REPORT

While the Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen areas at the base of the mountains remained under the clouds, the skies over Shiga Kogen were clear and sunny. An instructor from the Wakabayashi Pro Ski School (pictured) whom I met on the Takamagahara Mammoth Slope told me, “The snow conditions make for easy skiing today. I’m heading over to Ichinose Family next.”
[Takamagahara・Takamagahara Mammoth]

At Takamagahara Mammoth (first photo), the groomed packed powder was moderately firm. A skier taking part in a group lesson told me, “The smooth conditions today make for great practice.” By contrast, the lower section of the Ichinose Family Front Slope (pictured) had a firmer, well-compacted packed-powder surface, and it was impressive to watch the edge control of the advanced skiers as they carved.
[Ichinose Family・Front Slope]

At Ichinose Family, students visiting on a school trip began skiing around 9 a.m., but because the groomed area extended across the full width of the slope, it didn’t feel crowded at all. Snowmaking machines were operating on the upper section of the Ichinose Family Front Slope as well as at Ichinose Diamond. A staff member commented, “We’re preparing to open up more areas, so please be sure to check our official website for updates.”
[Ichinose Family – Front Slope]

Tannenomori Okojo (pictured), which connects the Takamagahara Mammoth Slope and the Ichinose Family Front Slope, was groomed to the width of a single snowcat on both routes—Takamagahara Mammoth to Ichinose Family, and Ichinose Family to Takamagahara Mammoth. Despite the gentle gradient, my skis slid well across the snow, allowing for smooth and comfortable travel between the two areas.
[Tannenomori Okojo]

＊The No. 4 Pair Lift at Okushiga Kogen (pictured) will be out of operation from 12/15 (Mon.) to 12/19 (Fri.).
＊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 60 cm is at Yakebitaiyama, Okushiga, and Yokoteyama. Takagahara Mammoth is currently reporting 50 cm.

[Shiga Kogen Details on 12/17 (Wed.)]
*Available Courses … (OKUSHIGA) No.1, No2 Expert, No3, No.4/ (YAKEBITAIYAMA) Panorama, Shirakaba, Buna, Panorama In, Karamatsu, South/ (YOKOTEYAMA) Kaiwa, No.1, No.2, Queen 5, King/ (KUMANOYU) No.2A, No.2 Begginer, No.3 Begginer, Umanose, No.4A, No.4 Bigginer (ICHINOSE FAMILY) Bottom part of Shomen, (TAKAMAGAHARA) Bottom part of Takamagahara Monmoth
*Available Lifts … (OKUSHIGA) No.2 Rapid Pair, (YAKEBITAIYAMA) No.2 Gondola (YOKOTEYAMA) 1st Sky B, 4th Pair, (KUMANOYU) 2nd Pair A & B, (ICHINOSE FAMILY) 2nd Pair A & B, (TAKAMAGAHARA) 2nd Triple
*Fees … OKUSHIGA Adults JPY6,000, 13 to 18 y/o JPY5,100, 6 to 12 y/o JPY 3,000, Over 60 y/o JPY5,500 / 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) / YAKEBITAIYAMA Adult JPY6,500, 13 to 18 y/o JPY5,400, Over 60 y/o JPY5,900

*Request for the original data of our photographs