REPORT

The long-awaited snowfall finally arrived, bringing a solid boost to the snowpack. On the upper slopes, where temperatures had dropped sharply, dry snow was coming down hard, and being carried by a cold northwesterly wind. “The snow quality is so good—it’s getting me excited even before dropping in,” said a skier waiting near the front of the Alpen Quad line (pictured center, bright jacket). As opening time approached, the line continued to grow steadily longer.
[Usagidaira Slope]

Dropping into the ungroomed section along the Kurobishi 3 Pair (pictured), I did bottom out on the firm base, but still enjoyed the roughly 35cm of light, fluffy powder. “The base is hard, but it feels great!” was the comment from a skier who had just skied down to the area in front of Cafeteria Kurobishi. Along the Kurobishi Quad, 3 to 5cm of light new snow sat on top of a moderately firm, groomed powder surface.
[Kurobishi Slope]

I dropped into the ungroomed steep slope Omusubi (pictured; max 33°, average 27°) from the upper section of the Skyline forest road. I did make contact with the underlying base at times, but still enjoyed the 30 to 35cm of light new snow, playing off the natural kickers and banks in the first half and finishing off with a tree run. By the way, registration for the “Chanmero Freeride Omusubi Open,” held here on 1/31 (Sat.), is open until 1/24 (Sat.).
[Omusubi]

The Panorama Course had a moderately firm, groomed powder surface topped with 3 to 5cm of light new snow. The ungroomed Central Course had a firm, uneven base marked with tracks that was topped with 15 to 20cm of light new snow. The Shirakaba Slope (pictured), with 5–10cm of light new snow on top, featured a groomed wet snow base, but it was firm and easy to ski.
[Sakka Slope]

　
[Happo-One Details on 1/22 (Thu.)]
*Fully OPEN!
*Operating Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 19 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