REPORT

When I reached the Yuki-no-hiroba area to board the gondola from the mid-station, I was surprised to see how much snow had piled up on the terrace seats (pictured) outside. The snow depth measured 30 to 35 cm near the end of the Shirakaba Slope and about 25 cm on the Oya-no-hara Slope. Areas in the mid to lower sections of the resort that had completely melted out by yesterday morning were suddenly transformed into a full winter landscape today.
[Shirakaba Slope]

While there was hardly any wind at the base, strong gusts were sweeping across the top of the resort. On the open Tsuga-no-mori Slope, around 30 cm of fresh, powder-like snow had accumulated, with 40 to 50 cm in deeper pockets. The skiing felt great, with 5 to 10 cm of new snow sitting atop a firm, groomed base, giving each turn a soft, buoyant sensation.
[Tsuga-no-mori Slope]

I ran into a snowboarder from Omachi City (pictured, right), who greeted me with the familiar phrase, “I always follow Snownavi!” He continued, “I love backcountry so much that I moved out here from Shizuoka. My friend here lives in Matsumoto. I recently opened a restaurant called Omachi Shokuji-dokoro Kei on 11/18 (Tue.)—our specialty is mapo tofu, which I’ve spent 15 years perfecting.” (Congratulations on the opening!)
[Tsuga-no-mori Slope]

It was cold enough to make my fingertips numb, but visitors continued to arrive and the resort soon took on the lively atmosphere typical of a weekend. By around 10 a.m., a long line had formed at the Tsuga No. 2 Pair lift. And tomorrow, 12/5 (Fri.), the Han-no-ki High-Speed Pair is scheduled to start operating, which means the terrain along the lift will also open!
[Tsuga-no-mori Slope]

　
[Tsugaike Kogen Details on 12/4 (Thu.)]
*Avaiiable Course … Tsuga-no-mori
*Available Lifts … Gondola (9:00～), Tsuga 2
*Fees … 1-Day Ticket Adult JPY4,900, 6 to 12 y/o JPY3,800 (Until 12/5)
　　
*Early-bird Lift Tickets (Sales period: 9/12 to 12/21)
Adult 1-day pass JPY8,200 → JPY5,900!
Child (elementary) 1-day pass JPY4,900 → JPY3,800!
Adult 1-day pass + JPY1,200 lunch voucher= JPY9,400 → JPY6,700!
Child 1-day pass + JPY1,200 lunch voucher= JPY6,100 → JPY4,600!
　
*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi