REPORT

The morning began with dense snowfall that kicked off before dawn. Snow removal was taking a while on the upper slopes since the accumulation from the day before yesterday was still in place, and as a consequence, the Alpen Quad began operating at 9:00, the Kurobishi Quad at 9:30, and the Kurobishi 3 Pair at 9:40. Before those lifts got running, visitors were concentrated on the Skyline Course (pictured), and lines of around 6 to 10 minutes formed for the Skyline 2 Pair.
[Skyline Course]

The Panorama Course (pictured) had excellent conditions first thing this morning, with 2 to 3cm of light, fluffy new snow resting on a moderately firm groomed powder surface. Olympic Course II was completely ungroomed, but the uneven, underlying base stayed soft, and 5 to 10cm of light new snow on top provided a forgiving cushion that made it easy to ski.
[Panorama Course]

Wet snow and powder had been mixed and pressed by the grooming machines on the Sakka Slope, and I enjoyed some relaxing turns while cutting through the 2 to 3cm of light new snow on top. The snowfall showed no sign of easing, and fog began to move in as well, making visibility more challenging. Even so, the central section of Skyline, the area along the Kurobishi Quad, and the south-side route at Usagidaira (pictured) all had a moderately soft, groomed powder base and remained easy to ski.
[Usagidaira Slope]

I ran into Mr. Williams (pictured, left) and his son (pictured, right) from Hakuba Connect, an annual Hakuba guidebook published for international visitors, who commented, “The snow quality today is excellent. That said, the base was a bit firm in the ungroomed sections along the Kurobishi 3 Pair and beside the Alpen Quad.” The Central Course, which I used to ski down, offered easy-going conditions similar to Olympic Course II.
[Usagidaira Slope]

　
[Happo-One Details on 1/13 (Tue.)]
*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