REPORT

With heavy snowfall on 1/8 (Thurs.), followed by clear skies to start the three-day holiday weekend, everything lined up to make the first day of operations for the Alps No. 11 Pair a huge success. I spoke with six guests from Aichi Prefecture (pictured) who told me, “We always read your reports! We’re a crew from Snowboard Shop Capsule, and today we’re planning on lapping the No. 11 Pair!” Looking out over the long lines at the loading area, it was clear that most of the crowd was heading out with the backcountry in mind.
[Alps No. 11 Pair Loading Area]

As a mountain sightseeing lift, the No. 11 Pair operates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The lift can be ridden with any valid lift ticket, but skis and snowboards must normally be left at the loading area. However, if you submit a consent form at the lift (first photo) and purchase an armband for ¥2,000 (cash only), you are allowed to ride while wearing your skis or snowboard. While I was there, I was greeted with plenty of smiles from guests as they boarded the lift.
[Alps No. 11 Pair Loading Area]

Because the lift runs over steep terrain, the sense of height was incredible, and with pristine, untouched snow spreading out from beneath the lift line all the way up to the summit, my excitement kept building with every meter gained. Before long, the view opened to the south, revealing the Northern Alps, along with Tsugaike, Iwatake, Happo, Goryu & Hakuba 47, and the townscape of Hakuba Village spreading out below.
[Alps No. 11 Pair]

The snow depth around the unloading area of the No. 11 Pair was roughly 250 cm, and when walking around in my boots I was sinking 30 to 50 cm with each step. Though there had been no snowfall overnight or this morning, the snow still felt soft and fluffy underfoot. Later on, I ran into a man from Kanagawa Prefecture who had ridden up after leaving his skis at the loading area, and he commented, “It’s not something you get to experience very often, so I wanted to ride up. Being able to see the mountain ranges and the Sea of Japan was great.”
[Along the Alps No. 11 Pair]

　　
[Hakuba Norikura Onsen Details on 1/10 (Sat.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except for Snake, Expert)
*Operating Lifts … No.1 Pair (8:30～) and totally 8 lifts
*Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY6,200, 6 to 12 y/o JPY3,500, Pre-schooler FREE

*Print and get a great deal! Discount Coupon!
Adult 1 Day Ticket + JPY1,500 Meal Ticket or Shop Coupon＝JPY8,700 → JPY7,500!
Child 1 Day Ticket + JPY1,500 Meal Ticket or Shop Coupon＝JPY6,000 → JPY4,800!
　
*Request for the original data of our photographs
　
reported by Snownavi