REPORT

With the current winter storm, Otari Village, home of Tsugaike, recorded the highest 24-hour snowfall total in Japan: an impressive 67 cm falling by 6 p.m. on 12/26 (Fri.). As a result, Tsugaike Mountain Resort has now opened all courses for skiing, with the exception of the Champion Slope! In addition, the gondola will start running from 7:45 a.m. every day from 12/27 (Sat.) to 1/4 (Sun.), as well as on weekends and holidays from 1/10 to 3/8 (Sun.).
[Han-no-ki Slope]

This morning, patches of blue sky gradually spread overhead, and Mt. Hakuba Norikura (pictured, background) revealed itself. In the areas along the Han-no-ki High-Speed Pair (first photo) and down the center of the Tsuga-no-mori Slope (pictured), the snow was groomed into moderately firm, powdery conditions. Catching the Tsuga No. 2 Pair as it started running about five minutes earlier than its scheduled 8:30 a.m. start, I was first on the lift and headed straight for the Uma-no-se Course—my first run there of the season.
[Tsuga-no-mori Slope]

The fully ungroomed Uma-no-se Course (pictured) was blanketed with 30 to 40 cm of light fresh snow. With a soft, forgiving base and a gently undulating surface, there was no bottoming out, and the run delivered a wonderfully buoyant, floating sensation. Both Japanese and international riders quickly filled the slope with tracks, but even after that, the snow stayed remarkably easy and enjoyable to ski.
[Uma-no-se Course]

Two riders from Kanagawa and Yamanashi Prefectures, whom I met partway down the Uma-no-se Course, told me, “We always follow Snownavi! Yesterday we borrowed a development test board from THE DAY.HAKUBA through Snowboard Kaitori Monster and took it straight to the powder. It felt absolutely amazing!” A lift operator at the Champion Quad also shared, “Tonight the grooming machines will head up to the upper section, and tomorrow we’ll work on the unloading area. We’re planning to start operations on 12/29 (Mon.).”
[Uma-no-se Course]

　　
[Tsugaike Kogen Details on 12/27 (Fri.)]
*All Courses are OPEN (Excpet for Champion)
*Operating lifts … Gondola (from 8:00) and totally 7 lifts.
*Fees … 1-Day Ticket Adult JPY8,200, 6 to 12 y/o JPY4,900, Over 60 y/o JPY6,700
　
*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi