REPORT

After the heavy snowfall on 1/8 (Thu.), Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort recorded its deepest base depth of the season at 240cm on 1/9 (Fri.). I was up early this morning to join the season’s first HAPPO First Track event. With a relatively high participation fee (¥7,000 for the general public, ¥3,000 for season pass holders), only six people took part, creating a private-slope atmosphere that felt nothing like the first day of a three-day holiday weekend—in the best possible way.
[Riesen Slalom Course]

Although the price is the same for adults and children, both HAKUBA VALLEY season pass holders and NSD Kids Program members can join for ¥3,000, which makes it feel like an excellent value for this type of exclusivity. Another big plus is that it’s not limited to Riesen, the designated First Track slope—because when regular operations begin, participants are already on the mountain and in position to get first turns on courses like the Panorama Course (pictured).
[Panorama Course]

With the cold temperatures continuing, every groomed run this morning was in excellent condition. On Riesen, the upper half had well-set groomed powder, while the lower section featured a firmer groomed wet snow surface that had man-made snow mixed in. Meanwhile, the Panorama Course (pictured) offered a moderately firm, groomed powder base. By the way, the expert-only ungroomed area Omusubi opened yesterday.
[Panorama Course]

HAPPO PARKS (on the slope along the Kita-One 3 Pair) is closed from 1/10 (Sat.) to 1/16 (Fri.) for park construction. This morning, the south-side route at Usagidaira had well-set groomed powder, while the area along the Kurobishi Quad and the Skyline Course featured moderately firm, groomed powder. There were powder conditions all the way to the bottom as I skied down via the Kita-One forest course to the Sakka Wave and on to the Sakka Slope (pictured).
[Sakka Slope]

　
[Happo-One Details on 1/10 (Sat.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except for URAKURO, HAPPO PARKS, Kitaone New)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 17 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY8,700, 6-17 y/o JPY4,350, Over 65 y/o JPY8,400

*Printable Rental Discount Coupons!
Carving Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY3,500 / Outerwear JPY2,500!
Carving Ski・Snowboard High Performance Model Rental JPY500 OFF!
Kid’s Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY2,500 / Outerwear JPY1,500!

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi