REPORT

Just like on opening day, the trees at the summit were once again covered in rime ice. After temperatures rose on 12/20 (Sat.) & 12/21 (Sun.), the cold returned yesterday morning, coating the trees in rime ice once again. I ran into the manager of HAKUBA COFFEE STAND (pictured), who told me, “I always check Snownavi. It’s sunny today and the rime ice looks beautiful. I’m starting my day on the East Slope.”
[East Slope]

The North Slope (pictured) opened for skiing, while View C and View D closed yesterday, 12/22 (Mon.). As such, today the two open slopes were East and North. Both courses offered easy-to-ski conditions with well-compacted, moist groomed snow, although there were a few spots on the North Slope where the tops of tall grasses were still visible poking through the base.
[North Slope]

In contrast to the ever-popular East Slope, the North Slope was quiet in the morning, allowing plenty of room to open up long, relaxed turns. A light northwesterly breeze blew at times, but conditions were comfortable and even the lift rides felt pleasant. By around 10:00 a.m., HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR had become very lively, mainly with sightseeing visitors.
[North Slope]

The snow at the base area was almost completely reset by the rain on 12/21 (Sun.). Meanwhile, a free shuttle bus has been operating since 12/19 (Fri.), with a conveniently located bus stop right in front of the Hakuba Iwatake base area. Real-time operation information is scheduled to become available starting on 12/26 (Fri.).
[Hakuba Iwatake Base Center]

　
[Hakuba Iwatake Details on 12/19 (Fri.)]
*Avaiiable Courses … East, North
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00～), 3 Sen Nrth, 4 Sen East
*Fees … Season in discount 1-Day Pass Adult JPY5,300, 6-12 y/o JPY2,700, A preschooler will be free per adult. (*Until 12/26)

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi