REPORT

After the spring-like warmth on 12/20 (Sat.) & 12/21 (Sun.), Hakunori managed to stay open, but the even warmer conditions on 12/24 (Wed.) & 12/25 (Thu.) delivered the final blow, forcing a full closure on 12/25 (Thu.). Following a night of heavy snowfall, however, the resort made a comeback today, 12/26 (Fri.). I spoke with students from Kyoto Institute of Technology (pictured) who told me, “We always follow your reports. We arrived yesterday for a winter training camp during our break. We’re preparing for the Iwatake Student Competition.
[Hakunori Family Course]

I stopped by the newly renovated restaurant Snowdrop (pictured), which reopened this December. With its large windows, new carpeting, and updated lighting, the space felt bright and comfortable. Once again this season, Denbei Suisan is operating here, serving fresh seafood from Itoigawa, including a Snow Crab Rice Bowl (JPY3,300), Sweet Shrimp Rice Bowl (JPY2,500), and Itoigawa Seafood Rice Bowl (JPY2,800).
[Snowdrop]

Inside the expanded Snowdrop, a new counter-style seating area (pictured) has been added, making it easy and comfortable for solo visitors to stop in. While I was at the resort, operations gradually expanded beyond the No. 1 Pair, which was the first lift to run, with the No. 4 Pair starting up as well, followed later by the 6th Pair, bringing the total to three skiable courses.
[Snowdrop]

“We’re staying in Japan for 10 days, and this is our first time visiting Hakunori,” was the comment from a group of three guests from Australia and Hong Kong (pictured). On the Hakunori Family Course, the moderately soft groomed surface was topped with around 15cm of light new snow that flowed smoothly beneath my skis, while on the Wakaguri Central Slope, I enjoyed a fluffy 20 to 35cm layer of fresh powder over a similarly forgiving groomed base.
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

　
[Hakuba Norikura Onsen Details on 12/26 (Fri.)]
*OPEN Course … Hakunori Family, Wakaguri Central, Wakaguri Forest
*Available Lift … No.1 Pair (8:30～), No.4 Pair, No.6 Pair
*Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY5,700, 6 to 12 y/o JPY3,000, Pre-schooler FREE
　
*Request for the original data of our photographs
　
reported by Snownavi