REPORT

I ran into a member of the resort staff in the parking lot, who commented, “The strongest and longest cold wave of the season has finally brought some serious snow to Hakuba.” Thick dry snow was falling at Usagidaira in almost windless conditions. A patroller’s words—“Visibility is low with the fog, but today is good!”—had me excited even before dropping in.
[Usagidaira Slope]

From the south-side route at Usagidaira, where about 15cm of light new snow sat on a well-set groomed powder base, I dropped into the ungroomed section along the Alpen Quad (pictured) and was greeted by a huge 40 to 45cm layer of light new snow. I brushed the well-set moguls underneath at times, but there was more than enough soft, fluffy powder to enjoy. As the first tracks were being laid down (pictured), cheers quickly filled the air.
[Usagidaira Slope]

Before that, I took a run on the Panorama Course (pictured), which offered excellent conditions, with 10 to 15cm of light new snow on a moderately firm groomed powder surface. On Riesen, 10 to 15cm of new snow sat on well-set groomed powder up top, while the lower section transitioned to firm, groomed wet snow. At Nakiyama, where the groomed wet-snow surface was moderately firm, about 10cm of new snow had piled up, and areas with tracks felt slightly bumpy.
[Panorama Course]

Also on the Nakiyama Slope, the “FACTION SKIS Demo Day” is being held today and tomorrow (※from 9:00; free to join; ID required). “We’ve brought around 30 next-season models, mainly powder and freeride skis. This is the perfect snow to try them,” a staff member commented. Starting tonight, a “Five Weeks of Fireworks” event will also be held here every Saturday (with the fifth week taking place on 2/20 (Fri.); the same day as the Fire Festival).
[Nakiyama Slope]

　
[Happo-One Details on 1/24 (Sat.)]
*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