REPORT

On 11/20 (Thu.), the Yokoteyama Shibutoge Ski Area pre-opened for the 2025-26 winter season! I spoke with a group of three visitors (pictured), who told me, “We always check your reports. We left Tokyo at midnight, taking only local roads to get here. We’re planning to ski hard all day.” Despite the bitter -8°C temperature, the weather was perfect—clear skies and no wind—making for a promising start to the season.
[Yokoteyama・Kaiwa Slope]

Thanks to the substantial snowfall from 11/18 (Tue.) to 11/19 (Wed.), two groomed runs—the Kaiwa Slope (pictured) and the First Slope—were open for skiing from the very first day. “We were able to make the course wider than originally planned,” said a member of the patrol team. Ungroomed areas on the left side of the Kaiwa Slope offered 15 to 20 cm of light, fluffy powder for excellent early-morning turns.
[Yokoteyama・Kaiwa Slope]

The groomed snow on the Kaiwa Slope was firm, while the groomed surface of the gentler First Slope had a slightly softer feel. Both made for very easy, enjoyable skiing. There were a few thin spots on the First Slope (pictured) near the start of the run, but as long as you skied with care, there was no risk of damaging your skis. Since the First Sky lift is not yet operating, skiers rode a shuttle bus alongside the run to access the slope.
[Yokoteyama・First Slope]

Parts of National Route 292 (pictured) were icy above the Kanbayashi area this morning. As for access to Shiga Kogen, the main options are the Express Shiga Kogen Line bus from Nagano Station and the local bus from Yudanaka Station (pictured). Both will switch to their winter timetables starting 12/6. In addition, the Weekend Shiga service runs from Nagano Station on Fridays from 1/9 to 3/13 and on 3/19, while the Yuki Monogatari bus from Tokyo Station begins operating on 12/6. Within Shiga Kogen, passengers can ride the buses marked in the blue section of the timetable—shown earlier—free of charge. Full details are available here.
[National Route 292]

　
＊The Kumanoyu Ski Area is set to open tomorrow, 11/21 (Fri.)!
＊The Shiga Kogen Opening Festival will be held at the Ichinose Family Ski Area on 12/6 (Sat.)!
　
[Shiga Kogen Details on 11/20 (Thu.)]
*OPEN Courses … (Yokoteyama) Kaiwa, First
*Available Lifts … (Yokoteyama) 4th Pair (9 a.m.-, 8:30 a.m. from 11/21)
*Lift Fees … Ykoteyama Adult, Senior & 13 y/o to 18 y/o JPY3,000, 6 y/o to 12 y/o JPY1,000 (Until 11/21)　
　
*Advance Discount Lift Tickets
Yakebitaiyama Adult 1-day pass JPY8,000 → JPY6,000! (*Until 12/5)
Okushiga Kogen Adult 1-day pass JPY6,700 → JPY4,500! (Sold out)
Shiga Kogen Central Area Adult 1-day pass JPY7,000 → JPY6,000! (Sold out)
　
*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi