REPORT

Although the officially reported base depth had dropped to just 10 cm by Christmas, heavy snowfall starting on 12/26 (Fri.) and lasting through this morning has brought it back up to 80 cm. “I think anywhere will be enjoyable to ski today, but I especially recommend Champion,” said a Powder Station staff member I spoke with before operations began. Drawn along by the lead group, I headed into World Cup next to Champion (pictured), where soft, fresh snow delivered a very satisfying first run of the day.
[World Cup]

World Cup (pictured) was covered with a deep 50 to 60 cm layer of soft, fluffy new snow. With absolutely no bottoming out, this season’s first true “Madapow” had me instinctively shouting, “Wow—this feels amazing!” An Australian snowboarder who came down at the same time as me skidded to a stop nearby and, with a huge grin on their face, called out, “Very happy!!”
[World Cup]

After riding back up on the Super Quad, I enjoyed the smooth traverse on well-set packed powder through Crystal before heading over to the No. 15 Lift. Two guests from Aichi Prefecture (pictured) told me, “The ungroomed World Cup first thing this morning was a little on the heavy side, but we can’t complain—first world problems. Getting to the No. 15 Lift loading area just before it starts operating was perfect timing.”
[No. 15 Lift]

Skylab (pictured) was groomed at the top and bottom, with an ungroomed section through the middle. The groomed sections were nicely soft and smooth, while the ungroomed middle—with 40 to 50 cm of fresh snow—delivered a light, floating sensation that was a real treat. Looking ahead, night skiing begins on 12/31 (Wed.), and starting this season, a “Tree Run Experience Program” will also be offered during the year-end and New Year holiday period (12/27 to 1/4) as well as on weekends and public holidays.
[Skylab]

　
[Madarao Kogen Details on 12/27 (Sat.)]
＊Most Courses are OPEN (Except for Ocean View, Powder Line, Powder Theater, Powder Wave2, River Line, Adventure Aisle, Crystal Bowl, NINJA, SAWA 1-3, Rabbit, Kamoshika, Bear)
＊Available Lifts … No.1 Triple (8:30～) and totally 7 lifts
＊Fee … Mountain Pass Adult JPY8,500, Over 55 y/o JPY8,000, 6 to 12 y/o 5,500 / 5-Hour Pass JPY6,900,Over 55 y/o JPY6,300, 6 to 12 y/o JPY4,200, *Pre-schoolers FREE
　
＊Request for the original data of our photographs
　　
reported by Snownavi