REPORT

The Giant Slope (pictured, 1,000 m) has the steepest gradient of any groomed run in Shiga Kogen at 34 degrees, and was groomed edge to edge and in outstanding shape. The snow surface was firm packed powder, making it exceptionally easy and enjoyable to ski. For reference, among ungroomed courses, the Yokoteyama Jumbo Course holds the record for the steepest pitch in Shiga Kogen at 35 degrees.
[Giant ・Giant Slope]

A cosplayer (pictured) who was laying down razor-sharp carving turns told me, “The conditions on Giant are so good that I’ve been skiing here all the time lately. I’m able to build good speed comfortably again today.” Around 9 a.m., the slope began to take on a lively atmosphere typical of a weekend.
[Giant・Giant Slope]

Today I rode the Nishidateyama Quad (604 m) and then the Nishidateyama Hooded Quad (788 m) up to the summit. A couple from within Nagano prefecture (pictured) told me, “We always check your reports. Yakebitaiyama looked like it would be crowded today, so we came over to Nishidateyama instead. Every course has really great edge hold today, and we’re having a lot of fun.”
[Nishidateyama・Takamagahara Side Slope]

While I was there, Nishidateyama had no lift lines at all. The Beginner Course (pictured), Intermediate Course, and the upper section of the World Cup Course all featured groomed snow with a moist, powder-like feel and moderate firmness, while the lower section of the World Cup Course was more firmly compacted wet snow. Around 10 a.m., as I wrapped up my coverage, light flakes of dry snow began to fall from a leaden gray sky.
[Nishidateyama・Beginner Course]

＊The base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, the highest recorded depth of 170 cm is at Shibutoge, while Giant and Nishidateyama are reporting 70 cm.
　
[Shiga Kogen Details on 1/24 (Sat.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except for Yokoteyama 4th, Yokoteyama Jumbo, Shibutoge Simple, Maruike A, Yakebi Wall, YAKEBI COAST)
*Available Lifts … Giant Pair (8:30～), Shigakogen Resort Gondola (8:30～) and totally 40 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY9,000, Middle & High school students JPY6,700, Under 12 y/o JPY4,100, over 60 y/o JPY6,900, 1 preschooler free per paying adult.

*Request for the original data of our photographs