REPORT

Thanks to two rounds of powerful cold fronts bringing sustained snowfall, first on 11/18 (Tue.) to 11/19 (Wed.) and again on 12/4 (Thu.) to 12/5 (Fri.), the 18 ski areas of Shiga Kogen have been able to open almost exactly according to schedule. Following Yokoteyama on 11/20 (Thu.) and Kumanoyu on 11/21 (Fri.), both Ichinose Family and Takamagahara Mammoth opened today, 12/5 (Fri.). This morning began with light, dry snow falling through a thin veil of fog.
[Ichinose Family・Front Slope]

More lifts have begun operating, namely the 2nd Pair B Line at Ichinose Family (pictured, 596 m) and the 2nd Triple (329 m) at Takamagahara. At Ichinose Family, the groomed surface made from a blend of natural and artificial snow was moderately firm and easy to ski. With about 5 cm of light new snow on top, I enjoyed the soft feel underfoot as I carved clean tracks across the roughly 80-meter-wide slope.
[Ichinose Family・2nd Pair Lift B Line]

A snowboarder from Yamanouchi (pictured) told me, “I check your reports all the time! Every season, as soon as the ski areas open, I’m out here almost every day. I’m planning to ride all day today as well.” A skier from Tokyo added, “I always follow your reports! I spend my winters based in Yudanaka and enjoy skiing at Shiga Kogen using my season pass.”
[Ichinose Family・Front Slope]

At the end of my visit today, I hiked up along the Nishidateyama 2nd Triple, which sits across the road from Takamagahara Mammoth, to photograph the view of the entire area. On the upper section of the Takamagahara side of the Nishidateyama area, the snow depth measured 45 cm. Tomorrow, 12/6 (Sat.), the No. 2 Gondola at Yakebitaiyama will begin operating, making the B1 Panorama Course and E1 South Course skiable as well!
[Nishidateyama・Takamagahara Side]

*The base depth listed here refers to the deepest snowpack within the Shiga Kogen area.
*The Shiga Kogen Opening Festival will be held at the Ichinose Family Ski Area on 12/6 (Sat.)!　

[Shiga Kogen Details on 12/5 (Fri.)]
*Available Courses … (Yokoteyama) Kaiwa, No.1, (Kumanoyu) No.2 Begginer, No.3 Begginer, Umanose, 2nd Umanose, (Ichinose Family) Bottom part of Shomen, (Takamagahara) Bottom part of Shomen
*Available Lifts … (Yokoteyama) 1st Sky B, 4th Pair, (Kumanoyu) 2nd Pair B, (Ichinose Family) 2nd Pair B, (Takamagahara) 2nd Triple
*Fees … Yokoteyama Adults JPY6,000, Junior & Senior High JPY5,300, Elementary JPY3,000, Ages 60+ JPY5,500 (until 12/19) / Kumanoyu Early Season 1-Day Pass Adults JPY6,200, Junior & Senior High JPY5,500, Elementary & Under JPY3,000, Ages 60+ JPY5,900 (until 12/19) / Central Area Adults JPY5,600, Elementary & Under JPY2,800 (until 12/19)

*Great Deal! 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