REPORT

The cold front that passed through from 11/18 (Tue.) to 11/19 (Wed.) brought only light natural snowfall to the area, but Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort is equipped with the latest MND SNOW snowmaking system. As such, the winter season at Sugadaira officially opened on 11/22 (Sat.), the same date as last year, and with the same 30 cm base as a year ago, and the operation of the Stage 3 Lift (pictured, 445m) opened up the Ura Taro Family East Course for skiers!
[Uratataro Family East Course]

With temperatures hovering at a relatively mild 1°C, the upper to midsection of the course (pictured) was frequently shrouded in dense fog this morning. Because the course width was limited—about 10m at the top, 5 to 8m through the middle, and roughly 10m near the bottom—I eased into my first run cautiously. The snow surface initially felt quite firm, but before long, the surface was being broken up by visitor’s edges into larger icy grains, creating a noticeably softer, more forgiving texture.
[Uratataro Family East Course]

Along the way down, there were four small ungroomed areas to the side of the course (pictured, foreground). There, I spoke with an instructor from Smile Snowboard School, who said, “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again this season! We open on 12/20 (Sat.), and lesson reservations are now available on our official website.”
[Ura Taro Family East Course]

Around 9:30 a.m., breaks formed in the clouds and the clear, vivid blue sky known as “Sugadaira Blue” began to appear. Looking from the Ura Davos Wave Course toward the Ura Taro Slope, you could see a light dusting of snow on both the Schi Heil Course and the Ura Taro Challenge Course. For reference, the closest hotel to Ura Taro Family East (pictured, far right) is the Sugadaira Sun Hotel, shown at the lower right.
[Ura Davos Wave Course]

　
[Sugadaira Kogen Details on 11/22 (Sat.)]
＊Available Course(s) … Urataro Family East
＊Available Lift(s) … Stage 3 Lift (8:30～)
＊Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult & Over 60 y/o JPY4,000, 4 y/o to 12 y/o JPY2,000 (Until 12/5)

＊Advance Discount Lift Tickets
Davos & Taro Area Adult 1-Day Pass JPY5,900 → JPY5,400! (*Available Until 11/30)
Digital Pass Sugadaira Pinebeak Area Family Pack JPY9,200 → JPY8,700! and more (Available until 2/28)

＊Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi