REPORT

The terrain open to skiers and snowboarders continues to expand at Tsugaike. Yesterday, 12/20 (Tue.), saw the opening of the Karamatsu slope, while today, 12/21 (Wed.), marked the first day of the season for Oya-no-hara (pictured). (*The Tsugaike Chuo Triple is now in operation.) Both the Oya-no-hara and Karamatsu slopes are beginner slopes with gentle gradients that average in the single digits. Although some brush is still exposed in a few spots along the way, the snow conditions were good, with a moderately firm, groomed surface.
[Oya-no-hara Slope]

Overnight radiative cooling sent the early morning temperatures below -10℃ even at the base of the mountain, but by the time I reached the top of the ski resort, it felt comfortable as there was no wind. The middle section of the Tsuga-no-mori Slope (pictured) was in perfect groomed condition with a moderately firm packed-powder surface! The Gotemba Course, however, was left ungroomed.
[Tsuga-no-mori Slope]

Tomorrow, 12/22 (Thu.) at 9:00 a.m., the Maruyama Slope will open for the season along with the Maruyama No. 1 Quad lift. Going forward, the Han-no-ki No. 3 Quad (pictured, background) is slated to open on 12/23 (Fri.) at 8:30, while the Karamatsu High-Speed Pair, Champion Quad, Shirakaba Quad, Kane-no-naru-oka Skyliner II and III, and the Romance Lift are all scheduled to start operating on 12/24 (Sat.).
[Han-no-ki Slope]

Over on the Han-no-ki Slope (pictured), the moderately soft groomed snow surface was in good shape from top to bottom. In other news, the Kane-no-naru-oka Slope Kids Park (500 yen per day, with one accompanying parent/guardian admitted free) will open for the holiday period from 12/24 (Sat.) to 1/3 (Tue.), between the hours of 10:00 to 15:00 each day.
[Han-no-ki Slope]

　　
[Tsugaike Kogen Opening Information for 12/21 (Wed.)]
Open Course(s) … Tsuganomori, Han-no-ki, Gotemba, Kramatsu, Oya-no-hara
Open Lifts … Gondola (8:00～), Tsuga 2 Pair, Han-no-ki High Speed Pair, Tsugaike Chuoh Triple
Fees … Adult JPY5,900, 6-12 y/o JPY3,500, Over 60 y/o JPY4,300 (Until 3/12)
　
＊Printable Rental Discount Coupons!
Carving Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY3,000 / Outerwear JPY2,500!
Carving Ski・Snowboard High Performance Model Rental JPY500 OFF!
Kid’s Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY2,500 / Outerwear JPY1,500!
　

reported by Snownavi