REPORT

With the opening of Terakoya, Giant, and Hasuike on 12/27 (Sat.), Shiga Kogen has finally reached “fully open” status (meaning more than 80% of the area is open). This morning, I headed to Terakoya Ski Area (pictured), which is the highest-elevation ski area in the Shiga Central area. I made my way there using the connecting course from the top of Ichinose Family, and found the trees there covered in rime ice.
[Distant View of the Terakoya Ski Area]

A family from Tokyo (pictured) whom I met at the Terakoya Quad unloading area told me, “We’re staying three nights at the Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel and enjoying the excellent snow quality at Shiga Kogen for the first time in four years. Conditions are great.” All around me, I could hear comments like, “It’s beautiful… magical,” and “The conditions are really good today.”
[Terakoya・Eternal Course]

On the Eternal Course, there were a few spots with thin snow cover where the gradient changes in the middle of the run, but they did not affect skiing at all. Across Terakoya, all courses featured groomed packed powder that was moderately firm and very easy to ski. During my visit, dry snow occasionally swirled through the air carried by a strong, cold westerly wind.
[Terakoya・Eternal Course]

Rewinding back to the first thing this morning, I warmed up on the Diamond Slope at Ichinose Diamond (pictured) while waiting for the gate to Terakoya to open at 9 a.m. The slope was groomed flat, with well-compacted packed powder. My edges bit firmly into the surface, allowing me to pick up speed smoothly and confidently.
[Ichinose Diamond・Diamond Slope]

*The base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, the highest recorded depth of 90 cm is at Yakebitaiyama and Okushiga, while Ichinose Diamond is reporting 80 cm, and Terakoya 55 cm.

[Shiga Kogen Details on 1/5 (Mon.)]
*All Courses are OPEN (Except for Yokoteyama 5th, Yokoteyama 6th, Yokoteyama Jumbo, Shibutoge Simple, Kumanoyu 3rd A, Kumanoyu – Yokoteyama Connection, Maruike A, chinose Family – Perfecter, World Cup Course – Upper section, Yakebi Wall, Yakebi Valley, YAKEBI COAST)
*Available Lifts … Yakebitaiyama No.2 Gondola (8:30～) and totally 28 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY9,000, Middle & High school students JPY6,700, Under 12 y/o JPY4,100, over 60 y/o JPY6,900, 1 preschooler free per paying adult.

*Request for the original data of our photographs