REPORT

The season’s strongest and longest cold wave has eased, and the morning broke under calm, overcast skies. Stepping off the gondola, I found a tempting, smooth, untouched surface along the ungroomed section beside the Alpen Quad (pictured). A lift operator on the Alpen Quad told me, “Strong winds forced the upper lifts to shut down around midday yesterday.”
[Usagidaira Slope]

The biting –12°C temperature showed clearly, with trees above Usagidaira coated in rime ice and diamond dust visible in the air (pictured, right side). Snow removal delayed the start of the Alpen Quad by about 15 minutes, and soon after, more and more people gathered in line. The Grat Quad remained closed all day due to snow clearing.
[Usagidaira Slope]

At Sodeguro (pictured), 30 to 40cm of wind-packed new snow had accumulated. I was careful to ski in a straight line to keep my skis from getting grabbed and pulled by the snow, but I was still able to enjoy the soft, buoyant feel. The south-side route at Usagidaira, the area along the Kurobishi Quad, and the central section of Skyline all offered moderately firm, easy-to-ski groomed powder.
[Usagidaira Slope]

In Happo’s northern alpine area (pictured), the “2026 TOYO TIRES FWT HAKUBA QUALIFIER 4*” was underway (starting gate upper left). A staff member explained, “After safety checks, the athletes will check the course—visually and with binoculars—and the competition is scheduled to start at 10:00.” HAPPO PARKS, the Kita-One forest road, and the Sakka Slope all had well-set, groomed powder conditions.
[Alpine Area]

　
[Happo-One Details on 1/26 (Mon.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except for Riesen Grat)
*Operating Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 18 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