REPORT

Yakebitaiyama Ski Area opened today,12/6 (Sat.), under clear, windless skies! I ran into a group of three visitors from Nagano City (pictured), who said, “We follow your reports all the time. Today is the Opening Festival, right? The special early-season lift tickets were pretty cheap for today and tomorrow (JPY4,500), so we decided to come out.” This is also the first time in four years, since 2021, that the gondola has operated on opening day.
[Yakebitaiyama・No. 2 Gondola Base Station]

I met a couple from Nagoya City first thing this morning, who commented, “We always check Snownavi’s resort reports. We’re amazed that the snow quality is this good even at the base.” Riding the No. 2 Gondola (pictured) up toward the summit, the snow quality improved even further, offering an impressively smooth, satisfying feel underfoot. And above all, the stunning high-elevation scenery and crystal-clear air made it easy to forget everything about everyday life.
[Yakebitaiyama・Panorama Course]

On the Panorama Course (pictured), the groomed packed powder was moderately firm, giving my edges excellent grip and allowing my skis to run smoothly for clean, controlled turns. With it being opening day and the weather at its absolute best, many visitors called out to me with “We always check your reports!” and “We’re looking forward to another great season!”
[Yakebitaiyama – Panorama Course]

From the perfectly groomed packed-powder surface on the Panorama Course, I continued onto the South Course, where the surface had some firm artificial snow mixed in. The 2,430-meter long run offered plenty of variety in gradient, scenery, and snow quality, making it a very enjoyable descent. Looking ahead, Okushiga Kogen Ski Area (pictured) is scheduled to open on 12/13 (Sat.). On the First Slope, the groomed packed powder was moderately firm, while the ungroomed snow along the edges was light, dry powder.
[Okushiga・FirstSlope]

*Ichinose Family and Takamagahara Mammoth have been connected via Tanne-no-Mori Okojo since 12/5 (Fri.), allowing skiers and riders to move easily between the two areas.
*The base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, the highest recorded depth of 50 cm is at Yakebitaiyama.
*The Shiga Kogen Opening Festival will be held at the Ichinose Family Ski Area on 12/6 (Sat.)!　

[Shiga Kogen Details on 12/6 (Sat.)]
*Available Courses … (YAKEBITAIYAMA) Panorama, South (YOKOTEYAMA) Kaiwa, No.1, (KUMANOYU) No.2 Begginer, No.3 Begginer, Umanose, (ICHINOSE FAMILY) Bottom part of Shomen, (TAKAMAGAHARA) Bottom part of Takamagahara Monmoth
*Available Lifts … (YAKEBITAIYAMA) No.2 Gondola (8:00～), (YOKOTEYAMA) 1st Sky B, 4th Pair, (KUMANOYU) 2nd Pair B, (ICHINOSE FAMILY) 2nd Pair B, (TAKAMAGAHARA) 2nd Triple
*Fees … Limited Special Lift Pass (12/6 and 12/7 only) Adults (Ages 13+) JPY4,500, Children (Ages 0-12) JPY2,300 (*Lift tickets for elementary school students and younger are free only at Yakebitaiyama.)

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi