REPORT

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort has kept its abundant powder snow and laid-back vibes while making major improvements to both its facilities and services over the past few years. As scheduled, the 2025–26 winter season kicked off today, 12/13 (Sat.)! The Alps No. 1 Pair (pictured) started turning at 8:30 a.m., giving access to the Hakunori Family Course—a gentle, wide-open slope with a maximum pitch of 10 degrees and an average of 5 degrees.
[Hakunori Family Course]

A few tall grasses were still poking through in places, but they were easy enough to avoid while skiing. Thanks to the frigid temperatures that pulled the moisture out of the snowpack, the snow quality was outstanding. With calm winds and a bright overcast sky, the groomed powder surface was pleasantly soft, letting me carve smooth, clean lines just the way I wanted.
[Hakunori Family Course]

I met a skier from Nagano City (pictured), who commented, “I always check your reports! Looking forward to another great season. Since today is my first day out this season, the Hakunori Family Course is perfect.” The ungroomed sections along the edge of the slope held 5 to 10cm of light, fluffy new snow.
[Hakunori Family Course]

Including the fresh snow that fell last night, the Wakaguri Central Slope (pictured) had around 40 to 50 cm of pure natural snow. A local couple from Otari Village (pictured), who kindly followed me over to the still-closed Wakaguri Central area for a photo, commented, “We always follow your reports! As Otari residents, we felt we had to be here on opening day, so we came out to do some skiing.”
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

　
[Hakuba Norikura Onsen Details on 12/13 (Sat.)]
＊OPEN Course … Hakunori Family
＊Available Lift … No.1 Pair (8:30～)
＊Fees … Off Peak 1-Day Pass Adult JPY4,500, 6 to 12 y/o JPY2,500, Pre-schooler FREE (Until 12/19)
　
＊Request for the original data of our photographs
　
reported by Snownavi