—it turned out to be the right call, so we’re stoked! Today marks the end of the season for both of us.” Rime ice was visible on the trees at Terakoya, just like in the upper area of Ichinose Family.
[Terakoya・Philosophy Course]

On the Philosophy, LIPS, and Eternal courses, a light topping of fresh snow—less than 1 cm—over the firm, groomed spring snow base created fast, smooth conditions perfect for picking up speed. On Philosophy (pictured), skiers were taking advantage of the firm surface and could be seen pole training. The seven ski areas in Shiga Kogen offering early morning skiing, along with Terakoya, will remain open daily through 5/6 (Tue., holiday)!
[Terakoya・Philosophy Course]

　
*The base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, the highest recorded depth of 180 cm is at Takamagahara Mammoth, while Ichinose Family is reporting 120 cm.
*The planned final day of operation for each lift can be found here.
　
[Shiga Kogen Details on 4/29 (Tue.)]
*Available Courses … (Okushiga) Except for 6th Gelende & Kumaotoshi, (Yakebitaiyama) Giant Slalom, Gondola Contact, Gondola detou, Panorama, Panorama course in, East connecting route, South, (Ichinose Family) Front, Teng, Panorama, (Kumanoyu) All courses except 1A and 3A are acceptable, (Yokoteyama) 1st, 2nd, Kaiwa, Jumbo, King, (Shibutoge) Gemut, Weiber
*Available Lifts … (Okushiga) 2nd Rapid Pair, 3rd Rapid Pair, Gondola, 4th Pair, (Yakebitaiyama) No.1 Gondola, No.4 Romance, (Ichinose Family) Ichinose Quad, 2nd Pair B Line, (Terakoya) Terakoya Quad No.1 Pair, (Takamagahara) Takamagahara Quad (Kumanoyu) No.2 Pair A・B Line, (Yokoteyama) 1st Sky B Line, 2nd Sky, 3rd Sky, 4th Pair, (Shibutoge) 1st Romance
*Fees … 3/31- Spring Fee 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY6,500, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY5,900, Under 12 y/o JPY3,200

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi